Pandemic Biking Craze; College Admissions Are Changing; Elephant Baby Boom!

Plus, on this episode of StoryCorps, a couple recounts their love story that blossomed during 'don't ask, don't tell.'

by Jill Hudson and Suzette Lohmeyer Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images Stories and podcasts you may have missed...  With neck gaiters getting a bad rep these days, many are wondering what face covering setup offers the best safeguard from the virus? Plus, it's August and it's hot in many places, but do air conditioners spread COVID-19? And the 14 states that have made their contact tracing data public are finding it's a powerful tool to assess risk and drive policy.  Marjorie Taylor Greene's path to Congress has been strewn with controversy. Politico dug up her history of disparaging Black people and Muslims. She's unapologetic about the anti-Semitic tropes she has used to describe George Soros. But it's another kind of extremism that placed a spotlight to Greene's victory Tuesday in the Republican primary runoff in Georgia. Click here to listen or read the story. Never mind that most North Koreans can't access the Internet. In line with a new effort to give its stolid state propaganda a makeover and reach out to foreign audiences, North Korea has established a foothold in Western social media via videos like these on YouTube and on Twitter. Listen here or read about it.  The Democratic National Convention starts Monday in an all-virtual format. Here's what you need to know, including who is speaking when, how to listen and what else to expect. Plus, read about  how Kamala Harris' bid for the vice presidency has sparked a debate about racial identity.  Newsletter continues after sponsor message Listen Up! Rashida Chavis for NPR As an African American entrepreneur pitching beauty products to white, male investors, Nancy Twine had a tough time raising money. Finally in 2013, with an investment of $100,000, Twine launched Briogeo, eventually landed it in Sephora, and— even in the midst of an economic crisis — is expecting it to do $40,000,000 in sales this year. Listen to her story on How I Built This.  Until its repeal in 2010, the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy banned LGBTQ people from serving openly in the armed forces. So when Mike Rudulph was in Iraq, his now-husband, Neil Rafferty, would send him letters and sign them as "Lisa," just in case they were ever found. Listen to their StoryCorps love story or read about it here.  What does it take to get into college these days? No one knows anymore, including the schools. Because of the pandemic, many students will be applying without standardized test scores and other metrics that admissions officers have long relied on. Hear more about the near-panic reverberating on campuses across the nation or read about it.  How To, For You smartboy10/Getty Images When the world gets to be too much, it’s a quick escape to hop on a bike and race down the road to get some exercise and maybe some peace of mind. But if you haven’t been on a bike since sometime back in the 1990s, the biking world can be a little daunting: Do I need biking shoes and spandex? What kind of bike do I need? Listen to advice on how to get started or read the tips here.   Good news, voters: It is going to be easier than ever before to vote by mail. If you are a first-time mail-in voter or you just need a refresher, we’ve got you covered. NPR’s Life Kit has broken down the logistics to make sending in that ballot easy peasy. Click here to listen to tips on voting by mail or read the story.  Music Notes Mikkel Berg Pedersen/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images The live music industry is coming up with creative ways to get musicians on stage and the fans out front. And while nobody expects new formats like socially distanced, limited-capacity shows to totally solve the crisis, it’s a chance for the industry to build more future-proof models for live entertainment because ... this might not be our last pandemic.  Our Picture Show Pick Nadiya Nacorda Artist and photographer Nadiya Nacorda's new photo book, A Special Kind of Double, features images of her brother Khaya and sister Thandiswa growing up. Nacroda's goal was to capture moments of joy — not during birthdays or special occasions — but in her siblings' everyday lives.  Animal House Tony Karumba/AFP via Getty Images Elephant baby boom alert! Kenya's Amboseli National Park has reported the birth of more than 170 calves this year, including two sets of twins (a rare occurrence).  Sharks are often maligned as Hollywood monsters, the lone wolves hunting for prey. Instead, scientists say, some species of sharks are social creatures who need their buddies. Enormous "terror crocodiles" with “teeth the size of bananas” once roamed the Earth and preyed on dinosaurs, according to a new study.  Save the … parasites? Scientists say parasites are important parts of ecosystems, but many are at risk of extinction.  What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: bestofnpr@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Daily News, Politics, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Best of NPR emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy