Texas shooter caught; a potential final interest rate hike; history and civics scores decline

Plus, why Americans are so lonely.

View this email online by Suzanne Nuyen May 3, 2023 Good morning. How much do you like your coworkers? Enough to live next to them? More and more employers are hoping that you do. Here's what else we're following today. Francisco Oropesa, a man accused of killing five of his neighbors, including a 9-year-old child, has been captured after a four-day search. Police say the 38-year-old was found hiding in a closet under a pile of laundry miles from the shooting and taken into custody "without incident." David J. Phillip/AP 🎧 On Up First this morning, NPR's Leila Fadel asked Lucio Vasquez, a reporter with Houston Public Media, about how language used by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in the aftermath of the shooting shifted conversations around immigration. Vasquez says Abbot was criticized for calling the five victims illegal immigrants. Many said the immigration status of the victims had nothing to do with the shooting itself or the manhunt.   The Federal Reserve is expected to raise interest rates again today, but you can breathe a sigh of relief: Forecasters believe this could be the last time. Still, First Republic Bank's failure earlier this week could complicate matters. 🎧 NPR’s Scott Horsley tells Up First that banks will likely be more cautious about making loans after recent failures, which would be "another speed bump for the U.S. economy." Experts believe the economy and the job market will be significantly weaker because of these failures, with an outright loss of jobs this summer.    History and civics scores among American eighth graders are down, according to the latest results from the assessment known as “The Nation’s Report Card.” This year's history scores are the lowest on record since the assessment began in 1994, and it's the first time civics scores have dropped. 🎧 NPR’s Sequoia Carrilo explains that the pandemic "definitely played a role" on scores. "This was just not a normal four years for students," she tells Up First. Carillo spoke to an educator who said schools must focus on improving across the curriculum, not just pour more resources into reading and math. ➡️ One more thing is worsening in schools: meal debt. Pandemic-era universal free school lunches ended this year, and districts nationwide are noticing families struggling. Newsletter continues after sponsor message Getty Images Loneliness has become one of our most widespread health issues. Nearly half of American adults say they feel lonely or isolated, according to a new report from the Department of Health and Human Services. It has physical consequences, including a 29% increased risk of heart disease, a 32% increased risk of stroke, and a 50% increased risk of developing dementia for older adults. 😔 Loneliness isn't just about the number of people around you but the quality of your connections. 😔 People are spending less time in person with each other. Although social media can be used to find community, it often means lower-quality connections. 😔 It can be hard to recognize loneliness in ourselves and our friends — some withdraw and become quiet, while others get angry and irritable.   🎧 Listen to Eric Liu, CEO of Citizen University, talk about how loneliness is a cultural problem on Morning Edition. He tells A Martinez that in order to fix it, "we need to create a culture of connection — a civic culture in which we see one another's fates as entwined." Photographer/Source Migrant advocates say stricter border enforcement has pushed some asylum seekers to take desperate measures. Border Kindness, a humanitarian aid group, enters the desert to leave water and other supplies along migrant routes on the border between California and Mexico. 🎧 Listen to them describe the challenges they face helping people who often do not want to be found or read the story. Photographer/Source Many states nationwide are trying to enact laws restricting gender-affirming health care. NBA Legend Dwyane Wade, whose daughter is trans, is having none of it.  Elon Musk has threatened to assign NPR's Twitter handle to "another company," a month after NPR quit Twitter over a false "state-affiliated media" label. Heather Church doesn't know what would have happened to her if an unsung hero hadn't caught her just in time to prevent her from tumbling down the stairs at a clothing store in New York. Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to hear live radio from WUFT 89.1 (edit station). This newsletter was edited by Majd Al-Waheidi. 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 Music, 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