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Charles King's new book "Every Valley" tells the backstory of "Messiah," a staple of the Christmas season widely considered George Frideric Handel's masterpiece. Then, musicologist Martin Clarke discusses the moment of musical ecstasy that accompanies a particular arrangement on "O come, all ye faithful." Find out why the "word of the father" chord has been called "the best chord of Christmas." Also WBUR editor Sara Shukla shares an appreciation of "The Muppet Christmas Carol," and reflects on why it's especially significant to her this year. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

David Wallace Wells, author of "The Uninhabitable Earth," reviews the year in climate. The head of the United Nations has described 2024 as a "master class in climate destruction." Then, author Tana French leaves the Dublin police squad where she's set her previous books and sets out for the country in a series of novels where small town politics conceal deadly secrets. "The Hunter" is out in paperback. Also, NPR's James Mastromarino recommends some of the best new board games to play with friends and family this holiday season. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

The House voted down a second try at reaching a deal to avert a government shutdown at midnight on Friday. ABC's Rick Klein discussed what's to come. And, striking Amazon workers — members of the Teamsters Union — are seeking recognition of their union, better working conditions and higher pay. Randy Korgan — the Teamster's National Director for Amazon shares more about the ongoing strike. Then, data centers are driving a huge surge in electricity demand as artificial intelligence and cloud computing grow. Brian Singer, an analyst at Goldman Sachs, looks to the future of data and electricity usage. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

A person in Louisiana has been hospitalized with the first severe case of H5N1 bird flu in the U.S. This comes as California Governor Gavin Newsom declares a state of emergency to deal with an outbreak spreading among dairy cows in California. Dr. Abdul El-Sayed of the Wayne County Department of Health, Human and Veterans Services in Michigan joins us to discuss. And, two experts on human rights violations recently visited suspected mass graves in Syria. Stephen Rapp, former U.S. ambassador at large for war crimes, and Mouaz Moustafa of the Syrian Emergency Task Force share what they saw. Then, terminally ill children got to take a magical plane ride to Santa's Workshop. We speak with Captain Bob Zimmerman, who piloted the trip. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

A new report released by House Republicans backs President-elect Trump's push to criminally investigate former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney for her role in investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection. And, Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has been indicted on terrorism charges. WNYC reporter Samantha Max shares what we know so far. And Wendell Potter — former Cigna executive-turned-whistleblower — explains how Wall Street has driven up health care costs. Then, is there a teacher on your holiday shopping list? The Washington Post's Michelle Singletary shares some gift ideas that teachers will love. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

President-elect Donald Trump is assembling a cabinet of wealthy business people and holding meetings with some of the nation's most powerful CEOs. Political science professor Stephen Nelson joins us to explain why it could be a sign of oligarchy in the United States. And, Trump's lie about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio helped define a fiery presidential campaign. Now, PolitiFact is calling it the "Lie of the Year." Editor-in-chief Katie Sanders joins us to discuss the impact the lie has had on Haitian immigrants. Then, four-time Grammy-winning musician Zakir Hussain died Saturday at the age of 73. We pay tribute to his legacy by revisiting Hussain's 2023 conversation with host Deepa Fernandes. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Negotiations have stalled among seven states trying to reach a deal on how to use a dwindling supply of water from the Colorado River. Arizona State University's Kathryn Sorenson tells us what's at stake. And, we look into President Biden's wave of commutations and pardons with University of St. Thomas School of Law professor Mark Osler. Then, for an 18-year-old in Gaza, keeping up his workout routine is one of the ways he copes with war in his homeland. Mohammed Hatem joins us to share how exercise provides solace. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Republicans in the North Carolina General Assembly voted to reduce powers for Democrats who won key races in the Tar Heel state this November. WRAL-TV's Laura Leslie explains what this vote means. Then, this weekend the Geminids meteor shower will be visible, but could be harder to see because of what's known as the Cold Moon, the last full moon of the year. Sky and Telescope's Kelly Beatty joins us. And, we hear recommendations for gifts to spend your hard-earned money on this year from The Cut's Bianca Nieves. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Former Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman is among nearly 100 former intelligence and national security officials who have expressed concern about President-elect Trump's pick of Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence. Sherman joins us to explain why she's concerned the selection of Gabbard could lead allies to think twice about sharing intelligence with the United States. Then, a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced legislation this week that would prevent companies that own pharmacies from also owning pharmacy benefit managers, middlemen that oversee prescription drug benefits for companies. "Full Disclosure" host Roben Farzad talks about what the legislation seeks to do. And, according to a new investigation from ProPublica, formaldehyde is in the air we breathe, causing more cancer than any other airborne chemical. ProPublica's Topher Sanders tells us more. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Syria's notorious Sednaya prison was known as a "human slaughterhouse," where tens of thousands of people were detained, tortured and killed during the country's 13-year civil war. Jaber Baker was a prisoner at Sednaya. He discusses what it was like inside the prison. Then, Ash Lazarus Orr is a transgender activist from West Virginia. They talk about the road ahead for trans communities in West Virginia. And, renowned hula teacher Vicky Holt Takamine recently won the prestigious Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize, valued at more than $450,000. Holt Takamine joins us to talk about the rich history of the Hawaiian tradition. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Luigi Mangione, 26, has been charged in the killing of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who was shot on a sidewalk in Midtown Manhattan last week. The Baltimore Banner's Justin Fenton tells us more. Then, after the sudden downfall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria this past weekend, we hear from Rehab Alkadi, a refugee who entered the U.S. via Chicago in 2015. And, the New York Mets made history this week when it signed Dominican superstar outfielder Juan Soto to a record $765 million contract. Sports Business Journal's Mike Mazzeo joins us. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

The United States is assessing what's next for Syria after 13 years of civil war came to an abrupt end this weekend when Syrian rebels seized control of Damascus, ending the repressive 50-year rule of the Assad family. Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia. Security analyst Jim Walsh talks about what lies ahead for Syria, the Middle East and United States foreign policy. Then, President-elect Trump's pick to head the FBI, Kash Patel, lists officials in his 2023 book that he calls "members of the executive branch deep state." Trump has called it a blueprint "to help us take back the White House and remove these gangsters from all of government!" Former FBI special agent Asha Rangappa joins us. And, police on Monday arrested a person of interest in the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The New York Police Department says investigators found a document on Luigi Mangione that indicates "ill will toward corporate America." The killing of Thompson is raising fresh questions about what many people regard as a broken U.S. health care system. We speak with Georgetown University's Sabrina Corlette. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

The House DOGE Caucus met Thursday with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who Trump picked to operate the new unofficial Department of Government Efficiency. Caucus Co-chair Rep. Pete Sessions, a Republican from Texas, talks about where he thinks government can be cut. Then, UNESCO has recognized cassava bread as a key part of humanity's cultural heritage. The Miami Herald's Jacqueline Charles explains what kasav, or cassava bread, means to Haiti. And, 2024 brought surprising hits, huge flops, and mass layoffs to the video games industry. We discuss the year's best games and biggest trends with Here & Now's James Perkins Mastromarino. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

A new report by one of the world's most prominent human rights organizations accuses Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians during its war in Gaza. Kristine Beckerle, co-author of the report, joins us. And, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, is under scrutiny for his lack of experience, sexual assault allegations and claims he acted inappropriately when he worked at Fox. NPR's David Folkenflick joins us. Then, Poppy Rose has hiked all 48 of New Hampshire's 4,000-foot peaks. Poppy Rose is a fluffy, white, 2-pound bunny. Her owner Bree Schuette brought her on hikes until Schuette developed a rare autoimmune disorder. Now, her friends continue to take Poppy out on hikes while Schuette recovers. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

The Supreme Court heard a challenge Wednesday to Tennessee's ban on puberty blockers and hormone therapy for transgender minors. Slate's Mark Joseph Stern looks at what the case could mean for transgender children across the country. Then, South Korean lawmakers are calling to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol after an intense night of political drama sparked by several hours of martial law. Sydney Seiler, senior advisor for the Center for Strategic and International Studies, joins us. And, pro-labor groups in Wisconsin won a court case that restored the ability of unions to bargain collectively. WUWM's Chuck Quirmbach tells us more. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Eight children between 2 and 17 years old have arrived in the U.S. from Gaza to receive specialized medical treatment for life-threatening injuries. Here & Now's Chris Bentley reports. And, Islamist opposition group in Syria's reignited civil war is on the rise. Nazareth University scholar of Middle East politics Sefa Secen joins us to explain what this means for U.S. troops there. Then, the National Institute of Standards and Technology is issuing new guidelines for passwords, designed to make passwords easier to manage and more secure. Carnegie Mellon University's Lorrie Cranor joins us. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

President Biden announced on Sunday that he is pardoning his son Hunter Biden. Richard Painter, a former White House ethics lawyer under former President George W. Bush, weighs in. Then, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis is leading an effort by governors to "safeguard democracy" when President-elect Donald Trump takes office again. Polis joins us. And, the holiday shopping season is also the most wonderful time of the year for scammers. Expert Jorij Abraham talks about how to spot and stop scams during the busiest shopping season of all. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Rich Benoit of Rich Rebuilds posts popular do-it-yourself car repair videos on YouTube. He talks about his new memoir. Then, some drivers will soon have to pay $9 to bring their cars into the most congested parts of Manhattan. WNYC's Stephen Nessen tells us more. And, 74-year-old Linda Vanderloop just finished the Appalachian Trail with her daughter Hanna, setting the record as the oldest known woman to thru-hike the trail. Vanderloop joins us. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Three tribes in the Southwest are hoping federal lawmakers will pass a water rights deal in the remaining weeks of the year. The agreement would allow many communities to bring piped water to the Navajo Nation, where about a third of households do not have clean water. We hear about the deal from Ethel Branch, attorney general of the Navajo Nation. And, think twice before getting sucked down the rabbit hole of Black Friday madness. Maurie Backman of Motley Fool Money reveals the secret marketing tactics that make holiday sales deceiving. Then, American songwriter Tom Paxton is preparing to give his final public performances next year. The 87-year-old musician reflects on his life and career. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

After more than a year of fighting between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, a 60-day ceasefire has taken effect. Middle East correspondent Borzou Daragahi explains what may follow. And, a Texas library moved author Linda Coombs' history book "Colonization and the Wampanoag Story" to the fiction section. Now, it's rightfully back in the nonfiction area and Coombs joins us to discuss her book and Native American history. Then, spend your holiday weekend relaxing with a movie on your TV. Film critic Ty Burr offers some recommendations of what to stream. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy