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There are two known species of manta ray, the giant manta ray and the reef manta ray. Both populations are at-risk due to threats like fisheries and pollution. The IUCN lists the giant manta ray as endangered and the reef manta ray as vulnerable. Rachel T Graham/MarAlliance hide caption

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Rachel T Graham/MarAlliance

An ode to the manta ray

A few months ago, Short Wave host Emily Kwong encountered manta rays for the first time. The experience was eerie and enchanting. And it left Emily wondering — what more is there to these intelligent, entrancing fish?

An Ode To The Manta Ray

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Teachers tell NPR that exploring previous precedents can help students make sense of what happened on Jan. 6. For example: when invading British troops attacked Washington and set fire to the U.S. Capitol in 1814. Keith Lance/Getty Images hide caption

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Keith Lance/Getty Images

8 ways teachers are talking about Jan. 6 in their classrooms

A year after a pro-Trump mob invaded the U.S. Capitol, teachers say they want students to grapple with the uncomfortable facts of the day.

Corinne Tan is American Girl's 2022 Girl of the Year, and the first Chinese American doll to hold that title. The company says her story will teach kids about standing up to racism, among other lessons. Business Wire hide caption

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Business Wire

American Girl's 1st Chinese American 'Girl of the Year' doll aims to fight AAPI hate

American Girl hopes Corinne Tan's story will teach kids about standing up to racism. It's also partnering with the nonprofit AAPI Youth Rising to "help amplify young voices like Corinne's."

At Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, beds are being closed because of staffing shortages. Paulette Parker/Michigan Radio hide caption

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Paulette Parker/Michigan Radio

National

More than 1,300 health care workers at 2 Michigan health systems tested positive for COVID last week

Michigan Radio

Two of the largest health systems in Michigan say a combined 1,300 health care workers have tested positive for COVID-19 in just the last week, worsening hospital staffing shortages and forcing systems to close beds and delay hundreds of surgeries and medical procedures.

People wait in line to receive a COVID-19 test on Tuesday in New York. The U.S. recorded more than 1 million COVID-19 cases on Monday. Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

Things seem grim now. But America's COVID situation could get better in 6-8 weeks

In the face of rising COVID-19 cases, Dr. Bob Wachter of the University of California, San Francisco offers reasons to be hopeful about the pandemic's outlook in the months ahead.

Things seem grim now. But America's COVID situation could get better in 6-8 weeks

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Crowds arrive for the "Stop the Steal" rally on Jan. 6, 2021 in Washington, D.C. Trump supporters gathered in the nation's capital to protest the ratification of President-elect Joe Biden's Electoral College victory over President Trump in the 2020 election. Spencer Platt/Getty Images hide caption

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Spencer Platt/Getty Images

They believe in Trump's 'Big Lie.' Here's why it's been so hard to dispel

The resilience of the "Big Lie" is prompting consternation and creative efforts to reach those who remain adamant — despite all evidence to the contrary — that the 2020 Presidential vote was rigged.

They believe in Trump's 'Big Lie.' Here's why it's been so hard to dispel

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The architect: Maverick Carter. Photo illustration by Renee Klahr/NPR hide caption

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Photo illustration by Renee Klahr/NPR

Maverick Carter built an empire with Lebron James. It started by defying assumptions

Years before they built the SpringHill Company, Carter and James were just two kids from Akron, Ohio, who loved playing basketball. Over the past two decades, their friendship and ambitions have grown stronger as they have defied assumptions of what athlete-driven business ventures can be.

Maverick Carter on Building the LeBron James Empire

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Recent snow covers the pine trees alongside Interstate 93 as the road enters the White Mountains on December 26, 2021 in New Hampshire. Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images hide caption

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Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images

This heroic dog traversed the interstate to lead police to her injured owner

What started as a report of a dog loose on the highway ended with the timely rescue of two injured humans. One-year-old Tinsley, a Shiloh Shepherd, is getting praise and extra treats for her heroism.

A person holds a flyer explaining the benefits of participating in the census during a 2020 town hall in East Elmhurst, N.Y. Andrew Kelly/Reuters hide caption

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Andrew Kelly/Reuters

Challenging the census results could mean more federal money for your community

The census helps guide an estimated $1.5 trillion a year in federal funding to local communities. Some are worried they were undercounted in 2020 and won't get their fair share for the next decade.

Challenging census results could mean more federal money for your community

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A health worker administers a dose of a Moderna COVID-19 vaccine during a vaccination clinic at the Norristown Public Health Center in Norristown, Pa., Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021. Matt Rourke/AP hide caption

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Matt Rourke/AP

The COVID-19 vaccine shows no link to pre-term births, a new CDC study concludes

The study of more than 40,000 pregnancies found that vaccination status had practically no impact on whether a child was born prematurely or smaller or less developed than expected.

Becky Harlan/NPR

Today's tip for 2022: How to make it easier to pass on alcohol

The best way to support your loved ones who don't want to drink is to make sure drinking feels like a choice — not an obligation.

22 tips for 2022: How to make it easier to pass on alcohol

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