My NPR colleague Rachel Treisman is at the Olympics, and her newsletter marked Friday the 13th by asking “what kind of rituals and superstitions this year's crop of Olympians brought to the Games.” One involves cat pictures! You can sign up here: npr.org/wintergames

Best donation I've made in years

On NPR this morning, two lawmakers talk of the DOJ surveilling their searches in the unredacted Epstein files. First, GOP Rep. Nancy Mace: "There is a tech person who logs you into the computer. They log you into the computer because they're giving you your own identification...”

The show was just plain creative, and joyful, and wholesome, and made you want to be in that field, at that wedding, on that street getting coffee in a tiny paper cup. Generous too, Bad Bunny kept sharing the stage.

Federal immigration agents keep saying they need access to inmates in the Minnesota prison system who may have deportation orders. Yet Minnesota keeps saying they are already doing this. They offered receipts this weekend.

As I said on NPR this morning, @mprnews.org Minnesota Public Radio has done a fantastic job all month—has it only been a month?—covering the hardest of stories and often informing the whole country through reports heard on NPR.

Thanks, Bluefolk. It seems you liked her answer. You don’t get the answer if someone doesn’t ask the question. Your definition of “both sides” here is literally that someone on your side is interviewed in front of millions of listeners, and isn’t solely asked about your side’s talking points.

Thanks for this response. Vonnegut’s books made people laugh at serious things. It’s what people love about him. Some people didn’t understand, which may explain why he’s banned so much. I’d invite you to consider the story, and your reaction to it, in that light. www.npr.org/2026/01/28/n...

My favorite story today: The estate of Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. is suing Utah over a law that’s being used to ban Vonnegut’s novel Slaughterhouse Five. Hear the arguments for and against—including from Vonnegut’s daughter, who was present as he wrote. www.npr.org/2026/01/28/n...

Here is some thinking that guides the questions I ask, on NPR and elsewhere.

Per Politico, the president has launched his 2026 campaigning, beginning with Iowa, a state that is surprisingly vulnerable for R’s this fall… and… important in 2028. It’s an interesting choice—because Democrats have been eyeing possible gains even in that red state. Read on. 1/3

Yesterday, when the government used taxpayer dollars to blast a full-volume narrative about the man federal agents had shot on the street, I remembered a quote from Lincoln. He said that if you attack someone’s character without knowing if it’s true, that is the same as a lie.

The National Rifle Association is also criticizing the administration for its evidence-free descriptions of a legal gun owner standing in the street with a phone.

Trump is unpopular, but how do Democrats frame their arguments for a comeback? Two veteran politicos, Rahm Emanuel and Gretchen Whitmer, have thoughts In NPR video interviews. Worth watching on a snowy day.

In NPR interveiws, Rahm Emanuel and Gretchen Whitmer critique Trump—but some of the most interesting parts are when they wrestle with their own party’s shortcomings and disappointments. A guide to the video interviews is in the next post. 1/2

At 32:32 in this NPR video, Rahm Emanuel is asked about his family and is tone and expression completely change. He connects his family’s immigrant story to current events. youtu.be/UfTWt7edODo?...

In an NPR interview, Rahm Emanuel has a fierce critique of the Trump administration—and also of the progressive wing of his party.

Thursday on NPR’s Morning Edition: Rahm Emanuel.

Gretchen Whitmer warns in an NPR video that it’s not “paranoia” to fear immigration agents interfering in the 2026 elections. Her remark exposes a longstanding link between the immigration debate and election results. Read it here or watch at the link below.

Here is why Gretchen Whitmer predicts efforts “to compromise the election” and says it’s not “paranoia” to guard against the possibility of DHS getting involved:

Gretchen Whitmer, the second woman elected governor of Michigan, is thinking about male voters—men who drifted away from Democrats in 2024, and some of whom are “falling behind their fathers and grandfathers.” From an NPR video:

In an NPR interview, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says she expects further efforts to disrupt voting in her swing state and that Democrats have been discussing how to respond. She even says it’s not “paranoia” to think the government will use DHS to interfere.

because he is a professional, I knew @steveinskeep.bsky.social would have an excellent speech TO TIME had @npr.org won the golden globe last night. love that he shared it and hope you'll take a sec to read it: www.google.com/url?q=https:...

What I would have said at the Golden Globes open.substack.com/pub/steveins...

Among many other details of this analysis: The agent who fired the shot was shooting video until he switched from camera to gun. He stepped in front of the vehicle, but seemed to have stepped past it by the time he reached for the weapon. www.nytimes.com/video/us/100...

As people face wave after wave of lies and misinformation, it’s important to remember the immense responsibility journalists have to speak truth to power.

You learn more about an incident day by day. Today, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune offers initial details about the woman shot by ICE — identified as Renee Nicole Good, 37.

Walz had a strong opinion about the ICE presence in Minnesota but responsibly withheld judgment about the shooting itself. No matter how clear a story seems at first, there is always something to learn. Yes I saw the video you saw. I will still wait to judge.

Thanks. Yes, I asked this question, which allowed him to answer. If you liked his answer, it’s good that someone asked the question. I encourage others to listen for themselves. www.npr.org/2026/01/06/n...

On NPR, Rep. Jim Himes of the Gang of 8 says he wasn’t informed of the Venezuela strikes. Aside from legality, Himes notes another issue. “As a political matter,” it’s “unwise,” because Trump went in alone—so if it goes wrong, “he owns this.” www.npr.org/2026/01/05/n...

Received notes from people around the country this weekend as NPR’s Throughline, which replayed the episode on Lincoln and my book Differ We Must.

The U.S. intent for Venezuela emerges, and it resembles an old colonial model.

This is a day for gathering facts - and posing questions about the near future of Venezuela. Here are six of my questions. www.npr.org/2026/01/03/n...

Five questions about the U.S. capture of Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro open.substack.com/pub/steveins...

Thanks Steve. I love this piece because I’ve been listening to NPR since 1982 and am very well informed by such excellent journalism.

Public media may be stronger in 2026

My brother’s suggested headline for this NPR story on turkey frying was National Poultry Radio. Sadly they didn’t go with it

One of my favorite stories of 2025: Turkey frying with Bruce Inskeep. Try it! Carefully.

On DOGE’s watch, federal spending did not go down at all. It went up. But is still led to cuts that closed offices, canceled programs and deprived people of food, medicine and other aid. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/u...

NPR identified more than a dozen Epstein files released by the DOJ on Friday that are no longer available Saturday afternoon, including one that shows President Trump's photo.

Was SO honored visit NPR's new podcast, Books We've Loved, to talk about Anthony Bourdain's breakout book, Kitchen Confidential. I actually listened to it via audiobook, so it felt like Bourdain was telling me his story himself. Check our convo here: https://loom.ly/atbL-RQ

These are amazing books. So good they have expanded my understanding of the country and inspire me to try to write better myself.

Among other topics in her NPR interview, Brett Cooper fielded questions about Nick Fuentes.

The NPR interview with YouTube personality Brett Cooper is, of course, on YouTube. She talks about her business, about Trump, Afghanistan, refugees, immigration, Ted Cruz and Nick Fuentes. Have a look at the link below.

Many Americans get their news from independent hosts on YouTube, and they include @imbrettcooper - who commands a following when she supports Trump and when she critiques him. How does she look at her work? Here’s our long talk on NPR: www.npr.org/2025/12/10/n...

Today on @npr.org: @steveinskeep.bsky.social has a longform conversation with Gen Z conservative commentator Brett Cooper about her YouTube following, her recent criticisms of President Trump, her opinion of Nick Fuentes and more.

Good memory! It was the legendary record producer Al Kooper, who suggested I was Russian and spoke to me with a fake Russian accent at the very end of this interview: www.npr.org/2005/09/26/4...

Your daughter is a good listener!

NPR fights Trump's executive order against public media The case isn't getting much attention. But it pits the press's right not to face government retaliation over coverage against the president's assertion of vast executive powers My story: www.npr.org/2025/12/05/g...

Fan video from Charli XCX for top listening - expected. But I screamed when @steveinskeep.bsky.social popped onto my Spotify Wrapped this morning. @npr.org every morning ✌🏻