On tonight’s program: At long last, eleven weeks after the regular lawmaking session ended, Florida lawmakers have passed a state budget! Among the items that did not make it into the new spending plan, Florida Forever funding; Lawmakers will be back in Tallahassee next week for a special session to reduce property taxes. Although some worry the impact on rural, poorer communities may be severe; Congressional Candidates are weighing in as a potential data center project could be heading to North Florida’s Jackson County; Florida public school educators are feeling a bit under attack nowadays; Those adversely impacted by Alligator Alcatraz are patiently waiting for the facility to breathe its last; And some young reporters are jumping in to fill the news gap left in places no longer served by professional journalists.

On tonight’s program: The special session to pass a Florida budget goes on. And on. And on; The matter of Florida’s new congressional maps, passed by lawmakers and signed by Governor DeSantis, is by no means a fully done deal; There’s no official word yet, but there are many signs that Florida’s notorious Alligator Alcatraz detention facility may be on the verge of closure; And we see what it takes to bring a critical coastal area back to a cleaner and more natural state.

As lawmakers iron out the state budget, wrinkles are deepening among Florida’s top government leaders; Florida has announced a criminal investigation into a major AI company for alleged involvement in violent crimes; A recent article from the New York Times says Florida’s immigrant detention center in the Everglades could close earlier than expected; Gas Prices are becoming a significant pocketbook issue for many Floridiana—especially those in rural communities who face longer commutes; Florida’s public-school students don’t need to go hungry during the school year; They can access free lunch in the school cafeteria; But in the summer, keeping kids fed who otherwise may go hungry becomes the job of nonprofits and volunteers; And America is preparing for a massive wave of adults nearing or entering retirement; On "Southwest Florida In Focus".

On tonight’s program: The first of what could be several special sessions of the Florida Legislature is over. This one focused on redistricting. Another, to pass a state budget, is next; A powerful member of the Florida Senate reacts to the speed with which the congressional redistricting took place; Governor DeSantis signs two education bills, although many teachers wish he hadn’t; Despite some state ordered pay increases for starting teachers, the bulk of Florida’s public school educators continue to lag behind most other states; Despite all of our connective technology, more people are now feeling more disconnected than ever. How do we get back to feeling like communities again? And as a drought continues in much of Florida, lakes and rivers are starting to dry up. Fixing that will require some heavy rainfall.

Drought conditions in Florida are so bad that some lakes are drying up and alligators are running out of room.

Drought conditions in Florida are so bad that some lakes are drying up and alligators are running out of room.

Just 3% of U.S. households pay for AI for personal use. Sign ups are growing — even though Americans have subscription fatigue.

Some students with disabilities rely on assistive technology to learn, and they worry it could be swept up in the movement to get screens out of schools.

Hurricane season is expected to be milder than usual this year. But that's not stopping cell phone companies from pulling out all the stops.

The Obama Presidential Center opens later this month in Chicago. We take a look inside.

A new study has found that the National Guard's presence in Washington, D.C. had no effect on violent crime in the city. The Guard has been deployed since last August as part of a federal task force to fight crime, and their numbers are set to double in the coming weeks.

Dangerously hot, humid weather is likely at many of the 2026 World Cup soccer venues. We crunched the numbers to see which matches are most at risk.

Some Republicans' growing frustrations with Trump is beginning to show, Trump and Netanyahu have a tense call over Israel's actions in Lebanon, Russia's economic forum opens.

NPR's Leila Fadel speaks with Sting about the comeback tour of his musical "The Last Ship," which has a run at the Metropolitan Opera next week.

NPR's Leila Fadel speaks with former Defense Secretary and CIA Director Leon Panetta about President Trump's controversial appointment of Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence.

The Obama Presidential Center opens later this month. NPR got a preview.

President Trump's proposed arch, planned to sit between the Lincoln Memorial and the home of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, would block the symbolic view between the two and the message of unity it represents.

The U.S. has long attracted top talent to come study and work. Many are now at risk of being deported because of a pause on visa processing. For Iranian nationals, returning home is risky.

Here's what we know about the results from the gubernatorial and congressional primaries in California.

There is outrage in the U.K. over the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak. Bodycam footage shows police handcuffing him as he lay dying. His killer falsely accused Nowak of racist abuse.

Peabo Bryson, the legendary singer behind Beauty and the Beast and 'A Whole New World,' has died at 75.

Shipping companies are looking for alternative routes as the Strait of Hormuz lockdown drags on.

NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with Kirk Goldsberry, sports writer and former San Antonio Spurs VP, about how the mystique of the team's culture is enduring with a new coach and new star, Victor Wembanyama.

Four nuns have become San Antonio fan favorites during the Spurs' playoff run. They'll be at the arena Wednesday as the Spurs host the New York Knicks at the start of the NBA Finals.

For a while now, we’ve talked to small business owners who say they want to hire more employees, but aren’t in a financial position to do it, can’t find qualified applicants, or are too concerned about the economy to make the jump. But two new reports show small business hiring picked up this spring. In this episode, whether that’s a blip or the start of a positive trend. Plus: An AI prescription renewal tool is launched in Utah, Macy’s tries to turn things around, and we visit a river in the Pacific Northwest with two aging bridges at risk of collapse.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Massive Medicaid cuts, including new work requirements, are rolling out across the country. Trouble filing paperwork will be one reason qualifying Americans lose their coverage. In this episode, what history tells us about cutting Medicaid funding. Plus: Personal incomes are falling, consumers are prioritizing value over luxury, and we explain incoming Fed Chair Kevin Warsh’s preferred inflation measure.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Manufacturing production, new orders, imports, and exports were all up in May, according to the latest PMI report. The only piece of the manufacturing business that didn’t grow was the labor force — payrolls contracted for the 32nd month in a row. In this episode, how much can a sector grow without hiring more humans? Plus: Dollar stores dip into delivery, college campuses turn into robot training grounds, and new jobs data will tell us whether inflation growth keeps outpacing wage growth.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Hourly wages went up 1.7% over the past year, according to Indeed Hiring Lab. Salaried wages went up 2.9%, reversing a 2022 trend in which hourly raises outpaced salary raises. Still, there’s one thing all workers have in common: Neither group kept pace with inflation. Also in this episode: Oil futures tell us where fuel prices are headed, convenience stores transcend utility, and a travel nurse tells us about life on the road.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

The personal savings rate fell to just 2.6% in April — a low not seen since June 2022, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. That means Americans have, on average, less cash leftover at the end of the month. Gas and grocery price inflation are partially to blame. Also in this episode: Office real estate looks a little K-shaped, one city tries to relieve budget problems with trademarked merch, and Kai breaks down the April PCE report and Q1 GDP revision.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.