Alex Leff
@alexleff.bsky.social
Editing world news and features online at the venerable @npr.org
Lindsey Vonn is in stable condition
Update: In an explosive crash near the top of the downhill course in Cortina, Vonn landed a jump perpendicular to the slope and tumbled to a stop shortly below.
U.S. ski star Lindsey Vonn is in 'stable condition' after crash in Olympic downhill
In an explosive crash near the top of the downhill course in Cortina, Vonn landed a jump perpendicular to the slope and tumbled to a stop shortly below.
n.pr
February 8, 2026 at 9:12 PM
Lindsey Vonn is in stable condition
Reposted by Alex Leff
My latest @npr.org story: The Trump administration is proposing to include a U.S. citizenship question in this year's field test of the #2030Census in Huntsville, Ala., and Spartanburg, S.C., as Republicans push to alter the counts behind voting maps
Trump officials propose testing a citizenship question amid a push to alter the census
The Trump administration proposes to include a question about U.S. citizenship status in this year's field test of the 2030 census, as Republicans push to alter the counts behind voting maps.
www.npr.org
February 5, 2026 at 9:13 PM
My latest @npr.org story: The Trump administration is proposing to include a U.S. citizenship question in this year's field test of the #2030Census in Huntsville, Ala., and Spartanburg, S.C., as Republicans push to alter the counts behind voting maps
With fantastic photos and footage by Valerio Muscella www.instagram.com/valeriomusce...
@npr.org's Ruth Sherlock reports from Cortina, Italy, where environmentalists are worried about the impact of the 2026 Olympics on a UNESCO World Heritage Site www.npr.org/2026/02/05/n...
February 5, 2026 at 9:12 PM
With fantastic photos and footage by Valerio Muscella www.instagram.com/valeriomusce...
@npr.org's Ruth Sherlock reports from Cortina, Italy, where environmentalists are worried about the impact of the 2026 Olympics on a UNESCO World Heritage Site www.npr.org/2026/02/05/n...
February 5, 2026 at 9:00 PM
@npr.org's Ruth Sherlock reports from Cortina, Italy, where environmentalists are worried about the impact of the 2026 Olympics on a UNESCO World Heritage Site www.npr.org/2026/02/05/n...
"February ... is sobbing," the Ukrainian poet Iya Kiva wrote of the "damned winter" in 2022, when Russia's full-scale invasion began, "and the candle drips on the table, burning and burning." www.npr.org/2026/02/04/g...
Greetings from Kyiv, where candles are the last option during wartime blackouts
Far-Flung Postcards is a weekly series in which NPR's international team shares moments from their lives and work around the world.
www.npr.org
February 4, 2026 at 2:58 PM
"February ... is sobbing," the Ukrainian poet Iya Kiva wrote of the "damned winter" in 2022, when Russia's full-scale invasion began, "and the candle drips on the table, burning and burning." www.npr.org/2026/02/04/g...
"We're having a reckoning as a society" related to revelations about Jeffrey Epstein, Melinda French Gates tells @npr.org Rachel Martin www.npr.org/2026/02/03/n...
Melinda French Gates reacts to new details about Bill Gates in the Epstein files
In an interview on NPR's Wild Card podcast, Melinda French Gates reacts to her ex-husband, Bill Gates, being mentioned in the most recent release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
www.npr.org
February 3, 2026 at 9:51 PM
"We're having a reckoning as a society" related to revelations about Jeffrey Epstein, Melinda French Gates tells @npr.org Rachel Martin www.npr.org/2026/02/03/n...
France is investigating X for alleged complicity in possessing & spreading pornographic images of minors, sexually explicit deepfakes, denial of crimes against humanity, among other charges — AP reports www.npr.org/2026/02/03/g...
Paris prosecutors raid X offices as part of investigation into child abuse images
The prosecutors raided the offices of X as part of a preliminary investigation into allegations including spreading child sexual abuse images and deepfakes. They also summoned owner Elon Musk for ques...
www.npr.org
February 3, 2026 at 5:24 PM
France is investigating X for alleged complicity in possessing & spreading pornographic images of minors, sexually explicit deepfakes, denial of crimes against humanity, among other charges — AP reports www.npr.org/2026/02/03/g...
Reposted by Alex Leff
MPR has been doing fantastic, heartbreaking, necessary reporting.
Local public media will always have my heart.
Local public media will always have my heart.
Liam’s mother, Erika Ramos, spoke to MPR News about what she witnessed that day. She also discussed her phone conversations with her son and her husband and the pain she has experienced. @mprnews.org
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
‘Mommy, why don’t you pick us up?’: Mother of Liam Conejo Ramos shares her story from hiding
Liam and his father are currently being held by federal authorities in the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, an hour plus drive southwest of San Antonio.
www.mprnews.org
January 30, 2026 at 11:44 PM
MPR has been doing fantastic, heartbreaking, necessary reporting.
Local public media will always have my heart.
Local public media will always have my heart.
Reposted by Alex Leff
Despite dozens of lethal U.S. military strikes on suspected narco-boats, drug flows continue, allies are alarmed, and Caribbean fishermen say their livelihoods are under threat. n.pr/3MbGuBL
U.S. strikes on alleged drug boats have done little to stop the flow of illegal drugs
Despite dozens of lethal U.S. military strikes on suspected narco-boats, drug flows continue, allies are alarmed, and Caribbean fishermen say their livelihoods are under threat.
n.pr
January 27, 2026 at 7:36 PM
Despite dozens of lethal U.S. military strikes on suspected narco-boats, drug flows continue, allies are alarmed, and Caribbean fishermen say their livelihoods are under threat. n.pr/3MbGuBL
Spain did this when I lived there in the early 00s too. Spain Is Different www.nytimes.com/2026/01/27/w...
Bucking a Global Trend, Spain Offers Undocumented Migrants a Legal Way to Stay
www.nytimes.com
January 27, 2026 at 10:06 PM
Spain did this when I lived there in the early 00s too. Spain Is Different www.nytimes.com/2026/01/27/w...
Reposted by Alex Leff
Update: Renée Fleming is the latest to say they will not perform at the Kennedy Center.
Here's who's canceled their Kennedy Center performances since Trump took over
Renée Fleming is the latest to say they will not perform at the Kennedy Center.
n.pr
January 23, 2026 at 7:43 PM
Update: Renée Fleming is the latest to say they will not perform at the Kennedy Center.
She navigated segregation to become an esteemed mathematician — and today, her work helps billions of people navigate the world.
www.npr.org/2026/01/23/n...
www.npr.org/2026/01/23/n...
Gladys West, mathematician whose work paved the way for GPS, dies at 95
A self-described "little farm girl" in the Jim Crow Era, Gladys West's complex and pioneering work for the U.S. Navy helped to improve billions of lives — and keep us from getting lost.
www.npr.org
January 23, 2026 at 7:43 PM
She navigated segregation to become an esteemed mathematician — and today, her work helps billions of people navigate the world.
www.npr.org/2026/01/23/n...
www.npr.org/2026/01/23/n...
"While it is not unusual for FBI agents to conduct leak investigations of reporters who publish sensitive government information, it is highly unusual and aggressive for law enforcement to conduct a search on a reporter’s home." www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
FBI executes search warrant at Washington Post reporter’s home
The search came as part of an investigation into a government contractor accused of illegally retaining classified government materials.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 14, 2026 at 3:45 PM
"While it is not unusual for FBI agents to conduct leak investigations of reporters who publish sensitive government information, it is highly unusual and aggressive for law enforcement to conduct a search on a reporter’s home." www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
My colleague Carrie Kahn has this assessment of the state of Latin America's left amid the US takeover in Venezuela and threats elsewhere www.npr.org/2026/01/11/n...
Latin American left responds to Trump's pledge to take over of Venezuelan oil
Latin America's left is in disarray after the seizure of Nicolas Maduro and the U.S.'s pledge to take over Venezuela's oil industry. Many on the left are changing their rhetoric about President Trump.
www.npr.org
January 11, 2026 at 5:33 PM
My colleague Carrie Kahn has this assessment of the state of Latin America's left amid the US takeover in Venezuela and threats elsewhere www.npr.org/2026/01/11/n...
Why Spain's prime minister is the most vociferous EU leader criticizing the US on Venezuela www.irishtimes.com/world/europe...
Why Spain’s prime minister is most vociferous EU leader criticising US on Venezuela
Pedro Sánchez warns that Donald Trump’s actions push Latin America towards ‘uncertainty, warmongering’
www.irishtimes.com
January 10, 2026 at 8:43 PM
Why Spain's prime minister is the most vociferous EU leader criticizing the US on Venezuela www.irishtimes.com/world/europe...
How a detention center awoke a decades-old environmental fight - from @wusf.org
www.wusf.org/everglades
www.wusf.org/everglades
How a detention center awoke a decades-old environmental fight
The fight against the Everglades' immigration detention center is not the first time the land has been at the heart of environmental controversy.
www.wusf.org
January 9, 2026 at 5:05 PM
How a detention center awoke a decades-old environmental fight - from @wusf.org
www.wusf.org/everglades
www.wusf.org/everglades
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is shutting down. Condolences to the staff of journalists.
All the more reason to support the local public media in Pittsburgh.
www.wesa.fm/economy-busi...
All the more reason to support the local public media in Pittsburgh.
www.wesa.fm/economy-busi...
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette announces it is shutting down in May
The company said it has lost more than $350 million during the past two decades while operating the Post-Gazette.
www.wesa.fm
January 8, 2026 at 1:09 AM
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is shutting down. Condolences to the staff of journalists.
All the more reason to support the local public media in Pittsburgh.
www.wesa.fm/economy-busi...
All the more reason to support the local public media in Pittsburgh.
www.wesa.fm/economy-busi...
Mexico becomes crucial fuel supplier to Cuba but pledges no extra shipments after Maduro toppled
apnews.com/article/mexi...
apnews.com/article/mexi...
Mexico becomes crucial fuel supplier to Cuba but pledges no extra shipments after Maduro toppled
Mexico has emerged as a key fuel supplier to Havana as the United States prepares to seize control of Venezuelan oil and the administration of U.S.
apnews.com
January 7, 2026 at 8:29 PM
Mexico becomes crucial fuel supplier to Cuba but pledges no extra shipments after Maduro toppled
apnews.com/article/mexi...
apnews.com/article/mexi...
Swiss investigators believe sparkling candles atop Champagne bottles ignited a fatal fire at a Swiss ski resort when they came too close to the ceiling of a bar crowded with New Year's Eve revelers. www.npr.org/2026/01/02/g...
Swiss investigators believe sparkling candles atop wine bottles ignited fatal bar fire
Investigators say they believe sparkling candles atop Champagne bottles ignited the fire at a Swiss ski resort when they came too close to the ceiling of a bar crowded with New Year's Eve revelers. Fo...
www.npr.org
January 2, 2026 at 8:05 PM
Swiss investigators believe sparkling candles atop Champagne bottles ignited a fatal fire at a Swiss ski resort when they came too close to the ceiling of a bar crowded with New Year's Eve revelers. www.npr.org/2026/01/02/g...
Happy New Year, Oxy
January 2, 2026 at 3:41 AM
Happy New Year, Oxy
Happy New Year, Australia! www.youtube.com/live/Cvb1BsP...
Sydney new year fireworks LIVE: Australia rings in 2026
YouTube video by Associated Press
www.youtube.com
December 31, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Happy New Year, Australia! www.youtube.com/live/Cvb1BsP...
The Kennedy Center says it plans to file a $1 million lawsuit against jazz artist Chuck Redd, after the musician canceled his annual Christmas Eve performance. www.npr.org/2025/12/27/g...
Kennedy Center vows to sue musician who canceled performance over Trump name change
The Kennedy Center is planning legal action after jazz musician Chuck Redd canceled an annual holiday concert. Redd pulled out after President Trump's name appeared on the building.
www.npr.org
December 29, 2025 at 5:46 PM
The Kennedy Center says it plans to file a $1 million lawsuit against jazz artist Chuck Redd, after the musician canceled his annual Christmas Eve performance. www.npr.org/2025/12/27/g...
Reposted by Alex Leff
Selena Simmons-Duffin at NPR broke the news about the trans kids’ health care ban, and now she’s following up. Note that she actually talks to doctors and trans kids, not just politicians.
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
Trump's push to end transgender care for young people opposed by pediatricians
Doctors and children's hospitals say nothing in the evidence has changed to justify the Trump administration's efforts to ban gender-affirming care for teens and tweens.
www.npr.org
December 20, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Selena Simmons-Duffin at NPR broke the news about the trans kids’ health care ban, and now she’s following up. Note that she actually talks to doctors and trans kids, not just politicians.
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
As police investigating the mass shooting at Brown University scrambled to find a suspect, they received a tip that in the words of Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha “blew this case right open.” And it came via Reddit. www.oceanstatemedia.org/politics/how...
How a Reddit post unlocked the investigation into the Brown University shooting
An altercation on an East Side street ultimately to authorities finding the name of their suspect
www.oceanstatemedia.org
December 19, 2025 at 8:01 PM
As police investigating the mass shooting at Brown University scrambled to find a suspect, they received a tip that in the words of Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha “blew this case right open.” And it came via Reddit. www.oceanstatemedia.org/politics/how...
Meet the Ohioan behind the ‘Mensch on a Bench’
www.statenews.org/section/the-...
www.statenews.org/section/the-...
Meet the Ohioan behind the ‘Mensch on a Bench’
Cincinnatian Neal Hoffman created the Jewish counterpart to the popular Elf on a Shelf.
www.statenews.org
December 19, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Meet the Ohioan behind the ‘Mensch on a Bench’
www.statenews.org/section/the-...
www.statenews.org/section/the-...