Jack Spear

Shares of the mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac hit their highest levels since 2008. That's after President Trump posted he may take them public. As NPR's Chris Arnold reports, that could make a lot of money for some big investors who are allies of the president.

Shares of the mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac hit their highest levels since 2008. That's after President Trump posted he may take them public. As NPR's Chris Arnold reports, that could make a lot of money for some big investors who are allies of the president.

On Wall Street, stocks ended the session on a mixed note. The Dow was down a point. The Nasdaq closed up 53 points. The S&P 500 rose two points. You're listening to NPR. The Archdiocese of New Orleans has agreed to pay nearly $180 million to survivors of clergy sex abuse, but survivors say it averts accountability, and as the Gulf State Newsroom's Drew Hawkins reports, the deal may not go through.

On Wall Street, stocks ended the session on a mixed note. The Dow was down a point. The Nasdaq closed up 53 points. The S&P 500 rose two points. You're listening to NPR. The Archdiocese of New Orleans has agreed to pay nearly $180 million to survivors of clergy sex abuse, but survivors say it averts accountability, and as the Gulf State Newsroom's Drew Hawkins reports, the deal may not go through.

One of our goals was to expose all of this stuff.

One of our goals was to expose all of this stuff.

Homeowners sick of maintaining their immaculately manicured lawns are finding creative ways to put forth alternatives. Themes like No Mow May, Let It Bloom June, or Leave the Leaves. Supporters of the trend say it cuts down on the use of fertilizer that can often find its way into rivers and streams, along with providing a habitat for insects and pollinators during the crucial spring months.

Homeowners sick of maintaining their immaculately manicured lawns are finding creative ways to put forth alternatives. Themes like No Mow May, Let It Bloom June, or Leave the Leaves. Supporters of the trend say it cuts down on the use of fertilizer that can often find its way into rivers and streams, along with providing a habitat for insects and pollinators during the crucial spring months.

In Nashville, one homeowner who tried the trend said, says he was simply sick of mowing. Now, Brandon Griffith says his flower and grass-filled front yard is home to insects, lizards, birds, and butterflies. Crude oil futures prices settled lower today as investors wait to report OPEC is discussing a production increase for July, something that could lead to a glut of oil on markets.

In Nashville, one homeowner who tried the trend said, says he was simply sick of mowing. Now, Brandon Griffith says his flower and grass-filled front yard is home to insects, lizards, birds, and butterflies. Crude oil futures prices settled lower today as investors wait to report OPEC is discussing a production increase for July, something that could lead to a glut of oil on markets.

Oil dropped 37 cents a barrel to 61.20 a barrel in New York. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News. Listen to this podcast sponsor free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR News Now Plus at plus.npr.org. That's plus.npr.org.

Oil dropped 37 cents a barrel to 61.20 a barrel in New York. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News. Listen to this podcast sponsor free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR News Now Plus at plus.npr.org. That's plus.npr.org.

I'm Jack Spear, NPR News in Washington. Listen to this podcast sponsor-free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR News Now Plus at plus.npr.org. That's plus.npr.org.

I'm Jack Spear, NPR News in Washington. Listen to this podcast sponsor-free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR News Now Plus at plus.npr.org. That's plus.npr.org.

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. The Supreme Court has effectively blocked the creation of the country's first ever religious charter school. Zach Boblett of member station KWGS reports it leaves in place an Oklahoma court's finding that such a school would violate separation of church and state.

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. The Supreme Court has effectively blocked the creation of the country's first ever religious charter school. Zach Boblett of member station KWGS reports it leaves in place an Oklahoma court's finding that such a school would violate separation of church and state.

And this just in, the Supreme Court has granted the Trump administration's emergency request to let him fire the heads of two independent agencies, the National Labor Relations Board and and the Merit Systems Protection Board. President Trump's self-described big beautiful bill squeaked through the House early today.

And this just in, the Supreme Court has granted the Trump administration's emergency request to let him fire the heads of two independent agencies, the National Labor Relations Board and and the Merit Systems Protection Board. President Trump's self-described big beautiful bill squeaked through the House early today.

The package of new spending and tax cuts passed by a single vote as House Speaker Mike Johnson managed to corral his fellow Republicans with no support from Democrats whom he chastised after the vote.

The package of new spending and tax cuts passed by a single vote as House Speaker Mike Johnson managed to corral his fellow Republicans with no support from Democrats whom he chastised after the vote.