NBC News says the president plans to announce his pick for a Supreme Court justice nominee at the end of the week. Reuters profiles two federal appellate judges who are reportedly at the top of his list: Amy Coney Barrett and Barbara Lagoa. BuzzFeed is out with an investigative series about how major banks facilitate and profit from criminal organizations moving money through the financial system — and how the government has not stopped this from happening. Read the first three installments: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3. The Washington Post highlights the work of student journalists to break important stories as colleges and universities start their fall semester during the pandemic. National Geographic explains how, throughout history, the number of Supreme Court seats has varied — from as few as 5 to as many as 10.

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.