Australia Fires; Julián Castro Leaves Presidential Race; #tumblegeddon

Plus, imagining yourself asleep inside an Edward Hopper painting. by Jill Hudson First Up [Firefighters struggle Tuesday against the strong wind in an effort to secure nearby houses from bush fires near the town of Nowra in the Australian state of New South Wales.]( Saeed Khan/AFP via Getty Images Here's what we're following today. Australians are suffering through their country’s worst fire season on record. There is [a mass exodus from several towns]( on the southeast coast, a popular vacation getaway during the current summer holiday season. Julián Castro, the only Latino candidate, has dropped out of the Democratic presidential race. The former San Antonio mayor and secretary of housing and urban development in the Obama administration [struggled to stand out]( in a crowded Democratic field. The fires are out at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, but tensions remain. More U.S. troops are on their way to the Middle East after pro-Iran militia members stormed the embassy earlier this week. Given America’s long involvement in the country, [the latest developments raise questions]( about why this is happening now and what the U.S. is trying to achieve in Iraq. Bernie Sanders has turned into a fundraising juggernaut, raising almost $35 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, mostly from small donations. Sanders had [1.8 million donations totaling $34.5 million]( averaging $18.53 each. Every Jan. 1, states around the country implement new laws. Here are [the ones we think you should know]( about in 2020. As we enter 2020, NPR’s far-flung journalists took a look back at the past year of reporting and recommended [some of their favorite online stories](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- Today's Listens [Edward Hopper's 1957 oil on canvas Western Motel, left, has been recreated, right, at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. NPR's Susan Stamberg recently stayed overnight.]( Yale University Art Gallery / Travis Fullerton, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts It isn’t hard to imagine yourself inside an Edward Hopper painting. Now, for $150 a night, you can sleep in one — or a reproduction of one — at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond. Designers have constructed a 3D version of Hopper’s 1957 Western Motel and invited Hopper fans to sleep over. ([Listening time, 4:38]( How does the way you feel shape the way you think about your life? A recent study found students may inadvertently choose their college major, in part, based on how tired they were in the subject’s introductory course — especially if it was an early morning class. ([Listening time, 3:42]( --------------------------------------------------------------- The Picture Show [Martha Stewart says in the last 30 years she's seen the food offerings at parties become a lot more interesting and varied.]( Claire Harbage/NPR Here are the photos and illustrations that resonated from last year: images of families [facing difficult decisions]( on the U.S. border, illustrations showing the struggles of student loan debt and otherworldly portraits. --------------------------------------------------------------- Before You Go [Nipsey Hussle]( Source: Becky Harlan and Andee Tagle/NPR - If you’ve decided to [take a break from drinking alcohol]( you’re not alone. Here are six ways and tips to get you on your way. - The former commissioner of the NBA, [David Stern]( died in Manhattan on Wednesday at age 77, and former New York Yankee [Don Larsen]( the only pitcher to throw a perfect World Series game, died in Idaho on Wednesday at age 90. - Folks, we’ve had the first official [#tumblegeddon](. A 12-foot stack of tumbleweeds blocked traffic and trapped cars for hours in the eastern part of Washington state. - India’s space agency says that [four astronaut candidates have been selected]( for its first human mission, targeted to launch by 2022. Pocket Casts App, Now Free Podcast lovers, rejoice! The Pocket Casts app delivers a simple but powerful experience for listening, search and discovery. And now it’s free. Download now at [PocketCasts.com]( or find it in the Apple App or Google Play stores. --------------------------------------------------------------- We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: [dailynewsletter@npr.org](mailto:dailynewsletter@npr.org?subject=Newsletter%20Feedback) Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can [sign up here](. Looking for more great content? [Check out all of our newsletter offerings]( — including Music, Politics, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Daily News emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy](