U.S. kills al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri; midterms to watch; why monkeypox's name is problematic

Plus, Beyoncé will remove an ableist slur from one of her newest songs [View this email online]( [NPR]( by Suzanne Nuyen During major disasters like the flooding in Kentucky, accurate information from local media can be a lifeline to communities. As you read this, reporters across the NPR network are working tirelessly to deliver the news in the areas affected by the floods and beyond. [Your donation to your local NPR station today]( helps our network prepare to cover everything from natural disasters to politics, the arts, and beyond tomorrow. [Please donate now](. First up [This still image obtained September 10, 2012, from IntelCenter shows Ayman al-Zawahiri speaking from an undisclosed location.]( IntelCenter/AFP via Getty Images Here's what we're following today: Al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri died in a U.S. drone strike in Afghanistan on Sunday. He was [deeply involved in the planning of 9/11]( and [led the organization]( after bin Laden was killed in 2011. Arizona, Michigan, Missouri, Kansas and Washington hold elections today to kick off a busy primary month across the U.S. Notable Trump allies and election deniers are on the ballot, as well as Republicans who voted to impeach him after Jan. 6. And, [all eyes are on Kansas]( where abortion rights are on the ballot. When the Tennessee Medicaid agency TennCare accidentally sent vital paperwork to a horse pasture instead of the Lester family's home, they lost their insurance. The next few years were a nightmare that may be [a warning of what's to come]( for many poor Americans. Music Midtown, a major music festival in Atlanta, was canceled yesterday. Organizers cited "circumstances beyond our control," but local outlets say concerns over [the organizers' ability to ban guns]( during the two-day event led to its cancelation. Scientists say the name monkeypox is "discriminatory and stigmatizing." The World Health Organization agrees. But [no progress has been made on finding a new name]( and some say the name doesn't need changing. Yesterday's newsletter mistakenly said that Bill Russell was integral to the fight for racial inequality. He was, of course, integral to the fight against racial inequality. --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- Today’s listens [Lesia Khomenko, Max in the Army, 2022. Oil on canvas, 84.5 x 57.5 inches]( © Lesia Khomenko Some of Ukraine's leading female artists are telling their stories of war at exhibitions in New York's Fridman Gallery as well as a gallery in Kyiv. 🎧 Listen to how the [powerful, haunting works tell the story of the Russian invasion]( or [read the story](. The Oakland Public Library has spent years collecting items its patrons have left in library books, from old photographs to love notes. 🎧 Listen as [librarian Sharon McKellar shares her passion for the project]( or [read her story](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Before you go [Beyoncé performs during the Oscars on March 27 in Los Angeles.]( Mason Poole/A.M.P.A.S. via Getty Images - Beyoncé is the latest artist to remove an ableist slur from one of her songs. The word "spaz" was used in [one of the songs off her new album]( Renaissance. - The Space Force is doing away with fitness tests and opting to give its members wearable fitness devices that would [monitor physical activity and health]( throughout the year. - California's Redwood National Park wants you to stay away from Hyperion, the world's [tallest living tree](. Visitors risk a $5,000 fine and six months in jail. --------------------------------------------------------------- Stream your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. [Find a Station]( --------------------------------------------------------------- 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]( [NPR logo]