The pandemic changed our personalities; a California serial killer; Putin's next move

Plus, Elon Musk's Twitter deal is back on [View this email online]( [NPR]( by Suzanne Nuyen Good morning. Forget about the midterms, it's [Fat Bear Week]( Prepare to cast your votes. Here's what we're following today: First up molotovcoketail/Getty Images The pandemic has changed our personalities, and not for the better. Scientists have found a [small but meaningful population-wide decline]( in personality traits that help people navigate social situations, trust others and think creatively. There could be a serial killer at large in California. Police have drawn connections between [seven shootings]( that began in April of last year — six of them fatal — using ballistics evidence. Dr. Carl Allamby is proving that age really is just a number. He ran an auto repair shop for 20 years. Now, at age 51, he's been [hired as an emergency room attending physician]( at Cleveland Clinic. The Elon Musk Twitter deal might be back on after all. The Tesla CEO said he'd [go ahead with the original deal]( to buy the company for $44 billion, possibly averting a trial set for later this month. --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- Reproductive rights Chandler Johnson/Kalimizzou Leading up to the election, the NPR Network is sharing stories from communities across the country about abortion access and reproductive rights. ➡️ Abortion restrictions will likely affect Black women the most. Many are concerned about the impact on [Black maternal mortality]( and the risk of criminalization. (via [Iowa Public Radio]( ➡️ Louisiana congressional candidate Katie Darling used video footage of her giving birth in a new campaign ad that [criticizes Louisiana's near-total abortion ban](. (via [WWNO]( As the impact of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization continues to unfold, it’s important to know how it affects people all around the country. Right now, reporters across the NPR Network are providing careful reporting, analysis and insight about reproductive rights and many, many other issues. [Can you make a contribution to support their work]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Today’s listen [Following a series of phony so-called elections, Russia claims it has annexed four Ukrainian provinces, despite international condemnation.]( Alexander Nemenov/AFP via Getty Images Thousands of Russians are fleeing the country to avoid being drafted. Russia's annexation of four Ukrainian provinces is being mocked worldwide. And on the battlefield, Ukraine keeps winning. Where does this leave Putin? 🎧 [Listen to what would happen if he ends the war]( or [read the story](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Before you go [The character Velma is portrayed as being attracted to women in the new Scooby Doo movie.]( Screenshot by NPR/Warner Bros. Animation - Velma Dinkley is the gay icon we needed for spooky season. Fans have been theorizing for years, but now clips from the new movie [Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo!]( show her crushing on a woman. - SpaceX is scheduled to launch its fifth crewed mission to the International Space Station today — with the [first Native American woman]( to go to space. - Aaron Judge has broken a 61-year-old record set by fellow Yankee Roger Maris, after hitting his [62nd home run of the season]( last night. - We all go to The Onion for a good laugh, but the satirical site has a serious side. Head writer Mike Gillis submitted a 23-page amicus brief to the Supreme Court in [defense of the art of parody](. - The father behind one of the most memorable and moving moments in Olympic history has died at 81. During the 1992 Summer Olympics. Jim Redmond [helped his son Derek cross the finish line]( in the 400 meters after he tore a hamstring. --------------------------------------------------------------- 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]