Catalytic converter theft is soaring. Here's how to protect your car

Plus, lives touched by the kindness of strangers. [View this email online]( [Best of NPR]( Nov. 6, 2022 --------------------------------------------------------------- Scott’s weekly weigh-in Samuel Corum/Getty Images A good weekend to you, just before the midterm elections. My introduction to real politics was when I (mis)managed a Chicago aldermanic campaign in the 1970s. Our independent candidate, a Pentecostal minister and community activist, finished fourth in a field of four. Even the Republican candidate got more votes — in Chicago, where Republicans can be as rare as New York-style pizza. Although I did little good for our candidate, I may have learned some lessons, which I try to bear in mind every election season: - Campaigns can have enthusiastic supporters who rally, cheer and post praise in public places. But only actual votes count. “Likes” elect no one. - Debates are great, and good for democracy. There should be more. But don’t expect debates to change minds. Most people view debates like sporting events, events to root and cheer for their favorites. - The campaign that raises the most money doesn’t always win (see Clinton v. Trump in 2016). But why take the chance? There is no prize for Most Cost-Effective Campaign. - It might be totally truthful for a candidate to answer a question like, “What are you going to do about inflation, crime, or rising gas prices?” by saying, “You know, inflation is the Fed. Crime, that’s local police. Gas, it’s the war in Ukraine.” But "Vote for me, there's not much I can do" is not a rousing campaign slogan. (And as an Ohio pol once told me, “Save nuanced, interesting reasoning for your memoirs. Which you won’t get to write unless you win.”) There is no one better to hear from right before any election than [our own Ron Elving](. And it was also a great week to speak with [Weird Al Yankovic]( about the new biopic of his life, which wraps an engaging truth with a lot of enjoyable nonsense. [Scott Simon]( Scott Simon is one of NPR's most renowned news anchors. He is the host of [Weekend Edition Saturday]( and one of the hosts of the morning news podcast Up First. Be sure to listen to him every Saturday on your local NPR station, and follow him [on Twitter](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- Stories you might have missed Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Catalytic converter theft shot up 1,215% since 2019, fueled by the high price of the precious metals the devices contain. Stealing a converter takes only a few minutes and a battery-operated saw. Replacing one can cost thousands. Here are steps you can take to [keep your converter under your car]( where it belongs. ➡️ It's not just buying a car that's expensive: Owning a car [is pricey, too](. Paul Pelosi was released from the hospital, but conservatives continued to repeat [conspiracy theories about the brutal attack]( that put him there. Many on the right tried to cast doubt on the fact that the attacker shared some of their beliefs, and denied that the attack was an incident of far-right domestic terrorism. Antisemitic statements by [Kanye West]( Nets guard [Kyrie Irving]( and others have American Jews worried that the "[longest or oldest hatred" is being normalized anew](. Community leaders hope this moment will make clear the importance of education and allyship. On the second day of the war with Russia, two Ukrainian army reservists on a highway north of Kviv were told to fire NLAW anti-tank missiles at two oncoming Russian tanks. There was one problem: neither soldier had ever fired an NLAW. So they crouched in some trees, looked it up on YouTube and [learned from a how-to video](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Sound advice Photo Illustration by Becky Harlan/NPR If you’re stuck between two conflicting desires and can’t seem to move forward, this 15-minute stick figure exercise can help you find your purpose. All you need is [paper and a pen or pencil](. --------------------------------------------------------------- Before you go: kindness from strangers Joe Arrigoni A woman struggling with early-onset Alzheimer's got an [unexpected moment of grace]( from a stranger while out shopping with her husband. Jackie Briggs had a rose-shaped birthmark on her upper arm. One day a stranger noticed it and asked a question about the mark that [ended up saving Briggs' life](. When Carolyn Hax's mother was battling ALS, she kept working despite her grief and exhaustion. [Kind words from a colleague]( she didn’t know well helped her through the ordeal. --------------------------------------------------------------- Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. [Listen Live]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( 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 Daily News, Politics, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Best of NPR emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( [NPR logo]