Arizona is running out of water

Plus, every prop, everywhere, all at once [View this email online]( [Best of NPR]( March 5, 2023 --------------------------------------------------------------- Scott’s weekly weigh-in Ryan Mckinnon/Courtesy of the artist I have specific (some might say narrow) personal tastes in music. But producers introduce me to new talents over a wide musical range. I think this can make for even stronger interviews. Listeners can learn along with me. I had heard about Macklemore, of course. The Seattle rap artist has topped the charts, sold millions and won Grammy Awards. But I had not truly noted his music until producer Andrew Craig and editor Matthew Schuerman worked mightily to book an interview with Macklemore to talk about his first release in five years — Ben. I was enthralled to meet a truly interesting artist who speaks about his challenges with addiction (he calls himself an addict, pointedly), the blessings of family and his restless creativity. “Each album is a process of self-discovery,” Macklemore told us. “My job as an artist is to peel away, to excavate, to exfoliate, to make sure that the spirit is vulnerable in purest form so that I can feel something and be a conduit for whatever is flowing through at that moment.” Whatever music you like — meet a true artist [here](. And another discovery this week: Great economists can be funny! Perhaps you noticed a survey concluding that the [cash amounts left under children’s pillows]( by the tooth fairy have risen more than the rate of inflation. I felt a scholarly reflection on this trend (wait, can I call it an inflection point?) was required. I contacted Justin Wolfers, professor of public policy and economics at the University of Michigan – and it turns out to he’s the funniest Australian since Dame Edna. He [assailed the tooth fairy]( as “a ruthless monopolist ... who has made willing accomplices of parents everywhere.” Funny and insightful. A funny economist! I cherish the chance I have each week to learn what can happen in this world. [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 may have missed [A woman stands in the snowy front yard of a modest yellow house.]( KC McGinnis for KHN Jen Coghlan had only been grieving the death of her mother for a month when she got a startling letter from the Iowa Department of Human Services. Her mom had received $226,611.35 in care from Medicaid. The [government wanted the money back]( — and it could cost her her home. Buckeye, Ariz., just outside Phoenix, is one of America's fastest growing cities. But the growth and economic boom is raising questions about the fate of the state's water supplies during a [23-year megadrought on the Colorado River](. Arizona's governor says the state is at a tipping point. But officials in the Phoenix area say they are not ready to stop growing. Sam Bankman-Fried, the disgraced founder of FTX, is facing a lot of problems. He's been charged with one of the largest financial frauds in history. If convicted, he could face life in prison. And yet, [he just can't shut up](. He's been tweeting, sending emails and talking to the media — and his loose lips could come back to bite him. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis dealt a blow to Walt Disney World's autonomy by signing a bill to take control of the company's development board. Critics say the move [looks like retaliation]( for Disney's opposition to a bill that restricts classroom discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation. --------------------------------------------------------------- Before you go [This item, described as "Googly eye rock boulder stunt double from the Rockverse," sold for $13,200, with proceeds going to the Asian Mental Health Project.]( A24 - Every prop, everywhere, all at once: Lucky bidders got their (presumably non-hot dog) hands on dozens of props from the movie [Everything Everywhere All at Once]( in an auction to raise funds for three charities. - Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed a bill banning drag shows in public spaces — just as a yearbook photo of the [Republican governor in drag]( surfaced on Reddit. - Microsoft's AI chatbot has been saying crazy and downright hostile things, calling one user ugly, short and unathletic and telling another that he didn't love his wife. The company has decided to [rein it in and work out the kinks](. - Six well-known comics have taken over as guest host on The Daily Show, including Leslie Jones, Sarah Silverman, Chelsea Handler and Wanda Sykes. Here's a rundown of [NPR critic Eric Deggan's favorites](. --------------------------------------------------------------- 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]