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Lake Powell and Lake Mead water levels hit record lows

NPR | By Ava Berger

Published August 15, 2026 at 4:49 PM CDT

The water levels of Lakes Powell and Mead are at record lows. What does that mean for the millions of people who rely on the country's two biggest reservoirs and the Colorado River that feeds them?

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All Things Considered

Ava Berger

James Ellis Ford made his new album from a hospital room

Rob Schmitz, Henry Larson

James Ellis Ford's new album Lost In Another World tells a story of survival and imagination. He made it from his hospital room during cancer treatment.
Sailor circumnavigating the Arctic forced to go home

Henry Larson

Matt Rutherford set out to be the first person to circumnavigate the Arctic Ocean solo. He says he was force to abandon the journey after the Russian government turned him around.
Tyga and A.I. in music

Rob Schmitz, Jason Fuller, Patrick Jarenwattananon

NPR's Rob Schmitz speaks with Alex Suskind, news director at Pitchfork, about the artist Tyga's use of AI technology on his new album. Pitchfork rated the album 0.0 out of 10.
Hurricane Lala strengthens as it heads to Hawaii

Bill Dorman

Hurricane Lala is headed toward Hawaii's Big Island. If it makes landfall there, it'd be the first hurricane to do so since 1871.
Transportation reporter on Trump administration's efforts against 'DEI bike lanes'

Rob Schmitz, Joel Rose, Vincent Acovino

NPR's Rob Schmitz talks with transportation correspondent Joel Rose about quiet changes the Department of Transportation made to road safety recommendations on its website - and why they matter.