America’s farms are desperate for labor. Foreign workers bring relief and controversy The number of H-2A visas for seasonal farmworkers issued each year has more than quadrupled over the past decade. The growth has alarmed labor advocates. Farmers don’t love the program, either. Read more on NPR

In Japan, a J-Pop star has come out as gay and his fans cheer Shinjiro Atae shared the personal revelation on Wednesday evening with an auditorium filled with thousands in Tokyo. Read more on NPR

Mattel tried to report financials. All anyone wanted to talk about was ‘Barbie’ Mattel reported financial earnings Wednesday. Impacts from the Barbie movie remain to be seen, but she still stole the show. Read more on NPR

Weighted infant sleepwear is meant to help babies rest better. Critics say it’s risky Parents are increasingly turning to weighted sleepwear to help lull their babies to sleep, but a growing number of doctors and safe sleep advocates warn it comes with risks that shouldn’t be ignored. Read more on NPR

His doctors billed Medicare late. Then he got sent to collections for the $3,000 tab Medicare was supposed to cover the entire cost of his procedure. But the anesthesia provider failed to file its claims in a timely manner and billed the patient instead. Read more on NPR

A doctor leaves a lasting impression on a woman caring for her dying mom When her mother was struggling with late-stage cancer, Julia had a conversation with a doctor that made her feel heard. Read more on NPR

Is Barbie a feminist icon? It’s complicated The Barbie movie is being celebrated (and slammed) as a feminist film, with its themes of female empowerment and critiques of the patriarchy. Can the same be said for the doll at the center of it? Read more on NPR