Maternity care in rural areas is in crisis. Can more doulas help? A Georgia medical school has begun training and deploying doulas in rural areas of the state, with the goal of decreasing the risk of childbirth complications, especially for Black women. Read more on NPR

U.S. automakers had a punishing week — with a silver lining for shoppers The four major U.S. automakers — GM, Ford, Stellantis and Tesla — all reported earnings this week and saw their stocks decline. The auto industry is at a “Darwinian” inflection point, says one CEO. Read more on NPR

When will Kamala Harris be the official Democratic presidential nominee? The Democratic National Committee will hold a virtual roll call in early August to select a new presidential nominee, likely Vice President Harris, before its convention kicks off in Chicago. Read more on NPR

The Opening Ceremony for the Summer Olympics will officially kick off the Games The Olympics opening ceremony gets underway Friday on the River Seine. NPR’s Michel Martin talks to the mayor of Paris’s central district about how the event is transforming the city. Read more on NPR

60 Years Later: The children of Freedom Summer look back on their experiences As part of the Mississippi Freedom Summer in 1964, civil rights groups ran summer schools to educate Black children. We hear from six former students who look back on their experiences. Read more on NPR

Thousands will line up along the River Seine to watch the Olympics opening ceremony The Paris Summer Olympics “officially” begin Friday with the Opening Ceremony. For the next few weeks, more than 10,000 athletes will compete in more than 30 sports. Read more on NPR

The U.S. arrested a Mexican drug lord. Will it affect the cartel’s business? One of Mexico’s most notorious drug lords is now in U.S. custody. Authorities in the U.S. announced Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada had been arrested, and will appear before an American judge soon. Read more on NPR

‘Malicious acts’ disrupt French train lines ahead of Olympics, rail company says Travel to and from London beneath the English Channel, to neighboring Belgium, and across the west, north and east of France were affected, French national rail company SNCF said. Read more on NPR

The Opening Ceremony for the Summer Olympic Games will take place Friday in Paris The Olympics opening ceremony gets underway Friday on the River Seine. NPR’s Michel Martin talks to the mayor of Paris’s central district about how the event is transforming the city. Read more on NPR

Morning news brief One of Mexico’s most notorious drug lords is in U.S. custody. Vice President Kamala Harris met Thursday with Israel’s prime minster. The Olympics opening ceremony gets underway Friday in Paris. Read more on NPR