Illinois makes mandatory anti-union meetings illegal Illinois is the 8th state to adopt a law making it illegal for employers to hold mandatory religious, political or anti-union meetings, a move aimed at helping workers trying to unionize. Read more on NPR

Looking back on July which was a profoundly busy month for news A lot of major news stories happened this week. We review some of them. Read more on NPR

Trump’s plan to address Black journalists convention sparks backlash NPR’s Steve Inskeep talks to Errin Haines, of the nonprofit newsroom The 19th, about former President Trump’s decision to speak to the National Association of Black Journalists’ convention. Read more on NPR

Here comes the Sun (Belt): With Harris running, the presidential map has shifted back Now that Vice President Harris is the likely Democratic presidential nominee versus former President Donald Trump, the map of competitive states in the election is a repeat of the 2020 battlegrounds. Read more on NPR

A photographer captured the perfect shot of an Olympic surfer’s record-breaking ride AFP photographer Jerome Brouillet captured the Brazilian world champion Gabriel Medina surfing through a huge wave in a ride that would net an Olympic-record score. Read more on NPR

30 years later, the evangelical purity movement still impacts sex education In 1994 on the National Mall, thousands of American teens pledged abstinence until marriage. The movement it created has influenced sex education in schools to this day. Read more on NPR

Do you rent? You may be more vulnerable to climate-driven disasters The financial cards are stacked against many renters who survive hurricanes, floods, wildfires and other major weather disasters. The long-term effects can be devastating. Read more on NPR

Meet Frederick Richard, the TikTok U.S. gymnast competing for (another) Olympic medal The 20-year-old gymnast has more than 1.2 million followers between his TikTok and Instagram. But more than followers — or even Olympic medals — he wants more people to care about men’s gymnastics. Read more on NPR

Some plant names can be racist. Scientists are looking to rename them An international group of researchers has voted to modify the scientific names of more than 200 plant species whose names carry a derogatory word. Read more on NPR

Olympic athletes and events that might be under your radar From the fast-paced 3×3 basketball event to sword fighting in the home of The Three Musketeers — there might be fewer eyes on these events but the contenders and storylines are just as thrilling. Read more on NPR