Idaho was the first state to slap a slogan on a license plate, “Idaho Potatoes,” which may not seem like a big deal, but it turns out this idea would end up having outsized consequences, and not just for Idaho. Because what started in one state would soon spread. And when it did, the question of what should go on a license plate, and what shouldn't, would prove surprisingly contentious.

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The strange history of a punctuation mark that makes writing feel human, and why people now think it proves the opposite.

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This is the sixth episode of our ongoing series breaking down the U.S. Constitution.

This month, Roman and Elizabeth discuss Article III, which establishes the judicial branch, alongside New York Times chief legal affairs correspondent, Adam Liptak.

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Throughout Africa and beyond, Zimbabweans are known for choosing some of the most bold, head-turning English-language names. Zimbabwean producer Kim Chakanetsa tells the story of how her country's journey from colonial rule to independence shaped the nation's unique naming traditions.

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This week we're featuring Audio Flux, a short-form audio challenge where artists squeeze surprising stories into three minutes.

Find out more about Audio Flux by visiting audioflux.org

Follow Audio Flux on Instagram: @audiofluxing

Featured Audio Flux stories include:

• The Sound of Silence by Gregory Warner and Sana Krasikov
• In Between Silence by Talia Augustidis
• The Ghost on Side B by Katelyn Hale Wood with sound design by Alan Goffinski
• First Words by Peter Lang-Stanton
• Red Card by Vivien Schütz and Laura Rojas Aponte

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A young designer faces an impossible brief and discovers the spark that will define his legendary career.

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Performance changing gear, a Titanic era nurse with unbelievable resilience, and an ingenious art vending project reveal how innovation and endurance shape unexpected worlds.

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From rogue stop signs to rooftop mini golf, discover how chaos and creativity quietly shape the urban world.

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This is the fifth episode of our ongoing series breaking down the U.S. Constitution.

This month, Roman and Elizabeth turn to the rest of Article Two with former CDC director Dr. Tom Frieden, talking about the experience of being a highly trained expert in an inherently political institution within the executive branch. Dr. Frieden was also the New York City Public Health Commissioner under Mayor Bloomberg from 2002 to 2009, and he discusses the difference between running a city and a federal health agency.

Elizabeth also explains the constitutional powers and limitations of the presidency, including hiring and firing, impeachment, pardons, and presidential duties—and how President Trump and the current Supreme Court are upending those powers.

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A glowing Vegas pyramid, a famously mistyped domain, and a long-delayed miracle investigation unfold in three unexpected tales.

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From military parades to smoky clubs, one invention’s wild journey reveals how an instrument can become a symbol of rebellion and reinvention.

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