Trump's grip stays strong among GOP voters; NPR obtains records alleging 'barbaric' ICE detention conditions; Senate interns' selfie quest

Plus, why a TikTok Eurodance parody is stuck in everybody's heads

View this email online by Suzanne Nuyen August 16, 2023 Good morning. From Barbie and Oppenheimer to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Meg, there's something for everyone at the movies this summer. But prolonged strikes could disrupt theaters' momentum. Here's what else we're following today The first Republican primary debate is scheduled for next Wednesday. Despite four indictments, Trump remains popular among his Republican base — though he's highly unpopular with Democrats and independents. NPR's Domenico Montanaro analyzes why Trump's legal troubles haven't moved the needle with GOP voters. Joed Viera/AFP via Getty Images 🎧 On Up First today, Montanaro says Republicans "are living in a completely different universe than Democrats or independents" and seem to believe everything Trump says about the 2020 election. Other campaigns have had the former president at the center of their debate prep. It's unclear if Trump will attend the upcoming debate.   A three-year NPR investigation has uncovered more than 1,600 pages of reports on ICE detention centers detailing allegations of "barbaric" and "negligent" mistreatment of detainees. The reports are written by experts hired by the Department of Homeland Security to investigate claims of civil rights abuses. They found serious problems, including pepper spraying of mentally ill detainees, filthy conditions and ignoring medical conditions.  🎧 Both the Trump and Biden administrations have fought NPR's efforts to get these records, says Tom Dreisbach. He spoke to Eunice Cho, an ACLU lawyer who has visited the detention centers. She said the report's findings were "just the tip of the iceberg, and if anything, conditions have probably gotten worse." COVID-19 is one reason conditions may have worsened. Dreisbach adds the Biden campaign has promised to end contracts with for-profit companies running most ICE facilities but they need Congress to act.    Niger's coup leaders announced this week they would try President Mohamed Bazoum for "high treason." Three weeks after they ousted him, military leaders have cut formal diplomatic ties with France, Nigeria and Togo, restored relations with military regimes in Mali and Burkina Faso, and replaced many cabinet members.  🎧 NPR's Emmanuel Akinwotu says the junta's actions suggest they're taking "a strategic, long-term look at control of the country." Akinwotu adds that intervention from other countries appears unlikely now, though leaders from the regional bloc of West African countries called ECOWAS are expected to meet tomorrow. Newsletter continues after sponsor message Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival As rescue efforts continue in Hawaii, heritage workers and preservation experts are thinking about how to salvage and document the cultural artifacts that have been lost or damaged. While they're worried that some of the most precious items at the Lahaina Heritage Museum may be lost, they balance sadness with hope about what's been saved.  ➡️ See photos of the damage at some of Lahaina's most important cultural sites, and read about how its residents are making sure their stories survive.  Toby Tenenbaum Is this the song of the summer? Comedian Kyle Gordon's song parody of '90s Eurodance music, "Planet of the Bass," has taken the internet by storm. His original 50-second TikTok video, featuring his characters DJ Crazy Times and Ms. Biljana Electronica, has more than 8 million views, and he released the full song this week.  🎧 Listen to parts of the song and hear Polygon editor Michael McWhertor explain why the Eurodance aesthetic and sound are so enticing.  Black Stories, Black Truths: NPR Celebrates the Black Experience Turn on NPR today and you’ll hear a range of voices as varied, nuanced, and Black as the country we reflect.  Black Stories, Black Truths is a video series, a collection of podcast episodes, and—most importantly—a celebration of Black voices in journalism. Welcome to NPR, noir. Click here to check out the feed, or search “NPR Black Stories, Black Truths” wherever you get podcasts. Listen Now Office of Senator Murkowski  Eight of Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski's interns have tracked down and taken a selfie with all 100 senators — and they did it all in three weeks. They sat down with NPR to give out some senator superlatives. Members of the Tuohy family are speaking out after Michael Oher, the subject of the hit 2009 movie The Blind Side, alleged his adoption was a lie, and they set up a conservatorship to profit from his name and likeness. Sean Tuohy, the family patriarch, says his family never made money from the film, and the conservatorship was unrelated to the movie. A few years ago, Adrianne Drazin found herself overwhelmed at the airport. She had just gotten off a flight with her two toddlers, her baby in a car, a carry-on suitcase and diaper bags. A fellow mother insisted on helping her get to the baggage check, becoming her unsung hero and a member of the "mom tribe."  Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to hear live radio from WMFE (edit station). This newsletter was edited by Majd Al-Waheidi. Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? 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