{"generated_at": "2026-04-23T00:09:58.657434Z", "slug": "npr_news_now", "source_id": "src_npr_news_now", "name": "NPR News Now", "episode_count": 3, "avg_signal": 68.0, "median_signal": 67.0, "top_signal": 74.0, "latest_episode_at": "2026-04-19T22:10:22Z", "earliest_episode_at": "2026-04-19T20:10:45Z", "category_mode": "news", "cover_image_url": "https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2023/01/24/npr-news-now_tile_sq-2334a5fd44563fa94cdcdb27384b0f05987c2d15.jpg?s=1400&c=66&f=jpg", "rank_score": 90.97, "episodes": [{"episode_id": "ep_npr_news_now_0f2de132b5af", "episode_title": "NPR News: 04-19-2026 6PM EDT", "podcast_name": "NPR News Now", "podcast_slug": "npr_news_now", "source_id": "src_npr_news_now", "category": "news", "publish_date": "2026-04-19T22:10:22Z", "overall_score": 63.0, "score_breakdown": {"clarity": 90.0, "originality": 40.0, "actionability": 35.0, "technical_depth": 50.0, "recency_relevance": 95.0, "information_density": 70.0}, "podcast_cover_url": "https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2023/01/24/npr-news-now_tile_sq-2334a5fd44563fa94cdcdb27384b0f05987c2d15.jpg?s=1400&c=66&f=jpg", "source_link": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/500005/npr-news-now", "audio_url": "https://prfx.byspotify.com/e/play.podtrac.com/npr-500005/npr.simplecastaudio.com/368f8510-314e-46f1-8d26-5b87ed6ab6eb/episodes/2ae76a96-a966-490f-9433-3e2f58d7a7ae/audio/128/default.mp3?awCollectionId=368f8510-314e-46f1-8d26-5b87ed6ab6eb&awEpisodeId=2ae76a96-a966-490f-9433-3e2f58d7a7ae&feed=O9WlY7a5&t=podcast&e=nx-s1-20260419-1800-long&p=500005&d=280&size=4480567", "listen_url": "https://prfx.byspotify.com/e/play.podtrac.com/npr-500005/npr.simplecastaudio.com/368f8510-314e-46f1-8d26-5b87ed6ab6eb/episodes/2ae76a96-a966-490f-9433-3e2f58d7a7ae/audio/128/default.mp3?awCollectionId=368f8510-314e-46f1-8d26-5b87ed6ab6eb&awEpisodeId=2ae76a96-a966-490f-9433-3e2f58d7a7ae&feed=O9WlY7a5&t=podcast&e=nx-s1-20260419-1800-long&p=500005&d=280&size=4480567", "verdict": "worth_your_time", "why_listen": "You get time-efficient, fact-based summaries of multiple high-impact news stories from trusted correspondents, though no deep analysis or actionable insight.", "summary": "The episode covered escalating U.S.-Iran tensions with Trump threatening attacks on Iranian infrastructure, Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon during a fragile ceasefire, a deadly domestic mass shooting in Shreveport that killed eight children, voter registration deadlines in multiple states, tornado damage across the upper Midwest, and the auction of Titanic artifacts including a $900,000 life jacket. Reporting included geographic specifics, casualty figures, and official statements. No analysis or frameworks were provided\u2014only factual updates from correspondents."}, {"episode_id": "ep_npr_news_now_499d35f00c41", "episode_title": "NPR News: 04-19-2026 5PM EDT", "podcast_name": "NPR News Now", "podcast_slug": "npr_news_now", "source_id": "src_npr_news_now", "category": "news", "publish_date": "2026-04-19T21:10:23Z", "overall_score": 67.0, "score_breakdown": {"clarity": 85.0, "originality": 50.0, "actionability": 40.0, "technical_depth": 60.0, "recency_relevance": 98.0, "information_density": 72.0}, "podcast_cover_url": "https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2023/01/24/npr-news-now_tile_sq-2334a5fd44563fa94cdcdb27384b0f05987c2d15.jpg?s=1400&c=66&f=jpg", "source_link": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/500005/npr-news-now", "audio_url": "https://prfx.byspotify.com/e/play.podtrac.com/npr-500005/npr.simplecastaudio.com/368f8510-314e-46f1-8d26-5b87ed6ab6eb/episodes/0536eee6-6950-425e-8ebd-4262b73a5091/audio/128/default.mp3?awCollectionId=368f8510-314e-46f1-8d26-5b87ed6ab6eb&awEpisodeId=0536eee6-6950-425e-8ebd-4262b73a5091&feed=O9WlY7a5&t=podcast&e=nx-s1-20260419-1700-long&p=500005&d=280&size=4480567", "listen_url": "https://prfx.byspotify.com/e/play.podtrac.com/npr-500005/npr.simplecastaudio.com/368f8510-314e-46f1-8d26-5b87ed6ab6eb/episodes/0536eee6-6950-425e-8ebd-4262b73a5091/audio/128/default.mp3?awCollectionId=368f8510-314e-46f1-8d26-5b87ed6ab6eb&awEpisodeId=0536eee6-6950-425e-8ebd-4262b73a5091&feed=O9WlY7a5&t=podcast&e=nx-s1-20260419-1700-long&p=500005&d=280&size=4480567", "verdict": "worth_your_time", "why_listen": "Provides timely, multi-domain updates on international conflict, domestic violence, education policy, and financial markets in a tightly packaged format.", "summary": "The U.S. intercepted an Iranian vessel under existing Treasury sanctions, escalating tensions amid unconfirmed peace talks in Pakistan. A mass shooting in Shreveport killed eight children, and Florida's Board of Education removed sociology from required general education courses. Wall Street hit highs during earnings season, with JPMorgan and Tesla reporting strong consumer spending despite geopolitical uncertainty."}, {"episode_id": "ep_npr_news_now_ba1bfe6d5d5d", "episode_title": "NPR News: 04-19-2026 4PM EDT", "podcast_name": "NPR News Now", "podcast_slug": "npr_news_now", "source_id": "src_npr_news_now", "category": "news", "publish_date": "2026-04-19T20:10:45Z", "overall_score": 74.0, "score_breakdown": {"clarity": 90.0, "originality": 60.0, "actionability": 75.0, "technical_depth": 55.0, "recency_relevance": 95.0, "information_density": 70.0}, "podcast_cover_url": "https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2023/01/24/npr-news-now_tile_sq-2334a5fd44563fa94cdcdb27384b0f05987c2d15.jpg?s=1400&c=66&f=jpg", "source_link": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/500005/npr-news-now", "audio_url": "https://prfx.byspotify.com/e/play.podtrac.com/npr-500005/npr.simplecastaudio.com/368f8510-314e-46f1-8d26-5b87ed6ab6eb/episodes/12418856-89d9-475f-9032-73c465f8be22/audio/128/default.mp3?awCollectionId=368f8510-314e-46f1-8d26-5b87ed6ab6eb&awEpisodeId=12418856-89d9-475f-9032-73c465f8be22&feed=O9WlY7a5&t=podcast&e=nx-s1-20260419-1600-long&p=500005&d=280&size=4480567", "listen_url": "https://prfx.byspotify.com/e/play.podtrac.com/npr-500005/npr.simplecastaudio.com/368f8510-314e-46f1-8d26-5b87ed6ab6eb/episodes/12418856-89d9-475f-9032-73c465f8be22/audio/128/default.mp3?awCollectionId=368f8510-314e-46f1-8d26-5b87ed6ab6eb&awEpisodeId=12418856-89d9-475f-9032-73c465f8be22&feed=O9WlY7a5&t=podcast&e=nx-s1-20260419-1600-long&p=500005&d=280&size=4480567", "verdict": "worth_your_time", "why_listen": "It delivers timely, verified updates on multiple urgent national stories in a short format, including critical civic information and notable technological milestones.", "summary": "The episode reported on a series of breaking news events: Trump's inflammatory Truth Social posts about military action against Iran; a domestic shooting in Louisiana that killed eight children; a downtown Iowa City shooting injuring five; voter registration deadlines in multiple states; a projection that up to 442 private U.S. colleges may close in the next decade; Blue Origin's successful rocket launch and booster landing; and humanoid robots outpacing human runners in China's robot marathon. It cited specific data points including casualty ages, registration deadlines, and the 50:26 robot marathon finish time."}], "category_breakdown": [{"category": "news", "count": 3}]}