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 Teen-driven news and views from NPR's Youth Desk

A Florida Family Moves Forward After Struggling With Addiction

Battles with addiction can rattle or wreck a family. Shenika Morrison, a youth reporter from WLRN in Miami, explores what getting past drug, alcohol and tobacco addiction means for her family.

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A Young Girl Confronts Feelings Of Guilt After The Death Of Her Brother

The loss of a sibling can be devastating, particularly for kids. WLRN youth radio reporter Precious Gause brings us the story of her own experience, and how it affected her relationship with her mother.

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Virtual Summer Camp Uses 'Minecraft' To Teach Digital Skills

Youth Radio

While some kids go to summer camp, others opt for a virtual camp. It uses the Minecraft video game to teach engineering skills, basic coding and how to be a good citizen in the digital landscape.

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A young man peers out a window in a holding cell after arriving at the intake unit at Alameda County Juvenile Hall.

A young man peers out a window in a holding cell after arriving at the intake unit at Alameda County Juvenile Hall. Brett Myers/Youth Radio hide caption

itoggle caption Brett Myers/Youth Radio

At One Juvenile Hall, Too Few Staff Has A Big Impact

Youth Radio

A juvenile hall in San Leandro, Calif., is a so-called model facility, but it faces major challenges. A staffing shortage means, says a supervisor, "kids don't always get the services they should."

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Probation With A Therapeutic Approach Keeps Kids Out Of Juvenile Hall

In some places in the U.S., many kids end up in juvenile hall because of minor probation violations. But in Wayne County, Mich., the system has reduced rates through a therapeutic approach.

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Brian Hopson, assistant superintendent at Alameda County Juvenile Hall, stands in one of its many empty units. The 360-bed facility was full when it opened eight years ago, but is now at half capacity.

Brian Hopson, assistant superintendent at Alameda County Juvenile Hall, stands in one of its many empty units. The 360-bed facility was full when it opened eight years ago, but is now at half capacity. Brett Myers/Youth Radio hide caption

itoggle caption Brett Myers/Youth Radio

Meant To Keep Youths Out Of Detention, Probation Often Leads Them There

Nationwide, juvenile incarceration has dropped by half since 1999 — but the probations that have replaced it hold teens to sometimes subjective standards and often include electronic monitoring.

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Golden State Warriors Fans Rejoice Over Team's First Win In 40 Years

The Golden State Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers Tuesday night in the NBA Finals. It was the team's first championship in 40 years and Oakland, where the Warriors call home, was buzzing before and after the team clinched the title. Youth Radio's Denise Tejada was there and has this story.

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After teens noticed a change in the tap water in Oakland due to the California drought, 17-year-old Amber Lee took a tap vs. bottled water taste test in Youth Radio's studios.

After teens noticed a change in the tap water in Oakland due to the California drought, 17-year-old Amber Lee took a tap vs. bottled water taste test in Youth Radio's studios. Jenny Bolario/Youth Radio hide caption

itoggle caption Jenny Bolario/Youth Radio

Teens Say California Drought Makes Tap Water Taste Funky

Youth Radio

A firsthand look at how the historic drought is affecting local teens' quest to quench their thirst.

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Comedian Aziz Ansari became a pioneer of emoji language use in 2011, when he transcribed the hit Jay-Z and Kanye West song, "Ni**as In Paris."

Comedian Aziz Ansari became a pioneer of emoji language use in 2011, when he transcribed the hit Jay-Z and Kanye West song, "Ni**as In Paris." azizisbored.tumblr.com hide caption

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All Tech Considered

As Emojis Spread Beyond Texts, Many Remain [Confounded Face] [Interrobang]

There's a growing tendency to bring the tiny hieroglyphs off phones, but not everyone is fluent. New takes on emoji integration suggest misunderstanding may be remedied with universal translation.

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Apps like Venmo promise easy, carefree money transfers between friends.

Apps like Venmo promise easy, carefree money transfers between friends. Noah Nelson/Youth Radio hide caption

itoggle caption Noah Nelson/Youth Radio

All Tech Considered

The Risky Boom In Carefree Social Payment Apps

Turnstyle

Lots of young adults are using apps like Venmo to settle all kinds of debts. As the apps get more popular, they've become targets for scammers and hackers. But that hasn't seemed to scare away users.

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Truvada can dramatically reduce the risk of HIV infection when taken as a preventative medicine — if taken every day. Studies are underway to determine if young people are likely to take the pill consistently.

Truvada can dramatically reduce the risk of HIV infection when taken as a preventative medicine — if taken every day. Studies are underway to determine if young people are likely to take the pill consistently. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption

itoggle caption Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

Would A Pill To Protect Teens From HIV Make Them Feel Invincible?

Youth Radio

Trials are underway to see how effective a pill approved for HIV prevention in adults may be for teenagers. But some worry Truvada could end up encouraging reckless sexual behavior among young people.

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Eight-year-old Tomás Rocha, a third grader at Malcolm X Elementary School in Berkeley, Calif., is among a handful of gender non-conforming students at the school.

Eight-year-old Tomás Rocha, a third grader at Malcolm X Elementary School in Berkeley, Calif., is among a handful of gender non-conforming students at the school. Brett Myers/Youth Radio hide caption

itoggle caption Brett Myers/Youth Radio

Code Switch

Transgender Students Learn To Navigate School Halls

Youth Radio

A new poll shows that fewer young people see gender as limited to female and male. Youth Radio reporter Nanette Thompson talks with two students about their experiences at school.

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Tyfanni Edwards and Dominique Bell, both 19, have part time jobs and also attend Berkeley City College part time.

Tyfanni Edwards and Dominique Bell, both 19, have part time jobs and also attend Berkeley City College part time. Brett Myers/Youth Radio hide caption

itoggle caption Brett Myers/Youth Radio

NPR Ed

The True Costs Of Community College

Youth Radio

President Obama has proposed making tuition at community colleges free. But Youth Radio reporter Tylyn Hardamon found that paying for school is just one of many challenges facing today's students.

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Emily Neblett, a patient at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital in Nashville, Tenn., demonstrates circuit pieces from the mobile maker space that are connected by magnets.

Emily Neblett, a patient at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital in Nashville, Tenn., demonstrates circuit pieces from the mobile maker space that are connected by magnets. Noah Nelson/Youth Radio hide caption

itoggle caption Noah Nelson/Youth Radio

All Tech Considered

'Maker Space' Allows Kids To Innovate, Learn In The Hospital

Youth Radio

At a children's hospital in Nashville, Tenn., a mobile maker space allows patients to share materials and tools to build new things, while also teaching them about math and science.

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Protests Over Officer-Involved Deaths Continue Nationwide

In the past week, protests over the decisions not to indict police in two separate fatal incidents spread to communities around the country. We hear from two of the demonstrations in Berkeley, Calif., and Washington, D.C.

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Trimmers prepare the marijuana flower, or bud, to make it more appealing to consumers. They use scissors to snip off the leaves and stems.

Trimmers prepare the marijuana flower, or bud, to make it more appealing to consumers. They use scissors to snip off the leaves and stems. Brett Myers/Youth Radio hide caption

itoggle caption Brett Myers/Youth Radio

With Harvest Season, 'Trimmigrants' Flock To California's Pot Capital

Youth Radio

Humboldt County is famous for towering redwoods — and pot. Every fall, young people descend on its small towns. They're seeking work as trimmers, who manicure marijuana buds to prepare them for sale.

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'Black Lives Matter' Slogan Becomes A Bigger Movement

Youth Radio

When a grand jury in New York did not indict a police officer for the death of Eric Garner, protesters chanted a slogan. They chanted the same slogan after a killing in Ferguson, Missouri.

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