Bison graze in a state park in South Dakota. Amber Hunt/AP hide caption

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Simon Says

The Bison's Back, But What For?

The National Bison Legacy Act establishes the bison as the national mammal. NPR's Scott Simon muses on the bison's legacy and current significance.

Sweetwater Jaycees surrounding rattlesnakes on Diamondback Day at the Texas state Capitol. John Burnett/NPR hide caption

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U.S.

Amid Much Hissing, Texas Could Impose Ban To Rattle Snake Hunters

Texans are obsessed with the Western diamondback rattlesnake. They catch thousands of them each year for snake festivals. Now, a possible ban of gassing snakes by the state jeopardizes those fiestas.

The Danish String Quartet's new release features British and Danish composers. Violinist Frederik Øland is second from the left; violist Asbjørn Nørgaard is second from the right. Caroline Bittencourt/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Deceptive Cadence

The Danish String Quartet's Manifold Vision For Classical Music

"Classical music is many things," says violist Asbjørn Nørgaard. "It can sound like Coldplay. It can sound like heavy metal." The quartet's new album, out now, is called Adès/Nørgard/Abrahamsen.

Home on the Range Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
Riders in the Sky Boston Pops Orchestra
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Some Thomas Zhenya Strigalev
Garuda Michael Brook
Airfield Javelin
Piss Test [Remix] A-Trak, El-P et. al.

Thomas Thwaites says his exoskeleton was meant to help him feel like a goat, as opposed to helping him look like one. Tim Bowditch/Courtesy of Princeton Architectural Press hide caption

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When Being Human Got His Goat, This Designer Became One
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"I've suffered a lot of scars to get where I am," says rapper Mr. Lif, a.k.a. Jeffrey Haynes. His new album, Don't Look Down, is his first in seven years. Dom Savini/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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'What Doesn't Kill Us Makes Us Stronger:' Mr. Lif On Music And Healing
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Ill Mr. Lif
Bike Messenger Diaries ApSci
Serenade for the Renegade E.S.T.
Strange Place for Snow E.S.T.

Sweetwater Jaycees surrounding rattlesnakes on Diamondback Day at the Texas state Capitol. John Burnett/NPR hide caption

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Amid Much Hissing, Texas Could Impose Ban To Rattle Snake Hunters
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Martin Martin Mouth Music
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The Danish String Quartet's new release features British and Danish composers. Violinist Frederik Øland is second from the left; violist Asbjørn Nørgaard is second from the right. Caroline Bittencourt/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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The Danish String Quartet's Manifold Vision For Classical Music
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Arcadiana, Op. 12 - VI. O Albion Danish String Quartet
String Quartet No. 1 - "10 Preludes For String Quartet" - 9 Danish String Quartet