NPR Student Podcast Challenge: Cold Weather Swimming

Published November 17, 2025 at 4:19 PM EST

One of our NPR College Podcast Challenge finalists brings the story of a group of women who, every week, take an icy plunge into the Connecticut River.

Support nonprofit, fact-based public service journalism

WEKU depends on support from those who view and listen to our content. There's no paywall here. Please support WEKU with your donation.

Contribute now

Related Content

NPR News

The U.N. Security Council approves a U.S. plan for a Gaza stabilization force

The Associated Press

The plan authorizes a security force in the devastated territory and envisions a possible path to an independent Palestinian state. Russia, which had circulated a rival resolution, abstained along with China on the 13-0 vote.
Benjamin Netanyahu's next moves

Daniel Estrin

Since the Gaza ceasefire began, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has received a boost from President Trump, and is gearing up to run for reelection.
NPR News

Part of the U.S. strategy in 20 years of war in Afghanistan? Weakening poppies

Daniel Ofman

In an exclusive Washington Post story, reporter Warren Strobel describes a CIA operation in Afghanistan over the course of about a decade. The goal was to degrade the country's opium crop.
NPR News

FEMA acting chief David Richardson departs after 6 months on the job

The Associated Press

The acting chief of the Federal Emergency Management Agency has left his post, marking another disruption in a year of staff and policy changes. His leadership was questioned after he delayed responding to deadly floods in Texas.
For clues on how to evade cancer, some scientists look to the bowhead whale

Ari Daniel

Where might we look for inspiration for new cancer therapies? Some researchers say the bowhead whale may offer clues.