In Colorado, an award-winning group called Intercambio trains volunteers to teach English as a second language to immigrant students from around the world. The lessons take place in classroom settings or in the immigrant’s home. In the process, volunteers and their “students” often become lasting friends, building meaningful connections and a deeper soul for the entire community.

ON THIS DAY IN AMERICAN HISTORY On April 17, 1970, Apollo 13 splashes down safely in the Pacific Ocean after the crew and NASA engineers surmounted what seemed like impossible odds in a story that captivated the entire planet. The mission started off well, but when the spacecraft was over 200,000 miles from Earth, an oxygen tank exploded during a routine check, all but crippling the spacecraft. NASA decided the best way back to earth was to slingshot around the moon. During the trip back, the crew of astronauts, James A. Lovell, John L. Swigert and Fred W. Haise, endured freezing temperatures, limited power, shortage of water and toxic levels of carbon dioxide. Many consider the safe return of Apollo 13 one of NASA’s finest moments. The saga was made into a movie in 1995.

This week on Plugged In : The rise and fall of Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir. What led to the dictator’s downfall after 30 years in power? Is the new military leadership any less corrupt? And what’s the likelihood the street protests will continue? We speak to Sudan watchers about what’s next for the troubled Northeast African nation.

The administration of U.S . President Donald Trump is allowing U.S. citizens to sue foreign companies and individuals who use property confiscated from them decades ago by the Communist government of then-Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

The inferno that raced through the more than 850-year-old Notre Dame cathedral Monday night destroyed most of the roof. Its 90-meter spire collapsed in the blaze, causing selfie-snapping onlookers to gasp. Now, thousands of Parisians and tourists are paying a vigil of sorts to a smoking-but-still-cherished icon.

VIDEO: Most wireless communications use RF, or radio frequency, communications to send data back and forth. But all that information can slow things down. One National Science Foundation supported researcher is using light to send information, and it’s quicker and more secure than RF.