Issues
Arson engulfs Mississippi synagogue, a congregation once bombed by Ku Klux Klan
A suspect is charged with arson in a fire that burned through a synagogue in Mississippi. Flames and smoke destroyed its library, housing Torahs.
DOJ subpoenas Federal Reserve in escalating pressure campaign
The Justice Department has subpoenaed the Fed over chair Jerome Powell's testimony over the central bank's headquarters renovation. Powell calls it part of a pressure campaign over interest rates.
America’s top figure skaters dazzled St. Louis. I left with a new love for the sport.
The U.S. Figure Skating National Championships brought the who's who of the sport to St. Louis. St. Louis Public Radio Visuals Editor Brian Munoz left a new fan of the Olympic sport.
Historic upset in English soccer’s FA Cup as Macclesfield beat holders Crystal Palace
The result marks the first time in 117 years that a side from outside the major national leagues has eliminated the reigning FA Cup holders.
U.S. Figure Skating Championships will determine who’s going to the Olympics
This week's competition in St. Louis will skaters tickets to the Milan-Cortina games in February
Hiring slows in December to end the weakest year of job growth since the pandemic
U.S. employers added 50,000 jobs in December, according to a report from the Labor Department Friday. Measured annually, job gains in 2025 were the slowest since 2020.
Lest we forget: NPR’s public archive features video and court records related to the Jan. 6 attack
NPR’s Jan. 6 database is now the most comprehensive archive of its kind dedicated to the attack on the U.S. Capitol.
U.S. population growth is slowing. The immigration crackdown is a major factor
Congressional forecasters have lowered their projection for U.S. population growth over the next decade by 7 million people as a result of the Trump administration's immigration crackdown as well as falling birth rates.
It’s not just oil: How else Wall Street might benefit from Trump’s Venezuela actions
Oil companies and their shareholders may benefit from President Trump's military action in Venezuela — but it also could benefit many other U.S. investors.
Trump says US to get 30 million to 50 million barrels of oil from Venezuela at market price
Trump pledged to use proceeds from the sale of this oil "to benefit the people" of both countries.
Attempting to predict the economy in 2026
Economists may have a pretty dismal record with predictions. But we're still interested in what they see in their non-existent crystal balls.
Tuberville files paperwork to enter Alabama governor’s race
Tuberville, who leveraged fame from his Auburn University football coaching days to win election to the U.S. Senate in 2020, announced last year that he planned to run for governor instead of seeking another Senate term.
Amid fraud claims, Trump admin announces more changes to federal child care funding
The Child Care and Development Fund sends money to states to help make child care more affordable for low-income families. Allegations of fraud in Minnesota have put the program under scrutiny.
‘Everything I knew burned down around me’: A journalist looks back on LA’s fires
Jacob Soboroff was raised in the Pacific Palisades and reported live from the area as it was devastated by fire in 2025. In Firestorm, Soboroff offers a minute-by-minute account of the catastrophe.
Alabama can’t stage another CFP comeback, has no answers for Indiana in Rose Bowl rout
The Crimson Tide tried everything possible to stage a historic comeback on the site of so many memorable moments for the program. Star quarterback Ty Simpson having to take himself out of the game in the second half because of a cracked rib did not help matters in what ended up a 38-3 loss to the Hoosiers.
Rideshare union rights, social media limits and other state laws taking effect Jan. 1
Every new year, public media reporters across the country bring us some of the new state laws taking effect where they are. Here are six in 2026.
Warren Buffett officially retires as Berkshire Hathway’s CEO
The legendary 95-year-old investor spent decades building his company into one of the world's largest and most powerful. Now Greg Abel is taking it over.
Judge orders new trial for Alabama woman sentenced to 18 years in prison after stillbirth
Lee County Circuit Judge Jeffrey Tickal vacated Brooke Shoemaker’s 2020 conviction for chemical endangerment of a child resulting in death. Tickal said Shoemaker's attorneys presented credible new evidence that the infection caused the stillbirth.
How Alabama Power has left the ‘American Amazon’ at risk
As its polluting coal ash ponds remain in groundwater, Alabama Power has doubled down on fossil fuel energy investments.
How George Wallace and Bull Connor set the stage for Alabama’s sky-high electric rates
After his notorious stand in the schoolhouse door, Wallace needed a new target. He found it in Alabama Power.
FIFA president defends World Cup ticket prices, saying demand is hitting records
The FIFA President addressed outrage over ticket prices for the World Cup by pointing to record demand and reiterating that most of the proceeds will help support soccer around the world.
Jeffrey R. Holland, next in line to lead Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, dies at 85
Jeffrey R. Holland led the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, a key governing body. He was next in line to become the church's president.
Should the U.S. model its vaccine policy on Denmark’s? Experts say we’re nothing alike
The Trump administration wants to revamp U.S. childhood vaccination recommendations to align with some other peer nations, including one tiny country in northern Europe.
Christmas is over. Here’s what to do with your holiday trash
Household waste increases by 25% between Thanksgiving and New Years. Rules vary by municipality on what you can recycle and what needs to go into the trash.
Amanda Seyfried’s tally for 2025: 3 starring roles, 2 Golden Globe nominations
Amanda Seyfried is up for a Golden Globe for her performance in The Testament of Ann Lee, a movie musical about the leader of the Shakers, the 18th-century religious movement that preached celibacy, gender and racial equality, and pacifism.
The real ping pong champion — and hustler — who inspired ‘Marty Supreme’
Marty Reisman was nicknamed "The Needle" for his slender physique. He dressed well and put on a show.
Despite Vatican-Israel tensions, Catholics and Jews work to build trust in Haifa
Religious leaders started getting together after Oct. 7, 2023, in the hope of preventing a repeat of Arab-Jewish violence that erupted after a previous conflict in Gaza two years earlier.
Student loan borrowers in default may soon see their wages garnished
About 5.5 million borrowers are currently in default. They haven't risked wage garnishment since the beginning of the pandemic, when policymakers paused the practice.
Student loan borrowers in default may soon see their wages garnished
About 5.5 million borrowers are currently in default. They haven't risked wage garnishment since the beginning of the pandemic, when policymakers paused the practice.
Sounds of the season: John Rutter’s ‘Magnificat’
The Magnificat is Mary’s song of praise in the Gospel of Luke. John Rutter's setting is influenced by Latin music.
The U.S. economy grew robustly as Americans continued to spend
The data, which was delayed from October by the government shutdown, comes as the economy takes center stage for voters and the Trump administration.
Federal student loans are changing. Here’s what to expect in 2026
The SAVE Plan is ending and repayment options will change dramatically in the new year.
