Issues
Iran’s soccer team cannot participate in the FIFA World Cup, Iranian minister says
Iran is set to play three games in the U.S. this June. But amid the U.S.-Israel military campaign that has killed Iran's supreme leader, Iran's sports minister said the team would pull out.
Federal oversight protects student borrowers. Some of it has stopped, watchdog says
Without this Education Department oversight, borrowers could "be placed in the wrong loan repayment status, billed for incorrect amounts" and more, the U.S. Government Accountability Office says.
2025 saw relatively fewer natural disasters. Will you get a break on home insurance?
Disaster costs fell in the U.S. in 2025. Still, it was the fourth time in five years that extreme weather inflicted more than $100 billion in annual losses. Industry experts say the growing financial toll will make insurers wary of rushing to cut rates.
The shadowy world of merchant cash advances
During the pandemic, mostly unregulated lenders went after struggling restaurants and music venues, charging at times sky high rates. Now, they’ve found a new market: small businesses that desperately need cash to pay tariffs.Today on the show, the story of a financial lifeline that can turn into a financial choke hold.Come see Planet Money live on stage in April! 12 cities. Details and tix here: https://tix.to/pm-book-tour. Related episodes: Can I get my tariff money back now? Three ways companies are getting around tariffs For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.
Bam! Heat’s Adebayo scores 83 points, 2nd only to Wilt Chamberlain in NBA history
Bam Adebayo had a night for all time on Tuesday, with a point total second to only Wilt Chamberlain in the NBA record books.
Ivey commutes death sentence of inmate whose accomplice fired fatal shot
Charles “Sonny” Burton was sentenced to death for the killing of Doug Battle during a 1991 robbery. However, another man shot Battle when Burton had left the building.
Wheelchair curler Steve Emt’s path from drunk driver to three-time Paralympian
Steve Emt and Laura Dwyer represent the U.S. in the Paralympics' new mixed doubles wheelchair curling event. They could bring home Team USA's first wheelchair curling medal ever.
‘Pro-worker AI,’ streaming fatalities, and other fascinating new economic studies
From artificial intelligence to fatalities from music streaming to the effects of immigrants on elderly health care, the Planet Money newsletter rounds up some interesting new economic studies.
Colors fly as Hoover celebrates Holi
Colored powder filled the air at Veterans Park in Hoover on Saturday. Crowds gathered to celebrate Holi, the Hindu festival of Spring, usually identified by the throwing of colors.
Microshelters for Birmingham’s unhoused set to open soon
The pilot program called Home For All involves building 14 small pallet homes to house those who would otherwise be living on the streets.
Decades after violence in Selma spurred the Voting Rights Act, organizers worry about its fate
Alabama is marking the 61st anniversary of a key event in the Civil Rights Movement, when state troopers attacked voting rights marchers in Selma. But the celebration come as the U.S. Supreme Court considers a case that could limit a provision of the Voting Rights Act.
Alabama man facing execution for deadly robbery asks for clemency as he didn’t kill victim
Charles “Sonny” Burton is scheduled to be executed March 12 for his role in a 1991 robbery in which a man was fatally shot. His supporters and attorney are asking the governor for clemency, arguing that his life should be spared because Burton didn’t fire the gun or witness the killing.
Curling had its moment at the Olympics and now Paralympics. It sparked a curling bonanza in America
Hundreds of people become interested in curling every four years and the 2026 numbers already show that boom.
Oil surges to its highest price since 2023, and stocks drop after U.S. jobs report
Stocks fell Friday on worries that the economy could become stuck in a worst-case scenario of stagnating growth and high inflation. Oil prices touched their highest levels since 2023 after surging again because of the Iran war.
No lawsuits required: U.S. Customs is working on a system to refund tariffs
U.S. Customs told the trade court it aims for a streamlined process in 45 days to return importers' money without requiring individual lawsuits.
Your Winter Paralympics primer: What, who and how to watch
Hundreds of para athletes are competing in Italy through March 15. Many Americans are defending past titles, with the U.S. sled hockey team hoping to fend off rival Canada for its fifth straight gold.
Your Winter Paralympics primer: What, who, and how to watch
Hundreds of para athletes are competing in Italy through March 15. Many Americans are defending past titles, with the U.S. sled hockey team hoping to fend off rival Canada for its fifth straight gold.
Bill to force formal utility rate hearings for the first time in more than 40 years delayed
Alabama's Public Service Commission hasn't held a formal rate hearing for utilities since 1981. A bill that would force the commission to hold such hearings is under consideration in the state legislature, although the measure was delayed in a House committee this week. We get more details on our weekly legislative update with Todd Stacy, host of Capitol Journal on Alabama Public Television.
The U.S. unexpectedly loses 92,000 jobs, adding to worries about the economy
The job market showed further signs of weakness last month as employers cut 92,000 jobs. The unemployment rate inched up to 4.4%, from 4.3% in January.
Bernard LaFayette, Selma voting rights organizer, dies at 85
LaFayette laid the foundations of the Selma, Alabama, campaign that culminated in the passage of the Voting Rights Act. He was a Freedom Rider and helped found the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.
Mixed reactions, including relief, greet news the Coast Guard is buying BSC campus
The U.S. Coast Guard will take possession of the 192-acre campus in the northeast corner of Birmingham’s Bush Hills Neighborhood and will begin work to refit it as a training center for officers and enlisted personnel.
They were led off course in a big race. But a fix is more complicated than prize money
Top finishers in the Atlanta half marathon are calling for U.S. track officials to ensure that Jess McClain and two other athletes aren't excluded from the world championships because of an error.
Wall Street is betting on tariff refunds after Supreme Court ruling
When the Supreme Court struck down many of President Trump's tariffs, it left importers wondering how long they'd have to wait to get their money back. Hedge funds are offering to help out.
Announcing the 2025 NPR College Podcast Challenge Honorable Mentions
Here are some of the best entries in NPR's 2025 College Podcast Challenge.
As Mississippi waits to spend opioid settlement funds, children and families suffer
Mississippi will receive more than $400M to fight the opioid epidemic. So far, officials haven't directed it toward programs that support addiction recovery.
Alabama’s new state climatologist takes the reins
The controversial John Christy is retiring as Alabama’s state climatologist. Lee Ellenburg now assumes the role and is already making a few changes, including declaring that climate change is real and caused by humans.
As Paralympics approach, U.S. skier Sydney Peterson balances training and research
Sydney Peterson is among the U.S. athletes heading to the 2026 Winter Paralympics. A neuroscientist in training, Peterson is studying movement disorders, similar to her own condition.
The 2026 World Cup faces big challenges with only 100 days to go
Will Iran compete? Will violence in Mexico flare up? And what about funding for host cities in the U.S.? With only 100 days left before it beings, the 2026 World Cup in North America is facing a lot of uncertainty.
The candy heir vs. chocolate skimpflation
The grandson of the Reese's Peanut Butter Cups creator has launched a campaign against The Hershey Company, which owns the Reese's brand. He wants them to stop skimping on ingredients.
College students, professors are making their own AI rules. They don’t always agree
More than three years after ChatGPT debuted, AI has become a part of everyday life — and professors and students are still figuring out how or if they should use it.
Alabama man, on death row since 1990, to get new trial
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to review the summer ruling from the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The decision paves the way for Michael Sockwell to receive a new trial.
Oil prices rise sharply in market trading after attacks in Middle East disrupt supply
The high prices came as U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliatory strikes against Israel and U.S. military installations around the Gulf sent disruptions through the global energy supply chain.
