Issues
Inflation remains stubbornly high for many Americans. Could it get worse under Trump?
Consumer prices rose 2.9% in December from a year earlier, marking the third consecutive monthly uptick in annual inflation.
Invasive green crabs threaten West Coast ecosystems. One solution? Otters
As invasive green crabs wreak havoc on California's estuaries, a new study has found that a restored sea otter population might be the solution.
Why some doctors have started asking patients about their spiritual lives
Indiana University's hospital system is pairing patients with local faith groups to ease feelings of loneliness and isolation. The unique new program comes as more doctors are seeing a need to care for patients' spiritual as well as physical health.
Lawsuit by college professors and students challenges Alabama’s anti-DEI law
The complaint asserts the new law violates the First Amendment by placing viewpoint-based restrictions on educators’ speech and classroom lessons.
Five things we learn about Pope Francis from his new memoir
In Pope Francis' autobiography Hope he reiterates themes of his papacy like hatred of war and unchecked capitalism, and a desire for the Catholic Church to be seen as a field hospital, not a fortress.
This skateboarding economist suggests we need more skateparks and less capitalism
A skateboarder presented an unusual paper at this year's big meeting of American economists.
NPR shopped for 96 items at Walmart to track how prices are really changing
NPR has tracked the prices of dozens of items at the same superstore in Georgia, including eggs, T-shirts, snacks and paper towels. Here's what got cheaper over the past year, and more expensive.
RFK Jr. faces a complicated confirmation with some opposition on both sides of the aisle
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s views on vaccines and abortion rights are raising alarms across the political spectrum, as he's one of the more controversial picks for the president-elect's Cabinet.
A Texas man is arrested in Indianapolis on a charge of stalking WNBA’s Caitlin Clark
The 55-year-old man sent the basketball star threatening and sexually explicit messages on social media, then traveled from Texas to Indianapolis to try to encounter her in person, prosecutors say.
Weird weather isn’t always because of climate change — but sometimes it is
Sometimes, weather is just weather. And other times human-caused climate change had an obvious impact.
China’s exports in December up 10.7%, beating estimates as higher U.S. tariffs loom
China has raced to fill orders ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's promised tariffs on Chinese goods. Exports have surged in the country since the pandemic.
Southern California wildfires destroy or damage many houses of worship
Faith communities in Los Angeles are trying to protect their homes and houses of worship from deadly wildfires. They are also trying to provide spiritual support for their traumatized congregations.
How one U.S. conservationist’s work is helping to preserve Chile’s wilderness
Chile is set to gain its 47th national park early this year — largely due to the efforts of U.S. conservationist Kristine Tompkins and her organization.
People are rushing to install solar panels before Trump becomes President
Potential rooftop solar customers and installers worry the incoming Trump administration might try to eliminate a 30% federal tax credit. Some customers plan to install sooner because of that and solar companies are changing their business plans.
Biden awards Pope Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction
The White House commended Pope Francis for his commitment to serving the poor, as well as advocating for peace and protecting the planet.
More than half a million students were out of school because of LA fires this week
School districts in and around Los Angeles shut down because of the fires. That includes LAUSD, the second largest school district in the country.
2024 was the hottest year on record. The reason remains a science mystery
The official numbers are in: 2024 is the hottest year on record. Climate change is the main culprit. But there might be something else going on, too.
What is the flame retardant that planes are dropping on the LA fires?
As fire crews and air tankers work to block the wildfires' explosive growth, images of red clouds of fire retardant falling onto trees are common. What is it — and what's in it?
In pictures: snow blankets Birmingham
Snow fell across the Birmingham area early Friday morning, making roadways dangerous, with officials urging residents to avoid travel if possible. Many schools closed in advance of the winter weather giving children the chance to revel in the snow.
The Gulf South needs more sexual assault nurse examiners. Is teleSANE the answer?
While some see telemedicine as a useful tool to help provide care to sexual assault survivors, others believe it's not enough to solve the nursing shortage.
Birmingham braces for winter storm: here’s what to do
Gov. Kay Ivey issued a state of emergency for 37 Alabaman counties Thursday, including the Birmingham metro area, ahead of a weekend winter storm. Forecasters expect icy weather to sweep through the region from Thursday night through Friday night.
In New Orleans, focus shifts toward community recovery, healing after terror attack
Officials and health experts are working to make sure those affected by the Bourbon Street attack have access to the medical and financial resources they need.
U.S. stock markets close to honor former President Jimmy Carter
The New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq will both observe Thursday's national day of mourning in a Wall Street tradition dating back to 1865.
Special ed students benefit from being integrated at school. It doesn’t always happen
Research shows including students with and without disabilities in the same classroom can benefit everyone. Two students with Down syndrome show what can be gained when that happens.
A major winter storm will bring snow to the South. Here are tips from winter experts
Southern states don't often deal with winter conditions, but New England does. New Hampshire especially has tips for how to prepare for a winter storm.
The NHL postpones a game and the Lakers coach evacuates his family amid LA fires
The fires burning across Los Angeles have affected tens of thousands of people, including athletes and staff for the city's sports teams. Pasadena's iconic Rose Bowl was under evacuation warning.
A looming ‘demographic cliff’: Fewer college students and ultimately fewer graduates
The long-predicted downturn in the number of 18-year-olds is almost here. And it isn't just a problem for higher education. It's a looming crisis for the economy.
Woodfin to run for a third term as mayor
Woodfin was widely expected to make another run following electoral victories in 2017 and 2021. This year’s contest will take place August 26.
Homicide commission report offers strategies to reduce gun violence
Following a record breaking year of homicides in Birmingham, a city commission submitted a report on potential solutions for the crisis to the mayor’s office on Monday. The report lays out strategies for how the city can reduce its homicide rate, particularly those stemming from gun violence.
What America’s top economists are saying about AI and inequality
Planet Money attended the annual meeting of American economists — and the most popular topic this year was artificial intelligence.
Biden makes an 11th-hour move to block coastal oil drilling
President Biden has issued an executive order blocking drilling for oil in more than 625 million acres of U.S. ocean. It's the largest such move in history, but is almost guaranteed to be challenged under the incoming Trump administration.
Biden bans new offshore oil and gas drilling in most federal waters
President Joe Biden is moving to ban new offshore oil and gas drilling in most U.S. coastal waters, an effort to block possible action by the incoming Trump administration to expand offshore drilling.
