Issues
Black Gospel Archive fills gaps in gospel music history
The Black Gospel Archive at Baylor University is the world's largest digital collection of gospel music. Now it wants to collect oral histories around its rare recordings.
Hanceville delays decision on the future of its police force after corruption allegations
Hanceville residents filled the city council chambers, lined the walls and spilled into the hallway Thursday night at the council’s first meeting since a grand jury called for the city to abolish its police department.
Lawmakers advance ban on phones during the school day
Smartphones are ubiquitous in today's world including in schools. But a bill in the Alabama legislature would ban phones during the school day. We hear about that and other legislative action this week with Todd Stacy, host of Capital Journal on Alabama Public Television.
Martin Marty, leading scholar of American religion, dies at 97
Martin Marty, one of the foremost interpreters of religion in American public life, died on Tuesday. He was 97 years old.
Bill advances which would further protect police from criminal, civil prosecution
A recent bill in Alabama’s legislature would establish new legal protections for police officers who use physical or deadly force on a person while in the line of duty. Bill supporters say it will improve police safety, recruitment and retention. But critics worry it would give police officers immunity from criminal prosecution.
S-Town co-creator Brian Reed pulls back the curtains, goes deep into how the podcast was made
S-Town took the world by storm when it was released in 2017. Downloaded more than 100 million times, it’s become one of the most popular podcasts ever released.
In the fight over Louisiana’s execution plans, religion plays a prominent role
Faith activism against the state's plan to resume executions adds to a history of religious engagement with social questions in the South.
Syrian Jews return to Damascus for the first time in decades, hoping to build bridges
Thousands of Jews left Syria in 1992, when they were allowed to emigrate. The visit by a small delegation of U.S.-based Syrian Jewish religious figures last week was their first time back since then.
Curious about exploring your spirituality? Ask yourself these 4 questions
You don't need to be religious to create a meaningful connection to something greater than yourself. If you're interested in examining that relationship, grab a pen and paper and answer these prompts.
Trump suspends the head of ‘The Nation’s Report Card’
Peggy Carr, a federal official who leads one of the country's most extensive student testing programs, known as The Nation's Report Card, was placed on administrative leave.
Advocates push for Medicaid expansion in holdout Alabama
Advocates gathered at the Alabama Statehouse Tuesday urging lawmakers to reconsider their long-held reluctance to expand Medicaid, saying the decision is hurting both working families and health care providers. But the push comes at a time there is gathering uncertainty about possible cuts and changes in Washington to Medicaid.
Christianity declines among U.S. adults while “religiously unaffiliated” grows, study says
The percentage of Christians in the U.S. has dropped dramatically, though that loss may have leveled off in recent years.
Meet the ‘wooly devil,’ a new plant species discovered in Big Bend National Park
The plant, formally known as Ovicula biradiata, is especially notable for being the simultaneous discovery of a new species and genus. It was found with help from the community science app iNaturalist.
Pope Francis is still in critical condition, but he had another ‘restful night’
Francis, 88, has been in critical condition for several days and he has remained absent from several regular appearances. The church has encouraged worshippers around the world to pray for his health.
Diana Taurasi, 6-time Olympic gold medalist and the WNBA’s top scorer, will retire
Taurasi leaves her basketball career as the most decorated woman to ever play, with three WNBA titles, three NCAA titles and six Olympic gold medals to her name.
Under Trump, Huntsville might finally gain Space Command. It could also lose much more
The 1,600 jobs Space Command would bring to the Rocket City might not make up for potential cuts to NASA and the Department of Defense.
Rollback of diversity efforts leaves teachers wondering about effects on Black History Month
The Education Department's efforts to keep racial diversity out of schools has left educators wondering how and when to teach students about Black history, especially during Black History Month.
Consumer confidence falls the most since 2021 over fears about inflation and tariffs
A report from the Conference Board shows Americans are increasingly worried about inflation, driven in part by President Trump's threats to impose new tariffs on imports.
How is Pope Francis doing? The Vatican says he rested well and met church officials
Pope Francis "rested well throughout the night" in the hospital, the Vatican says, and even met with Vatican officials to sign several documents linked to sainthood designations on Monday.
From tariffs to spending, rounding up the Trump administration’s econ-related actions
Since taking office in late January, the Trump administration has been working at a galloping pace to reshape the government and economy. We have been doing our best to keep up and keep you informed.
A new rule could speed up unused oil well decommissioning. Gulf States are suing to stop it
The rule, finalized last year, would also protect taxpayers from shouldering the cost. The states suing, however,, say it will crush independent oil companies.
Trump funding freeze includes payments to keep the Colorado River flowing
President Biden promised billions in funds to farmers and others to not take water from the Colorado River. President Trump is halting some of those funds, leaving questions about the river's future.
The Panama Canal needs more water. The solution is a dam that could displace thousands
More than 2,000 people could be displaced by the construction of the Río Indio dam. The Panama Canal Authority says the dam solves a long-term water shortage problem.
Mikaela Shiffrin seals legacy as one of skiing’s greatest with historic 100 World Cup wins
After a bruising crash last November, Mikaela Shiffrin dominated the slopes on Sunday and made skiing history once again.
Pope rests in his 10th day of hospitalization but remains in critical condition
Francis, 88, had remained in critical condition throughout the weekend after severe breathing difficulties were reported.
A 10-year-old’s story of family immigration that spans three continents
A California fourth-grader's interview with her grandfather, who was forced out of Uganda before moving to the U.S., is one of our outstanding podcasts.
Republicans’ love/hate relationship with the Education Department
President Trump has made clear he wants to close the U.S. Department of Education, but Republicans seem torn on just how far to go.
Pope Francis rested during a peaceful night following respiratory crisis
Pope Francis, in critical condition with a complicated lung infection, rested well during a peaceful night following a respiratory crisis and blood transfusions, the Vatican said Sunday.
Woodfin officially announces bid for third term as Birmingham mayor
He cited his investments in infrastructure, including redevelopments of blighted structures and street paving. He also didn’t shy away from what many consider to be Birmingham’s biggest issue: public safety.
Pope Francis is in critical condition, the Vatican says
The 88-year-old Francis has been hospitalized for a week with a complex lung infection.
How many fourth-graders does it take to make a podcast? Here’s what we learned
Students in an elementary school broadcasting club in California are among the youngest winners of NPR's Student Podcast Challenge.
A brief history of beards and baseball after the Yankees lift their no beard policy
The New York Yankees are changing a nearly 50-year-old policy that banned beards. Here are some things to know about the history of beards in major league baseball.
