Issues
As Canadians cancel trips due to Trump, the U.S. tourism industry could lose billions
The Trump administration's attacks on its northern neighbor have been met with confusion and anger by some Canadians who are now cancelling their trips to the U.S. in protest.
State Supreme Court races can be costly, competitive and combative. Why?
Wisconsin is on track to break spending records once again in a high court contest that's at times turned heated. But these races weren't always like this.
Trump prepares order dismantling the Education Department
The draft executive action, obtained by NPR, acknowledges the department and its signature responsibilities were created by Congress, and cannot legally be altered without congressional approval.
By the numbers: Does LeBron James’ new points record shake up the GOAT debate?
LeBron James has been so good for so long, there's a famous running joke about when he might slow down. At age 40, where does his 50,000 career points record put him in the GOAT debate?
In a first, the 2026 World Cup final will include a halftime show
Like the Super Bowl mid-game spectaculars, the 2026 final game slated to take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will include the World Cup's very first halftime show.
Bill would ban drag performances in public schools and libraries
Some Alabama lawmakers want to ban drag performances in public libraries and schools. But opponents fear the bill might have broader implications when it comes to self-expression and First Amendment rights.
A star generation of women’s soccer has retired. A new series shows who to watch next
A trailblazing generation of players is retiring. In a new docuseries from Prime Video, we hear from a new group of players and coaches vying to be the next best in American women's soccer.
‘God walks with us through the ashes.’ A poignant Ash Wednesday after LA wildfires
On Ash Wednesday, Christians hear the words "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return." Those words ring differently for many whose churches and homes burned in the Los Angeles fires.
In Key West, testing shows cruise ships stir up as much sediment as a hurricane
Tests in Key West show sediment stirred up by cruise ships, which can harm marine life, routinely exceed federal standards. Key West has responded by suspending the tests.
China’s parliament opens with confidence about the economy despite tariffs, headwinds
China will aim for economic growth of around 5% this year, the same as last year. This comes despite deep domestic challenges and fresh tariffs on Chinese imports to the U.S.
American businesses reel as Trump tariffs start to bite
Business owners across the U.S. worry they will also suffer the impact from President Trump's tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada and China.
Canada, China say fentanyl crisis is only a “pretext” for Trump’s new tariffs
Canadian and Chinese officials say they were already helping reduce fentanyl smuggling. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said fentanyl crossing the northern border is "near zero."
4 things to know about Trump’s plan for a ‘crypto strategic reserve’
The prospect of a federal strategic reserve is a major step in President Trump's vision to establish the U.S. as the crypto capital of the world and could be a game changer for the industry.
Linda McMahon has been confirmed as Trump’s secretary of education
The White House has been clear that it intends to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, and that it will be McMahon's job to oversee that effort.
Trump says 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico will go ahead
Trump's threats to put tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico have weighed on markets, even though there has been considerable uncertainty over whether he would make good on his threat.
Pope Francis has acute respiratory crises, the Vatican says
Pope Francis experienced more respiratory problems and went on noninvasive ventilation on Monday, the Vatican said, as the head of the Roman Catholic Church battles double pneumonia in the hospital.
‘I was devastated’: Jordan Chiles recounts 2024 Olympics in new memoir
Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles shares her up-and-down journey to the 2024 Paris Games and what happened afterward, in her new memoir, "I'm That Girl: Living the Power of My Dreams."
Foreign students say the threat of Trump’s executive orders is getting real
President Trump warned international students that if they support groups the U.S. deems terrorist organizations, "we will find you, and we will deport you." It's left many student activists anxious.
For Lakers president Jeanie Buss, life was pretty much a comedy already
A new Netflix comedy series starring Kate Hudson, Running Point, is based on the life of L.A. Lakers' president Jeanie Buss, who inherited the team from her flamboyant father and had to contend with her brothers in the front office.
Alabama governor commutes death row inmate Rocky Myers’ sentence to life in prison
Myers will spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole instead of being executed later this year. Ivey noted that was the sentence jurors recommended at his 1994 trial.
Pope Francis experiences respiratory relapse
The Vatican says Pope Francis's condition has worsened after a breathing crisis in hospital on Friday - two weeks after he was first admitted to hospital in Rome with bronchitis.
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.
