Issues
Olympic figure skating starts with the team event. Here’s what to know about it
The three-day event is a chance for the top 10 skating countries to bring home a medal — and for viewers to get acquainted with the sport's different disciplines and biggest names.
Lawmakers advance bill banning candy and soda from SNAP benefits
Alabama is one of the most obese states in the nation. One state lawmaker says SNAP benefits, commonly known as food stamps, could be used to turn that around. We talk about that and other legislative matters this week with Todd Stacy, host of Capitol Journal on Alabama Public Television.
What to watch at the 2026 Olympics
NPR journalists are at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Join host A Martinez and correspondents Becky Sullivan, Brian Mann, and Rachel Triesman as they talk about what's coming up.
Alabama seek to bring back death penalty for child rape convictions
Alabama approved legislation Thursday to add rape and sexual torture of a child under 12 to the narrow list of crimes that could draw a death sentence.
At NOCHI, students learn the art of making a Mardi Gras-worthy king cake
With Carnival in full swing, the New Orleans culinary school gave its students a crash course — and a rite of passage — in baking their first king cake.
The Winter Olympics in Italy were meant to be sustainable. Are they?
Italy's Winter Olympics promised sustainability. But in Cortina, environmentalists warn the Games could scar these mountains for decades.
The Winter Olympics gets 8 new events, including its first new sport in decades
Ski mountaineering will make its Olympic debut this year, the first winter sport to do so since 2002. Skeleton, luge, ski jumping and moguls are also getting new events.
Team USA settles in to athletes’ villages, ‘smash’ pizzas
US Olympic athletes are arriving and settling into their digs for the next couple of weeks in Italy. Curlers are amazed by the mountain scenery in Cortina; figure skaters are plant fostering in Milan; and the big air slopestyle women are "smashing pizzas" in Livigno.
How the new dietary guidelines could impact school meals
Cutting back on ready-to-eat meals won't be easy, and whole milk may make a comeback. One thing that's certain: It'll be a while before the new guidelines trickle down to schools.
Reporter’s notebook: A peek inside the Olympic Village
NPR reporters visited the Milan Olympic Village in the days before the opening ceremony to investigate the dining hall dessert situation and other pressing questions.
Trump grants tariff breaks to ‘politically connected’ companies, Senate Dems say
The White House's trade policy has "opened the door to corruption," according to a letter from Ron Wyden and Chris Van Hollen.
Alabama man faces execution despite not pulling the trigger in auto store customer’s death
Charles "Sonny" Burton is facing execution for his role as an accomplice in a 1991 robbery at an auto parts store where customer Doug Battle was killed. No one disputes that another man shot and killed Battle.
The Winter Olympics are upon us. Here’s how to follow along
The Winter Olympics brings hundreds of the world's best winter athletes to northern Italy, where they will face off in 16 different sports across two and a half weeks. Here's how to follow along.
A photographer will achieve a milestone record at Super Bowl LX
When Super bowl 60 gets underway there will be one photographer on the sidelines who has snapped shots at every Super Bowl game. John Biever was 15 when he took photos at the first Super Bowl; he says this one will likely be his last.
Syria, once home to a large Jewish community, takes steps to return property to Jews
A Jewish heritage foundation has set out to help restore private property appropriated after Syrian Jews left the country.
Despite a ‘ruptured’ knee ligament, Lindsey Vonn says she will compete in the Olympics
The 41-year-old's remarkable comeback from retirement was thrown into jeopardy after she hurt her knee during a crash in competition last week. But that won't keep her from racing in the Olympics.
PepsiCo will cut prices on Lay’s, Cheetos by as much as 15%
The food giant is among many big brands worried as shoppers pull back on snack budgets after years of stubborn inflation.
Alabama GOP dismisses challenge to Tuberville candidacy
The Alabama Republican Party Candidate Committee dismissed the challenge filed by Ken McFeeters accusing Tuberville of not meeting the seven-year residency requirement to run for governor.
5 papers from the Super Bowl of Economics
Planet Money went to the annual meeting of the American Economics Association, and we saw some fascinating papers presented there.
19 Winter Olympic storylines we’re watching (they’re not just about sports)
The Winter Olympics promise plenty of high adrenaline, fierce competition, historic firsts and emotional moments over 2 1/2 weeks. Here are some of the names and narratives to keep an eye on.
Can’t wait for Olympic curling? Trying its Southern cousin: skillet curling
It might seem inelegant to yeet an iron skillet across an ice rink. But this spinoff sport has its own techniques and lingo: You can throw a turtle at the bacon, for instance.
Tuskegee men’s basketball coach handcuffed after intervening in postgame incident
A statement from civil rights attorney Harry Daniels' office said Benjy Taylor was concerned about Morehouse football players who “were acting aggressively” toward Tuskegee players and their parents during postgame handshakes on Saturday.
U.S. sledder Katie Uhlaender appeal denied, won’t race at Milan Cortina Olympics
International officials say a point-rigging scheme denied American Katie Uhlaender a shot to compete in the Milan Cortina Olympics. But a sports tribunal based in Switzerland says it can't intervene.
The Trump Administration exempts new nuclear reactors from environmental review
The announcement comes just days after NPR revealed the administration had secretly rewritten safety and environmental standards.
The Education Department’s efforts to fire staff cost over $28 million, watchdog says
A new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office calculates the cost of efforts to fire civil rights staff, and questions the department's ability to enforce federal civil rights laws.
Alcaraz beats Djokovic to become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam
The 22-year-old Spaniard's win against 38-year-old rival Novak Djokovic at Sunday's Australian Open makes him the youngest male player to win all four major tournaments.
Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina defeats No. 1 Aryana Sabalenka to win Australian Open
Saturday's win marks the second Grand Slam title for Rybakina, who took Wimbledon in 2022.
Birmingham faith leaders lead community in vigil in response to ICE actions in Minnesota
Members of the Birmingham community bore the cold Friday evening in a two-hour vigil in honor of Alex Pretti, who was shot and killed by federal immigration agents last weekend in Minnesota, and others who have died in incidents involving United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Texas A&M University cancels programs in women’s and gender studies
The university said it had also modified hundreds of courses and cancelled six in efforts to eliminate teaching related to diversity, equity and inclusion.
How American Katie Uhlaender was denied Olympic bid by Canadian coach’s point scheme
Sports officials say a Canadian coach manipulated the point system used by athletes to qualify for the Olympics. His move cost American sled racer Katie Uhlaender her trip to the Milan Cortina Games.
Lawmakers move to place rules on app use by children
For many of us, smartphones are our connection to the world, whether it's messaging friends, watching videos or catching up on the news. That connection gets a little more fraught, though, when the person using the phone is a minor. An Alabama Senate committee this week passed a bill that would put in place new rules around apps and children.
Skier Lindsey Vonn’s Winter Olympic comeback dream is in jeopardy after a crash
Vonn was seen clutching her left knee after crashing in a race in Switzerland on Friday, the last before the Winter Olympics. Her comeback after retiring in 2019 was one of Team USA's biggest stories.
