News
Cities aiming to thwart immigrant detention centers wield a secret weapon: local laws
As the Trump administration moves to quickly expand immigration detention space, a series of standoffs have emerged between city officials and the private prison companies.
Why this U.S. ambassador cried at a press conference — and is being called a hero
Michael Gonzales, the ambassador to Zambia, announced at an emotional press conference that the U.S. would cut $50 million in aid due to theft of medications.
Chicago celebrates cultural victory with native son, Pope Leo XIV
The likelihood that the newly elected pope has consumed a Chicago style hot dog is not zero. And that means something.
Librarian of Congress firing is latest move in upheaval of U.S. cultural institutions
President Trump fired Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress, via email late Thursday night, the latest in a string of actions the president has taken to shape American cultural institutions.
Federal judge appears likely to temporarily halt Trump’s sweeping government overhaul
A federal judge in San Francisco appeared ready to temporarily block the Trump administration's sweeping overhaul of the federal government.
USDA, DOGE demand states hand over personal data about food stamp recipients
The Department of Agriculture is demanding sensitive data from states about more than 40 million food stamp recipients, as DOGE is amassing data for immigration enforcement.
Pope Leo XIV may help Vatican explore the ‘great uncertainty’ that is Trump’s America
For close watchers of the Catholic Church, the election of a U.S. pope seemed impossible. The "Trump effect" on the U.S. and global order changed that, papal expert Massimo Faggioli told NPR.
Trump fires all 3 Democrats on the Consumer Product Safety Commission
The Consumer Product Safety Commission works to protect Americans from dangerous products and issuing recalls and warnings. It's the latest attempt by Trump to exact control over independent agencies.
Tufts student Rümeysa Öztürk ordered freed from immigration detention
Rümeysa Öztürk, a Tufts University doctoral student, was ordered released by a federal judge in Vermont in the latest setback for the Trump administration's effort to deport noncitizen activists it accuses of antisemitism.
Measles math: What to know about 1,001 measles cases across the country
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated the numbers of measles cases in the country on Friday. Here's what they say and what it means for public health in the U.S.
Vice President Vance says India-Pakistan fighting is ‘none of our business’
Vice President Vance said the fighting between India and Pakistan was "fundamentally none of our business." Experts say the U.S. used to work hard to de-escalate crises between the nuclear states.
Pope Leo’s stance on key issues, from climate change to LGBTQ+ rights to U.S. politics
Pope Leo is seen as a centrist who shares his predecessor's progressive views on certain social issues. Here's what we know so far.
School cellphone ban passed in the final days of the legislative session
Smartphones are practically appendages for many nowadays, but one place you probably won't see them in use soon is in Alabama schools. Alabama lawmakers gave final passage this week to a bill that would ban them during the school day. It's where we start our weekly legislative roundup with Todd Stacey, host of Capital Journal on Alabama Public Television.
Trump tightens control of independent agency overseeing nuclear safety
NPR has learned that rules must now be vetted by the White House and that the administration is drafting an executive order that could loosen radiation limits.
Americans still dream about factory jobs. Can they be brought back?
Trump's administration said they want tariffs to boost US manufacturing, and most Americans want more factory jobs here. But what makes us nostalgic for factory work?
David Steiner of FedEx is tapped to be the U.S. Postal Service’s new leader
The U.S. Postal Service's governing board has named David Steiner, a board member of USPS competitor FedEx, to be the next postmaster general following the controversial term of Louis DeJoy.
2 men convicted of cutting down beloved Sycamore Gap tree in ‘mindless’ destruction
Prosecutors say that as news of the crime spread, the two men exchanged messages relishing the outrage and sadness they caused. The tree in northern England was believed to be about 200 years old.
Former Supreme Court Justice David Souter dies at 85
Souter was appointed to the Supreme Court by President George H. W. Bush in 1990. He retired in 2009.
Trump calls the U.S.-Canada border an ‘artificial line.’ That’s not entirely true
President Trump has repeatedly described the U.S.-Canada border as an "artificially drawn line." But experts say just because it was man-made doesn't mean it's not legitimate.
An Insider’s View of the Texas Measles Outbreak
Katherine Wells, the public health director in Lubbock, Texas, describes her fight to stop the largest measles outbreak since 2000, despite a chaotic reorganization of federal health agencies.
Russia marks 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany
Celebrations included a massive military parade in Moscow's Red Square, where Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted several foreign leaders, including the presidents of China and Brazil.
Read Pope Leo XIV’s first homily as pope
During his homily, delivered in Italian, Leo XIV said that Christians must serve a world that is often hostile to their beliefs.
What it was like inside St. Peter’s Square when the new pope was announced
As Cardinal Robert Prevost's name was announced, a sound of shock rose up. It was something few people had anticipated — the new pope is from the United States.
A fight over Medicaid cuts is threatening GOP plans for Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’
GOP lawmakers in swing districts insist they will not vote for any proposal that strips benefits, placing them at odds with more conservative lawmakers looking to secure deep cuts in spending.
Trump’s gutting of AmeriCorps hits hard, for both volunteers and communities
The Trump administration slashed funding for the national service agency and fired most of its staff. 32,000 people, mostly young adults, were forced to stop work immediately.
Casey Means, Trump’s new pick for surgeon general, faces pushback
Casey Means, President Trump's new pick for U.S. surgeon general faces questions about her medical qualifications. And despite RFK Jr's support, some in the MAHA movement are lobbying against her.
Court rules Alabama redistricting intentionally discriminates against Black voters
A federal court says Alabama can't use a congressional map it found unconstitutional. The ruling comes in a voting rights case that resulted in the state getting a second Black member of Congress.
What should I sing? How to pick the perfect karaoke song
It can be hard to pick a good karaoke song. You want it to be something you know well enough to pull off onstage, but also something you actually like. Here's how to narrow down your options.
Why Warren Buffett matters beyond Wall Street
The 94-year-old investor is retiring as Berkshire Hathaway's CEO. He's built both a fortune and a reputation as "the nicest billionaire" — at a time when many other billionaires are widely criticized.
Who didn’t wear what to the Met Gala? And, write your own quiz questions!
Met Gala watchers will get at least one question right! And if you paid attention to retiring CEOs, horse racing, airport delays and theme parks, you'll at least score a 4.
President Trump fires Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden
Hayden, who became the first woman and the first African American to serve as the Librarian of Congress when she was appointed in 2016, was abruptly fired via email late Thursday.
First Afrikaners granted refugee status due to arrive in U.S.
Three months ago, President Trump signed an executive order telling white Afrikaans South Africans they could apply for refugee status in the U.S. The first group has been swiftly processed and is set to arrive on U.S. soil Monday
