News
Supreme Court allows Trump to fire members of independent agency boards — for now
At issue is President Trump's firing of NLRB member Gwen Wilcox, who still has three years left on her term, and Cathy Harris, who still has four years left on her term as a member of the MSPB.
Vaccine advisers to the FDA recommended changes to COVID vaccines
Advisers to the Food and Drug Administration met Thursday to help decide which variant of the virus that causes COVID should be targeted by updated versions of the vaccines.
OpenAI forges deal with iPhone designer Jony Ive to make AI-enabled devices
The $6.5 billion deal brings together the maker of ChatGPT and one of the world's most famous product designers in a venture to create new AI-enabled devices.
MAHA Commission report paints a dark picture of U.S. children’s health
The Health Secretary's report blames environmental toxins, ultraprocessed foods and more for the poor state of kids' health in the U.S.
Why ‘Sell America’ is trending on Wall Street
Investors are worried about the ongoing trade war — and rethinking the safety and soundness of U.S. government debt.
Trump administration revokes Harvard’s ability to enroll international students
International students make up more than a quarter of Harvard University's student body. Harvard says the government's actions, which could cut off a major revenue stream, are "unlawful."
Congress moves to loosen toxic air pollution rules
The House and Senate both voted to loosen regulations on air pollutants like dioxin and mercury, which are associated with higher cancer risk.
Forecasters predict above-average hurricane season again
Forecasters expect 13 to 19 storms to form in the Atlantic between June 1 and the end of November. At least 6 of those are forecast to be full-blown hurricanes.
Here’s what we know about the 2 Israeli embassy staffers killed in Washington, D.C.
Two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C. were killed in a shooting after attending an event a Jewish museum. A suspect shouted "free Palestine" before being taken into custody.
Community groups say Louisiana is trying to stop them from monitoring air pollution
For community groups to allege violations of environmental rules, a state law says groups have to use federally-approved testing equipment, and it sets restrictions for analyzing and sharing the data.
Democrats seek to insulate security for judges from executive branch politics
Recent critiques of judges from the Trump administration have prompted fears the Marshals could be caught in the middle of a power struggle and forced to yank security for judges.
Dear Life Kit: My neighbor’s Christmas lights are still up. Should I call the HOA?
An NPR listener writes: "We live in a nice neighborhood that has homeowner association rules, and our neighbor is violating them." Social etiquette experts weigh in.
Jim Irsay, longtime Colts owner and music memorabilia collector, dies at 65
Irsay started with the Colts as a teenage ball boy and took ownership after his father's death in 1997. The team won a Super Bowl and two AFC championships under his nearly three-decade tenure.
No more pennies: In big change, Treasury will stop minting them
In a cost-cutting move, the Treasury Department will soon stop minting new pennies. The one-cent coins will still be legal tender. There are more than 100 billion pennies in circulation but many are gathering dust in change jars and forgotten pockets.
Judge blocks Trump administration from closing the Education Department
The federal judge also told the administration to reinstate department employees who lost their jobs during the reduction-in-force announced in March.
DOGE cuts, policy changes jeopardize care, housing for vulnerable HIV patients in Alabama
Federal funding has helped states like Alabama and Mississippi make strides in fighting the HIV epidemic. Doctors and advocates are worried about the future.
Senate overrules parliamentarian and votes to undo California EV rule
The Senate parliamentarian advised lawmakers that they couldn't use the Congressional Review Act to revoke California's right to set vehicle standards. But they did it anyway. Expect a legal fight.
A top global health expert’s message to graduates: Kick the tires
NPR interviews Maria Van Kherkove, the infectious disease epidemiologist who is a leader in the World Health Organization.
Is AI coming for your job? Maybe. Here’s what to expect and how to prepare
Artificial intelligence is already transforming workplaces in Alabama. And the pace of the AI revolution is about to accelerate.
South Africa’s president praised for staying calm during Trump’s Oval Office ambush
South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa keeps his cool after a carefully choreographed Oval Office ambush by Trump.
Judge considers sanctions against attorneys in prison case for using AI in court filings
U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco held a hearing in Birmingham to question attorneys with the Butler Snow firm about the filings. She said there were five false citations in two filings in federal court.
Educators fear their homeless students could become a target for Trump cuts
A federal program provides extra help to make sure students experiencing homelessness get an education. Amid massive cuts to the federal government, the program's future is uncertain.
Scientists want to track the world’s biodiversity using DNA in the air
Scientists have found a way to sample DNA out of the air on a large scale — making it possible to one day track the health and well being of all kinds of species around the world.
A Newark air traffic controller on how it felt when systems went dark
An air traffic controller who works the airspace around Newark, N.J. speaks out about what it was like to lose radar and communication systems during a shift, and how the situation got to be so bad.
How Trump made a 30% tariff feel like a relief
It's a pattern in President Trump's chaotic tariff policy: he first suggests a high number, only to later ratchet it down. Business schools call it the 'anchor effect.'
Raising ethics questions, top Trump meme coin investors to dine with president tonight
President Trump is hosting an exclusive dinner tonight for the largest investors in the $TRUMP meme coin, putting the murky world of cryptocurrencies on a collision course with White House ethics.
New Orleans Archdiocese agrees to pay nearly $180M to victims of clergy sexual abuse
Lawyers for survivors said they won't support the agreement, which they say was negotiated behind closed doors.
2 Israeli Embassy staff are killed in a shooting in Washington, D.C., officials say
As attendees departed an event held by a Jewish advocacy organization in D.C. on Wednesday night, a shooter opened fire, killing two. Later, he chanted "free Palestine," D.C. police officials said.
Trump tried to shutter Radio Free Europe. The EU threw it a lifeline
EU officials say the broadcaster for years has played an important role providing news to areas where the press can't operate freely
Here’s what’s in the GOP megabill that’s headed for a vote in the House
At the center of the sweeping bill is trillions in tax cuts, which Republicans aim to partially offset through changes to safety net programs like Medicaid and SNAP.
Alabama Power threatened with lawsuit for contaminating groundwater with coal ash
Nine years after the Gadsden Steam Plant stopped burning coal, its unlined coal ash pond is still polluting Alabama groundwater, records show.
Southwest Airlines will require passengers to keep chargers visible due to fire risk
This year, there have been at least 22 incidents involving lithium batteries in air travel, according to data from the Federal Aviation Administration.
