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Winter storms sweep across the U.S. while a new system is expected for Thanksgiving

A major storm dropped more snow and record rain in California, while on the opposite side of the country blizzard or winter storm warnings were in effect Saturday.

Infant dies and 10 others sick in latest listeria outbreak tied to ready-to-eat meat

The cases appeared in California, Illinois, New Jersey and New York between July 31 and Oct. 24, the CDC said. Nine out of the 11 infected individuals were hospitalized.

NATO head and Trump meet in Florida for talks on global security

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and the head of NATO, Mark Rutte, met on Friday in Palm Beach for talks on global security, the military alliance said Saturday.

Climate change plays a role in global rise of dengue fever

Over 12 million cases of dengue fever were reported in 2024, the most ever. A study suggests climate change has likely played a significant role in the disease's expansion.

What a mollusc shell and fiber optic cables have in common

A heart cockle shell has been found to let in light through a design that resembles fiber optic cables. This could inspire everything from helping coral survive to designing new camera lenses.

Bringing Thanksgiving food on a plane? Here is what you should know

Thanksgiving favorites such as mac and cheese, turkey and casseroles can be brought through TSA checkpoints. But cranberry sauce, maple syrup and gravy must go in checked baggage, the agency says.

In a ‘Still Life’ painting nothing moves — but, wait! Was that a dragon?

An authoritative artist has many rules for his still life painting. Too bad! Because the mouse, the dragon, the knight, and the princess are here to break them in this raucous new picture book.

South Africa’s illegal gold miners are locked in an underground standoff with police

Surviving on a diet of toothpaste and toilet paper, South Africa's notorious "zama-zama" illegal miners continue a weeks-long standoff with police in the darkness of a disused gold mine.

Trump’s deportation vow alarms Texas construction industry

Texas builders warn mass deportations of undocumented migrants could devastate the construction industry, threatening housing and infrastructure work in one of the nation's fastest-growing states.

At least 11 killed in Israeli strikes in Beirut as diplomats push for cease-fire

The strikes were the fourth on Beirut in less than a week. The escalation comes after a U.S. envoy traveled to the region this week in an attempt to broker a cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah.

Atmospheric rivers aren’t new. Why does it feel like we’re hearing about them more?

In recent years, "atmospheric river" has become used much more frequently in scientific papers and in media coverage. According to experts who study climate and weather, a few reasons may explain why.

NATO and Ukraine to hold emergency talks after Russia’s attack with new missile

NATO and Ukraine will hold emergency talks Tuesday after Russia attacked the city of Dnipro with an experimental, hypersonic ballistic missile that escalated the nearly 33-month-old war.

What to know about Trump’s picks for CDC, FDA and surgeon general

In a flurry of picks on Friday evening, Trump named three choices for top health jobs. Together they would help the incoming president shift the priorities of agencies that are key to public health.

Storm lashes Northern California after leaving thousands without power in Seattle

The storm arrived in the Pacific Northwest earlier this week, killing two people and knocking out power to hundreds of thousands, mostly in the Seattle area, before moving through Northern California.

Florida health official advises communities to stop adding fluoride to drinking water

Florida's surgeon general, Dr. Joseph Ladapo, cited developmental concerns from higher levels of fluoride than are found in most U.S. water supplies.

A ‘lynch mob’ did not come for Matt Gaetz, but the phrasing remains powerful

Even as a young child, I could understand the idea that words have meaning, which is why when Sen. Lindsey Graham referred to a "lynch mob" coming after Matt Gaetz, I felt my stomach drop.

Trump picks Oregon Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer to lead Labor Department

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Oregon to lead the Labor Department. She was one of a few Republicans who support the pro-union PRO Act.

Trump nominates Wall Street investor Scott Bessent as treasury secretary

President-elect Trump nominated Bessent, a former protégé of George Soros to be his next treasury secretary.

In the Marble Bowl, the heated rivalry between Alabama and Auburn is getting ‘wilder’

The Marble Bowl is a competition that pits fans of the University of Alabama against Auburn University. No tight ends or cornerbacks, quarterbacks or linebackers are needed, although they can play, too.

From the Seattle food scene to Barney the purple dinosaur, check out these new podcasts

Looking for conversation starters for the Thanksgiving dinner table? The NPR One team has it covered with podcast recommendations from across public media.

What’s Making Us Happy: A guide to your weekend scrolling, listening and gaming

Each week, guests and hosts on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. This week: TikTok Pride and Prejudice, K-pop star G-Dragon, a Disney cover album, and Astro Bot on the PS5.

For the first time ever, Taliban reps were invited to the big U.N. climate conference

Since the Taliban took power 2021, Afghanistan has not been invited to big climate conferences. And money for projects addressing climate-related issues has been frozen. Are things about to change?

Wisconsin kayaker who faked his death has resurfaced in Europe after elaborate plot

Wisconsin authorities say they have not yet issued a warrant for Ryan Borgwardt, who is believed to be somewhere in Eastern Europe. But that can change if he does not cooperate and return home soon.

Jonathan Majors and ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari settle assault and defamation case

In a civil lawsuit this spring, the actor's former girlfriend alleged a "pattern of pervasive domestic abuse" in addition to defamation. Her legal team said the suit has been settled.

University of Texas, MIT and others announce free tuition for some undergraduates

Nearly half a dozen institutions of higher education announced plans this week to make tuition free for undergraduates whose families make below a certain income threshold, starting in fall 2025.

Kendrick Lamar releases new album, ‘GNX,’ capping a year of wins

The Compton, Calif. rapper has been in the spotlight all year, first for his beef with Drake, which led to a pop hit and Grammy nominations, all without releasing an album ... until today.

‘Gladiator II’ and ‘Wicked’ are lavish spectacles — but are they another Barbenheimer?

Two big-budget films are set to battle at the box office: Wicked offers a gravity-defying origin story for the Wicked Witch of the West, while Gladiator II revisits the violence of ancient Rome.

Judge indefinitely postpones sentencing in Trump’s hush money case

The decision to indefinitely adjourn next week's sentencing date comes several days after both lawyers agreed that a stay would help sort out unprecedented legal questions.

Trans health care under Trump may follow the abortion playbook and its Hyde amendment

Republicans spent $222 million on anti-trans and LGBTQ advertising in the campaign. Various policy initiatives are on the incoming administration's to-do list.

6 tourists in Laos have died after drinking tainted alcohol

Tourists from the U.S., Australia, Denmark and the U.K. have died. A tourism police officer said a "number of people" had been detained in the case but that no charges have yet been filed.

TV’s Dr. Oz invested in businesses regulated by the agency Trump wants him to run

The celebrity doctor recently held investments worth tens of millions of dollars in health care, tech, and food companies which could pose significant conflicts of interest.

‘Iced Cherries’: Joe D. Nelson’s take on modern folk and age old tropes

It may be unusual for a musician to refer to his own music as a trope. But that’s what Birmingham singer-songwriter Joe D. Nelson does with his latest album Iced Cherries.