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Calling all students! NPR’s Student Podcast Challenge returns for 2025
For it's seventh year, our national podcasting competition will invite students from around the country, in grades four through 12, to bring us their best audio stories.
After losing VP bid, Walz searches for role in pushing back against Trump
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz saw his national profile skyrocket when he became Vice President Harris' running mate. Now, he's back home figuring out when he will push back or work with Republicans.
Pedro Almodóvar meditates on death in first English feature ‘The Room Next Door’
Pedro Almodóvar's first English-language film, The Room Next Door, is a meditation on death. Writing and making movies "is a way of running away from death," the Spanish director says.
How the Assads used a civil war to turn Syria into a narco state
As Syria's economy collapsed during its civil war, the country became something of a narco state. The regime of ousted President Bashar al-Assad earned billions by trafficking in the drug Captagon.
About 10,000 Amazon workers authorize plan to strike Thursday
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters said workers in Atlanta, New York City, California and Illinois plan to join the picket line.
Dozens of men are found guilty of raping a woman in France who was drugged to sleep
A French court found dozens of men guilty of raping a woman whose then-husband had drugged her unconscious over the course of a decade. The court sentenced the husband to a maximum 20 years in prison.
France’s highest court upholds corruption conviction of ex-President Nicolas Sarkozy
Sarkozy, 69, faces a year in prison, but is expected to ask to be detained at home with an electronic bracelet — as is the case for any sentence of two years or less.
About 3 dozen high-rise buildings in South Florida are sinking, a study finds
The 35 buildings surveyed along an almost 12-mile stretch from Miami Beach to Sunny Isles Beach have sunk or settled by 0.8 to 3.1 inches, scientists found.
Barely Legal: Some officials in Alabama want to outlaw delta-8. Others want to make it safer
Delta-8, which comes from hemp, is processed to create a concentrated form of THC. It’s legal for sale in Alabama … at least for now.
Dozens of prisoners allege a culture of violence by guards at federal facility in Virginia
At a federal prison in rural Virginia, more than 50 prisoners say they've been abused. But when they try to file a complaint — they're stopped, often by the same guards they say are abusing them.
Dreaming of a white Christmas? There’s hope, depending on where you live
A few parts of the country may get a white Christmas in 2024, but the majority will not. And in the future, shifts in weather patterns driven by global warming may make them even less likely.
The CDC has confirmed the first severe case of bird flu in a human in the U.S.
A person in Louisiana has been hospitalized after becoming infected with a case of bird flu that's been linked to wild birds and poultry.
Turkey looks set to play an outsize role in shaping the new Syria after Assad
As the world watches Syria grapple with the aftermath of Bashar al-Assad's brutal regime and the formation of a new government, one neighbor has emerged as having great influence over the new Syria.
The Federal Reserve lowers interest rates again — but hints at fewer cuts next year
The Fed lowered interest rates by a quarter percentage point — but policymakers are projecting fewer rate cuts next year as inflation remains elevated.
In 2024, our TV critic was grateful for fantastic shows and familiar faces
Fresh Air critic David Bianculli watches more TV than anyone he knows. He found it impossible to come up with a top 10 list this year — and is reveling in the abundance of exceptional shows.
Genital herpes is a ‘forgotten’ virus. But that doesn’t mean it’s gone away.
Over 800 million people have genital herpes — and in many cases the virus can flare up over a person's lifetime, causing painful symptoms. So why doesn't the world pay more attention?
Supreme Court agrees to review TikTok ban-or-sale law
The high court said Wednesday it will review a challenge submitted by TikTok asking for the overturn of a law that could ban the video-sharing app by Jan 19.
Supreme Court takes up South Carolina’s effort to defund Planned Parenthood
The state cut off funding to Planned Parenthood because it provided non-abortion services to Medicaid patients.
The bald eagle isn’t actually America’s national bird — but that’s poised to change
After learning the U.S. doesn't officially recognize the bald eagle as its national bird, a Minnesota man swooped in. This week the House passed his bill, which now heads to Biden's desk.
Viewers watched 20.35 billion hours on Twitch in 2024. ‘Stream Big’ explores why
According to the Twitch 2024 community recap, viewers watched 20.35 billion hours on the live-streaming service. A forthcoming book explains why.
Scientists know our bodies are full of microplastics. What are they doing to us?
Plastic particles are found in our organs, blood and even semen. But do they stay in us forever? What damage are they doing? Here are six questions scientists are trying to answer.
The season of Christmas songs is here. Will the classics make room for anything new?
'Tis the season for a handful of familiar Christmas songs to monopolize the top spots on the Billboard pop chart. But a few newer songs are making a play to join the annual holiday jukebox.
You don’t look a day over 4.35 billion! Here’s the moon’s anti-aging secret
Early interactions with the Earth may have heated up the Moon and caused it to remelt, producing new lunar rocks and erasing old craters.
Study finds more TV depictions of abortion this year — but they’re still mostly getting it wrong
The findings of an annual report on how abortion is depicted on TV are released today.
These were the top animal stories on NPR in 2024, including a boy’s pregnant octopus
This year, the animal kingdom was filled with triumph, loss and new discoveries. Here is a look at NPR's top animal stories of 2024.
Federal regulators say an Alabama coal mine’s plans may violate law, leaving citizens at risk
A “ten-day notice” issued to Alabama officials aims to mitigate risks to citizens living above Oak Grove Mine. It comes after months of state inaction and community outrage.
How much power would RFK Jr. have at HHS? A former health secretary weighs in
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is making the case with senators that he should lead Health and Human Services. Kathleen Sebelius, who had the job under Obama, explains the power and limits of the role.
10 young adult novels you don’t have to be young to enjoy
Whether you're young or young at heart, we have book ideas for you. This year's YA collection, gathered by NPR book critics and staff, includes romance, historical fiction, poetry, fantasy and more.
This weightlifting gym helps older people build more than just strength
At Fivex3 Training, a gym in Baltimore, several mornings a week are reserved for older people to train.
Trains, tracks, and tradition: Lionel celebrates 125 years of Christmas fun
Lionel trains turns 125, celebrating more than a century of holiday magic. From historic models to smartphone-controlled locomotives, these iconic toy trains continue to captivate kids and collectors alike.
Michael Vick says he will be the new head football coach at Norfolk State University
Vick, a four-time Pro Bowl player, is returning to his home state of Virginia to coach the team.
Churches are making room for grief and loss at Christmas
More and more congregations are trying to be sensitive to those who are grieving during the holidays. The move ranges from special services to the inclusion of hymns and prayers that speak to sadness during regular Sunday worship.
