Front Page
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.
Under the spell of Hildegard: A new album reboots ancient music
The 12th-century abbess, scientist and composer inspires new interpretations of her music, and new works, on an album spotlighting soprano Barbara Hannigan.
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?
‘Thunderbolts*’ is an unwieldy jumble, and also the best Marvel film in a while
Thunderbolts* is unapologetically formulaic. And yet, Florence Pugh is terrific; the action is coherent; and the character dynamics strike the right balance of earnest sincerity and glib humor.
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.
Ginseng has linked America and China for centuries. A new graphic novel digs into why
Craig Thompson, author of the award-winning graphic memoir Blankets returns with its spiritual successor. It's a look at his childhood growing up on ginseng farms, and the intricate balance of the global ginseng trade.
Nearly 60 cases dismissed due to corruption in Hanceville Police Department
The grand jury determined that 58 felony criminal cases had been tainted by corruption in the Hanceville Police Department, after four officers and the police chief were indicted on a variety of charges related to mishandling or removing evidence from the department's evidence room.
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.
