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Opinion: My hometown pope

News of an American pope, and a Chicagoan, causes NPR's Scott Simon to remember what it was like attending Mass in his hometown.

Trump aims to fast track Alabama coal build-out, citing US need. Nearly all the coal is bound for export

A Trump effort to streamline the project would benefit the overseas steelmaking industry while putting Alabamians and the environment at risk.

The Fox-to-Trump Funnel sweeps up Jeanine Pirro of ‘The Five’

Jeanine Pirro is the latest Fox News personality to join the Trump administration. She will serve as the interim U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C., replacing Ed Martin whose confirmation ran into problems in the Senate.

This opera tells the story of ‘The Central Park Five,’ Donald Trump’s role included

In 1989, Trump took out full-page newspaper ads demanding the death penalty "for roving bands of wild criminals." The Detroit Opera decided to program this work long before the presidential election.

Republicans seek more state laws on transgender people, putting Democrats on the spot

Since North Carolina passed a "bathroom" law in 2016, the number of bills has grown and Republicans have used the issue in campaigns. Democrats are still working out how to respond.

Why some friendships end after kids come into the picture

It can be tough to navigate relationships when our friends start having kids. This guide can help both parents and child-free folks figure out how to stay connected in a new life stage.

Why Trump is focusing on business deals on his Middle East trip

President Trump is yet to broker an end to the war in Gaza. So the first big trip of his second term will focus on big investments instead.

Elizabeth Holmes’ partner raises millions for new biotech testing startup

The incarcerated former Silicon Valley star is advising her partner on a new health tech startup. Holmes was convicted of defrauding investors in her blood-testing company Theranos.

Pakistan says India fired missiles at 3 air bases. Pakistani retaliation underway

Pakistan said most of the missiles were intercepted and that retaliatory strikes were underway. It's an escalation in a conflict triggered by a massacre last month that India blames on Pakistan.

VA says its job cuts will limit doctor, nurse resignations

As the Department of Veterans Affairs tries to meet President Trump's goal of cutting 15% of staff, vets are concerned there won't be enough doctors and nurses.

Google will pay Texas $1.4B to settle claims over user data collection

The agreement settles several claims Texas made against the search giant in 2022 related to geolocation, incognito searches and biometric data.

Iranian student in Alabama to self-deport despite withdrawal of initial charge behind his arrest

Alireza Doroudi was detained by immigration officials in March as part of President Donald Trump’s widespread immigration crackdown and has been held at a facility in Jena, Louisiana.

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.

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.