Front Page

Biden extends protections for immigrants from Venezuela, El Salvador and Ukraine

Close to a million migrants will be shielded from deportation for up to 18 months.

U.S. ambassador to Israel makes his final push for release of U.S. hostages from Gaza

"We are going to do everything we can in this round to get all the American hostages, living and dead, out," Ambassador Jacob J. Lew tells NPR. His tenure as President Biden's envoy ends this month.

Canceled flights, stranded cars, no power: Winter storm slams swath of U.S.

Atlanta has seen nearly 1,000 flights grounded, while more than 34,000 Arkansans have lost power.

2024 was the hottest year on record. The reason remains a science mystery

The official numbers are in: 2024 is the hottest year on record. Climate change is the main culprit. But there might be something else going on, too.

There is one major gift Trump is inheriting from Biden: A good job market

U.S. employers added more than a quarter-million jobs in December, according to the Labor Department. That's far more than forecasters were expecting.

What is the flame retardant that planes are dropping on the LA fires?

As fire crews and air tankers work to block the wildfires' explosive growth, images of red clouds of fire retardant falling onto trees are common. What is it — and what's in it?

In pictures: snow blankets Birmingham

Snow fell across the Birmingham area early Friday morning, making roadways dangerous, with officials urging residents to avoid travel if possible. Many schools closed in advance of the winter weather giving children the chance to revel in the snow.

Unpacking Bad Bunny’s personal and political ‘DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS’

Time and time again Bad Bunny has proven that he's strongest creatively when he anchors himself to the island and if DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS is to be believed, home is where he's insistent on staying.

12 eye-opening reads to kick-start your 2025 reading goals

There are so many great books to look forward to in 2025. But first, you'll want to catch up on these perspective-shifting titles from 2024, exploring art, the afterlife, nuns, nuclear war — and more.

Inmates are fighting California wildfires in long-running and controversial practice

California has turned to incarcerated firefighters since 1915. To those opposed to the use of inmates as firefighters, the system is seen as exploitative.

Jimmy Carter is no saint in my house

For President Biden's legacy, we should look to late President Jimmy Carter's history in Central America.

10 people have now died in the wildfires spreading across Southern California

The number of dead tied to the wildfires increases as local officials warn the toll will increase. About 180,000 people have had to evacuate.

Her family thought they would return home the next day. Now, their house is gone.

Jinghuan Liu Tervalon packed a few documents, keepsakes and clothing before leaving her Altadena, Calif., home ahead of the fast-moving Eaton Canyon Fire. Her son returned to find rubble and ash.

Q&A: CIA Chief on how the U.S. intel community handled Russia, China and Mideast

In an exit interview with NPR's Mary Louise Kelly, CIA Director William Burns says he still thinks "there's a chance" for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.

TikTok is heading to the Supreme Court to challenge its U.S. ban. Here’s what to know

Lawyers for TikTok will argue that banning the app will violate the free speech of 170 million American users. The Justice Department will contend that the app is a national security risk.

Trump set for sentencing in his New York felony conviction

Trump on Thursday exhausted his last legal maneuver to stop the sentencing, after a narrow majority of Supreme Court justices declined to intervene.

Hey, meat eaters. Your gut health can rival a vegan’s. Here’s how

Our guts are home to trillions of microbes that influence our health. A new study finds the key to a healthy microbiome is the variety of plant-based food in your diet, even if you eat meat.

After 17 years, it’s Hoda Kotb’s last ‘Today’ show

Craig Melvin, current news anchor and host of Today's 3rd Hour, has been named Kotb's successor.

How these suburban moms in Ukraine manage grief by training to down Russian drones

Women from a Kyiv suburb traumatized by a 2022 massacre by Russian troops joined a volunteer air defense unit to take down Russia's drones — and deal with their fears.

Who’s in, who’s out and who wants to rename the Gulf of Mexico? The quiz is back!

This week, we tackle the Golden Globes, free speech, Girl Scout cookies, dragons and more. Add a perfect score to your New Year's resolutions!

Alec Baldwin sues New Mexico officials over handling of ‘Rust’ shooting case

Actor Alec Baldwin has filed a civil lawsuit for malicious prosecution and civil rights violations in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer on the set of the Western movie Rust.

‘Pizzagate’ gunman killed by police in North Carolina, authorities say

A man who fired a gun inside a restaurant in the nation's capital after a fake online conspiracy theory motivated him to do so nearly a decade ago was shot and killed by North Carolina police.

Winter Storm Cora brings cold and snow to the Southern U.S.

A major winter storm is expected to be the biggest in years as cold air moves in from the Arctic bringing snow and frigid temperatures across 20 Southern States.

Trump loses Supreme Court appeal to block hush-money sentencing

This was the only one of Trump's criminal charges to reach and complete a trial, making him the first former or future U.S. president to be convicted of criminal charges.

The Gulf South needs more sexual assault nurse examiners. Is teleSANE the answer?

While some see telemedicine as a useful tool to help provide care to sexual assault survivors, others believe it's not enough to solve the nursing shortage.

Lebanon chooses a new president after two years without one

Lebanon's parliament chose the head of the country's armed forces, Joseph Aoun, to be its next president, a post that's been vacant since October 2022.

Powerful winds fueling the California wildfires are expected through Friday

Red flag warnings are in effect for parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, as the National Weather Service warns that powerful winds and low humidity will increase the risk of fire.

World Health Organization head on bond with Jimmy Carter: ‘I consider him my mentor’

The World Health Organization leader worked with Carter for 20 years to fight the world's "neglected" diseases. After attending Carter's funeral, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus shared memories.

Photos: See the California wildfires’ destructive force, in satellite images

Satellite images show the extent of devastation from multiple wildfires burning in Los Angeles County after one day. The fires have killed at least five people and destroyed thousands of structures.

Photos: Los Angeles wildfires threaten lives, homes and cultural landmarks

The fires have forced mass evacuations. Firefighters are struggling to control a patchwork of deadly blazes that have killed at least five people and leveled entire communities.

Billy Crystal, Paris Hilton, other celebrities share LA fire experiences, resources

The California wildfires are burning in the middle of what's usually a busy awards season in Hollywood, home to many celebrities.

Birmingham braces for winter storm: here’s what to do

Gov. Kay Ivey issued a state of emergency for 37 Alabaman counties Thursday, including the Birmingham metro area, ahead of a weekend winter storm. Forecasters expect icy weather to sweep through the region from Thursday night through Friday night.