News
‘Monster Madness’: A sixth grader sent us this delightful podcast about Bigfoot
With help from his brother and some creative sound effects, an 11-year-old made us smile with his podcast. It's a finalist in this year's NPR Student Podcast Challenge.
A neuroscientist explains how to break free from romantic infatuation
Academic and author Tom Bellamy, author of the book Smitten, explains how to recognize the signs of limerence, a romantic obsession characterized by extreme emotional highs and lows.
Social media is shattering America’s understanding of Charlie Kirk’s death
There is a deep schism in how Americans understand the assassination that took place a little more than a week ago and that gap is being widened by social media.
Ted Cruz claims without evidence that China is funding U.S. climate lawsuits
Republican Sen. Ted Cruz has said China is funding climate lawsuits against American oil and gas companies to weaken the U.S. He hasn't provided evidence to support the claim.
RFK Jr.’s vaccine panel backs away from asking states to require an Rx for a COVID shot
The group voted to require people who want a COVID shot to be briefed on harms and benefits, but in a close vote, the panel failed to pass a change that would have asked states to require people to get a prescription.
The Census Bureau is now headed by a Trump official in an acting position
George Cook is the Trump administration's new acting director of the Census Bureau, which has been thrust into the middle of a renewed attempt by President Trump to alter the national head count.
Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension shows power of FCC’s Brendan Carr
In the eight months since becoming chair of the Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr has waged war against the free speech of those who have reported on, criticized, or satirized the president.
What to know about Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s widow and Turning Point USA’s new CEO
Erika Kirk, 36, has a devotional podcast and Christian clothing line. She has vowed to continue her late husband's work.
Trump says talk with China’s Xi yielded progress, including on TikTok
Officials have been working on a deal to bring popular video app TikTok under U.S. ownership to avoid shutting it down in the United States.
‘We are rookies’: Day 2 of CDC vaccine meeting opens with a reversal and a surprise
RFK Jr.'s reshaped ACIP vaccine panel re-did a vote from yesterday on the MMRV vaccine and scrapped plans for another vote on the hepatitis B birth dose.
Their teenage sons died by suicide. Now, they are sounding an alarm about AI chatbots
Grieving parents and online safety advocates at a congressional hearing called for new laws to regulate AI companion apps to protect the mental health of minors.
Aid cuts hit Uganda hard. With worry and grit, it’s finding new ways to save lives
Uganda is one of the countries that's greatly affected by the reduction of U.S. foreign aid. Here's how the health care system is responding — with trepidation, innovation and resilience.
Grocery prices have jumped up, and there’s no relief in sight
Groceries saw their biggest jump in nearly three years last month, a worrisome sign for inflation-weary shoppers. Tariffs are contributing to higher prices for imported staples like bananas and coffee.
Six-man football is more than touchdowns and wins in Texas: ‘It’s like an identity’
In the state's rural pockets, schools with fewer than 105 students can opt to play six-man football, a version of the game that takes fewer players and has its own special set of rules.
Who offered Trump an exceedingly rare second state visit? Find out in the quiz
This week's quiz also features late-night hosts, Emmy losers, the pope, geometry and bears.
House to vote on stopgap funding bill, but health care fight threatens a shutdown
House Republicans are pushing a bill funding government agencies through November 21, but Democrats say without a plan to renew expiring health care subsidies they will oppose it.
Fat Bear Week is here early, and the bears are fat and playful
The famous bears of Alaska's Katmai National Park are enjoying an abundance of salmon, and even some playtime, as they pack on pounds to prepare for the winter.
A judge ordered Google to share its search data. What does that mean for user privacy?
The ruling in the Google antitrust trial has led to a host of hard-to-answer questions about the future of Google's search data, which the tech giant must now share with competitors. What does that mean for users' data privacy?
Autopsy finds hanged Mississippi student died by suicide, police say
An autopsy by the office of Mississippi's state medical examiner concluded that a Black student found hanging from a tree at Delta State University died by suicide, police said Thursday.
Legal experts say pulling Jimmy Kimmel from air may amount to illegal ‘jawboning’
Free speech scholars say ABC's decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show indefinitely represents "jawboning," when government officials pressure private companies to suppress speech.
Kimmel’s suspension for Kirk comments sparks furor over free speech and censorship
After Jimmy Kimmel's show was suspended "indefinitely" for comments he made following Charlie Kirk's death, questions about free speech and just what is government censorship reach heightened levels.
Trump administration rushes to rent space for immigration officers conducting raids
Employees at the General Services Administration are scrambling to lease offices to accommodate a rapid increase of immigration enforcement officers carrying out widespread raids across the country.
Bad Bunny skipped touring the states. Will other performers follow suit?
Artists from abroad are worried that the current climate is making American tours not worth the time and effort.
Trump suggests U.S. troops could return to Afghan base over China concerns
Trump floated the idea during a press conference with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer as he wrapped up a state visit to the U.K. and tied it to the need for the U.S. to counter its top rival, China.
CDC’s new advisers debate changing guidance on childhood vaccines
The group was chosen by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. amid controversy over their credentials. It's considering making changes to the MMRV vaccine guidance among others.
Trump says he disagrees with Starmer’s decision to recognize Palestinian state
President Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer talked about foreign affairs privately for about an hour, including the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.
Care close to home: how a rural doctor meets medical needs in Alabama’s countryside
Doctors are harder to come by in rural Alabama than in big cities. That’s why Cahaba Medical Care developed a residency program that both trains and then hires doctors in rural clinics.
Federal judge orders Jefferson County to redraw racially gerrymandered districts
U.S. District Judge Madeline H. Haikala ruled the county map was unconstitutional because race was the predominant factor when the Jefferson County Commission drew districts.
To save its unique and rare birds, New Zealand is turning to AI and genetic research
New Zealand is planning to eradicate millions of invasive animals that prey on the country's rare birds. The goal may not be possible, unless new technology can be developed to do it.
UC Berkeley professor warns of ‘unprecedented crackdown’ on academic freedom
UC Berkeley told 160 faculty, staff and students that their names were included in files shared with the federal government related to "alleged antisemitic incidents." We hear from one of them.
CDC’s vaccine advisers meet this week. Here’s how they could affect policy
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. chose everyone in the group. Their votes could affect vaccine access for certain childhood vaccines and and the COVID shots. Here's what's at stake.
Kirk shooting videos spread online, even to viewers who didn’t want to see them
Graphic videos of the Charlie Kirk shooting spread widely online, raising concerns over the emotional and political toll of exposure to violent imagery.
