News
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.
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?
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.
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.
First Afrikaners granted refugee status due to arrive in U.S.
Three months ago, President Trump signed an executive order telling white Afrikaans South Africans they could apply for refugee status in the U.S. The first group has been swiftly processed and is set to arrive on U.S. soil Monday
Court rules Alabama violated Voting Rights Act in drawing congressional lines
A three-judge panel permanently blocked Alabama from using a state-drawn map that they said flouted their directive to draw a plan that was fair to Black voters. The decision was not a surprise because the panel ruled against the state twice previously and put a new map in place for last year’s elections.
Who is the new Pope Leo XIV and what are his views?
Pope Leo XIV was born and raised in Chicago. He is of French, Italian and Spanish descent. He spent years working as a missionary in Peru.
India and Pakistan trade attacks amid risk of war between nuclear states
The escalation began after India accused Pakistan of being behind an attack where gunmen killed 26 people, mostly tourists, in India-administered Kashmir on April 22. Pakistan denies it.
FEMA’s acting administrator is replaced a day after congressional testimony
The abrupt change came the day after Cameron Hamilton testified on Capitol Hill that he did not agree with proposals to dismantle an organization that helps plan for natural disasters and distributes financial assistance.
RFK Jr. says autism database will use Medicare and Medicaid info
The National Institutes of Health will partner with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid to create a database of Americans with autism, using insurance claims, medical records and smartwatch data.
World Central Kitchen closes soup kitchens across Gaza due to dwindling supplies
Israel's ongoing blockade of aid for Gaza forced the humanitarian group to shut its soup kitchens as it faced empty warehouses and no replenishment of supplies in the war-battered enclave.
Coca-Cola Amphitheater poised to open mid-June
With just six weeks until the first show, construction at the new Coca Cola Amphitheater north of downtown Birmingham is still underway.
Trump administration unveils a plan to modernize the air traffic control system
The transportation secretary announced a far-reaching plan to drastically overhaul the current technology used by thousands of controllers responsible for guiding planes in and out of airports.
From apps to gadgets, ‘Second Life’ considers how tech is changing having a baby
When Amanda Hess learned her unborn child had a genetic condition, she turned to the internet — but didn't find reassurance. "My relationship with technology became so much more intense," she says.
Trump pulls controversial pick for U.S. Attorney for D.C.
President Trump will replace his controversial pick, Ed Martin, for the role of top prosecutor in Washington, D.C. following bipartisan Senate opposition
A firing squad tried to shoot a prisoner in the heart. They missed, autopsy indicates
The autopsy notes two bullet wounds even though there were three shooters, and a forensic expert says the misfires likely caused "excruciating conscious pain and suffering."
Former CDC staff warn of “a five alarm fire”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has laid off thousands of workers since January. Current and former CDC staff are grappling with uncertainty about both their futures and public health.
