News

Elon Musk’s team is expected to target the Pentagon soon, pledging cost cuts

The DOGE team is aiming to cut 8% from next year's defense budget, officials tell NPR.

Jordan’s military is test-running an air bridge for aid to Gaza

NPR traveled with Jordan's military on a recent helicopter flight delivering aid to the Gaza Strip, part of a test program since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas went into effect last month.

Crime bills go before the Alabama legislature

Gov. Kay Ivey has said public safety would be her top priority this legislative session. Ivey put that into action this week as she and several mayors from around the state took to the Capitol to promote what's been called the "Safe Alabama" package of bills. We talk about that and other happenings in Montgomery with week with Todd Stacey, host of Capital Journal and Alabama Public Television.

Glenn Foster Jr’s family uses Super Bowl to bring awareness to his death, demand justice

The former New Orleans Saints player's family called on others, including the NFL, to advocate for Foster — who died while in police custody in Alabama.

The next Israeli hostages Hamas will release include U.S. and Russian nationals

Hamas says it will release three hostages on Saturday, resolving a dispute with Israel that threatened to derail the ceasefire. In exchange, Israel will free dozens of Palestinians from jail.

The revolution will be screenshot (hopefully)

Code Switch's B.A. Parker takes a look at the many ways our digital world is being erased.

Eating yogurt regularly may reduce the risk of colon cancer, a study finds

Humans have been eating yogurt for millennia. Ancient texts reference its health-promoting properties. Now a new study finds yogurt may reduce the risk of certain types of colon cancer.

An Israeli raid of a famous Palestinian bookstore stokes censorship fears

A famous Palestinian-owned bookstore in East Jerusalem was raided by Israeli police, stoking fears of increased censorship.

Which dog breed got robbed — AGAIN — at Westminster? Find out in the quiz!

This week, we've got little kids, loser dogs, the Super Bowl, '90s power ballads and too much government.

This week in DOGE: Elon Musk’s role in overhauling ‘America, Inc.’

Elon Musk has emerged as a key figure in President Trump's plans to reshape the government. Here's a recap of this week with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team he leads.

A federal worker tried to take Trump’s ‘Fork’ resignation offer. Here’s what happened

Liz Goggin, a social worker with the Veterans Health Administration, took the offer to resign in exchange for pay and benefits through September. Then she learned her position was exempt.

YouTube turns 20 years old today

Twenty years ago, three former PayPal employees activated the domain name "YouTube.com." The first YouTube video followed soon after.

Parents, are you worried about burnout? Here are 3 red flags to watch out for

Parenting can keep you on your toes all day. But if you find it so physically and mentally draining you can't enjoy family time, it may be a sign of burnout. Here's what you can do about it.

Immigration poll shows growing support for restrictions, but deep divisions remain

A new NPR/Ipsos poll shows growing support for some restrictions on immigration. Still, many elements of President Trump's sweeping crackdown are unpopular with Democrats and independents.

Texas judge fines New York doctor for sending abortion pills to Texas

The ruling by a Texas judge against a New York doctor for prescribing abortion pills to a woman near Dallas could test "shield laws" in Democratic-controlled states where abortion is legal.

Igloo recalls over a million coolers after handle hazard causes fingertip amputations

Consumers in possession of the coolers are urged to stop using them immediately — and contact Igloo for a free replacement handle.

Judge orders Trump administration to temporarily allow funds for foreign aid

The order allowing funds to flow again applies to existing contracts before Trump issued his Jan. 20 executive order declaring a freeze on foreign assistance.

Unease grows at the CDC as Trump administration keeps grip on research, messaging

CDC employees can no longer publish documents without review by the executive branch, and must withdraw their names from external papers pending publication.

Why Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets broke up

When you're a Jet you're a Jet all the way … till the Jets decide you're not coming back next season.

TikTok is back on the Apple and Google app stores

Apple and Google removed the app after the Supreme Court upheld a law prohibiting firms from doing business with TikTok as long as it is controlled by China-based ByteDance.

Up to 100 more workers are fired at CFPB as staff fear mass layoffs are looming

About 70-100 employees were terminated at the CFPB, following dozens of recent workers who were fired earlier this week. Agency staff are bracing for even wider layoffs.

On a second try, Florida Republicans agree on a law to assist Trump’s deportations

The bill passed after Gov. Ron DeSantis and fellow Republicans ended a public dispute. It includes a mandatory death penalty for capital crimes committed by people without legal status.

Shonda Rhimes, Issa Rae have cut ties with the Kennedy Center now that Trump is chair

The Kennedy Center was created by bipartisan legislation signed by former President Eisenhower in 1958. President Trump appointed himself and members of his administration to the board.

Sweeping cuts hit recent federal hires as Trump administration slashes workforce

Employees across several agencies including the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the Department of Education, the Department of Energy and the General Services Administration have all been affected this week, with many being given notice on Thursday.

What’s happening with the anti-HIV program PEPFAR? It depends whom you ask

The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief has been the subject of a series of presidential orders and memos that have left uncertainty about how it operates.

Deep cuts to NIH funding would cause economic harm across Trump-friendly Alabama

Birmingham has become one of the country’s leading hubs for biomedical research. Banners downtown brag about the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s status in the top 1% of institutions for NIH funding, bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars into the region.

Thousands of counterfeit Forever postage stamps are seized in Chicago

Customs and Border Protection agents in Chicago seized nearly 162,000 counterfeit U.S. Forever stamps this past week which the agency said were shipped from China.

3 top U.S. prosecutors resign over order to drop NYC Mayor Eric Adams corruption case

The acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York and two top Justice Department officials in Washington, D.C., resigned after the case against New York City's mayor war order dropped.

Where is my tax refund?

If the IRS owes you a tax refund, it should come within 3 weeks of filing. And in a change, 25 states are now participating in the IRS's free online filing program.

After Trump announced talks with Russia, Vance speaks to European allies

In his second big speech in Europe this week, the vice president will address the Munich Security Conference, days after President Trump said he would start talks with Russia to end the war in Ukraine.

Trump threatens reciprocal tariffs against other countries

President Trump is threatening to levy taxes on imports to match those other countries charge on U.S. exports.

Why Mitch McConnell voted against RFK Jr. for health secretary

A survivor of childhood polio, Sen. Mitch McConnell was the only Republican in the Senate to vote no. Here's how he explained his vote.