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Why do we make New Year’s resolutions? A brief history of a long tradition
One of the earliest mentions of New Year's resolutions appeared in a Boston newspaper in 1813. But the practice itself can be traced back to the Babylonians.
A little boy gave her hope for her foster daughter’s future
At a neighborhood park, a young boy noticed Natalie's young foster daughter using a walker. His reaction left Natalie with an unexpected feeling of hope for the future.
Remembering the actors, musicians, writers and artists we lost in 2025
Every year, we remember some of the writers, actors, musicians, filmmakers and performers who died over the past year, and whose lifetime of creative work helped shape our world.
In one year, Trump pivots fentanyl response from public health to drug war
Experts say Biden's focus on addiction health care saved tens of thousands of lives and slowed fentanyl smuggling. Trump scrapped Biden's approach in favor of military strikes.
Judge orders new trial for Alabama woman sentenced to 18 years in prison after stillbirth
Lee County Circuit Judge Jeffrey Tickal vacated Brooke Shoemaker’s 2020 conviction for chemical endangerment of a child resulting in death. Tickal said Shoemaker's attorneys presented credible new evidence that the infection caused the stillbirth.
National Guard arrives in New Orleans for 1st New Year’s since Bourbon Street attack
Nearly a year after a New Year's Day truck attack on Bourbon Street left 14 dead, New Orleans officials are still seeking permanent security solutions.
National Guard arrives in New Orleans for 1st New Year’s since Bourbon Street attack
Nearly a year after a New Year's Day truck attack on Bourbon Street left 14 dead, New Orleans officials are still seeking permanent security solutions.
Isiah Whitlock Jr., actor from ‘The Wire,’ ‘Veep’ and Spike Lee films, dies at 71
Actor Isiah Whitlock Jr. has died at age 71. Whitlock played the corrupt state Sen. Clay Davis on "The Wire." He also appeared in several Spike Lee films, including "25th Hour" and "BlacKkKlansman."
CIA behind strike at Venezuelan dock that Trump claims was used by drug smugglers, AP sources say
The CIA was behind a drone strike last week at a docking area believed to have been used by Venezuelan drug cartels. That's according to two people familiar with details of the operation.
Kennedy Center renaming prompts a new round of cancellations
The Kennedy Center is ending the year with a new round of artists saying they are canceling scheduled performances after President Donald Trump's name was added to the facility.
Trump administration says it’s freezing child care funds to Minnesota
President Trump's administration announced that it's freezing child care funds to Minnesota after a series of fraud schemes in recent years.
Flu cases are surging and rates will likely get worse, new CDC data shows
Flu season is off to a rough start this year, according to new CDC data. The virus is spreading faster than in previous years and the surge is likely to get worse. Here's what you need to know.
10 passion projects that stood out at the movies this year
NPR critic Bob Mondello narrows down his favorite movies of the year — the ones that made audiences vibrate.
Judge orders Trump administration to continue to seek funding for the CFPB
The order is the latest in a complex legal battle over the fate of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a watchdog agency.
In a year of steep challenges, there were still shining moments in global health
The Trump administration's deep cuts in U.S. foreign health aid had a devastating impact. Yet there were achievements of note in spite of it all.
An escalation in Yemen threatens to reignite civil war and widen tensions in the Gulf
Saudi Arabia bombed Yemen's port city of Mukalla, targeting a shipment of weapons from the United Arab Emirates for separatist forces. The UAE later said it would withdraw its forces from Yemen.
Cecilia Giménez, the artist who ‘restored’ the face of Jesus, has died at 94
Giménez international attention after she attempted to restore an old fresco. While it was immediately ridiculed at the time, the piece eventually turned into a tourist attraction.
What being around death taught this hospital chaplain about life
J.S. Park helps patients and their families cope with death every day as a hospital chaplain. He explains what to expect as a person is dying, and how to reckon with uncomfortable feelings about death.
Israel says it will bar aid groups, including Doctors Without Borders, from Gaza
Israel accused Doctors Without Borders, one of the largest health organizations operating in Gaza, of failing to clarify the roles of some staff that Israel accused of cooperation with militants.
China flexes blockade capabilities near Taiwan on second day of military drills
China's People's Liberation Army is staging a second day of large-scale military drills around Taiwan. It's unleashing live-fire exercises as part of what it calls "Justice Mission 2025."
Policy relief for family caregivers seems stalled out. But there are signs of change
Family members carry the burden and costs of caring for America's aging population. Federal policy change is slow to come but a new movement and state actions are building momentum.
Federal appeals court judge is accused of bullying her clerks
The Legal Accountability Project complaint, which has not been previously reported, states that it is based on conversations with multiple former law clerks.
How Alabama Power has left the ‘American Amazon’ at risk
As its polluting coal ash ponds remain in groundwater, Alabama Power has doubled down on fossil fuel energy investments.
How George Wallace and Bull Connor set the stage for Alabama’s sky-high electric rates
After his notorious stand in the schoolhouse door, Wallace needed a new target. He found it in Alabama Power.
FIFA president defends World Cup ticket prices, saying demand is hitting records
The FIFA President addressed outrage over ticket prices for the World Cup by pointing to record demand and reiterating that most of the proceeds will help support soccer around the world.
From chess to a medical mystery: Great global reads from 2025 you may have missed
We published hundreds of stories on global health and development each year. Some are ... alas ... a bit underappreciated by readers. We've asked our staff for their favorite overlooked posts of 2025.
The U.S. offers Ukraine a 15-year security guarantee for now, Zelenskyy says
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday the United States is offering his country security guarantees for a period of 15 years as part of a proposed peace plan.
Genre fiction and female authors top U.S. libraries’ most-borrowed lists in 2025
All of the top 10 books borrowed through the public library app Libby were written by women. And Kristin Hannah's The Women was the top checkout in many library systems around the country.
Teens are having disturbing interactions with chatbots. Here’s how to lower the risks
Teen use of AI chat bots is growing, and psychologists worry it's affecting their social development and mental health. Here's what parents should know to help kids use the technology safely.
Why do so many people ring in the new year on Jan. 1?
Much of the world follows the Gregorian calendar, named after Pope Gregory XIII, who put the finishing touches on a Roman system that integrated ideas from other cultures.
A ‘very aesthetic person,’ President Trump says being a builder is his second job
President Trump was a builder before he took office, but he has continued it as a hobby in the White House.
The Best Tiny Desk Concerts of 2025
Which Tiny Desk made an audio engineer question everything? Which one made a producer want to cry? Touch grass? Look back on the year in Tiny Desk, with the people who make them.
