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Billie Eilish thought she’d always have a soft voice. Singing lessons changed that

The Grammy Award-winning singer says working with a vocal coach "honestly changed my life." Eilish and her brother/collaborator Finneas talk about their new album, Hit Me Hard and Soft.

Taking vitamin D is unlikely to prevent falls or fractures. Here’s what it does

Vitamin D is good for the immune system, but in older people it doesn't prevent falls or fractures, according to health experts at the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Here's why you need it.

Alabama wants to lower recidivism rates by 2030. What are the obstacles?

Last year, Alabama set an ambitious goal for itself: lower recidivism by 25% and increase post-incarceration employment rates by 50% by 2030. But a recent study on the state's criminal justice re-entry programming shows that many formerly incarcerated people are falling through the cracks.

Most U.S. shootings are done by men, but the Wisconsin school attack is an exception

Authorities say a 15-year-old girl carried out the shooting that killed two and wounded several at a Wisconsin school. Female shooters are relatively rare, statistically speaking.

The suspect in the Gilgo Beach killings is charged in the death of a 7th woman

The New York architect facing murder charges in a string of deaths known as the Gilgo Beach killings was charged in the death of Valerie Mack, 24, whose remains were found on Long Island in 2000.

Syrian families scour hospitals and morgues for loved ones lost under Assad’s rule

People in Syria are looking for their relatives and friends in prisons, hospitals and morgues. The U.N. estimates over 100,00 people have gone missing in Syria under the Assad regime.

An Alabama woman is doing well after the latest experimental pig kidney transplant

Towana Looney is the fifth American given a gene-edited pig organ — and notably, she isn’t as sick as prior recipients who died within two months of receiving a pig kidney or heart.

Confused by ‘best by’ or ‘use by’ labels? The FDA wants your input to reduce food waste

Most Americans occasionally throw away food just because of the date on the label and many always do. But these 'sell by' or 'enjoy' by dates don't indicate the food isn't safe. Here's what they mean.

At the Florida Senior Games, pickleball is the crown jewel. Here’s why

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport and it's also popular with older athletes. All Things Considered went to the Florida Senior Games to find out why.

How the holidays could be affecting your medical care

A new study suggests that holidays can affect your provider's decision making.

Here’s what we know about the deadly school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin

The suspect is likely to have died from a gunshot wound, but the cause of death has yet to be confirmed by a medical examiner.

Apprenticeships are a trending alternative to college — but there’s a hitch

Apprenticeships are becoming a popular alternative to college as a career path. But demand is outpacing the supply of employers who offer them.

A transplanted pig kidney offers a grandmother hope for life without dialysis

The patient was in kidney failure and her immune system would reject a human organ. Scientists hope genetically modified pig organs prove safe and will alleviate the organ shortage and save lives.

FBI warns Americans to keep their text messages secure: What to know

The U.S. believes hackers affiliated with China's government are infiltrating telecoms and stealing users' data. The FBI has urged people to use end-to-end encryption to keep their info safe.

‘Love Is Blind’ cast are employees, labor board says. Could a reality TV union be next?

The case could have big implications for what glues reality show fans to the tube. A pending ruling, whatever the outcome, would set a precedent that other unscripted TV cast members could follow.

‘Fake electors’ from 2020 are casting 2024 votes for Trump while facing felony charges

Eight of the Republicans set to cast Michigan and Nevada's 2024 Electoral College votes for President-elect Donald Trump still face felony charges related to efforts to reverse Trump's 2020 loss.

Magnitude 7.3 earthquake causes widespread damage in Pacific island nation of Vanuatu

The earthquake was centered 10 miles west of Port Vila, the largest city in Vanuatu, a group of 80 islands that is home to about 330,000 people.

An explosion kills the head of Russia’s nuclear defense forces in Moscow

An explosive device planted close to an apartment block in Moscow killed the head of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defence Forces, Russia's Investigative Committee said.

Canada’s finance minister resigns, posing biggest test of Trudeau’s political career

The stunning move raised questions about how much longer the prime minister of nearly 10 years — whose popularity has plummeted due to concerns about inflation and immigration — can stay on.

New York judge says Trump is not immune from hush money conviction

A spokesperson for President-elect Trump said the case should never have been brought, called for its immediate dismissal.

TikTok asks the Supreme Court for an emergency order to block a US ban unless it’s sold

A similar plea was filed by content creators who rely on the platform for income and some of TikTok's more than 170 million users in the U.S.

Sotheby’s to auction off ancient Ten Commandments tablet

One of the earliest tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments (dating to A.D. 300-800) is scheduled to go up for auction at Sotheby's on Wednesday.

Amazon manipulated injury data to make warehouses appear safer, a Senate probe finds

A Senate committee investigation, led by Sen. Bernie Sanders, accused Amazon of risking worker safety for speed while manipulating injury data to make its warehouses seem safer than they are.

2 people and the suspected gunman are dead in Wisconsin school shooting

At least three people, including the alleged shooter, are dead after a shooting at a Wisconsin grade school.

First public comments attributed to Assad claim he never planned to leave Syria

Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is believed to have issued his first remarks since opposition forces took over the capital over a week ago in a Telegram post from Moscow.

Germany’s Scholz loses a confidence vote, triggering new elections

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had hoped for this outcome when he called for the confidence vote, analysts say. His aim: to win fresh elections in February and come back with a stronger mandate.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, a longtime theater lover, makes her Broadway debut

Jackson made a cameo in the romantic comedy musical & Juliet on Saturday night. She told NPR: "I got a call, and someone said, 'We heard that this was your lifelong dream.' And it is."

These global stories were very, very, very popular in 2024

Our blog published hundreds of stories in 2024. These are the 11 that captured the most pageviews. If you look at the headlines, you'll understand why.

NPR wants to know: What is a key lesson you learned this year?

The year is coming to a close, which can bring a lot of reflection. What went great and what might have gone sideways? Every year we learn lessons on what to improve, what are some of yours?

Life Kit’s most-read stories of 2024: Sleep myths, tipping etiquette, home design tricks

Comics, social etiquette and myth-busting stories ruled Life Kit in 2024. That includes guidance on what to do if a partner cheats — and how to tip at fast food joints.

A 50 thousand year-old love story between humans and Neanderthals

Tens of thousands of years ago, modern humans mated with Neanderthals. But exactly how and when that happened, and who those groups of humans were, was less known. New research adds some clues.

There’s more to Christmas music than Mariah and Bing

DJ Robert Drake of WXPN walks us through the strange and wonderful world of Christmas music.