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Springsteen’s label was about to drop him. Then came ‘Born to Run’
Biographer Peter Ames Carlin describes the making of Born to Run as an "existential moment" for Springsteen: "If this didn't work, he was done." Carlin's new book is Tonight in Jungleland.
Federal judge rules cuts to humanities grants were ‘unlawful’
The ruling deems the government's termination of grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities "unlawful" and allows a lawsuit brought by humanities groups to move forward.
Scientists find a planet from the Avatar movies in real life
One of the brightest stars in the night sky seems to be orbited by a planet like Jupiter. The news is sure to cheer fans of the Avatar series, which centers on a moon that orbits a fictional gas giant planet in this particular star system.
New Orleans musicians feel the heat of rising temperatures: ‘You can hear it in the music’
Data from climate scientists show that the heat is turning up in New Orleans, and the rate that it’s increasing is getting faster. Here’s why.
Ultra-processed food consumption is down a bit, but still more than 50% of U.S. diet
Americans get about 55% of our calories from tasty, cheap — and unhealthy — manufactured foods, the latest data from CDC says. For kids, the percentage is even higher.
Trump calls for U.S. census to exclude for the first time people with no legal status
Trump is calling for a "new" census that excludes people in the U.S. without legal status. The 14th Amendment requires the "whole number of persons in each state" in a key set of census results.
Congress looks to ease veterans’ use of health care outside the VA
It can be difficult for veterans to use their health benefits for care outside the federal system. A bill in Congress could ease that. Opponents are wary funds being "siphoned" away from the VA.
It started with friends at home. Now Dungeons & Dragons is in its stadium era.
In the past decade or so, actors and comedians have adopted D&D as a performance medium. Podcasts and web series have expanded into stadium tours – and fueled growing interest in the game more broadly.
The NFL banned smelling salts. Here’s why
The NFL has banned the use of smelling salts during games, citing an FDA warning concerning the safety of the substance. Here's what experts say about the effects and the risks.
Trump cuts threaten access to birth control for millions of women
Birth control is routine for many Americans and polls show it's popular across party lines. Now, the Trump administration is withholding funds that provide contraception for low income people.
Video shows Department of Justice official urging Jan. 6 rioters to ‘kill’ cops
The Department of Justice hired a former Jan. 6 defendant who was caught on tape urging rioters to "kill" police. The department calls him a "valued member" of the administration.
11 ways NPR readers resist the impulse to shop (plus, a poem for inspo)
Buying something new can be thrilling in the moment, but will you still be glad you bought it after the fact? NPR readers share their top tips for mindful shopping to avoid regret and overspending.
Recession-era recipes flourish on TikTok
Influencers on TikTok and other social media platforms are going back to recession-era recipes for nutritious and filling food — and building new communities online.
Nebraska’s Mike Flood got an earful from voters. He’s still standing by Trump’s agenda
After his town hall this week wrapping with chants of "Vote him out!" Nebraska Rep. Mike Flood told Morning Edition he understands it is "cathartic" for constituents to voice their opinions.
DHS took 5 days to fund Texas flooding hotline, federal records show
Funding for FEMA's disaster survivor hotline lapsed the day after the Texas floods, federal records show. It took DHS Secretary Kristi Noem five days to approve more money.
It started with friends at home. Now Dungeons & Dragons is in its stadium era
In the past decade or so, actors and comedians have adopted D&D as a performance medium. Podcasts and web series have expanded into stadium tours – and fueled growing interest in the game more broadly.
Trump’s broad tariffs go into effect, just as economic pain is surfacing
The White House said that starting just after midnight that goods from more than 60 countries and the European Union would face tariff rates of 10% or higher.
MLB’s first female umpire to debut. Here’s other women who broke officiating barriers
Jen Pawol will make history by becoming the first woman to umpire a Major League Baseball game. Here's a look at other female officials who were the first on the floor, court or the field in prominent men's leagues.
Eddie Palmieri, a trailblazer in Latin music, has died at age 88
The bandleader and pianist was one of the leading Latin musicians of his generation. He won multiple Grammys and was recognized as an NEA Jazz Master.
District attorney says Alabama teen killed by police had grabbed a gun
But the teen’s family questioned that conclusion and said they have many unanswered questions about what had happened.
United Airlines flights grounded nationwide because of computer problems
Hundreds of United Airlines flights were disrupted on Wednesday evening as the carrier grappled with a major computer system outage. The airline requested ground stops at its major hubs in the U.S.
After an ex-DOGE staffer’s assault, Trump threatens to federalize D.C. Can he?
Trump told reporters on Wednesday evening that he is considering taking over the D.C. police force and sending in the National Guard after a former DOGE staffer was hurt in an attempted carjacking.
A zoo in Denmark asked patrons to donate their pets. Not as attractions, but for food
The Aalborg Zoo in Denmark said it would take certain surplus pets such as chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs to be "gently euthanized" and fed to its captive predators.
A Texas Republican state lawmaker on the fight for redistricting
Texas Republican Tom Oliverson about what's next in the redistricting fight that is going down in the Lone Star state.
Public health experts dismayed by RFK Jr.’s defunding of mRNA vaccine research
The Trump administration cancelled about $500 million for research into mRNA vaccines. The move slows progress in using the technology to prevent a future pandemic or treat disease, experts say.
5 soldiers are shot at Georgia’s Fort Stewart. A suspect is in custody
The Army says that law enforcement was dispatched to the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team area at 10:56 a.m. local time and that the "shooter was apprehended at 11:35 a.m." No fatalities were reported.
The quest to create gene-edited babies gets a reboot
There's a fresh push to edit the genes of human embryos to prevent diseases and enhance characteristics that parents value. Bioethicists say just because it's possible doesn't mean it should be done.
Claire’s, the ear-piercing tween mall staple, is bankrupt — again
The chain's bankruptcy filing is the second in seven years. Its troubles include unwieldy debt, shoppers' changing habits and new tariff costs.
White House envoy Witkoff meets with Putin as deadline looms for Russia to end war
White House envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in a last-ditch effort to convince him to make peace in Ukraine or face punishing new economic penalties by Friday.
Greetings from Gujarat, India, where a banyan tree is a place for rest, prayers and play
Far-Flung Postcards is a weekly series in which NPR's international correspondents share snapshots of moments from their lives and work around the world.
The Voting Rights Act is turning 60. Civil rights marchers recall a hard-won struggle
Wednesday marks the 60th anniversary of the landmark legislation becoming law. Those at the epicenter of the fight for voting rights for Black Americans recalled their memories of the struggle, and expressed fear that those hard-won rights are being eroded.
With $1K in cash aid, he built a life-changing barbershop. Now cash aid is under fire
This man in Mozambique is one of many who've received a cash sum with no strings attached. The Trump administration has criticized and curtailed the practice. Advocates are pushing back with evidence.
