GOP House Rep. says it’s ‘unacceptable’ to allow ACA subsidies to expire
Rep. Mike Lawler says House Speaker Mike Johnson is correct in saying the health care system isn't working, but allowing ACA subsidies to expire without a plan to address rising costs is "idiotic."
The best movies and TV of 2025, picked for you by NPR critics
Whether you plan to head out to the theater or binge from the couch, our critics have gathered together their favorite films and TV shows of 2025.
Trump’s BBC lawsuit: A botched report, BritBox, and porn
President Trump's lawsuit alleges that the BBC's fall 2024 documentary was "a brazen attempt" to harm his re-election. The BBC has apologized but rejects his claim.
Recent attacks have been ‘inspired’ by Islamic State. What does that mean?
A decade ago, the self-proclaimed Islamic State group held vast swaths of territory across Iraq and Syria, but President Trump declared it destroyed in 2019.
Sixpence None the Richer: Tiny Desk Concert
So much of the holiday season is about finding a balance between bright lights and dark nights. Sixpence None the Richer's music finds depth in the in-between.
How the long-running Obamacare fight came to thwart enhanced subsidies in Congress
Congress is poised to leave for a scheduled holiday recess without a solution for addressing the expiration of enhanced subsidies for Affordable Care Act marketplace plans.
Thousands of guns are found at crime scenes. What do they tell us?
A report from the advocacy group Everytown For Gun Safety analyzed data from local police departments on nearly 350,000 guns used in crimes from 2020 to 2024, including where they came from.
Trump’s economic approval hits a new low at 36%, poll finds
A new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll finds 70% of Americans say things have become too unaffordable and have a dim outlook on the economy and President Trump's handling of it.
From bird droppings to holiday kisses: How we ended up under the mistletoe
The etymology of mistletoe — a plant with small, oval evergreen leaves and waxy white berries — may strike some as repugnant.
Beware the Christmas coronary. How to spot signs of holiday heart trouble
There's lots of data to show cardiac troubles spike during the holidays amid the mix of merrymaking, travel and stress. But there are ways to spot the signs of trouble before it's too late.
The 10 Best Classical Albums of 2025
Discover a broad range of this year's most compelling classical recordings, including symphonic booty-shakers, mystic violin, pipe organ prog and a guided tour of 18th century German chart-toppers.
Trump’s rush to build nuclear reactors across the U.S. raises safety worries
A new program at the Department of Energy is pushing the development of nearly a dozen new reactor designs at breakneck speed.
Is the viral cheese pull saving chain restaurants?
For restaurants, going viral is appetizing. But at what cost?
Suspected gunman in Bondi Beach shooting charged with 15 counts of murder
A suspected gunman in Sydney's Bondi Beach massacre was charged with 59 offenses including 15 charges of murder on Wednesday, as hundreds of mourners gathered to begin funerals for the victims.
Trump expands travel ban and restrictions to include an additional 20 countries
The Trump administration announced Tuesday it was expanding travel restrictions to an additional 20 countries and the Palestinian Authority, doubling the number of nations affected by sweeping limits.
Trump orders blockade of ‘sanctioned oil tankers’ into Venezuela
President Donald Trump says he is ordering a blockade of all "sanctioned oil tankers" into Venezuela, ramping up pressure on the country's authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro.
Nick Reiner will be charged with first degree murder in his parents’ killing
The 32-year-old son of famed director Rob Reiner is being held without bail. Los Angeles authorities say the charges against him carry a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
After outcry over prices, FIFA to sell $60 tickets for the World Cup — with a catch
FIFA said it would sell $60 tickets to the World Cup, including for the final — but only for supporters of qualified teams. And the actual number of available tickets is limited.
What to know from Susie Wiles’ interviews with ‘Vanity Fair,’ according to the writer
Throughout the year, Vanity Fair writer Chris Whipple interviewed some of the people closest to President Trump. We speak with Whipple about his talks with White House chief of staff, Susie Wiles.
Bondi Beach attack casts a shadow on Hanukkah celebrations in Israel
People of all ages had been looking forward to celebrating — especially this year, as a ceasefire in Gaza has held since October and all but one of the hostages taken by Hamas-led militants have been returned.
Psychologists are increasingly using — and worrying about — AI tools, poll finds
A survey finds that 56% of psychologists are trying out artificial intelligence tools at work, mainly for administrative tasks. A majority also are concerned about harms of AI on patients and society.
Her 1951 walkout helped end school segregation. Now her statue is in the U.S. Capitol
Barbara Rose Johns was 16 when she led a walkout at her high school, credited with helping end school segregation. Her statue replaces Robert E. Lee's, which was removed in 2020.
New report finds the Arctic continues to warm faster than the planet as a whole
This year's Arctic Report Card from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration finds that the northernmost part of the Earth is warming faster than the global average, leading to melting glaciers, shifting fish populations, and rivers running orange.
Search for body of last hostage held by Hamas in Gaza is delayed due to bad weather
A storm has battered the Gaza Strip, creating misery for displaced Palestinians and delaying the search for the body of the last Israeli hostage held by militants there.
Ditching music algorithms? Here are 12 streaming alternatives to explore
If you're looking to shake things up in the new year, these streaming platforms will help you diversify your music-listening habits.
The U.S. added just 64,000 jobs in November — a sign the labor market is slowing
Hiring cooled this fall, according to delayed figures released by the Labor Department Tuesday. Employers added 64,000 jobs in November as the unemployment rate rose to 4.6%.
Rob Reiner said he was ‘never, ever too busy’ for his son
In 2015, Reiner collaborated with his son, Nick Reiner, on Being Charlie, a story about addiction, loosely based on Nick's experiences. Rob Reiner talked about the film with Fresh Air in September.
The Warner Bros. Curse
Warner Bros. has a history of disastrous mergers and acquisitions. Can they avoid another bad sequel as Netflix and Paramount battle to buy it?
Built to spill: The life of a crash test dummy
Automotive crash test dummies are born in Ohio, brought to "life" near Detroit, and then sent around the world to make cars safer.
Teachers are using software to see if students used AI. What happens when it’s wrong?
School districts from Utah to Ohio to Alabama are spending thousands of dollars on these tools, despite research showing the technology is far from reliable.
Chain restaurants are hit by tariffs and inflation. How do they control costs?
Inflation, rising food prices and the high cost of living has been top of mind for consumers all year. But then Olive Garden offers an unlimited pasta meal or a chain steakhouse restaurant sells a steak dinner with two sides for less than 30 bucks. So, how are chains are able to keep prices as low as they do in this economy?
Republicans divided on policy toward Afghan immigrants after shooting
The signs of Republican pushback come as President Trump has pursued a campaign of mass deportations and crackdown on migration from certain countries.
