News

Oil surges to its highest price since 2023, and stocks drop after U.S. jobs report

Stocks fell Friday on worries that the economy could become stuck in a worst-case scenario of stagnating growth and high inflation. Oil prices touched their highest levels since 2023 after surging again because of the Iran war.

No lawsuits required: U.S. Customs is working on a system to refund tariffs

U.S. Customs told the trade court it aims for a streamlined process in 45 days to return importers' money without requiring individual lawsuits.

Poll: A majority of Americans opposes U.S. military action in Iran

Most Americans disapprove of President Trump's handling of Iran, and a majority sees Iran as either only a minor threat or no threat at all, an NPR/PBS News/Marist poll finds.

Your Winter Paralympics primer: What, who and how to watch

Hundreds of para athletes are competing in Italy through March 15. Many Americans are defending past titles, with the U.S. sled hockey team hoping to fend off rival Canada for its fifth straight gold.

After the U.S. sinks an Iranian warship, Sri Lanka takes custody of an Iranian vessel

The move followed Wednesday's sinking of another Iranian warship by a U.S. submarine. Australia confirmed three Australians were on that submarine.

‘Dopamine Kids’ explains why children crave screens and helps them enjoy life instead

A mom and science writer offers an operating manual for parents grappling with kids' screen use and cravings for sweets.

From guns to ballots: FARC’s campaign for votes in Colombia

Ten years after Colombia's peace deal, former FARC commander on the election campaign trail is discovering that winning ballots can be tougher than waging war.

Your Winter Paralympics primer: What, who, and how to watch

Hundreds of para athletes are competing in Italy through March 15. Many Americans are defending past titles, with the U.S. sled hockey team hoping to fend off rival Canada for its fifth straight gold.

Bill to force formal utility rate hearings for the first time in more than 40 years delayed

Alabama's Public Service Commission hasn't held a formal rate hearing for utilities since 1981. A bill that would force the commission to hold such hearings is under consideration in the state legislature, although the measure was delayed in a House committee this week. We get more details on our weekly legislative update with Todd Stacy, host of Capitol Journal on Alabama Public Television.

A college student’s perspective on using AI in class

Instead of banning AI, why don't schools teach students to use it critically? College freshman Maximilian Milovidov shares what he has learned in an "AI writing" course at Columbia University.

The U.S. unexpectedly loses 92,000 jobs, adding to worries about the economy

The job market showed further signs of weakness last month as employers cut 92,000 jobs. The unemployment rate inched up to 4.4%, from 4.3% in January.

Taking the heat. Sauna’s popular and there may be health benefits too

It's an age old practice that's having a moment right now. But is there anything to the health claims? Scientists say sauna is more than hot air.

Iran retaliates after Israel strikes Beirut and Tehran as war enters Day 7

Iran fired missiles toward Israel Friday, Israeli officials said, after Israel launched fresh strikes on Tehran and hit Beirut's southern suburbs overnight.

The Kalshi and Polymarket CEO feud: They hate each other

The 20-something billionaires who run Kalshi and Polymarket are battling it out to be the top prediction market company. Observers and former insiders say the feud is just heating up.

Homegoing service will celebrate civil rights leader Jesse Jackson in Chicago

Chicago native Jennifer Hudson is among the singers performing at a memorial for the civil rights leader who died last month. Former presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Joe Biden will attend.

Bernard LaFayette, Selma voting rights organizer, dies at 85

LaFayette laid the foundations of the Selma, Alabama, campaign that culminated in the passage of the Voting Rights Act. He was a Freedom Rider and helped found the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.

GOP Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas ends reelection bid after admitting to affair with aide

Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas said late Thursday he was withdrawing from his reelection race, after having admitted an affair with a former staff member.

Pentagon labels AI company Anthropic a supply chain risk

The Pentagon said in a statement Thursday that it has "officially informed Anthropic leadership the company and its products are deemed a supply chain risk, effective immediately."

Justice Department publishes some missing Epstein files related to Trump

The Justice Department has published additional Epstein files related to allegations that President Trump sexually abused a minor after an NPR investigation found dozens of pages were withheld.

Pregnant women in ERs took less Tylenol after Trump autism warning

A study in The Lancet finds that pregnant women in emergency rooms used less Tylenol after President Trump said it could raise their babies' risk of autism. Scientists say there is no proven link.

Mixed reactions, including relief, greet news the Coast Guard is buying BSC campus

The U.S. Coast Guard will take possession of the 192-acre campus in the northeast corner of Birmingham’s Bush Hills Neighborhood and will begin work to refit it as a training center for officers and enlisted personnel.

What you need to know about Sen. Markwayne Mullin, Trump’s new pick to lead DHS

President Trump announced Thursday that Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., is his pick to replace Kristi Noem as the head of the Department of Homeland Security.

Travel industry pushes Congress to end DHS shutdown and pay federal security workers

With the busy spring break travel season looming, travel and aviation industry leaders urged Congress to end the stalemate over DHS funding before workers at TSA and ports miss a full paycheck.

Trump fires Kristi Noem as DHS chief, names Sen. Markwayne Mullin to replace her

President Trump has fired his homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem, and said Markwayne Mullin, a senator from Oklahoma, would replace her.

Can a digital tablet cut back a country’s overuse of antibiotics?

Overprescribing antibiotics breeds antibiotic resistance. A new tool aims to lower a notably high rate of such prescriptions in Rwanda.

They were led off course in a big race. But a fix is more complicated than prize money

Top finishers in the Atlanta half marathon are calling for U.S. track officials to ensure that Jess McClain and two other athletes aren't excluded from the world championships because of an error.

A Jan. 6 rioter pardoned by Trump was sentenced to life in prison for child sex abuse

Since receiving presidential pardons, dozens of former Capitol rioters have gotten into more legal trouble. In Florida, Andrew Paul Johnson was sentenced to life in prison for child sex abuse.

President Trump, Pam Bondi sued over sale of TikTok assets

The case, filed in a federal court in Washington, D.C., accuses the Trump administration of ignoring legislation designed to stop the spread of Chinese propaganda — and instead helping to broker a partial sale to businessmen close to Trump.

A rift between Spain and Trump widens over Spanish opposition to the Iran war

The Spanish government reiterated it would not let U.S. forces use two joint military bases in Spain as the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran escalates, widening a rift with the Trump administration.

U.S-Israeli strikes continue across Iran, Iranian drones hit Azerbaijan

The U.S. and Israel said they conducted new strikes inside Iran overnight, targeting ballistic missile launchers. Iran claimed it struck a U.S. oil tanker in the northern Persian Gulf.

In lawsuit, Minnesota accuses Trump administration of ‘weaponizing’ Medicaid funding

The federal government said the state should do more to fight fraud and is holding back funds. Minnesota officials say the attack is unfair as the state's fraud rate is well below national averages.