News

Record floodwaters in eastern Australia leave 4 dead and 1 missing

Some 50,000 people have been isolated by the flooding in New South Wales, after days of heavy rain. Four bodies have been retrieved from floodwaters since Wednesday.

Music talent agent among dead after jet crashes into San Diego neighborhood

Six people, including music talent agent Dave Shapiro, were on board a private jet that crashed into a San Diego neighborhood on Thursday.

In reversal, Trump administration restores classes at the National Fire Academy

The academy in Emmitsburg, Md., is often described as the national war college for firefighting. It offers training that ranges from leadership to how to conduct fire, arson and blast investigations.

Lawsuit challenges USDA demand for food stamp data as some states prepare to comply

The suit claims that efforts to get sensitive information about food aid recipients from states violates federal privacy laws.

Proposed Muslim development in Texas brings inquiries by DOJ and state officials

The project, known as EPIC City, has yet to break ground, but members of this Muslim community feel stereotyped.

Voice of America’s prospects appear grim after appeals court order

A federal appeals court said it would not intervene — at least for now — to thwart the Trump administration's plans for the near-total dismantlement of Voice of America.

Hate groups in the US decline but their influence grows, report shows

In its annual Year in Hate and Extremism report, released Thursday, the Southern Poverty Law Center said it counted 1,371 hate and extremist groups, a 5% decline. The nonprofit group attributes this to a lesser sense of urgency to organize because their beliefs have infiltrated politics, education and society in general.

The U.K. hands Chagos Islands over to Mauritius but says it will secure a U.S. base

The Chagos Islands are in the middle of the Indian Ocean and home to a strategic military base on Diego Garcia.

White House agrees to keep migrants in Djibouti for now, blasts federal judge’s ruling

The judge says the administration "unquestionably" violated his earlier order, which stated migrants cannot be deported to a country other than their own without having adequate notice and a chance to object.

Why did university police chase a student and his baby across a graduation stage?

Jean Paul Al Arab and his 6-month-old led police on a brief foot chase during a University at Buffalo ceremony. The school said the grad violated rules about who can participate in the commencement.

Supreme Court allows Trump to fire members of independent agency boards — for now

At issue is President Trump's firing of NLRB member Gwen Wilcox, who still has three years left on her term, and Cathy Harris, who still has four years left on her term as a member of the MSPB.

Vaccine advisers to the FDA recommended changes to COVID vaccines

Advisers to the Food and Drug Administration met Thursday to help decide which variant of the virus that causes COVID should be targeted by updated versions of the vaccines.

OpenAI forges deal with iPhone designer Jony Ive to make AI-enabled devices

The $6.5 billion deal brings together the maker of ChatGPT and one of the world's most famous product designers in a venture to create new AI-enabled devices.

MAHA Commission report paints a dark picture of U.S. children’s health

The Health Secretary's report blames environmental toxins, ultraprocessed foods and more for the poor state of kids' health in the U.S.

Why ‘Sell America’ is trending on Wall Street

Investors are worried about the ongoing trade war — and rethinking the safety and soundness of U.S. government debt.

Trump administration revokes Harvard’s ability to enroll international students

International students make up more than a quarter of Harvard University's student body. Harvard says the government's actions, which could cut off a major revenue stream, are "unlawful."

Congress moves to loosen toxic air pollution rules

The House and Senate both voted to loosen regulations on air pollutants like dioxin and mercury, which are associated with higher cancer risk.

Forecasters predict above-average hurricane season again

Forecasters expect 13 to 19 storms to form in the Atlantic between June 1 and the end of November. At least 6 of those are forecast to be full-blown hurricanes.

Here’s what we know about the 2 Israeli embassy staffers killed in Washington, D.C.

Two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C. were killed in a shooting after attending an event a Jewish museum. A suspect shouted "free Palestine" before being taken into custody.

Community groups say Louisiana is trying to stop them from monitoring air pollution

For community groups to allege violations of environmental rules, a state law says groups have to use federally-approved testing equipment, and it sets restrictions for analyzing and sharing the data.

Democrats seek to insulate security for judges from executive branch politics

Recent critiques of judges from the Trump administration have prompted fears the Marshals could be caught in the middle of a power struggle and forced to yank security for judges.

Dear Life Kit: My neighbor’s Christmas lights are still up. Should I call the HOA?

An NPR listener writes: "We live in a nice neighborhood that has homeowner association rules, and our neighbor is violating them." Social etiquette experts weigh in.

Jim Irsay, longtime Colts owner and music memorabilia collector, dies at 65

Irsay started with the Colts as a teenage ball boy and took ownership after his father's death in 1997. The team won a Super Bowl and two AFC championships under his nearly three-decade tenure.

No more pennies: In big change, Treasury will stop minting them

In a cost-cutting move, the Treasury Department will soon stop minting new pennies. The one-cent coins will still be legal tender. There are more than 100 billion pennies in circulation but many are gathering dust in change jars and forgotten pockets.

Judge blocks Trump administration from closing the Education Department

The federal judge also told the administration to reinstate department employees who lost their jobs during the reduction-in-force announced in March.

DOGE cuts, policy changes jeopardize care, housing for vulnerable HIV patients in Alabama

Federal funding has helped states like Alabama and Mississippi make strides in fighting the HIV epidemic. Doctors and advocates are worried about the future.

Senate overrules parliamentarian and votes to undo California EV rule

The Senate parliamentarian advised lawmakers that they couldn't use the Congressional Review Act to revoke California's right to set vehicle standards. But they did it anyway. Expect a legal fight.

A top global health expert’s message to graduates: Kick the tires

NPR interviews Maria Van Kherkove, the infectious disease epidemiologist who is a leader in the World Health Organization.

Is AI coming for your job? Maybe. Here’s what to expect and how to prepare

Artificial intelligence is already transforming workplaces in Alabama. And the pace of the AI revolution is about to accelerate.

South Africa’s president praised for staying calm during Trump’s Oval Office ambush

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa keeps his cool after a carefully choreographed Oval Office ambush by Trump.

Judge considers sanctions against attorneys in prison case for using AI in court filings

U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco held a hearing in Birmingham to question attorneys with the Butler Snow firm about the filings. She said there were five false citations in two filings in federal court.

Educators fear their homeless students could become a target for Trump cuts

A federal program provides extra help to make sure students experiencing homelessness get an education. Amid massive cuts to the federal government, the program's future is uncertain.