What a government shutdown could mean for your holiday travel plans

Millions of Americans are planning to travel in the coming days. Here's what a potential government shutdown could mean for flying, driving and more — and what you can do to prepare.

Once again, the debt ceiling is roiling Washington. Here are 4 things to know

Lawmakers will have to authorize additional borrowing to pay the government's bills, but there's no reason it has to be done right away — except for politics.

CFPB sues three top U.S. banks for failing to protect consumers from Zelle fraud

The consumer financial watchdog says customers of the top three banks lost more than $870 million over seven years due to a lack of safeguards against fraud on the Zelle network.

An Indiana man is sentenced to 130 years in prison for murdering 2 teenage girls

Richard Allen, who was convicted in the 2017 killings of two teens who vanished during a winter hike, received the maximum prison sentence in a case that's long cast a shadow over the town of Delphi.

Great global photos from 2024: These images delighted us, touched us, dazzled us

People love looking at photos. (Just ask Instagram.) This year, we published a number of photo-driven posts that resonated deeply with our audience. Here are some of our favorites.

Climate-warming gas leaks must be fixed by utilities in a new proposed rule

Natural gas utilities likely will face stricter federal regulations for their climate-warming methane emissions. Among the biggest sources of leaks is the meter outside a gas customer's home.

Biowaffen: Russland produziert offenbar geächtete Kampfmittel

Russland produziert in einem Labor bei Moskau wahrscheinlich biologische Waffen. Die Washington Post und Radio Liberty veröffentlichten Hinweise darauf.

GOP stop-gap bill fails, bringing potential shutdown closer. And, NPR's guide to dance

Congress has until midnight tonight to avoid a government shutdown after House Republicans were unable to pass a stop-gap funding bill yesterday. And, tips to improve your dance moves.

The world's biggest and oldest iceberg is on the move once again

About the size of Rhode Island, the iceberg known as A23a got stuck in an ocean vortex this summer, spinning in place for months. Now, it's free, and heading back into open Antarctic waters.

Starbucks workers say they will begin a strike in 3 cities on Friday

Starbucks and Starbucks Workers United said in February they had come to common ground in moving forward for the rest of the year. But the union says Starbucks has not kept its end of the commitment.

History has never ended, but are we at a crossroads again?

Oxford professor Ben Ansell says we are witnessing a battle between nationalism and liberalism that will write our own time indelibly into the history books of tomorrow.

Big Lots says it is having going-out-of-business sales as it seeks a new buyer

The national discount retailer says that a previously announced deal to sell itself to a private-equity group fell through.

Trump's reelection victory pushes some LGTBQ Minneapolis residents to safety training

For some marginalized communities the second Trump term is fraught with fears over personal safety. In Minneapolis, one organization is helping with de-escalation services and gun training.

Big Health Care is ending a terrible year. Is anyone happy with this business?

Patients are protesting, bipartisan lawmakers are threatening regulation – and investors are selling their shares. 

Trump is all about tariffs as he leads a party that used to be all about free trade

Once upon a time, Republicans spoke of free trade in glowing terms. With his constant threats of tariffs and a history of implementing them, President-elect Donald Trump has flipped that on its head.

NPR's most-read stories of 2024 include a scam-fighter and zombie second mortgages

How can you outsmart scammers? What would you do if your friend was attacked by a wild cougar? NPR readers wanted to know the answers to those questions and more in 2024.

Louisiana forbids public health workers from promoting COVID, flu and mpox shots

An NPR investigation found Louisiana health officials told staff to stop promoting vaccines for COVID, flu and mpox, holding flu shot events or otherwise encouraging the public to get those vaccines.

'Bill of the Month': The series that dissects and slashes medical bills

Since 2018, readers and listeners sent KFF Health News-NPR's "Bill of the Month" thousands of questionable bills. Our crowdsourced investigation paved the way for landmark legislation and highlighted cost-saving strategies for all patients

Saturday is the winter solstice. Make the most of the shortest day of the year

Saturday marks the shortest day of the year and the official start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. NPR has compiled plenty of expert tips for celebrating the solstice and weathering winter.