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NPR - Breaking News, Analysis, Music, Arts & Podcasts Top stories in the U.S. and world news, politics, health, science, business, music, arts and culture. Nonprofit journalism with a mission. This is NPR.
The Trump administration removed language banning political interference from the scientific integrity policy for the Commerce Department, the parent agency of the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis, which are headquartered in Suitland, Md.

The Trump administration removed language banning political interference from the scientific integrity policy for the Commerce Department, the parent agency of the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis, which are headquartered in Suitland, Md. Michael Zamora/NPR hide caption

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Michael Zamora/NPR
The Trump administration removed language banning political interference from the scientific integrity policy for the Commerce Department, the parent agency of the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis, which are headquartered in Suitland, Md.

The Trump administration removed language banning political interference from the scientific integrity policy for the Commerce Department, the parent agency of the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis, which are headquartered in Suitland, Md. Michael Zamora/NPR hide caption

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Michael Zamora/NPR

Elections

Trump officials cut political interference ban after unusual Census Bureau report

After the Census Bureau issued a report tied to a Trump-aligned think tank, the bureau's parent agency cut language banning political interference from its scientific integrity policy, NPR learned.
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A collage showing photos of the CDC logo, a woman being on a stretcher with an EMT, a shirtless man drinking water, a thermometer reading over 120 degrees along with charts representing heat deaths.
Getty Images/Collage by Emily Bogle/NPR

Exclusive

Only on NPR

NPR spent 2 years tracking deaths from heat. We found a staggering hidden toll

An NPR investigation found that people in the U.S. are dying from heat much more often than official counts show. We explore the reasons why — and how lives can be saved.

NPR spent 2 years tracking deaths from heat. We found a staggering hidden toll

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MOGADISHU, SOMALIA - 2022/12/19: A child is being screened for malnutrition at a health clinic in Baidoa. The Horn of African country is suffering from its worst drought in decades, with millions of Somalis in need of food, aid and humanitarian assistance.

MOGADISHU, SOMALIA - 2022/12/19: A child is being screened for malnutrition at a health clinic in Baidoa. The Horn of African country is suffering from its worst drought in decades, with millions of Somalis in need of food, aid and humanitarian assistance. (Photo by Sally Hayden/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) Sally Hayden/SOPA Images/LightRocket/via Getty Images hide caption

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Sally Hayden/SOPA Images/LightRocket/via Getty Images
MOGADISHU, SOMALIA - 2022/12/19: A child is being screened for malnutrition at a health clinic in Baidoa. The Horn of African country is suffering from its worst drought in decades, with millions of Somalis in need of food, aid and humanitarian assistance.

MOGADISHU, SOMALIA - 2022/12/19: A child is being screened for malnutrition at a health clinic in Baidoa. The Horn of African country is suffering from its worst drought in decades, with millions of Somalis in need of food, aid and humanitarian assistance. (Photo by Sally Hayden/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) Sally Hayden/SOPA Images/LightRocket/via Getty Images hide caption

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Sally Hayden/SOPA Images/LightRocket/via Getty Images

Global Health

Whatever happened to the U.S. famine alert system that Trump shut down, then reopened?

The highly regarded FEWS NET network stopped posting data on Afghanistan, Somalia and Yemen -- then says it will start posting again in September. What's the reason for this back-and-forth?

Whatever happened to the U.S. famine alert system that Trump shut down, then reopened

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A person using a urine analysis test. A recent study found that many women treated for recurrent UTIs didn't have UTIs at all. Instead, their symptoms were caused by hormonally driven inflammation and pelvic floor dysfunction.

A recent study found that many women treated for recurrent UTIs didn't have UTIs at all. Instead, their symptoms were caused by hormonally driven inflammation and pelvic floor dysfunction. BSIP/Universal Images Group/Getty Images hide caption

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BSIP/Universal Images Group/Getty Images
A person using a urine analysis test. A recent study found that many women treated for recurrent UTIs didn't have UTIs at all. Instead, their symptoms were caused by hormonally driven inflammation and pelvic floor dysfunction.

A recent study found that many women treated for recurrent UTIs didn't have UTIs at all. Instead, their symptoms were caused by hormonally driven inflammation and pelvic floor dysfunction. BSIP/Universal Images Group/Getty Images hide caption

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BSIP/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

Living Better

Why too many women are prescribed antibiotics for UTIs they don't have

A recent study found that many women treated for recurrent UTIs didn't have UTIs at all. Instead, their symptoms were caused by hormonally driven inflammation and pelvic floor dysfunction.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks before President Donald Trump arrives at NASA’s Johnson Space Center on Friday, Aug. 28, in Houston.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks before President Donald Trump arrives at NASA's Johnson Space Center on Friday, Aug. 28, in Houston. Karen Warren/AP hide caption

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Karen Warren/AP
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks before President Donald Trump arrives at NASA’s Johnson Space Center on Friday, Aug. 28, in Houston.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks before President Donald Trump arrives at NASA's Johnson Space Center on Friday, Aug. 28, in Houston. Karen Warren/AP hide caption

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Karen Warren/AP

Law

Sen. Ted Cruz's new book, 'Going Further,' tells the story of Justice Clarence Thomas

NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas about "Going Further," his new biography of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.

Sen. Ted Cruz's new book, 'Going Further,' tells the story of Justice Clarence Thomas

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A pedestrian walks past a mural featuring oil wells in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Aug 29, 2026, a day after President Donald Trump announced a deal giving the United States a stake in Venezuela’s oil reserves. (AP Photo/Pedro Mattey)

A pedestrian walks past a mural featuring oil wells in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Aug 29, 2026, a day after President Donald Trump announced a deal giving the United States a stake in Venezuela's oil reserves. Pedro Mattey/AP hide caption

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Pedro Mattey/AP
A pedestrian walks past a mural featuring oil wells in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Aug 29, 2026, a day after President Donald Trump announced a deal giving the United States a stake in Venezuela’s oil reserves. (AP Photo/Pedro Mattey)

A pedestrian walks past a mural featuring oil wells in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Aug 29, 2026, a day after President Donald Trump announced a deal giving the United States a stake in Venezuela's oil reserves. Pedro Mattey/AP hide caption

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Pedro Mattey/AP

National

The U.S.-Venezuela oil deal won't lower your gas prices. Here's what you need to know

The Trump administration announced a deal Friday to develop a vast amount of Venezuela's oil reserves, with the U.S. taking a majority stake. Energy experts say there are many reasons to be skeptical.

The Trump administration claims America will soon get a majority of its oil from Venezuela with new deal

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U.S. Rep. Glenn Ivey, D-Md., speaks to the media outside the Thomas P. O'Neill Jr. House Office Building on Feb. 28, 2024, in Washington, D.C.

U.S. Rep. Glenn Ivey, D-Md., speaks to the media outside the Thomas P. O'Neill Jr. House Office Building on Feb. 28, 2024, in Washington, D.C. Jemal Countess/Getty Images hide caption

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Jemal Countess/Getty Images
U.S. Rep. Glenn Ivey, D-Md., speaks to the media outside the Thomas P. O'Neill Jr. House Office Building on Feb. 28, 2024, in Washington, D.C.

U.S. Rep. Glenn Ivey, D-Md., speaks to the media outside the Thomas P. O'Neill Jr. House Office Building on Feb. 28, 2024, in Washington, D.C. Jemal Countess/Getty Images hide caption

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Jemal Countess/Getty Images

Politics

Rep. Glenn Ivey weighs stopgap spending bill as House returns to Washington

NPR's A Martinez speaks with Democratic Rep. Glenn Ivey of Maryland, as the House reconvenes this week with a stopgap spending bill on the agenda.

Rep. Glenn Ivey. D-Md., discusses what’s on the agenda as the House reconvenes

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The Central Arizona Project canal winds through Phoenix on March 26, 2026. The 336-mile canal system pumps water from the Colorado River to the Phoenix and Tucson areas. Water supplies for the canal’s users will be cut under a new plan for managing the Colorado River.

The Central Arizona Project canal winds through Phoenix on March 26, 2026. The 336-mile canal system pumps water from the Colorado River to the Phoenix and Tucson areas. Water supplies for the canal's users will be cut under a new plan for managing the Colorado River. Alex Hager/KJZZ hide caption

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Alex Hager/KJZZ
The Central Arizona Project canal winds through Phoenix on March 26, 2026. The 336-mile canal system pumps water from the Colorado River to the Phoenix and Tucson areas. Water supplies for the canal’s users will be cut under a new plan for managing the Colorado River.

The Central Arizona Project canal winds through Phoenix on March 26, 2026. The 336-mile canal system pumps water from the Colorado River to the Phoenix and Tucson areas. Water supplies for the canal's users will be cut under a new plan for managing the Colorado River. Alex Hager/KJZZ hide caption

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Alex Hager/KJZZ

National

Arizona's taps won't run dry, but water bills will go up under federal plan for Colorado River

New federal rules mean Arizona will be getting a lot less water from the Colorado river. City leaders say they've been planning for years and no one will run out, but keeping taps flowing is expensive.
Debris left by flash flooding that caused severe damage to Grand Canyon National Park's Transcanyon Waterline, August 30, 2026.

Debris left by flash flooding near the Phantom Ranch Ranger Station in Grand Canyon National Park, Aug. 29, 2026. Parth Desai/National Park Service hide caption

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Parth Desai/National Park Service
Debris left by flash flooding that caused severe damage to Grand Canyon National Park's Transcanyon Waterline, August 30, 2026.

Debris left by flash flooding near the Phantom Ranch Ranger Station in Grand Canyon National Park, Aug. 29, 2026. Parth Desai/National Park Service hide caption

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Parth Desai/National Park Service

Second person found dead following Grand Canyon flooding

 KNAU News Talk

A second person has been found dead with more than a dozen still unaccounted for after severe flash flooding in Grand Canyon National Park.
Hospitality workers wait in line to apply for unemployment benefits at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.

Hospitality workers wait in line to apply for unemployment benefits at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP hide caption

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Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP
Hospitality workers wait in line to apply for unemployment benefits at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.

Hospitality workers wait in line to apply for unemployment benefits at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP hide caption

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Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP

Author Interviews

Paperwork, lines, hours on hold: There's a 'Time Tax' on Americans who need help most

Annie Lowrey explores the administrative burdens people face applying for government benefits. It's not just about wasted time: "When the government treats us like this, we don't trust it," she says.

FA: Annie Lowery, The Time Tax

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Cher Álvarez stars as Lou, part of a couple being haunted in the play Paranormal Activity.

Cher Álvarez stars as Lou, part of a couple being haunted in the play Paranormal Activity. Matthew Murphy/Matthew Murphy hide caption

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Matthew Murphy/Matthew Murphy

Performing Arts

Magician behind Broadway's 'Paranormal Activity,' 'Stranger Things' talks tricks

Audiences flock to Broadway each year for a dose of "theater magic." It turns out that some of that spectacle and wonder is created behind the scenes by actual magicians.

Behind the curtains: How magicians secretly engineer Broadway’s greatest miracles

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Pedestrians cross a road in Singapore's Chinatown district. The country's leaders rolled out a sweeping new policy aimed at shoring up birth rates.

Pedestrians cross a road in Singapore's Chinatown district. The country's leaders rolled out a sweeping new policy aimed at shoring up birth rates. Roslan Rahman/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Roslan Rahman/AFP via Getty Images
Pedestrians cross a road in Singapore's Chinatown district. The country's leaders rolled out a sweeping new policy aimed at shoring up birth rates.

Pedestrians cross a road in Singapore's Chinatown district. The country's leaders rolled out a sweeping new policy aimed at shoring up birth rates. Roslan Rahman/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Roslan Rahman/AFP via Getty Images

Family

Singapore is scrambling to stabilize birth rates. Experts see lessons for the U.S.

Singapore has unveiled a national initiative built entirely around its collapsing birth rate. Some demographers say the plan includes policy ideas that could help American parents.
Demonstrator Lola La Fey holds a sign showing damage her home sustained from Hurricane Helene as she stands near Pack Square in Asheville on Friday, August 28, 2026.

Demonstrator Lola La Fey holds a sign showing damage her home sustained from Hurricane Helene as she stands near Pack Square in Asheville on Friday, August 28, 2026. Felicia Sonmez/BPR News hide caption

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Felicia Sonmez/BPR News
Demonstrator Lola La Fey holds a sign showing damage her home sustained from Hurricane Helene as she stands near Pack Square in Asheville on Friday, August 28, 2026.

Demonstrator Lola La Fey holds a sign showing damage her home sustained from Hurricane Helene as she stands near Pack Square in Asheville on Friday, August 28, 2026. Felicia Sonmez/BPR News hide caption

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Felicia Sonmez/BPR News

G20 protests in North Carolina focus on failed Helene recovery funding

 BPR News

Finance leaders, central bankers and governors of the G20 nations are meeting in Asheville, NC this week, where protesters this weekend focused on problems with hurricane Helene recovery funding.

WATCH

E.U.: Tiny Desk Concert

E.U. is an OG of go-go music, a heavily syncopated funk that features a slow and steady groove. Naturally, we celebrate 50 years of the native D.C. music with an office party.

Life Kit: Tools to help you get it together

Photograph of a mother embracing her two daughters at school drop off. The school-aged children wear backpacks and are seen in front of their school building. The family is pictured from behind. Talking through what to expect at school before a new year begins and adopting a goodbye ritual are two tips from experts on helping to prepare your child for the changes as they begin a new year.

The transition back to school can be overwhelming for kids. Explaining the changes and setting expectations can help them feel more prepared to take on the year. Urbazon/Getty Images hide caption

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Urbazon/Getty Images
Photograph of a mother embracing her two daughters at school drop off. The school-aged children wear backpacks and are seen in front of their school building. The family is pictured from behind. Talking through what to expect at school before a new year begins and adopting a goodbye ritual are two tips from experts on helping to prepare your child for the changes as they begin a new year.

The transition back to school can be overwhelming for kids. Explaining the changes and setting expectations can help them feel more prepared to take on the year. Urbazon/Getty Images hide caption

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Urbazon/Getty Images

Life Kit

10 ways to calm your kid's back-to-school jitters
Six colorful and creatively styled photographs of different lunch ideas are arranged in the frame, including (from left, counter clockwise): cucumber veggie rolls and peanut dipping sauce; mozzarella, tomato and spinach pesto panini; cucumber toast; sausage French toast roll-ups; pepperoni and mushroom pizza roll-ups; turkey, avocado and cheese pinwheels.

Sulhee Jessica Woo's cookbook is a collection of 150 globally-inspired lunchbox recipes. The six featured here include (from left to right, counterclockwise): cucumber veggie rolls and peanut dipping sauce; mozzarella, tomato and spinach pesto panini; cucumber toast; sausage French toast roll-ups; pepperoni and mushroom pizza roll-ups; and turkey, avocado and cheese pinwheels. Ciarra Siller/DK hide caption

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Ciarra Siller/DK
Six colorful and creatively styled photographs of different lunch ideas are arranged in the frame, including (from left, counter clockwise): cucumber veggie rolls and peanut dipping sauce; mozzarella, tomato and spinach pesto panini; cucumber toast; sausage French toast roll-ups; pepperoni and mushroom pizza roll-ups; turkey, avocado and cheese pinwheels.

Sulhee Jessica Woo's cookbook is a collection of 150 globally-inspired lunchbox recipes. The six featured here include (from left to right, counterclockwise): cucumber veggie rolls and peanut dipping sauce; mozzarella, tomato and spinach pesto panini; cucumber toast; sausage French toast roll-ups; pepperoni and mushroom pizza roll-ups; and turkey, avocado and cheese pinwheels. Ciarra Siller/DK hide caption

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Ciarra Siller/DK

Life Kit

Clever lunchbox ideas for kids

Up your lunchbox game

Listen · 17:38
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This photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service shows a site of a residential building damaged by a Russian guided bomb in the city center of Sloviansk, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Aug. 31, 2026.

This photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service shows a site of a residential building damaged by a Russian guided bomb in the city center of Sloviansk, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Aug. 31, 2026. Ukrainian Emergency Service via/AP hide caption

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Ukrainian Emergency Service via/AP
This photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service shows a site of a residential building damaged by a Russian guided bomb in the city center of Sloviansk, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Aug. 31, 2026.

This photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service shows a site of a residential building damaged by a Russian guided bomb in the city center of Sloviansk, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Monday, Aug. 31, 2026. Ukrainian Emergency Service via/AP hide caption

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Ukrainian Emergency Service via/AP

World

Russia's jet-powered drones bring empty Kyiv supermarket shelves and rattle Ukrainians

Russian forces relentlessly battered Kyiv and cities in the region around the Ukrainian capital for a fifth straight day, leaving some supermarket shelves bare after repeated strikes on warehouses.
A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket with NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Telescope on board is seen transiting the sun during its Aug. 30 launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Roman telescope, named after the agency’s first chief astronomer, will help scientists study dark energy, exoplanets and the evolution of the universe.

A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket with NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Telescope on board is seen transiting the sun during its Aug. 30 launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Roman telescope, named after the agency's first chief astronomer, will help scientists study dark energy, exoplanets and the evolution of the universe. John Kraus/NASA hide caption

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John Kraus/NASA
A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket with NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Telescope on board is seen transiting the sun during its Aug. 30 launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Roman telescope, named after the agency’s first chief astronomer, will help scientists study dark energy, exoplanets and the evolution of the universe.

A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket with NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Telescope on board is seen transiting the sun during its Aug. 30 launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Roman telescope, named after the agency's first chief astronomer, will help scientists study dark energy, exoplanets and the evolution of the universe. John Kraus/NASA hide caption

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John Kraus/NASA

Space

'A glorious dawn launch': NASA's newest space telescope has left the Earth

The tour-bus-sized telescope aims to unravel cosmic mysteries and identify more than 100,000 planets beyond our solar system.

New telescope will help scientists study a mysterious force called 'dark energy'

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Marc Bowker, owner of Alter Ego Comics in Lima, Ohio, thumbs through a green bin of comic books and either side of him are two shelves with signs that read "Hey!! Comics." He has short brown hair and a graying beard. He is wearing a patterned button up shirt that has "Avengers" written on it along with Marvel characters such as Iron Man and Captain America.

Marc Bowker, owner of Alter Ego Comics in Lima, Ohio, says tariffs have created stress and uncertainty for his small business. Maddie McGarvey for NPR hide caption

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Maddie McGarvey for NPR
Marc Bowker, owner of Alter Ego Comics in Lima, Ohio, thumbs through a green bin of comic books and either side of him are two shelves with signs that read "Hey!! Comics." He has short brown hair and a graying beard. He is wearing a patterned button up shirt that has "Avengers" written on it along with Marvel characters such as Iron Man and Captain America.

Marc Bowker, owner of Alter Ego Comics in Lima, Ohio, says tariffs have created stress and uncertainty for his small business. Maddie McGarvey for NPR hide caption

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Maddie McGarvey for NPR

Business

How a comic book store got swept into the tariff storm

Tariffs continue to rile all kinds of American businesses more than a year after Trump unveiled his first set of tariffs — including a comic book store owner in Ohio.

Small Business Tariff Refunds

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FILE - An arial view of Bangui, Central African Republic on March. 8, 2024.

FILE - An arial view of Bangui, Central African Republic on March. 8, 2024. Sam Mednick/AP hide caption

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Sam Mednick/AP
FILE - An arial view of Bangui, Central African Republic on March. 8, 2024.

FILE - An arial view of Bangui, Central African Republic on March. 8, 2024. Sam Mednick/AP hide caption

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Sam Mednick/AP

Politics

Trump administration deports relative of Afghans who helped US military to Central African Republic

His family in Afghanistan had received threats from the Taliban because of the work performed by his brothers in support of the U.S. military.
Nigerian country singer Okogeri Ochiora, popularly known as The Country Man, (L) performs on stage with revellers in cowboy attire during International Cowboy Day celebrations at Ngong Racecourse in Nairobi in July 202

Nigerian country singer Okogeri Ochiora, popularly known as The Country Man, (L) performs on stage with revellers in cowboy attire during International Cowboy Day celebrations at Ngong Racecourse in Nairobi in July 2026. Luis Tato/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Luis Tato/AFP via Getty Images
Nigerian country singer Okogeri Ochiora, popularly known as The Country Man, (L) performs on stage with revellers in cowboy attire during International Cowboy Day celebrations at Ngong Racecourse in Nairobi in July 202

Nigerian country singer Okogeri Ochiora, popularly known as The Country Man, (L) performs on stage with revellers in cowboy attire during International Cowboy Day celebrations at Ngong Racecourse in Nairobi in July 2026. Luis Tato/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Luis Tato/AFP via Getty Images

Africa

From Appalachia to Africa: Why Dolly Parton was beloved across the continent

Dolly Parton's songs traveled far beyond Nashville. Across Africa, musicians embraced her stories of hardship, heartbreak and humble beginnings — and made them their own.

From Appalachia to Africa: Why Dolly Parton was beloved across the continent

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Short Wave podcast: Revealing the science behind everyday mysteries

Few large grasslands remain intact. Though they play a huge role in limiting the effects of climate change, they are threatened and tend to have few protections.
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Few large grasslands remain intact. Though they play a huge role in limiting the effects of climate change, they are threatened and tend to have few protections. Tracy Kessner hide caption

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Tracy Kessner
Few large grasslands remain intact. Though they play a huge role in limiting the effects of climate change, they are threatened and tend to have few protections.

Few large grasslands remain intact. Though they play a huge role in limiting the effects of climate change, they are threatened and tend to have few protections.

Tracy Kessner
Few large grasslands remain intact. Though they play a huge role in limiting the effects of climate change, they are threatened and tend to have few protections.
Enlarge this image

Few large grasslands remain intact. Though they play a huge role in limiting the effects of climate change, they are threatened and tend to have few protections. Tracy Kessner hide caption

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Tracy Kessner
Few large grasslands remain intact. Though they play a huge role in limiting the effects of climate change, they are threatened and tend to have few protections.

Few large grasslands remain intact. Though they play a huge role in limiting the effects of climate change, they are threatened and tend to have few protections.

Tracy Kessner

Short Wave

Grasslands: The Unsung Carbon Hero

Grasslands: The Unsung Carbon Hero

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Illustration of the expansion of the Universe. The Cosmos began 13.7 billion years ago (left). Immediately it began expanding and cooling (stage 1). Its expansion slowed about 10 billion years ago (stage 2). We are now at stage 4. The expansion shows no signs of stopping and is in fact accelerating. The orange arrows indicate the force of gravity, which slows but does not stop the expansion.
Enlarge this image

Illustration of the expansion of the Universe. The Cosmos began 13.7 billion years ago (left). Immediately it began expanding and cooling (stage 1). Its expansion slowed about 10 billion years ago (stage 2). We are now at stage 4. The expansion shows no signs of stopping and is in fact accelerating. The orange arrows indicate the force of gravity, which slows but does not stop the expansion. MARK GARLICK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRA/Getty Images/Science Photo Libra hide caption

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MARK GARLICK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRA/Getty Images/Science Photo Libra
Illustration of the expansion of the Universe. The Cosmos began 13.7 billion years ago (left). Immediately it began expanding and cooling (stage 1). Its expansion slowed about 10 billion years ago (stage 2). We are now at stage 4. The expansion shows no signs of stopping and is in fact accelerating. The orange arrows indicate the force of gravity, which slows but does not stop the expansion.

Illustration of the expansion of the Universe. The Cosmos began 13.7 billion years ago (left). Immediately it began expanding and cooling (stage 1). Its expansion slowed about 10 billion years ago (stage 2). We are now at stage 4. The expansion shows no signs of stopping and is in fact accelerating. The orange arrows indicate the force of gravity, which slows but does not stop the expansion.

MARK GARLICK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRA/Getty Images/Science Photo Libra
Illustration of the expansion of the Universe. The Cosmos began 13.7 billion years ago (left). Immediately it began expanding and cooling (stage 1). Its expansion slowed about 10 billion years ago (stage 2). We are now at stage 4. The expansion shows no signs of stopping and is in fact accelerating. The orange arrows indicate the force of gravity, which slows but does not stop the expansion.
Enlarge this image

Illustration of the expansion of the Universe. The Cosmos began 13.7 billion years ago (left). Immediately it began expanding and cooling (stage 1). Its expansion slowed about 10 billion years ago (stage 2). We are now at stage 4. The expansion shows no signs of stopping and is in fact accelerating. The orange arrows indicate the force of gravity, which slows but does not stop the expansion. MARK GARLICK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRA/Getty Images/Science Photo Libra hide caption

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MARK GARLICK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRA/Getty Images/Science Photo Libra
Illustration of the expansion of the Universe. The Cosmos began 13.7 billion years ago (left). Immediately it began expanding and cooling (stage 1). Its expansion slowed about 10 billion years ago (stage 2). We are now at stage 4. The expansion shows no signs of stopping and is in fact accelerating. The orange arrows indicate the force of gravity, which slows but does not stop the expansion.

Illustration of the expansion of the Universe. The Cosmos began 13.7 billion years ago (left). Immediately it began expanding and cooling (stage 1). Its expansion slowed about 10 billion years ago (stage 2). We are now at stage 4. The expansion shows no signs of stopping and is in fact accelerating. The orange arrows indicate the force of gravity, which slows but does not stop the expansion.

MARK GARLICK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRA/Getty Images/Science Photo Libra

Short Wave

What The Universe Is Doing RIGHT NOW

What The Universe Is Doing RIGHT NOW

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Big Bend National Park is home to a range of habitats: desert, mountains and river. The Chisos Mountains are at the heart of the park. At their heights, cooler forest ecosystems with pinyon pines, junipers and the endangered Guadalupe fescue emerge.
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Big Bend National Park is home to a range of habitats: desert, mountains and river. The Chisos Mountains are at the heart of the park. At their heights, cooler forest ecosystems with pinyon pines, junipers and the endangered Guadalupe fescue emerge. Carolyn Whiting hide caption

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Carolyn Whiting
Big Bend National Park is home to a range of habitats: desert, mountains and river. The Chisos Mountains are at the heart of the park. At their heights, cooler forest ecosystems with pinyon pines, junipers and the endangered Guadalupe fescue emerge.

Big Bend National Park is home to a range of habitats: desert, mountains and river. The Chisos Mountains are at the heart of the park. At their heights, cooler forest ecosystems with pinyon pines, junipers and the endangered Guadalupe fescue emerge.

Carolyn Whiting
Big Bend National Park is home to a range of habitats: desert, mountains and river. The Chisos Mountains are at the heart of the park. At their heights, cooler forest ecosystems with pinyon pines, junipers and the endangered Guadalupe fescue emerge.
Enlarge this image

Big Bend National Park is home to a range of habitats: desert, mountains and river. The Chisos Mountains are at the heart of the park. At their heights, cooler forest ecosystems with pinyon pines, junipers and the endangered Guadalupe fescue emerge. Carolyn Whiting hide caption

toggle caption
Carolyn Whiting
Big Bend National Park is home to a range of habitats: desert, mountains and river. The Chisos Mountains are at the heart of the park. At their heights, cooler forest ecosystems with pinyon pines, junipers and the endangered Guadalupe fescue emerge.

Big Bend National Park is home to a range of habitats: desert, mountains and river. The Chisos Mountains are at the heart of the park. At their heights, cooler forest ecosystems with pinyon pines, junipers and the endangered Guadalupe fescue emerge.

Carolyn Whiting

Short Wave

The Race To Rescue The Guadalupe Fescue

The Race To Rescue The Guadalupe Fescue

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In January, Jeff La Marca got a prescription for the popular weight loss drug Zepbound, but he couldn’t afford the $750 monthly price tag.

In January, Jeff La Marca got a prescription for the popular weight loss drug Zepbound, but he couldn't afford the $750 monthly price tag. Erica S. Lee/KFF Health News
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Erica S. Lee/KFF Health News
In January, Jeff La Marca got a prescription for the popular weight loss drug Zepbound, but he couldn’t afford the $750 monthly price tag.

In January, Jeff La Marca got a prescription for the popular weight loss drug Zepbound, but he couldn't afford the $750 monthly price tag. Erica S. Lee/KFF Health News
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Erica S. Lee/KFF Health News

Health Reporting in the States

Medicare's pilot GLP-1 discount program has a catch. Some sick patients don't qualify

 KFF Health News

Medicare launched a pilot program that could streamline the process to get GLP-1s, with some seniors paying just $50 a month. But many people with the most serious illnesses won't get that discount.

Medicare's pilot GLP-1 discount program has a catch. Some sick patients don't qualify

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