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A Reddit post helped find MIT and Brown shooting suspect. Here's what we know

A poster seeking information about the campus shooting suspect is seen on the campus of Brown University on Dec. 17, 2025, in Providence, R.I.

Details are beginning to emerge about the life of Claudio Manuel Neves Valente, the gunman who killed two and injured nine others in the attack at Brown University last week. He is also believed to have killed an MIT professor on Monday, police said.

(Image credit: Robert F. Bukaty/AP)

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He's the first African musician to get a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award

Musician Fela Kuti performs at Orchestra Hall in Detroit in 1986.

The late, great Fela Kuti is known as the "Black President" for his role as both a musical and a political leader. Now he has become the first African artist to get this Grammy honor.

(Image credit: Leni Sinclair/Getty Images)

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Millions of soon-to-be uninsured Americans are looking for a 'plan B'

Robert and Emily Sory are starting an animal sanctuary at their home in Thompson Station, Tenn. In 2026, they plan to be uninsured. They

In January, millions of Americans will face more costly premiums on their ACA health plans. Some will go without insurance, pay out of pocket to see doctors, and use special prescription drug plans.

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America's new top health diplomat has strong opinions on abortion and gender

Bethany Kozma speaks to a U.N. meeting in September 2025. She has just been named to lead the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Global Affairs — a job known as the "diplomatic voice" of HHS.

Bethany Kozma leads a key global health office at the Department of Health and Human Services. In past experience in the public eye, she's campaigned against abortion and gender-affirming care.

(Image credit: United Nations)

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Cheddar bay biscuits, cheap margs and memories: Readers share their nostalgia for chain restaurants

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Americans have deep nostalgia, and love, for America's chain restaurants. Why? We asked and more than 150 readers answered.

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4 common scams to watch out for this holiday season

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Don't get swindled while buying those last-minute gifts. Amy Nofziger, a fraud specialist with AARP, shares top schemes she's been seeing this season — and tips on how to protect yourself.

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Brown University shooting suspect found dead. And Epstein files release deadline looms

A bouquet is left outside of the engineering and physics building at Brown University, the site of a mass shooting yesterday that left at least two people dead and nine others injured, on December 14, , in Providence, R.I.

The man suspected of fatally shooting two students at Brown University has been found dead. And, today is the Justice Department's deadline to release files on Jeffrey Epstein.

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It's the last news quiz of the year! Will you go out on top?

From left: an incorrect quiz answer, a quiz question, a correct quiz answer

This week, we've got annoying holiday movies, chatty White House insiders, and cheese.

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COMIC: 6 tips to help you overcome social anxiety this season

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If you're tempted to bail on potentially fun events becuase you feel awkward, read this. Level up your small talk game and practice social courage with six tips from psychologists.

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What to watch for in this weekend's College Football Playoff first round

The college football playoff begins Friday and among the stars set to shine during the first two rounds are (left to right): Indiana quarterback (and Heisman Trophy winner) Fernando Mendoza, University of Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney, and Texas A&M linebacker Cashius Howell.

An unpredictable and exciting college football season is coming to a close. This weekend's first-round slate is set up for two tight games and two blowouts — but in the playoffs, anything goes.

(Image credit: (From left to right) Michael Reaves/Getty Images; Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images; Joe Buvid/ISI Photos via Getty Images)

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Friday is the deadline to release the Epstein files. Here's what to expect

A protester holds a sign related to the release of the Jeffrey Epstein case files outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, on November 12, 2025.

Friday is the deadline for the government to release files related to the life and death of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and there are still questions about what will be published and when.

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In the shadow of U.S. export controls, China rallies its own chip industry

The WeSemiBay Semiconductor Ecosystem Expo in Shenzhen, China.

The chip industry in China is hustling to overcome a Western tech choke hold, even as President Trump appears poised to loosen U.S. chip restrictions.

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Meet the new WaPo food critic who won't dine in anonymity

ElazaThe Washington Post, talks with NPR's Morning Edition about ending anonymity and rethinking how restaurant criticism can feel more accessible.'/>

NPR's Leila Fadel tags along for lunch with Elazar Sontag, the _Washington Post'_s new food critic.

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Trump will revisit a North Carolina town, now the focus of a newly redrawn congressional district

President Trump speaks during a campaign event on October 30, 2024 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. He plans to return to the city on Friday.

While he is directly appealing to Americans that the economy is improving, President Trump will visit a congressional district Republicans are eyeing in their attempts to keep control the U.S. House.

(Image credit: Chip Somodevilla)

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Man shares how 'making Christmas' helped him connect with his roots

Dr. J. Herman Blake shares how celebrating Christmas on the South Carolina sea islands brought him closer to his African roots.

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Trump suspends U.S. green card lottery after Brown University and MIT shootings

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem appears before the House Committee on Homeland Security on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a post on the social platform X that, at Trump's direction, she is ordering the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to pause the program.

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EU leaders agree on $105bn Ukraine loan, but without relying on frozen Russian assets

Ukraine

European Union leaders have agreed to provide a massive interest-free loan to Ukraine to meet its military and economic needs for the next two years. The loan will not rely on frozen Russian assets.

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A federal jury finds Milwaukee judge guilty of obstructing immigration agents

Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan, center, depicted in a court sketch as jury selection in her trial begins in Milwaukee, Wis.

A jury returns a guilty/not guilty verdict in the case of Hannah Dugan. The Milwaukee judge was accused of allowing an undocumented immigrant defender to evade immigration agents

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Suspect in Brown University shooting found dead in New Hampshire

Crime scene tape outside of the Barus and Holley building on the campus of Brown University on Dec. 16.

The suspect in the shooting at Brown University Saturday was discovered dead Thursday at a storage facility in New Hampshire.

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TikTok signs deal to give U.S. operations to Oracle-led investor group

TikTok company offices in Culver City, Calif. on Sept. 30, 2025. A deal to sell the American part of the company to a group of U.S. investors was signed on Dec. 18.

The agreement aims to resolve a yearslong standoff between the popular social media platform and the U.S. government over national security concerns tied to China's parent company, ByteDance.

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Mangione pre-trial hearing wraps, but judge won't rule on evidence for months

Luigi Mangione appears in Manhattan Criminal Court for an evidence hearing, Thursday , Dec. 18, 2025, in New York.

After three weeks of testimony, a judge will now rule on whether evidence found in Mangione's backpack can be used in his state trial for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

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What to know about Jared Isaacman, the billionaire private astronaut leading NASA

Jared Isaacman testifies during his confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in early December.

Trump withdrew Isaacman's nomination in May, citing the billionaire's donations to Democrats and ties to Elon Musk. He was renominated last month and confirmed by a 67-30 Senate vote on Wednesday.

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Austrian nuns await word from the Vatican on whether they can stay in their convent

Sister Regina sits in the convent chapel at Schloss Goldenstein in Salzburg, Austria.

The three octogenarian nuns broke out of a nursing home to go back to live in their convent, sparking a dispute with their church superior. Both sides have appealed to the Vatican for a resolution.

(Image credit: Esme Nicholson)

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Inflation cools slightly in November as worries about affordability grip Americans

Grocery prices in November were up 1.9% from a year ago, according to a report from the Labor Department Thursday. Overall inflation dipped to 2.7%, from 3% in September.

The cost of living in November was up 2.7% from a year ago, according to a report Thursday from the Labor Department. That's a smaller annual increase than for the 12 months ending in September.

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New York has a new Archbishop. His background looks a lot like Pope Leo's

Bishop Ronald A. Hicks is the new Archbishop of New York

Like Pope Leo, Bishop Ronald Hicks is an Illinois native with deep experience in Latin America.

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Could international troops be sent to Gaza? Here's why Trump's plan hinges on it

Saqer al-Ankah holds his 10-year-old granddaughter, Bayan al-Ankah, after he says she was shot in the head by Israeli forces in northern Gaza about half a mile from the so-called yellow line on Dec. 10.

President Trump's peace plan for Gaza hinges on international troops in Gaza, but Israel is skeptical and no country has yet agreed to send their soldiers.

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RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz to announce moves to ban gender-affirming care for young people

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Medicare and Medicaid Administrator  Dr. Mehmet Oz (right) will announce new restrictions to gender-affirming care for minors Thursday.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is expected to announce a package of measures that would together ban gender-affirming care for minors. A press conference is set for 11 a.m. Thursday.

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Takeaways from Trump's address. And, some GOP lawmakers shift stance on ACA subsidies

President Trump addresses the nation from the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 17, 2025.

During a nationwide address, President Trump says the U.S. is poised for an economic boom. And, some Republican lawmakers joined Democrats to force a vote on enhanced healthcare subsidies.

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A new 'Avatar,' a marital stand-up story and a gut-wrenching drama are in theaters

Peylak (David Thewlis), Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) and Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) in <!-- raw HTML omitted -->Avatar: Fire and Ash.<!-- raw HTML omitted -->

A new drama uses the real, gut-wrenching recordings of a call for help from Gaza to tell a harrowing and profound story.

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Where we went: NPR's U.S. travel guide for the curious

A photo illustration of images from NPR staffers

NPR's staff traveled a lot in 2025. From a Mardi Gras workshop to a festival celebrating the mythical Mothman, here are some places and events we thought you might want to check out, too.

(Image credit: Images by NPR)

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