NPR News
Morning news brief
Right-wing influencer's fraud claim leads to threats for Somali daycare owners, DOJ's initial release of Epstein files left many questions unanswered, dozens killed in Swiss Alps bar fire.
NPR NewsNPR NewsRight-wing influencer's fraud claim leads to threats for Somali day care owners
A right-wing media influencer accused Somali day care operators in Minnesota of defrauding the federal government. This has led to threats against staff and a federal child care funding freeze.
NPR NewsHow the Trump administration's freeze on child care funding will affect families
NPR's A Martinez asks Cindy Lehnhoff, director of the National Child Care Association, about the Trump administration's freeze on federal funding to help low-income families pay for child care.
NPR NewsSongwriter's son shares how fear over a shot created a sweet Disney musical classic
For StoryCorps, a reflection on how a child's vaccination fear sparked the creation of one of the most beloved songs in the movie, "Mary Poppins."
NPR NewsA fire in an Swiss ski resort bar has left about 40 people dead
A New Year's party at a Swiss Alpine bar turned into a tragedy after about 40 people died in a fire and another roughly 115 were injured, many in their teens to mid-20s.
(Image credit: Alessandro della Valle/AP)
NPR NewsTaiwan's president pledges to defend island's sovereignty after Chinese military drills
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te vowed to defend the self-ruled island's sovereignty in the face of what he termed China's "expansionist ambitions," days after Beijing wrapped up live-fire military drills near its shores.
(Image credit: Taiwan Presidential Office)
NPR NewsDeaths reported during widening protests in Iran sparked by ailing economy
The protests began due to economic pressures, with Iran's currency rapidly depreciating. Demonstrators have also chanted against the country's theocracy.
(Image credit: Fars News Agency)
NPR NewsIn newly released testimony, Jack Smith defends his investigations into Trump
Former special counsel Jack Smith spoke with lawmakers behind closed doors in December. That testimony is now public.
NPR NewsMobile crisis teams shut down amid funding troubles
In recent years, mobile crisis response teams respond to 911 calls about people in mental crisis, to avoid involving police. But some crisis units have now closed for lack of consistent funding.
NPR NewsCongress failed to extend Obamacare subsidies. This Democrat says Trump can save them
Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., says he thinks the Senate can pass a "retroactive" Affordable Care Act subsidy extension, but "we need President Trump."
(Image credit: Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
NPR NewsRideshare union rights, social media limits and other state laws taking effect Jan. 1
Every new year, public media reporters across the country bring us some of the new state laws taking effect where they are. Here are six in 2026.
(Image credit: Patrick T. Fallon)
NPR NewsGuides to help you tackle your New Year's resolutions
From building your strength to tackling credit card debt, NPR's Life Kit has a newsletter journey to help you tackle your New Year's resolution.
NPR NewsDozens presumed dead in fire at Swiss Alps bar during New Year's celebration
Dozens of people are presumed dead and about 100 injured, most of them seriously, following a fire at a Swiss Alps bar during a New Year's celebration, police said Thursday.
(Image credit: Alessandro della Valle /AP)
NPR NewsWarren Buffett officially retires as Berkshire Hathway's CEO
The legendary 95-year-old investor spent decades building his company into one of the world's largest and most powerful. Now Greg Abel is taking it over.
(Image credit: CHANDAN KHANNA)
NPR NewsCrypto soared in 2025 — and then crashed. Now what?
For most of 2025, cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin surged as President Trump vowed to make the U.S. a crypto leader. But now, a severe sell-off has shaken the sector.
(Image credit: Vernon Yuen)
NPR NewsZohran Mamdani sworn in as New York City mayor, capping historic rise
Mayor Zohran Mamdani took the oath of office in New York City after midnight Thursday. The city's first Muslim mayor, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, has promised to focus on affordability and fairness.
(Image credit: Pool)
NPR NewsRising from the ashes, a symbol of hope at the Rose Parade
Survivors of the Eaton and Palisades Fires find healing and community working on a Rose Parade float to honor the lives and communities lost in last year's wildfires.
(Image credit: Kirk Siegler/NPR)
NPR NewsThe history behind the NYC subway station chosen for Mamdani's swearing-in
The city shut down the station in 1945 on New Year's Eve. Eighty years later, it's a symbolic venue choice for the incoming mayor's private swearing-in ceremony.
(Image credit: Felix Lipov)
NPR NewsU.S. military strikes 5 more alleged drug boats, killing 8
The U.S. military says it struck five alleged drug-smuggling boats over two days. The attacks killed eight people, while others jumped overboard and may have survived. U.S. Southern Command did not reveal where the attacks occurred.
(Image credit: Alex Brandon)
NPR NewsCapitol riot 'does not happen' without Trump, Jack Smith told Congress
Former special counsel Jack Smith also described President Trump as the "most culpable and most responsible person" in the criminal conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election results, according to a transcript of Smith's closed-door interview with the House Judiciary Committee.
(Image credit: House Judiciary Committee)
NPR NewsTrump will drop push for National Guard deployments in Chicago, LA and Portland, Ore.
Courts blocked troops from deploying in Chicago and Portland, Ore., and the Los Angeles deployment effectively ended after a judge blocked it earlier this month.
(Image credit: Etienne Laurent)
NPR NewsWhat Stranger Things gets right about wormholes
The final episode of fifth season of the Netflix series Stranger Things is out this week, and the concept of a wormhole figures largely into it. While the show is a work of fiction, theoretical wormholes have making appearances for decades not only in science fiction but in actual science.
(Image credit: KTSDESIGN)
NPR NewsPhotos: The world welcomes the new year
As fireworks light the sky and crowds count down together, communities around the globe welcome 2026.
(Image credit: Izhar Khan)
NPR NewsMeet five new species discovered in 2025
A bumpy snailfish, Andean mouse opossum and ancient sea cow were just some of the many species described in 2025.
(Image credit: Alex Boersma)
NPR NewsWhat to know about Nick Shirley, the YouTuber alleging daycare fraud in Minnesota
Shirley is a 23-year-old self-described "independent YouTube journalist" who made prank videos in high school before pivoting to politics. He participated in a White House roundtable in October.
(Image credit: Adam Gray)
NPR NewsGreetings from Vienna, where an imperial palace hosts a holiday market for all
Far-Flung Postcards is a weekly series in which NPR's international team shares moments from their lives and work around the world.
NPR NewsWhy flu cases are surging this season. And, protests erupt in Iran over the economy
The flu is spreading rapidly across the U.S. this season, and it is expected to get worse. And, protests have erupted across Iran over the country's troubled economy.
(Image credit: Quentin Top/Hans Lucas)
NPR NewsOut with the mayo: How Ukrainians reclaim holiday food
Kutia is a sweet, warm porridge of pearled barley mixed with berries, nuts and stewed dried fruit. It's a staple at Ukrainian Christmas tables.'/>
For many people from former Soviet countries, New Year's is a big holiday feast time. A Ukrainian restaurant in Washington gives NPR a taste of what's on the menu.
(Image credit: Samantha Balaban/NPR)
NPR NewsHis brother's mental illness isolated his family. Now he's helping other caregivers
When it comes to serious mental illness, family caregivers are crucial partners. But often, they must fend for themselves. A new solution offers them support.
(Image credit: José A. Alvarado Jr. for NPR)
NPR NewsFarmers are about to pay a lot more for health insurance
Tariffs, inflation, and other federal policies have battered U.S. farmers' bottom lines. Now many farmers say the expiration of federal health care subsidies will make their coverage unaffordable.
(Image credit: Meghan Palmer)
