Accessibility links
U.S. News and National Top Stories NPR coverage of national news, U.S. politics, elections, business, arts, culture, health and science, and technology. Subscribe to the NPR Nation RSS feed.

National

Friday

A paper mill in Maine asks for donations

Maine Public News

A paper mill in Maine says raw materials are too expensive and hard to find right now. So they're asking locals to drop their used pizza boxes and other packaging off at the plant.

A paper mill in Maine asks for donations

Listen · 2:22
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1069538973/1069538974" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Business

Energy got a lot more expensive in 2021

Compared to this time last year, we're all paying a lot more to use many kinds energy — whether it's gasoline for our cars or heating fuel for our homes.

Energy got a lot more expensive in 2021

Listen · 3:18
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1069539022/1069539023" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Words that define 2021 include vaccine, infrastructure and insurrection

If you had to define 2021 with just one word what would it be? Merriam-Webster Editor-at-Large Peter Sokolowski talks about what words were most on people's minds throughout the year.

Words that define 2021 include vaccine, infrastructure and insurrection

Listen · 2:19
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1069538994/1069538995" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Michigan is trying to lure electric car makers

Michigan wants to remain a center of automotive development and manufacturing. As the state faces interstate competition, political leaders are looking to industry incentives.

Michigan is trying to lure electric car makers

Listen · 3:10
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1069538966/1069538967" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Health Care

A pediatrician's advice to parents on omicron, travel and vaccines

Children are being hospitalized for COVID-19 at record rates amid the current surge. Mary Louise Kelly puts questions from parents of kids under 5 to pediatric infectious disease doctor, Ibukun Kalu.

A pediatrician's advice to parents on omicron, travel and vaccines

Listen · 8:12
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1069538938/1069538960" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Elections

Asian American groups file a legal challenge to Texas' redistricting plans

The Asian population in Fort Bend County is Texas' largest. When the Texas Legislature met to redraw congressional maps, many Asian Americans hoped it would reflect that. That didn't happen.

Asian American groups file a legal challenge to Texas' redistricting plans

Listen · 3:56
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1069538919/1069538920" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Rep. Joe Neguse says wildfires consumed neighborhoods with 'unprecedented' speed

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Colorado Rep. Joe Neguse about wildfires that tore through towns outside of Denver, forcing more than 30,000 residents to evacuate.

Rep. Joe Neguse says wildfires consumed neighborhoods with 'unprecedented' speed

Listen · 4:45
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1069538980/1069538981" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

A glimpse into how Times Square's ball drop celebration will be different this year

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks to Thomas Harris, president of the Times Square Alliance, about the preparations being made for the New Year's Eve celebration in New York City.

A glimpse into how Times Square's ball drop celebration will be different this year

Listen · 3:48
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1069538987/1069538988" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Americans didn't count down the new year until the 1970s

Looking back, countdowns weren't always good news. Think atomic bomb tests. Americans also counted down moon missions and Top 40 hits. It wasn't until 1979 that a Times Square crowd joined in.

Americans didn't count down the new year until the 1970s

Listen · 2:40
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1069538912/1069538913" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Why we count down on New Year's Eve (and why it wasn't always the case)

Fireworks explode in Times Square on New Year's Eve on January 1, 2018 in New York City. Stephanie Keith/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Stephanie Keith/Getty Images

History

Why we count down on New Year's Eve (and why it wasn't always the case)

These days, a New Year's Eve celebration doesn't feel complete without one thing: a countdown. But that ritual to ring in the new year isn't as old as you might think.

Why we count down on New Year's Eve (and why it wasn't always the case)

Listen · 2:40
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1069497706/1069555357" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">