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

Monday

Clarence Thomas Speaks: After A Decade, Questions From The Quiet Justice

Clarence Thomas has given speeches or interviews from time to time, but had not asked a question during oral arguments for 10 years. Alex Wong/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Alex Wong/Getty Images

Law

Clarence Thomas Speaks: After A Decade, Questions From The Quiet Justice

Thomas actually passed the 10-year mark of silence during oral arguments earlier in the month. But that moment was largely overlooked amid the coverage and controversy surrounding Scalia's death.

When Coal Companies Fail, Who Pays For The Cleanup?

Reclaimed land that was once mined for coal in Wyoming's Powder River Basin. When coal companies declare bankruptcy, funding for land reclamation becomes a question Leigh Paterson/Inside Energy hide caption

toggle caption
Leigh Paterson/Inside Energy

Energy

When Coal Companies Fail, Who Pays For The Cleanup?

The U.S. coal industry is fading. As more companies declare bankruptcy, they may not be able to pay for land restoration projects — and taxpayers could be left with the cleanup bill.

When Coal Companies Fail, Who Pays For The Cleanup?

Listen · 4:50
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/468577856/468607114" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Music

Kanye West's 'The Life Of Pablo' Sparks Rampant Piracy

NPR's Audie Cornish talks with Paul Resnikoff, publisher of Digital Music News, about what the piracy of Kanye West's new album says about streaming as a venue for music.

Kanye West's 'The Life Of Pablo' Sparks Rampant Piracy

Listen · 3:25
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/468607008/468607009" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Elections

Democratic Candidates Make Final Pitch To Voters Ahead Of Super Tuesday

The day before Super Tuesday voting starts, we hear what the top Democrats are saying on the campaign trail.

Democratic Candidates Make Final Pitch To Voters Ahead Of Super Tuesday

Listen · 2:37
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/468606980/468606981" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

National Security

Obama Presents Navy SEAL Edward Byers, Jr. With Medal Of Honor

In a White House ceremony, Navy SEAL Edward C. Byers, Jr. is receiving the Medal of Honor for his actions in a 2012 rescue operation in Afghanistan. NPR's Audie Cornish speaks with Sean Naylor, who wrote the book Relentless Strike, about the Joint Special Operations Command.

Obama Presents Navy SEAL Edward Byers, Jr. With Medal Of Honor

Listen · 3:31
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/468607022/468607023" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Sports

Steph Curry's Off-The-Charts Shooting Game Breaks 'NBA 2K'

Reigning NBA MVP Steph Curry is destroying the league with the kind of shooting we've never seen before. NPR's Ari Shapiro talks to Mike Wang, gameplay director of the video game "NBA 2K," and John Fontanella, author of The Physics of Basketball, about Curry's shooting game.

Steph Curry's Off-The-Charts Shooting Game Breaks 'NBA 2K'

Listen · 3:11
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/468607029/468607030" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Review

Movie Reviews

'Wilhemina's War' Explores Barriers To AIDS Treatment In U.S. South

While many Americans now view HIV and AIDS as survivable conditions, treatment and care can still be difficult to get in the southern states, especially for African-Americans. A new Independent Lens documentary, Wilhemina's War, explores those challenges.

'Wilhemina's War' Explores Barriers To AIDS Treatment In U.S. South

Listen · 3:41
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/468607001/468607002" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

After Armed Occupation, Tensions Linger Near Oregon Wildlife Refuge

The occupation of a wildlife refuge in Oregon may be over, but there's still tension in Harney County. Many federal workers' lives were disrupted during those 41 days. In some cases, friends and family members who took different sides still aren't speaking to one another.

After Armed Occupation, Tensions Linger Near Oregon Wildlife Refuge

Listen · 3:34
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/468606994/468606995" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Elections

Donald Trump Looks To Solidify Front-Runner Status On Super Tuesday

Ahead of the biggest voting day of the 2016 primary season, Donald Trump's rivals are desperately trying to thwart him from steadying his path to the nomination.

Donald Trump Looks To Solidify Front-Runner Status On Super Tuesday

Listen · 3:10
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/468606966/468606967" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Movie Interviews

Encore: Hollywood Shines New 'Spotlight' On Boston Clergy Sex Abuse

With Spotlight winning the Oscar for Best Picture, NPR's Audie Cornish talks to Sacha Pfeiffer, one of the reporters portrayed in the film who broke the story of sexual abuse by Catholic priests.

Encore: Hollywood Shines New 'Spotlight' On Boston Clergy Sex Abuse

Listen · 7:38
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/468607076/468607108" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

Donald Trump And His White Supremacist Supporters

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks to Evan Osnos of The New Yorker magazine for a broad look at the dynamic between the Donald Trump campaign and white supremacist groups.

Donald Trump And His White Supremacist Supporters

Listen · 4:00
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/468606973/468606974" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript