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

Thursday

New Museum Will Mention Sexual Assault Accusations Against Bill Cosby After All

Some of Bill Cosby's accusers were upset that the museum did not initially plan to include a reference to the sexual assault allegations against him. William Thomas Cain/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
William Thomas Cain/Getty Images

The Two-Way

New Museum Will Mention Sexual Assault Accusations Against Bill Cosby After All

After days of criticism, the Smithsonian says the National Museum of African American History and Culture will make reference to the assault accusations against the comedian.

Avoiding A Future Crisis, Madison Removed Lead Water Pipes 15 Years Ago

A Madison Water Utility Crew works to dig up and replace a broken water shutoff box in preparation for a larger pipe-lining project. Madison started using copper instead of lead pipes in the late 1920s. Cheryl Corley/NPR hide caption

toggle caption
Cheryl Corley/NPR

Environment

Avoiding A Future Crisis, Madison Removed Lead Water Pipes 15 Years Ago

The water crisis in Flint, Mich., raised an alarm about the dangers of lead in our water supply, but it is not new knowledge. Madison, Wis., knew about it and removed all its lead pipes 15 years ago.

Avoiding A Future Crisis, Madison Removed Lead Water Pipes 15 Years Ago

Listen · 4:13
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/472567733/472577758" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

National Security

Obama Opens Final Nuclear Security Summit In Washington, D.C.

Russia is not participating in this year's Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, D.C., this week. It's the final such event of the Obama administration. Critics are underwhelmed with what the president's nuclear security push has accomplished, and it isn't clear whether the event might continue on into the administration of the next president.

Obama Opens Final Nuclear Security Summit In Washington, D.C.

Listen · 3:53
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/472577698/472577701" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Embedded

Opioid Epidemic Sparks HIV Outbreak In Tiny Indiana Town

Last spring, Austin, Ind., was at the center of an HIV outbreak linked to intravenous use of the opioid painkiller Opana. In one house in Austin, a man addicted to Opana says he didn't think he would get HIV through sharing needles. The town's only full-time doctor is trying to encourage people to get help, but many people have yet to be tested.

Opioid Epidemic Sparks HIV Outbreak In Tiny Indiana Town

Listen · 11:22
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/472577254/472577257" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Television

'Rush Hour' On CBS Reimagines Classic Buddy Action Films

On Thursday night, CBS premieres Rush Hour, a reimagining of the buddy action flicks. Not much has changed as the show relies on stereotypes of the old film franchise.

'Rush Hour' On CBS Reimagines Classic Buddy Action Films

Listen · 3:57
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/472577677/472577678" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Elections

Donald Trump's Rise Could Threaten Republican House Majority

Republicans hold a historic majority in the House of Representatives, but Donald Trump is challenging the basic assumptions that the GOP's grip on the majority is ironclad.

Donald Trump's Rise Could Threaten Republican House Majority

Listen · 3:40
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/472577670/472597837" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Sports

U.S. Women's Soccer Team Members File Wage Discrimination Complaint

Five members of the U.S. women's national soccer team have filed a federal complaint against the U.S. Soccer Federation, alleging wage discrimination.

U.S. Women's Soccer Team Members File Wage Discrimination Complaint

Listen · 3:34
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/472577726/472577727" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Perplexed Rhode Islanders Ridicule State's New 'Cooler and Warmer' Slogan

Rhode Island's new tourism slogan is "Cooler and Warmer." If you're confused by it or even hate it, you're not alone.

Perplexed Rhode Islanders Ridicule State's New 'Cooler and Warmer' Slogan

Listen · 1:42
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/472577691/472577692" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Economy

Despite Low Unemployment, Veterans Struggle To Find Meaningful Jobs

Unemployment for recent veterans has hit a historic low, but it's not clear how many veterans are able to use their military experience to get meaningful employment.

Despite Low Unemployment, Veterans Struggle To Find Meaningful Jobs

Listen · 3:37
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/472577719/472577720" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Religion

Georgia Is Not Alone In Scuffle Over 'Religious Liberty' Bills

The governor of Georgia has vetoed a so-called "religious liberty bill" after vocal opposition. NPR's Audie Cornish talks to Charles Haynes, director of the Religious Freedom Center at the Newseum, about how widespread these laws are in the U.S.

Georgia Is Not Alone In Scuffle Over 'Religious Liberty' Bills

Listen · 4:15
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/472577272/472577646" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Politics

Alabama Governor Faces Calls To Resign Amid Affair Allegations

Alabama's governor is embroiled in a political firestorm after allegations of an affair with a top aide. Gov. Robert Bentley denies the affair, but his senior advisor did resign Wednesday. Meanwhile, calls for the governor's resignation are rising.

Alabama Governor Faces Calls To Resign Amid Affair Allegations

Listen · 3:38
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/472577663/472577664" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Animals

The Secret, Social Lives Of Mountain Lions

Wyoming Public Radio

Mountain lions are known to be scary lone hunters, but a biologist aims to prove us wrong with thousands of videos showing the big cats in their natural habitat.

The Secret, Social Lives Of Mountain Lions

Listen · 3:49
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/472418674/472577746" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript