NPR Top Stories

710,000 fewer babies were born last year in U.S. compared with two decades ago
The U.S. fertility rate continued its slide to historic levels, due to plunging teen pregnancies and far more women delaying motherhood into their 30s and 40s.
Brian Mann | Apr 9, 2026, 6:45 PM UTC

How a cheese sandwich at the Masters is still $1.50 in an era of price hikes
The priciest concessions at the Masters, beer and wine, cost just $6 each. The Georgia golf tournament prides itself on a simple and affordable menu, even as ticket prices continue to climb.
Rachel Treisman | Apr 9, 2026, 6:16 PM UTC

How bad for humans is wildlife trade? A new study has answers
People sell wild animals for food and for traditional medicine — legally and illegally. A study looks at the risks of spillover diseases from those pangolins, giant rats and other exotic critters.
Jonathan Lambert | Apr 9, 2026, 6:01 PM UTC

We can't all be astronauts, but the Artemis II crew has fitness lessons for everyone
The Artemis II astronauts don't have a lot of space to exercise. That's why they've got the flywheel — a small device that can be used for strength and cardio workouts.
Katia Riddle | Apr 9, 2026, 5:41 PM UTC

Earl Sweatshirt and MIKE put a ring on indie rap's favorite friendship
A much-hyped double album finds the two reveling in a mutual influence that has bloomed for a decade, shaping a scene in the process.
Sheldon Pearce | Apr 9, 2026, 5:15 PM UTC

'After the Flood' argues Bob Dylan's late career is just as potent as his early years
Much of our image of Dylan derives from his early protest music, but Robert Polito's book makes the argument that the most recent 30 years of Dylan's career have been just as creative as the first 30.
Ken Tucker | Apr 9, 2026, 4:24 PM UTC

BTS stays at No. 1 on the charts — and thwarts Ye in the process
This week, no album can unseat last week's champion: BTS's Arirang, which holds on to the top spot thanks to another flood of sales.
Stephen Thompson | Apr 9, 2026, 4:11 PM UTC

In the Trump era, everybody's talking about 'soft power.' But ... what is it exactly?
The U.S. government long saw giving international aid as a way to build goodwill throughout the world. Did it work? And what does the reducing of foreign aid mean for that effort now?
Fatma Tanis | Apr 9, 2026, 3:21 PM UTC

Hilariously caustic 'Big Mistakes' drags Dan Levy into organized crime
The new Netflix comedy created by Dan Levy and Rachel Sennott stars Levy as an uptight pastor and Taylor Ortega as his sister.
Glen Weldon | Apr 9, 2026, 11:00 AM UTC

Israel vows to continue fighting Hezbollah but agrees to talks with Lebanon
Israel's prime minister said his government would begin talks with Lebanon but vowed to continue attacks against the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, despite a fragile Iran ceasefire.
NPR Staff | Apr 9, 2026, 9:20 AM UTC



