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Merit Systems Protection Board member Cathy Harris (left) and National Labor Relations Board member Gwynne Wilcox (right) were fired by President Trump earlier this year. A panel of judges at the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals is weighing whether he had the authority to do so.

Merit Systems Protection Board member Cathy Harris (left) and National Labor Relations Board member Gwynne Wilcox (right) were fired by President Trump earlier this year. A panel of judges at the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals is weighing whether he had the authority to do so. Mike Scarcella/Reuters; FM Archive / Alamy Stock Photo hide caption

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Mike Scarcella/Reuters; FM Archive / Alamy Stock Photo

Politics

2 officials fired by Trump return to court to challenge his power

Cathy Harris and Gwynne Wilcox, Democratic board members of independent agencies, argue that President Trump lacked the authority to fire them, citing federal law and Supreme Court precedent.
A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on April 17, as the Dow was pressured by UnitedHealth Group's disappointing profit outlook. Over the past month, shares in the massive health care conglomerate have plunged more than 55 percent. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)

A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on April 17, as the Dow was pressured by UnitedHealth Group's disappointing profit outlook. Over the past month, shares in the massive health care conglomerate have plunged more than 55 percent. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images) Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images

Business

Why UnitedHealth's terrible year is dragging down the Dow

The health care giant's shares are down more than 50% in the last month. That's hurting the powerful U.S. stock-market index.

WATCH

Carín León: Tiny Desk Concert

Accompanied by a 16-piece band, Carín León's commanding presence shows why he's one of the best in the Mexican Regional scene.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan chairs a meeting between Ukrainian and Russian negotiators in Istanbul, Friday.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan chairs a meeting between Ukrainian and Russian negotiators in Istanbul, Friday. Arda Kucukkaya/Turkish Foreign Ministry via Reuters hide caption

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Arda Kucukkaya/Turkish Foreign Ministry via Reuters

Ukraine invasion — explained

Russia and Ukraine agree to swap prisoners but no ceasefire after Turkey talks

The negotiations took place a day later than planned amid low expectations for a breakthrough, after Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Trump opted not to go to Turkey.

Officials from Russia, Ukraine and the U.S. gather in Turkey for negotiations

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Army soldiers patrol the U.S.-Mexico border in Eagle Pass, Texas, in January, 2025.

US Army soldiers patrol the US-Mexico border at Eagle Pass, Texas, on January 24, 2025. US President Donald Trump ordered 1,500 more military personnel to the border with Mexico as part of a flurry of steps to tackle immigration, his spokeswoman said on January 22. Border security is a key priority for the president, who declared a national emergency at the US frontier with Mexico on his first day in office, and the additional personnel will bring the total number of active-duty troops deployed there to around 4,000. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP) (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images) Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images

Immigration

Historical precedent: Courts wrestle with the White House's 'invasion' claim

Federal judges are looking back to the 18th century to define what constitutes an invasion, weighing a key legal argument for the Trump administration's use of a wartime deportation authority.
People participate in a protest outside the U.S. Supreme Court over President Trump's move to end birthright citizenship as the court hears arguments over the order in Washington, D.C., on Thursday.

People participate in a protest outside the U.S. Supreme Court over President Trump's move to end birthright citizenship as the court hears arguments over the order in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

Law

The Supreme Court's justices appear to be divided in birthright citizenship arguments

The arguments focused on whether federal district court judges can rule against the administration on a nationwide basis.

Supreme Court weighs whether birthright citizenship can remain law in America

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President Franklin Delano Roosevelt circa 1930 at the White House. In the 1930s, FDR's "court packing" plan brought the U.S. to the brink of a constitutional crisis.

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt circa 1930 at the White House. In the 1930s, FDR's "court packing" plan brought the U.S. to the brink of a constitutional crisis. ‎/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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‎/AFP via Getty Images

National

Trump denounces 'activist' judges. He's not the first president to do so

Criticism of "activist" judges predates the term and has come from both ends of the political spectrum. Democratic and Republican presidents alike have accused the courts of exceeding their constitutional role.
Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever and A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces are considered to be two of this year's leading MVP candidates.

Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever and A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces are considered to be two of this year's leading MVP candidates. Ethan Miller/Getty Images hide caption

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Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Sports

As the WNBA season tips off, here are 4 of our biggest questions

Will a new-look Indiana Fever contend in Caitlin Clark's second year? Will A'ja Wilson win a record 4th MVP? And the biggest question of all: Can the league as a whole build on last season's success?

WNBA SEASON TIPS OFF

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Gov. Ron DeSantis holds up the signed farm bill on Thursday. He says adding fluoride into public water supplies is "basically forced medication on people."

Gov. Ron DeSantis holds up the signed farm bill on Thursday. He says adding fluoride into public water supplies is "basically forced medication on people." Gov. Ron DeSantis/Facebook hide caption

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Gov. Ron DeSantis/Facebook

DeSantis signs a measure banning fluoridation in Florida's public water systems

 WUSF 89.7

Communities across the U.S. have added the mineral to drinking water for decades to prevent tooth decay. But in Florida that stops July 1, when the state becomes the second to ban flouride in tap water.
Residents of Marquette, a city in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, gathered outside Planned Parenthood to celebrate and thank staffers as they finished the last day of patient care, on April 23.

Residents of Marquette, a city in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, gathered outside Planned Parenthood to celebrate and thank staffers as they finished the last day of patient care, on April 23. Bobby Anttila hide caption

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Bobby Anttila

Public Health

Why so many clinics that provide abortion are closing, even where it's still legal

 Michigan Public

New financial pressures on clinics that provide abortion are forcing some to close their doors, even in states that protect the right to abortion.

New financial pressures forcing Planned Parenthood to close some clinics

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Children selling hibiscus in Jebel Aulia, a town where the last battles in Khartoum City took place.

Children selling hibiscus in Jebel Aulia, a town where the last battles in Khartoum City took place. Faiz Abubakr for NPR hide caption

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Faiz Abubakr for NPR

Goats and Soda

Bikes and bakeries are back: War-torn Khartoum struggles to rebuild

Government forces retook the capital city from rebel troops in April. Now comes the task of rebuilding what was once a bustling metropolis on the Nile.

After two years of civil war, Sudan's capital is a shell of its former self

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A photograph shows people line dancing in a darkened warehouse with a disco ball and red lights.

Kitty Horblit (left), Karli Manship (center) and Hannah Bruns (right) line dance at a Stud Country event on March 25, 2025, in Brooklyn, New York. Nickolai Hammar/NPR hide caption

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Life Kit

New to your queerness? Here's how to find a supportive community in your area

It can be intimidating to enter a new queer space, especially if you're starting to explore your gender and sexuality. Organizers share advice on how to find a support network with confidence.

How to find a supportive queer community

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Israeli singer Yuval Raphael is representing Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest. She performs "New Day Will Rise" during a dress rehearsal for the second semi-final in Basel on May 14.

Israeli singer Yuval Raphael is representing Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest. She performs "New Day Will Rise" during a dress rehearsal for the second semi-final in Basel on May 14. Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images

World

Yuval Raphael, a Hamas attack survivor, is representing Israel at Eurovision

The 24-year-old survived the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on the Nova festival, and will perform a pop ballad, "New Day Will Rise." Israel's Eurovision participation has sparked protest due to the Gaza war.
Ziferblat representing Ukraine performs during the rehearsal ahead of Semi Final Round 1 of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest Opening Ceremony at Messe Basel on May 13 in Basel, Switzerland.

Ziferblat representing Ukraine performs during the rehearsal ahead of Semi Final Round 1 of the 69th Eurovision Song Contest Opening Ceremony at Messe Basel on May 13 in Basel, Switzerland. Harold Cunningham/Getty Images hide caption

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Harold Cunningham/Getty Images

Pop Culture Happy Hour

The 10 best songs of Eurovision 2025 — and their chances to win

The grand final of this year's Eurovision Song Contest takes place on Saturday, May 17, in Basel, Switzerland. It's an annual celebration of melody, rhythm, fabulousness and glitter.

The 10 best songs of Eurovision 2025 — and their chances to win

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A United Airlines jetliner prepares to push off from a gate at Denver International Airport on May 7. Air traffic controllers in Denver experienced a communications blackout on Monday that lasted for about two minutes.

A United Airlines jetliner prepares to push off from a gate at Denver International Airport on May 7. Air traffic controllers in Denver experienced a communications blackout on Monday that lasted for about two minutes. David Zalubowski/AP hide caption

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David Zalubowski/AP

National

Denver air traffic controllers had 2-minute communications outage, FAA official says

The outage in Colorado comes amid increasing scrutiny on the nation's main aviation agency following outages at Newark Liberty International Airport in recent weeks.
Michigan Air National Guard troops listen as President Trump speaks during a visit with Michigan Air National Guard Troops on April 29 at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich.

Michigan Air National Guard troops listen as President Trump speaks during a visit with Michigan Air National Guard Troops on April 29 at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich. Scott Olson/Getty Images hide caption

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Scott Olson/Getty Images

Immigration

DHS asks for 20,000 National Guard troops to assist in deportations

If approved, the move would be the first time Guard troops at the national level have been asked to assist in the removal of migrants in the U.S. without legal status.
Bill Chappell writes about the sense of bravery he feels while cycling.
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Josie Norton for NPR
Bill Chappell writes about the sense of bravery he feels while cycling.
Josie Norton for NPR

I'm Really Into

Just like life, riding my bike doesn't always make sense. But that's why I love it

Cycling is especially good for people with long-running knee problems or health issues. I've been able to do everything I've wanted to, but a clamor of what-ifs were often in the back of my mind.

Just like life, riding my bike doesn't always make sense. But that's why I love it

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KJ Muldoon, who was born at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in August, reaches out to the doctors after being treated for a rare genetic disorder using CRISPR technology.

KJ Muldoon, who was born at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in August, reaches out to the doctors after being treated for a rare genetic disorder using CRISPR technology. Chloe Dawson/Children's Hospital of Philadelphia hide caption

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Chloe Dawson/Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Treatments

A promising genetic treatment tailor-made for a baby born with a rare disorder

For the first time, doctors have created a customized treatment using the revolutionary gene-editing technique known as CRISPR to treat a baby with a rare, life-threatening genetic disorder.

A promising genetic treatment tailor-made for a baby born with a rare disorder

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A woman walking a tightrope over water, with various medical supplies floating around her
Maria Fabrizio for NPR

Living Better

Perimenopause symptoms can be a drag. Here's when to seek treatment

From headaches and fatigue to hair loss and sleep troubles, the symptoms marking the transition to menopause can overlap with other conditions. Here's what to know and how to get help.

Diagnosing perimenopause can be difficult. Treating it can take persistence

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A copy of the 1300 version of the Magna Carta on display at the Harvard Law School.

A copy of the 1300 version of the Magna Carta on display at the Harvard Law School. Lorin Granger/Harvard Law School hide caption

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Lorin Granger/Harvard Law School

National

Harvard learned it has an authentic Magna Carta. In 1946, it paid less than $28 for it

A pair of U.K. scholars discovered the mislabeled document in Harvard Law School's digital archives. The university bought it for just $27.50 in 1946. It turned out to be an authentic copy dating to 1300.

Harvard learned it has an authentic Magna Carta. In 1946, it paid less than $28 for it

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