19 U.S. states now have detected the omicron COVID-19 variant
States that have detected the variant range from Hawaii to Massachusetts. The reports are part of a new surge in COVID-19 cases.
Health & Safety
Data analysts proved what Black Pittsburgh knew about COVID's racial disparities
Community leaders saw early in the pandemic that the city's residents of color were being hit hard by COVID-19. They worked with data analysts to show just how hard, where and why.
The surgeon general's latest advisory highlights the youth mental health crisis
NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy about his advice for addressing challenges that worsened with the pandemic — including young people struggling with suicidal thoughts.
New York's mayor announces a vaccine mandate for private companies
To counter a COVID-19 surge, New York City will implement what its mayor says will be a "first-in-the-nation" vaccine mandate for all private-sector workers to take effect Dec. 27.
What has South Africa learned about the Omicron variant?
NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Dr. Arifa Parker, an infectious diseases specialist in South Africa, about the latest coronavirus variant.
Examining the counter effects school lockdown drills may have in the long run
NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Dr. David Schonfeld of the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement at Children's Hospital in Los Angeles, about the impact of school lockdown exercises.
Adult portable bed rails have been recalled after 2 people became entrapped and died
In both incidents, officials say the bed rails were not securely attached to the bed. The two victims became entrapped between the product and their mattresses.
Inside the growing alliance between anti-vaccine activists and pro-Trump Republicans
As the U.S. heads into midterm elections next year, the political right and the anti-vaccine movement are drawing ever-closer together — potentially at the cost of thousands of American lives.
'Trigger laws' are abortion bans ready to go if 'Roe v. Wade' is overturned
More than 20 states have "trigger laws," which will ban or severely restrict abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned. Other states are taking steps to protect abortion rights through legislation.
The lasting consequences of America's shift to using more contractors to fight wars
Many people who fought and died on behalf of the U.S. during 20 years of war in Afghanistan were contractors, not troops. It's part of a change in how America fights wars, and it has consequences.