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

Dr. Scott Atlas, Special Coronavirus Adviser To Trump, Resigns

White House coronavirus adviser Dr. Scott Atlas made numerous political blunders during his brief tenure, including a lengthy interview with Russian state media that ran just days before the U.S. presidential election. Evan Vucci/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Evan Vucci/AP

The Coronavirus Crisis

Dr. Scott Atlas, Special Coronavirus Adviser To Trump, Resigns

Atlas, who was a radiologist by training, pushed fringe theories about the coronavirus, including the idea that large numbers of people should get infected in order to reach so-called "herd immunity."

Why Our Brains Struggle To Make Sense Of COVID-19 Risks

People wait in line at a TSA security checkpoint at Orlando International Airport the day before Thanksgiving. Paul Hennessy/NurPhoto via Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Paul Hennessy/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Consider This from NPR

Why Our Brains Struggle To Make Sense Of COVID-19 Risks

Millions of Americans traveled for Thanksgiving despite pleas not to do so from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Deborah Birx of the White House Coronavirus Task Force says if you're one of them, assume you're infected, get tested and do not go near your friends or family members without a mask on.

Why Our Brains Struggle To Make Sense Of COVID-19 Risks

Listen · 11:00
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/939489887/1200112171" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
So You Traveled Over Thanksgiving. Now What?

A traveler waits for a flight at Portland International Airport in Oregon last week. Public health experts say it's important that people who traveled or gathered with others are especially careful over the next two weeks. Nathan Howard/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Nathan Howard/Getty Images

Coronavirus Updates

So You Traveled Over Thanksgiving. Now What?

Experts suggest being extra-careful over the next week or two if you gathered with others outside your pod. That means masks, getting tested and assuming you might be infected with the coronavirus.

Health

CDC Immunization Advisory Committee To Vote On Distribution Of Coronavirus Vaccine

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's independent vaccine advisory committee is scheduled to vote Tuesday to determine who should get a coronavirus vaccine first.

CDC Immunization Advisory Committee To Vote On Distribution Of Coronavirus Vaccine

Listen · 3:08
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/940197011/940197029" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Mental Health

Students In Southern Oregon Show Signs Of Stress After Catastrophic Wildfire

JPR Classics & News

Hundreds of students in southern Oregon lost their homes to a wildfire. Some are showing signs of extreme stress, causing school leaders to consider resuming in-person classes to help them.

Students In Southern Oregon Show Signs Of Stress After Catastrophic Wildfire

Listen · 4:19
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/940196983/940196984" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Technology

Researchers Develop An App To Identify Cattle Through Facial Recognition

Oklahoma Public Radio

Researchers developed a new app that applies facial recognition software to cows. The technology would let ranchers track cattle in the event of disease and help create a national traceability system.

Researchers Develop An App To Identify Cattle Through Facial Recognition

Listen · 3:20
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/940197035/940197043" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Economy

Biden Nominates More Members Of His Economic Team

President-elect Joe Biden has named more members of his economic team. It's a diverse and experienced group that Biden is counting on to help revive an economy hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.

Biden Nominates More Members Of His Economic Team

Listen · 4:24
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/940196976/940196977" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Medical Treatments

Moderna Applies For FDA Emergency Use Authorization For Coronavirus Vaccine

Drugmaker Moderna says it has applied to the Food and Drug Administration for emergency use authorization for its coronavirus vaccine. It says data bolster its case the vaccine is safe and effective.

Moderna Applies For FDA Emergency Use Authorization For Coronavirus Vaccine

Listen · 4:26
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/940196940/940196941" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Sports

Denver Broncos Forced To Play Practice-Squad Wide Receiver At Quarterback

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Lindsay Jones of The Athletic about the Denver Broncos having to play an inexperienced quarterback after four others broke COVID-19 protocols.

Denver Broncos Forced To Play Practice-Squad Wide Receiver At Quarterback

Listen · 3:36
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/940197004/940197005" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

New Postal Stamp To Feature Design By Artist From Tlingit Tribe

The U.S. Postal Service plans to issue a stamp designed by Native American Rico Worl. It would become the first stamp designed by a member of the Tlingit tribe.

New Postal Stamp To Feature Design By Artist From Tlingit Tribe

Listen · 2:18
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/940196990/940196991" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Arizona And Wisconsin Certify Election Results, Affirming Biden Victories

Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs and Gov. Doug Ducey exchange election documents as they certify election results Monday at the Arizona Capitol in Phoenix. Ross D. Franklin/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Ross D. Franklin/AP

Biden Transition Updates

Arizona And Wisconsin Certify Election Results, Affirming Biden Victories

"We do elections well here in Arizona. The system is strong and that's why I have bragged on it so much," said GOP Gov. Doug Ducey. Meanwhile, the state GOP tweeted, "DO NOT CERTIFY A FALSE ELECTION!"

The Winding Journey Of Avril Haines, Biden's Pick To Lead U.S. Intelligence

Avril Haines has been nominated as the first woman to be the director of national intelligence, a position that oversees all 17 intelligence agencies. Here, Haines speaks after President-elect Joe Biden introduced her last week in Wilmington, Del. Carolyn Kaster/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Carolyn Kaster/AP

National Security

The Winding Journey Of Avril Haines, Biden's Pick To Lead U.S. Intelligence

Avril Haines, the first woman nominated to the top intelligence post, took a strange path to this job. She studied judo in Japan, physics in college, and rebuilt a plane that she later crash-landed.

The Winding Journey Of Avril Haines, Biden's Pick To Lead U.S. Intelligence

Listen · 3:53
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/939722113/940197056" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript