A new push for hockey neck guards
In the New Year, both the NHL and NCAA will discuss making neck guards for hockey players mandatory. That's after the death of hockey players injured in games the last two years.
Health & Safety
Iowa, Nebraska won't participate in U.S. food assistance program for kids this summer
The federal program gives $40 per month to each child in a low-income family to help with food costs while school is out. A Democratic Iowa lawmaker called it a "cruel and short-sighted decision."
For people with special needs, visiting Santa can lead to sensory overload
Visiting Santa at a busy mall can be overwhelming for some autistic kids, but sensory-friendly events can make it easier. Hundreds of those events are held across the country.
Sickle cell patient's journey leads to landmark approval of gene-editing treatment
In early December, the Food and Drug Administration approved a gene-editing treatment for sickle cell disease, the first for any illness. One patient helped pave the way.
Alabama mom is 1-in-a-million, delivering two babies, from two uteruses, in two days
Kelsey Hatcher, 32, was born with a double uterus, which made it possible for her to deliver two babies, from two uteri on two separate days.
Baltimore museum adapts Polar Express ride to be more sensory-friendly
Baltimore's B&O Railroad Museum aims to bring holiday cheer to children on the autism spectrum by making its Polar Express ride more sensory-friendly for neurodivergent young people.
Don't mope, have hope: Global stories from 2023 that inspire optimism and delight
We found joy in mail-order chicks, soothing lullabies, a celebration of long-lasting love, the magic touch that can calm a grumpy child (and even a stressed out adult) and beach day in Mogadishu.
FDA says watch out for fake Ozempic, a diabetes drug used by many for weight loss
Thousands of fake units of the drug have been seized by the FDA, which is working alongside the manufacturer to test the counterfeit products for safety concerns.
Who cooks the most in your home? NPR readers weigh in
While a recent survey says women around the world cook at home about twice as often as men do, a good number of our readers said: "Not in my house!" We've got a feast of stories and opinions.
A next big ballot fight over abortion could come to Arizona
Abortion access advocates are collecting signatures needed to put a measure on Arizona's 2024 ballot. Democrats hope the initiative could drive turnout in the swing state.