2022

U.S. life expectancy rebounded in 2022 but COVID and drug overdoses were still deadly

6:00am March 21, 2024

by Brian Mann

As the COVID pandemic faded in 2022, U.S. life expectancy rose by more than a year. But the virus and drug overdoses spurred by fentanyl still took nearly 300,000 lives.

Brian Feldman set out to document Twitter trending topics descriptions at the start of 2022, not knowing they would be gone by the end of the year.

Arts

He logged trending Twitter topics for a year. Here's what he learned

10:32am December 12, 2022

by Rachel Treisman

Brian Feldman has long been fascinated by Twitter's efforts to contextualize trending topics with short descriptions. So he documented more than 450 from this year and put them in a public archive.

If Republicans take control of the House, Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California would be the likely next speaker.

Politics & Government

The bellwether districts to watch that could determine control of Congress

11:00am November 04, 2022

There are a handful of key races that could indicate how big (or small) a GOP wave is coming on election night and afterward.

At the March on Washington on Aug. 28, 1963, African Americans carry placards demanding equal rights, integrated schools, decent housing and an end to bias.

National

Here's the story behind Black History Month — and why it's celebrated in February

10:41am February 01, 2022

by Jonathan Franklin

Black History Month grew from a weeklong celebration that started nearly 100 years ago — and it's not random that it's in February.

Illustration: Dola Sun https://dolasun.com/

Readers' global wishes for 2022: More kindness, more nature ... and kitties!

2:47pm January 25, 2022

by Suzette Lohmeyer

What could the world achieve this year if we had a limitless budget and full support from global leaders? Our audience shares their heartfelt ideas.

Illustration of a person in miniature hiding underneath a tented wallet on a desk, peering out to a tablescape of bills, finance apps, a laptop, receipts and a few drinks, symbolizing hiding from money problems.

Arts

22 tips for 2022: Money problems don't just disappear. Here's how to face them

6:01am January 17, 2022

by Andee Tagle

Avoiding money issues is often at the expense of our longer-term financial — and mental — wellbeing. To upend problematic money behavior, try doing an audit of your last few money interactions.

Queue Listen Now

Newborn baby cribs in a hospital nursery.

National

Opinion: Newborn blessings for a new year

8:03am January 08, 2022

by Scott Simon

NPR's Scott Simon shares the story of twins born 15 minutes apart, one just before midnight on Dec. 31, 2021, and one just after, and what their birth years might mean in the future.

Global wishes for 2022: a gift box for everyone, greater girl power, vertical gardens

9:02pm January 07, 2022

We asked global thinkers like Malala, doctors dealing with the pandemic, educators and more — if you were in charge of the world, what would you like to see happen this year.

Politics & Government

NC Legislative Leaders Don't Expect Delays To 2022 Elections

5:09pm April 22, 2021

by Associated Press

North Carolina election dates for 2022 likely won't be altered despite anticipated delays in receiving data needed to perform the once-a-decade redistricting, the General Assembly's top Republicans