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The FBI is investigating the circumstances surrounding the coal mine blast in West Virginia that killed 29 miners. Sources say the FBI is looking into potential criminal negligence on the part of Massey Energy, the owner of the Upper Big Branch coal mine. Sources also say the probe involves allegations of bribery involving the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration. A Department of Justice spokeswoman denies the mine safety agency is part of the investigation, however.

The state reported the most cases of the summer, although numbers remain far lower than in the previous three summers. Also, the state had 90,232 reported resident deaths due to the virus.

Air quality around the world suffered in 2022 because of climate-induced extreme heat, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Association.

Four teens have died, another two critically injured, from riding atop moving subway cars between Jan. 1 and July 5. Police say they've arrested over 70 people for subway surfing.

Elizabeth Bear's new novel makes thoughtful use of steampunk elements in a lively tale of brothel inhabitants defending their house against a rival — and in the process uncovering a political plot.

African-American philosopher Cornel West's new book laments the decline of "prophetic" black leadership, lifting up examples of people who were willing to risk their lives in the service of the truth.

In our Weekend Reads series, NPR's Rachel Martin talks to Meg Medina about Isabel Quintero's novel, Gabi, a Girl in Pieces. It's the story of a Mexican-American teenager struggling with her identity.

Miranda July's new novel The First Bad Man defies neat summaries; reviewer Annalisa Quinn calls July "a master of the intimate weirdnesses of human thought," who treats dusty mental corners with care.

From a scapegoat for the "sapping" of the "white race," to a symbol of modern engineering, to a target of the counterculture movement: White bread's been a social lightning rod time and again.

On Sunday, it was the 55th day this year that the official reading at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport hit 110 degrees. But the end may finally be in sight for residents of Arizona's largest city.

People in Florida already seem to be planning for their upcoming holiday trips. According to a recent AAA survey, 61% of those polled are securing their travel plans ahead of time.

Nothing says spring to writer Howard Yoon like Peeps. The squishy, marshmallow animals have a devoted following. A chocolate marshallow pie is a perfect way to savor them.

For most people, curry -- that happy intersection of pungent chili powder and fragrant spices -- epitomizes Indian food. But the vast country's kitchens offer so much more. Roseanne Pereira provides a primer to the kaleidoscope of Indian spices and recipes for some of her favorite dishes.

In an NPR interview, a former Bush administration official says a decision by Tehran to recount some ballots in last week's disputed election is a positive step, but is ultimately aimed at keeping incumbent leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in power.

Another batch of negative economic reports Tuesday: One showed inflation sharply higher; another found consumers in a glum mood; and a third reported housing prices continuing to fall. Nevertheless, the stock market ended the day up.

While the Democratic presidential candidates are campaigning down to the wire in the important states of Texas and Ohio, the GOP presidential frontrunner took the weekend off. Sen. John McCain returns to the campaign trail Monday in Texas, where he's hoping to solidify his party's nomination.

Republican Pete Domenici announces he won't seek re-election because of a progressive brain disease.

The grand lady and great dame Kitty Carlisle Hart passed away peacefully after a short illness this past week. The singer-actress had lived 96 fabulous years.

Rock pioneer Bo Diddley, who died Monday at the age of 79, leaves behind a sound that helped build a musical genre. Born in Mississippi and raised in Chicago, Diddley played guitar on street corners before being discovered by Chess Records.

The U.S. is demanding an immediate and complete withdrawal of Russian forces from Georgia, after the Georgian president signed a cease-fire agreement mediated by France. Meanwhile, Russian troops came within 20 miles of the Georgian capital Friday.

The government rescue of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac sent mortgage rates plunging on Monday. Some bond investors say this is a positive first sign. But the future of these two mortgage financing giants depends on what happens when a new administration takes over in Washington.

A helicopter crash and a separate collision involving two other choppers killed 14 Americans today. It was one of the deadliest days for U.S. troops in the war in Afghanistan.

Preliminary results form last week's Afghan presidential elections show incumbent Hamid Karzai and his main challenger with roughly 40 percent each of the votes counted so far. There will be a runoff if neither candidate gets 50 percent of the vote.

Atlanta's growing film industry is full of non-union workers since Georgia is not a union-friendly state. Now those workers are scrambling as the writers and actors strike continues.

Cost increases for both old and new diabetes drugs are forcing many patients to scramble to pay for them.