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The Nashville singer writes with acidic wit in lines worthy of his old mentor, Shel Silverstein.

A record high number of Americans are putting off medical care because of costs, according to a recent Gallup Poll. It comes as inflation and rising rents make it harder for people to make ends meet.

The U.S. Geological Survey says that as magma in the volcano drops below the water table, it could create steam pressure and a sudden eruption that would spew toxic gas and "ballistic rocks."

The United States drew a spot in Group B, meaning the men's soccer team will face off against England, Iran and the winner of a European playoff — setting up a challenging run for the U.S. squad.

In his book Freefall, economist Joseph Stiglitz gives Washington bad grades for its responses to the nation's economic crises. The Nobel laureate says the government has been using its lending capacity to help banks, not ordinary people, stay afloat.

Most people think of the Cold War as a long, glacial period, but in the beginning it was dangerously unstable. Neil Sheehan, author of A Bright Shining Lie, says there might well have been nuclear war — had it not been for one man: the subject of his latest book, A Fiery Peace in a Cold War: Bernard Schriever and the Ultimate Weapon.

'Tis the season to be thankful — especially for those pioneering patriots, our nation's founders. Author David O. Stewart recommends three page-turners that tell the true story of early America.

Since his debut in 1951, Holden Caulfield — the funny, complex, wry protagonist of J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye — has given voice to generations of teens caught between youth and adulthood.

Psychologists seem to have a fancy word for every conceivable fear known to man or woman. Nyctophobia, fear of darkness. Phagophobia, fear of swallowing. Agyrophobia, fear of crossing the street. Blennophobia, morbid fear of slime. And the phobia de jour, triskaidekaphobia. Commentator Paul Hoffman explains.

Author Elizabeth Green argues that effective teaching is a craft, not a skill teachers have naturally. She says teachers need more mentorship — not just more mandates.

Thomas McMahon's novel isn't long, but writer Sue Miller says it manages to accomplish frequent hilarity, tender sexiness and sheer erudition. With intelligence and humor, McKay's Bees wonders about all that is funny, sad and amazing in the world.

Book critic Oscar Villalon offers his appreciation of Bill Buford's new memoir Heat. Inspired by Italian star chef Mario Batali, Buford experiences a trial by fire in the kitchen of one of New York's top restaurants.

A new study says sophisticated fishing fleets are wiping out the world's most famous trophy fish. The research, published in the journal Nature, suggests fishermen have taken more than 90 percent of the biggest predatory fish out of the world's oceans since the 1950s. NPR's John Nielsen reports.

More and more women have had to become their family's primary source of income. But women still don't make as much money as men. When a woman becomes the breadwinner, her family must survive on less than half of their previous income.

More and more women have had to become their family's primary source of income. But women still don't make as much money as men. When a woman becomes the breadwinner, her family must survive on less than half of their previous income.

It could be a sign of economic and political instability that Pakistanis are crossing the border for jobs in Kabul. There, they can earn twice as much and, in some cases, security is better. Afghan workers lament competing with the Pakistanis, who are willing to work day or night for less money.

A former employee has filed a class-action lawsuit against McDonald's and one Michigan franchise, alleging a "culture of sexual harassment."

Many forests in the American West have evolved with fire, and actually benefit from the occasional wildfire. But researchers are finding that trees that once would survive and thrive with small fires are now losing their ability to do so.

Just over 100,000 people managed to get signed up for health insurance through the state and federal health exchanges, the Obama administration reported. But barely a quarter of those — 26,794 — signed up through the faltering HealthCare.gov website.

AMC's award-winning drama Mad Men returns for its final season Sunday. NPR TV critic Eric Deggans says these last seven installments explore how little people change, even in tumultuous times.

NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to ex-Middle East envoy Dennis Ross, of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, about Israel's next steps after its decision to pull thousands of troops out of Gaza.

The Department of Government Efficiency, has focused in on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. What could DOGE's efforts mean to the tens of millions of Americans who rely on them?

Swing voters in North Carolina say they are frustrated with President Trump and the state of the economy but aren't ready to abandon him or his party as the midterms inch closer.

NPR's Steve Inskeep talks with two former governors, Indiana Republican Eric Holcomb and Rhode Island Democrat Gina Raimondo, about combatting AI-related job losses.

After a week of the World Cup, visitors to the U.S. are marveling on social media about things like free drink refills. It's a respite as tensions between Washington and its allies run high.