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Elena Ferrante is the pen name of an anonymous Italian author. Very little is known about her, but Ferrante's books — widely believed to be a thinly veiled autobiography — have achieved cult status.

Michael Astrue, a former head of the Social Security Administration under George W. Bush and Barack Obama, told NPR that Elon Musk is wrong about Social Security and that there is no widespread fraud.

Each year, Lego turns out 19 billion plastic bricks, figures and gears for building things. But sometimes it seems even 19 billion isn't enough. Seattle-area resident Will Chapman wanted more, so he started making Lego-compatible parts — including World War II weapons.

NPR's Ailsa Chang talks to Sean Miyashiro, founder of 88rising, a media company that focuses on promoting the work of Asian artists and musicians.

Approved by voters last year, Proposition 47 lets people with some nonviolent felonies petition to reduce their crimes to misdemeanors. It's giving former offenders access to better opportunities.

Albino Quiroz Sandoval left home to go shopping last year and never returned. A man has been arrested, but most crimes in Mexico go unpunished. More than 37,000 people have gone missing since 2007.

Recent years have seen an upswing in people playing tennis (or at least dressing like it). But it's not just a phase. The sport — at least some version of it — has been around since medieval times.

Michael Lewis, author of a new book called Panic: The Story of Modern Financial Insanity, contends the current Wall Street slump will have some healthy long-term effects, including more moderate financial risk-taking and more proportionate rewards for CEOs.

Health officials in a number of European countries are reporting sharp increases in coronavirus infections and are warning of more hospitalizations and deaths in the months ahead.

Police are trained to avoid warning shots for tactical and legal reasons. But this long-standing prohibition is being reconsidered under public pressure to reduce deadly shootings by police.

Storm surge and unusually high tides left some properties along the coast flooded with several feet of water. Residents are cleaning up the damage and bracing for a financial hit.

Many cities have been digging themselves out of the snow. But where does all of it go?

Isaac Fitzgerald is known for his cheery take on books for "The Today Show" and on his Substack. But as he writes in his memoir, Fitzgerald's present-day exuberance and self-acceptance came after a difficult childhood and finding community in unlikely places, including bars and the porn industry.

Women in India were told they couldn't be paid for their eggs. The result: a black market for eggs from women in need of money to survive.

"Disco lights shine out of the darkness," says the pop veteran, who channels lockdown despair into glittery escapism on her 15th album, simply titled Disco.

Brittany Luse, host of It's Been a Minute, sat down with Da'Vine Joy Randolph to hear how she constructed her Oscar nominated role in The Holdovers – and channeling the spirits of her loved ones.

She’s a familiar voice to thousands of us across West Central Florida. As the midday host for Tampa Bay’s NPR station, WUSF, Lisa Peakes keeps us company as we work, eat lunch, run errands, sit in the school carline or whatever else we happen to be doing in the afternoon.Lisa reads the news, shares the weather report and tells us about local events, all in that friendly, soothing voice that’s become a constant companion. As her WUSF Public Media colleagues, we can tell you that Lisa is even more fascinating than the information she broadcasts. So in this bonus episode, we wanted to give you a chance to get to know the woman behind the microphone.

A New York grand jury has indicted the man accused of killing United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Luigi Mangione faces murder charges for allegedly gunning Thompson down in a targeted attack.

Pardit Pri left her job as a legal assistant when she had a baby. She thought she'd be able to find a new job with health insurance, but so far has found only contract work with no benefits. She's not sure if her state's new health exchange will make sense for her, given her uncertain income.

Among other things Badalamenti's music, soft and bizarre and surging, was an emotional compass for the uncanny creations of director David Lynch.

Some senior living communities are caring for people with dementia alongside other residents, not segregated behind locked doors.

Opera singer Deborah Voigt will be reprising the title role in "Ariadne auf Naxos" at London's Royal Opera House next week. The role is one from which she was fired in 2004 because of her weight.

Irish writer Colm Toibin's novella recounts familiar stories of the New Testament, as seen through the eyes of Jesus' mother. But this isn't the iconic blushing virgin you're used to seeing. Toibin's Mary is modeled after the fierce heroines of Greek tragedies — and she is filled with anger.

In some cultures, kids roll their eyes when asked to do chores. In others, they'll pitch in without even being asked. Researchers have identified two key practices to raise helpful children.

Florida banned visitors from nursing homes in March to guard against spreading the coronavirus. After six months, the state has finally allowed visits to facilities for residential care.