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National

As the Atlantic hurricane season draws to a close, the most destructive storm of the year was Hurricane Melissa. The Category 5 hurricane walloped Jamaica in late October. It was the strongest storm to ever hit Jamaica, killing dozens and decimating scores of neighborhoods. There was forecast uncertainty in the days before landfall. But one particular model got it exactly right.

As the Atlantic hurricane season draws to a close, the most destructive storm of the year was Hurricane Melissa. The Category 5 hurricane walloped Jamaica in late October. It was the strongest storm to ever hit Jamaica, killing dozens and decimating scores of neighborhoods. There was forecast uncertainty in the days before landfall. But one particular model got it exactly right. Ricardo Makyn/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Ricardo Makyn/AFP via Getty Images

Weather

As the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season ends, the future of forecasting is AI

Meteorologists are surprised that the weather model that did the best job forecasting hurricanes this year was a new one, introduced by Google. AI may be the beginning of a new era of forecasting.

The future of hurricane forecasting is AI

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A machine with a digital screen like a small television with the time and charts on its screen is shown in the foreground. Hoses link to a facemask on a man in the background; he appears to be sleeping peacefully in a reclining position.

Derek McManus has ALS, but his insurer initially refused to provide an advanced medical ventilator. Each machine can cost insurers more than $10,000. An independent appeals reviewer ordered the insurer to provide one. Lauren Petracca for KFF Health News hide caption

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Lauren Petracca for KFF Health News

Shots - Health News

They need a ventilator to stay alive. Getting one can be a nightmare

KFF Health News

Few nursing homes can care for people who need help breathing with a ventilator because of ALS and other conditions. Insurers often deny payment for the best at-home machines, and innovative solutions are endangered by Medicaid cuts.

Ventilator shortages

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President Trump speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One on Nov. 16 at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Fla.

President Trump speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One on Nov. 16 at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Fla. Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images hide caption

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Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images

Politics

Trump administration pausing all asylum decisions after National Guard shooting

After the alleged shooter was identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal — a 29-year-old Afghan national — Trump said he would permanently shut down immigration from impoverished countries.

How parking explains everything

The parking lot at Hilltop Mall in Richmond, California. The U.S. has devoted huge swaths of its cities and suburbs to storing cars. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption

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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Consider This from NPR

How parking explains everything

No matter how you measure it, there is a lot of parking in the U.S. According to some estimates there are as many as six parking spaces for every car. Put another way, America devotes more square footage to storing cars than housing people.

How parking explains everything

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A small memorial of flowers and an American flag has been set up outside the Farragut West Metro station on Nov. 27 in Washington, D.C.

A small memorial of flowers and an American flag has been set up outside the Farragut West Metro station on Nov. 27, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Two members of the West Virginia National Guard were shot on Nov. 26, blocks from the White House in what authorities are calling a targeted shooting. Andrew Leyden/Getty Images hide caption

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Andrew Leyden/Getty Images

Up First Newsletter

National Guard member dies from injuries. And, death toll in Hong Kong fire rises

National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom had died from her injuries after a shooting in the nation's capital. And, the death toll in the Hong Kong high-rise fire rises as dozens remain missing.

Trump Suspends Immigration After Guard Attack, Holiday Economy, Retail Spending

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Harjinder Singh is seen on a video screen next to his attorney Tejinder Bains during court proceedings in Fort Pierce, Fla. on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025.

Harjinder Singh is seen on a video screen next to his attorney Tejinder Bains during court proceedings in Fort Pierce, Fla. on Nov. 13, 2025. The Indian-born Singh was behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler in August when he allegedly made an illegal U-turn, causing a crash that killed three people. Cody Jackson/AP hide caption

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Cody Jackson/AP

The DOT says it wants to make trucking safer, but some see an 'immigration raid'

The Department of Transportation wants tougher rules for commercial driver's licenses after a deadly crash involving a trucker from India. Critics say it's an immigration crackdown by another name.

Transportation Department wants tougher rules for commercial driver's licenses

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A woman carries away a free turkey during the Los Angeles Police Department turkey drive on November 20, 2023.

A woman carries away a free turkey during the Los Angeles Police Department turkey drive on November 20, 2023. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption

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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Consider This from NPR

What's motivating volunteers across the country, especially this Thanksgiving

From building homes to ushering theater-goers to re-enacting medieval history for middle-schoolers – yes, you read that right – acts of volunteerism have remained vital for communities across the country. And not just for people in need.

What's motivating volunteers across the country, especially this Thanksgiving

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In this April 6, 2006 file photo, Fuzzy Zoeller encourages the crowd to be quiet on the second hole during first round play at the Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga.

In this April 6, 2006 file photo, Fuzzy Zoeller encourages the crowd to be quiet on the second hole during first round play at the Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga. Morry Gash/AP hide caption

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Morry Gash/AP

Obituaries

Fuzzy Zoeller, golf champion haunted by racist joke about Tiger Woods, dies at 74

Two-time golf champion Fuzzy Zoeller has died at the age of 74. One of golf's most gregarious characters Zoeller's career was tainted by a racially insensitive joke he made about Tiger Woods.

This photo provided by U.S. Attorney’s Office on Thursday shows Rahmanullah Lakanwal.

This photo provided by U.S. Attorney's Office on Thursday shows Rahmanullah Lakanwal. U.S. Attorney’s Office/AP hide caption

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U.S. Attorney’s Office/AP

National Guard deployments

National Guard shooting suspect served in CIA counterterrorism unit, group says

Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the Afghan man who allegedly shot two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., had served in one of Afghanistan's elite counterterrorism units, according to a nonprofit run by people who served in Afghanistan.

This photo combination shows injured West Virginia National Guard Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe (left) and Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, who died after Wednesday's shooting in Washington, D.C.

This photo combination shows West Virginia National Guard Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe (left), who was injured, and Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, who died, after Wednesday's shooting in Washington, D.C. U.S. Attorney’s Office/AP hide caption

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U.S. Attorney’s Office/AP

National Guard deployments

National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom has died from injuries after D.C. shooting

Beckstrom, 20, was an Army specialist from Summersville, W.Va. She entered the service in 2023. President Trump said the second Guard member who was shot, Andrew Wolfe, "is fighting for his life."

A customer shops for produce at an H-E-B grocery store on February 12, 2025 in Austin, Texas.

A customer shops for produce at an H-E-B grocery store earlier this year in Austin, Texas. Many shoppers are cutting back on purchases due to higher costs. Brandon Bell/Getty Images hide caption

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Brandon Bell/Getty Images

For many, the holidays this year means having to make do with less

With job losses, food benefit reductions and higher prices, many in the U.S. are having to scrimp this holiday season.

'It’s really tough': Some Americans are cutting back this holiday season

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Demonstrators gather in a crowd holding signs that read things like "ICE out of NYC" and "No troops in NYC."

People demonstrate against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in New York in October. Adam Gray/Getty Images hide caption

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Adam Gray/Getty Images

Immigration

Mamdani and Trump made nice. NYC immigrants are still on edge

The incoming mayor of New York City has had a volatile relationship with President Trump. They recently had a surprisingly cordial meeting. New Yorkers say they are still feeling on edge.

Mamdani and Trump made nice. NYC immigrants are still on edge

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2 National Guard members in critical condition after 'targeted' attack in D.C., authorities say

Law enforcement agencies respond to a shooting near the White House on November 26, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Tyrone Turner/WAMU hide caption

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Tyrone Turner/WAMU

National Guard deployments

2 National Guard members in critical condition after 'targeted' attack in D.C., authorities say

President Trump said the suspected shooter came to the U.S. from Afghanistan in 2021. The administration plans to send 500 more Guard personnel to the nation's capital in response to the attack.

Two National Guard members shot in D.C., suspect is in custody, authorities say

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