NPR Topics: Culture

After the Kars4Kids ad is banned in California, we check in on nostalgic jingles past

Rachel Treisman — Wed, 20 May 2026 14:08:13 -0400

A California judge has given Kars4Kids 30 days to either take its ads off the air or update them to disclose its affiliations to a Jewish charity based in the Northeast.

The Justice Department gives Trump an unprecedented settlement

Terry Gross — Wed, 20 May 2026 13:16:26 -0400

D.O.J. gave Trump and his family immunity from tax audits and set up a $1.8 billion fund for victims of "government weaponization." Former government lawyer Andrew Weissmann explains the settlement.

Having trouble focusing on your book? Try immersive reading

Chloee Weiner — Wed, 20 May 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Reading text of a book while listening to the audiobook is gaining steam among online book communities.

Every season of 'Survivor,' ranked worst to best, by NPR's resident superfan

Stephen Thompson — Wed, 20 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Survivor is a sport, a metaphor for society and yes, entertainment. As its 50th season ends, NPR critic Stephen Thompson ranked every season so far.

This year's list of endangered historic places focuses on equality and erasure

Neda Ulaby — Wed, 20 May 2026 04:47:23 -0400

Eleven historically significant sites across the country will receive $25,000 from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to commemorate the country's 250th anniversary.

(Image credit: Whitney Browne, National Parks Conservation Association)

'Taiwan Travelogue' wins the 2026 International Booker Prize

Ivy Buck — Tue, 19 May 2026 17:31:47 -0400

Taiwan Travelogue author Yáng Shuāng-zǐ, left, and translator Lin King are the first Taiwanese and Taiwanese-American winners of the International Booker Prize. They are pictured above in London on Monday.'/>

The novel is the first work translated from Mandarin Chinese to win the award, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.

(Image credit: Adrian Dennis)

Tomeka Reid expands the possibilities of jazz avant garde on 'Dance! Skip! Hop!'

Martin Johnson — Tue, 19 May 2026 15:48:07 -0400

Reid's quartet makes music that seems inspired by a variety of sources, ranging from modern dance to children's games. Her latest album is one of her most compelling.

In the face of devastating loss, Jesmyn Ward holds onto 'respair'

Tonya Mosley — Tue, 19 May 2026 15:47:46 -0400

Ward learned the term "respair" — meaning the recovery of hope after despair — during the pandemic. Her new book On Witness and Respair is an essay collection on grief, motherhood and survival.

(Image credit: Beowulf Sheehan)

15 books our critics can't wait for this summer

Meghan Collins Sullivan — Tue, 19 May 2026 05:00:00 -0400

A gothic horror tale, a creepy science-fiction romp, a sweeping romance, an intergenerational saga, a book about birds — here are the fiction and nonfiction our critics are most looking forward to.

Colbert's last episodes: What happened on 'The Late Show' last night

Eric Deggans — Tue, 19 May 2026 01:39:13 -0400

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The program's final episode will air Thursday night.
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Stephen Colbert spent Tuesday night with his old friend Jon Stewart and filmmaker Steven Spielberg, delivering sharp banter and lots of jokes about President Trump.

(Image credit: Scott Kowalchyk)