Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson on the state of the pandemic NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Gov. Asa Hutchinson, R-Ark., about Monday's call with the White House and governors about the pandemic. Ayen Bior
People from states with less access to abortion are flocking to Kansas' clinics The staff at Trust Women, a Kansas clinic, is seeing an influx of people from other states with limited or no access to abortion services. That could get worse if the state outlaws abortion. Abigail Censky
Fauci says New York was right to ease quarantine rules for health care workers Vaccinated health care staff and other essential workers can return to work five days — rather than the previous 10 days — after a positive COVID-19 test if they meet certain safety standards. Joe Hernandez
U.S. omicron cases are on an upward climb. Fauci hopes to see a turnaround soon NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Biden's chief medical adviser, about the spread of the Omicron variant. He says people should wear masks, get vaccinated and then get boosted.
Omicron surge sets records as flight disruptions continue More than 1,400 flights canceled worldwide Monday, adding to thousands canceled over the Christmas weekend. And across the country, long lines continued at COVID-19 testing sites. NPR Staff
Bill of the Month: $45,843 a month for a year for baby's NICU stay When insurance companies wouldn't pay, a woman facing a $550,000 tab for her newborn's ICU treatment was given a chance to pay about $46,000 a month. The story changed when a reporter got on the line.
Intimate portraits of a hospital COVID unit from a photojournalist-turned-nurse Alan Hawes hopes his photos of health care workers and COVID patients will show the toll of this pandemic — and persuade the unvaccinated to get their COVID shots. Victoria Hansen
COVID-19 outbreaks hit 3 cruise ships as Florida breaks record for new cases An undisclosed number of passengers and crew aboard the Carnival Freedom tested positive. It was the third outbreak this week affecting ships operated by Carnival and Royal Caribbean. The Associated Press
How to raise kind kids, a booze ban, BTS at U.N.: Our top non-pandemic global stories Our most popular stories not about the pandemic included: advice on raising helpful kids, boy band BTS's U.N. appearance, why South Africa banned alcohol — and a very scary virus called Nipah. Malaka Gharib
New York eases quarantine rules for essential workers as omicron hits key industries The number of new COVID cases in New York doubled in just three days. State officials say the impact of the winter omicron surge on the workforce is already being felt. Brian Mann