2024

The official numbers are in: 2024 is the hottest year on record. Climate change is the main culprit. But there might be something else going on, too.

Every year, we remember some of the writers, actors, musicians, filmmakers and performers who died over the past year, and whose lifetime of creative work helped shape our world.

Pop culture critic Linda Holmes has been making this annual list since 2010. Big, small, inspirational, silly — what these items have in common is that they are all wonderful and brought her joy.

Whether we were paying attention or not, 2024 was filled with good news. In case you weren't, NPR's member stations have been keeping track. Here are some of the stories that made us smile this year.

Who or what died? Who or what broke up? Why so many bears? And what color IS "brat green," anyway? Test yourself in this year's final news quiz.

If New Year's resolutions include improving vocabulary, then the 2024 Banished Words List slaps.