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NPR Corrections

NPR corrects significant errors in broadcast and online reports. Corrections of errors will be made in audio archives, written transcripts and on the website. To report an error, please use our corrections form.

How to avoid mosquito bites

Corrected on July 23, 2025

In a previous version of this episode, we explained how the chemical DEET works by masking your scent to mosquitos. That is just one of the ways the DEET is effective. There are other theories that suggest that DEET confuses a mosquito's senses on approach and then repels them if they happen to land on our body.

Also, a previous version of this episode suggested that the higher the percentage of DEET in your repellant, the higher the protection. The concentration of DEET used corresponds to how long the repellent will offer protection, not how effective the repellant is.

New Music Friday: The best albums out July 18

Corrected on July 18, 2025

This episode incorrectly says that Cassandra Croft, a musician who collaborated with the band Disiniblud, is the daughter of Elwood Norris, the inventor of hypersonic sound. Croft is the daughter of James Croft, who worked with Norris on the invention of hypersonic sound.

We're gonna need a bigger boat-building industry

Corrected on June 27, 2025

A previous version of this episode incorrectly said that there are 80 U.S.-flagged ships operating in global shipping. As of March, there were at least 95. The episode also incorrectly said that being U.S.-flagged means a ship was built in an American shipyard and has an American crew. There is no requirement that the ship be built in a U.S. shipyard, and citizenship requirements vary.

How successful were U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear program? Here's what we know.

Corrected on June 25, 2025

This episode incorrectly states that Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., were pushing for a new Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) in Congress following the U.S. strikes against Iran. In fact, they were pursuing a new war powers resolution, and not a new AUMF.

Abortion Before Roe

Corrected on June 20, 2025

This episode has been updated to include the most current contact information for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

American science brain drain

Corrected on June 4, 2025

Armando Rosario-Lebrón, who was working at the Smithsonian Institution, is the Eastern region vice president of the National Association of Agriculture Employees. All NAAE union representatives are employees of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The Indicator: American science brain drain

Corrected on June 3, 2025

Armando Rosario-Lebrón, who was working at the Smithsonian Institution, is the Eastern region vice president of the National Association of Agriculture Employees. All NAAE union representatives are employees of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Why can't we (or Ms. Rachel) talk about Gaza's children dying?

Corrected on May 26, 2025

This episode has been updated to remove a mention of UN Humanitarian Chief Tom Fletcher saying that if aid to Gaza wasn't restored 14,000 babies could die "in the next 48 hours." While Tom Fletcher said that to the BBC, the UN has since said that he was referring to a figure from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, which found that 14,100 children are at risk of acute malnutrition between April 2025 and March 2026.

'Murderbot' envisions a caustically funny future

Corrected on May 21, 2025

This episode incorrectly refers to the title character, Murderbot, using he/him pronouns. The character is referred to using it/its pronouns in both the Apple TV+ series and the book series The Murderbot Diaries.

The Met Gala: The indisputable best and worst looks of the night

Corrected on May 8, 2025

After this episode published, a representative of Henry Taylor, who collaborated with Pharrell Williams on the outfit worn by Lisa Manobal to the 2025 Met Gala, said in a statement to Vulture that none of the images of the women on the outfit were of civil rights icon Rosa Parks.

The Met Gala: the indisputable best & worst looks of the night

Corrected on May 7, 2025

After this episode published, a representative of Henry Taylor, who collaborated with Pharrell Williams on the outfit worn by Lisa Manobal to the 2025 Met Gala, said in a statement to Vulture that none of the images of the women on the outfit were of civil rights icon Rosa Parks.

The Met Gala is tonight, and it's already historic. Here's why.

Corrected on May 6, 2025

This episode conflates the theme of the Met Gala exhibition with the theme of the Met Gala fundraiser, as did a previous version of this web story. The theme of the exhibition is titled "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style." The theme of the fundraiser is titled "Tailored For You." Both the exhibition and the fundraiser are an ode to Black Dandy style.

Continued Crackdown on Illegal Immigration, Canada Votes, Measles Outbreak

Corrected on April 29, 2025

A previous version of this story incorrectly said that health officials thought measles had been eradicated in the U.S. In fact, measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000. Eradication is a specific term that means a disease is not infecting people anywhere in the world, while elimination refers to a specific area. The story also incorrectly referred to the MMR vaccine as a treatment in one instance. It is a preventive measure.

The Deadly Story of the U.S. Civil Service

Corrected on April 28, 2025

An earlier version of this episode incorrectly said that Abram Garfield fought a fire with his brothers. In fact, he fought the fire with his neighbors.

OIRA: The tiny office that's about to remake the federal government

Corrected on April 17, 2025

A previous version of this episode incorrectly said that an appeals court had ruled that the firing of a Democrat appointee to the National Labor Relations Board was illegal. A lower court had previously ruled that the firing was illegal. The appeals court rejected a Trump administration request for a stay on that ruling, but did not rule on the legality of the firing.

Christina Hendricks

Corrected on April 8, 2025

A previous headline misstated Christina Hendricks' first name as Christian.

John Green still has hope

Corrected on March 27, 2025

A previous version of this episode incorrectly said that tuberculosis was a virus. In fact, it is a bacterial disease.

How is sex determined? Scientists say it's complicated

Corrected on March 18, 2025

This story has been revised to clarify that while there are documented examples of people who produce sperm and viable eggs, there are no documented examples of people who produce both viable eggs and viable sperm.

We the People: Succession of Power

Corrected on March 14, 2025

In a previous version of this episode we incorrectly said that John F. Kennedy was the youngest president in US history. Kennedy at 43 was the youngest person to be elected president but Theodore Roosevelt, who took office at age 42 after William McKinley was assassinated, was the youngest person to serve as US president.

Field Notes: On Losing the Gaza They Knew

Corrected on January 23, 2025

The casualty figure of 85 Palestinian journalists cited in this piece comes from the Committee to Protect Journalists. Israel has disputed that number arguing that some of those included in the count were not journalists and many were simply caught up in the war but not killed while actually working as journalists. (March 19, 2024)

An earlier version of a photo caption on this article misspelled Shaymaa Ahmed's name. It has been updated with the correct spelling. (Jan. 23, 2025)