Training Example: NPR – Review the Data, Give Your Score & Compare to the Real AI Evaluation

NPR - Breaking News, Analysis, Music, Arts & Podcasts Top stories in the U.S. and world news, politics, health, science, business, music, arts and culture. Nonprofit journalism with a mission. This is NPR.

[IMG: Chris Babcock, an engineer at the National Transportation Safety Board, in one of the audition rooms at the agency]

Chris Babcock, an engineer at the National Transportation Safety Board, in one of the audition rooms at the agency's headquarters in Washington, D.C.
hide caption

toggle caption

[IMG: Chris Babcock, an engineer at the National Transportation Safety Board, in one of the audition rooms at the agency]

Chris Babcock, an engineer at the National Transportation Safety Board, in one of the audition rooms at the agency's headquarters in Washington, D.C.
hide caption

toggle caption

[H2]
National

[H3] The NTSB tries to keep cockpit audio recordings private. AI is making that harder

The National Transportation Safety Board temporarily pulled its docket system offline after digital images were used to reconstruct cockpit voice recordings of the pilots in a recent crash.

[H4] NTSB VOICE RECORDINGS

Listen

·
4:51

4:51

Transcript

Toggle more options

Download
Embed

Embed

<iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5835242/nx-s1-9791203" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Transcript

[IMG: "I Voted" stickers are seen as a person casts their ballot in Philadelphia in Pennsylvania]

"I Voted" stickers are seen as a person casts their ballot in Philadelphia in Pennsylvania's primary election on May 19.

Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images

hide caption

toggle caption

Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images

[IMG: "I Voted" stickers are seen as a person casts their ballot in Philadelphia in Pennsylvania]

"I Voted" stickers are seen as a person casts their ballot in Philadelphia in Pennsylvania's primary election on May 19.

Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images

hide caption

toggle caption

Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images

[H2]
Deep Dive

[H2]
Elections

[H3] How single-party primary elections are reshaping Congress

[IMG: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth waits to deliver his speech at the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore on Saturday.]

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth waits to deliver his speech at the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore on Saturday.

Anupam Nath/AP

hide caption

toggle caption

Anupam Nath/AP

[IMG: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth waits to deliver his speech at the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore on Saturday.]

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth waits to deliver his speech at the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore on Saturday.

Anupam Nath/AP

hide caption

toggle caption

Anupam Nath/AP

[H2]
U.S. vs. China: Inside a great power rivalry

[H3] Hegseth urges Asian leaders to boost military spending against China

[H4] Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is in Singapore for Shangri-La Dialogue security summit

Listen

·
3:56

3:56

Transcript

Toggle more options

Download
Embed

Embed

<iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5837615/nx-s1-9791192" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Transcript

[IMG: President Donald Trump]

President Donald Trump's name was added to the Kennedy Center in December of 2025. This photo was taken in April 2026.

Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP

hide caption

toggle caption

Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP

[IMG: President Donald Trump]

President Donald Trump's name was added to the Kennedy Center in December of 2025. This photo was taken in April 2026.

Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP

hide caption

toggle caption

Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP

[H2]
Performing Arts

[H3] Trump's name must come off of the Kennedy Center, a federal judge rules

[IMG: Drivers fuel up at a Costco gas station in Roseville, Mich.]

Drivers fuel up at a Costco gas station in Roseville, Mich.

Paul Sancya/AP

hide caption

toggle caption

Paul Sancya/AP

[IMG: Drivers fuel up at a Costco gas station in Roseville, Mich.]

Drivers fuel up at a Costco gas station in Roseville, Mich.

Paul Sancya/AP

hide caption

toggle caption

Paul Sancya/AP

[H2]
Business

[H3] Here's how we're coping with high gas prices, according to Costco and Walmart

[H4] Gas prices are changing how we fuel up

Listen

·
3:32

3:32

Transcript

Toggle more options

Download
Embed

Embed

<iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5838740/nx-s1-9791191" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Transcript

[IMG: Democratic senate candidate James Talarico speaks at a rally on May 27 in Houston.]

Democratic senate candidate James Talarico speaks at a rally on May 27 in Houston.

Danielle Villasana/Getty Images

hide caption

toggle caption

Danielle Villasana/Getty Images

[IMG: Democratic senate candidate James Talarico speaks at a rally on May 27 in Houston.]

Democratic senate candidate James Talarico speaks at a rally on May 27 in Houston.

Danielle Villasana/Getty Images

hide caption

toggle caption

Danielle Villasana/Getty Images

[H2]
Politics

[H3] What it means to be a man is a theme in Texas Senate race as Paxton attacks Talarico

[IMG: Community members place electric candles near a vase of flowers during a vigil at R.A. Long Park following a fatal chemical storage tank failure on May 26, 2026 in Longview, Wash.]

Community members place electric candles near a vase of flowers during a vigil at R.A. Long Park following a fatal chemical storage tank failure on May 26, 2026 in Longview, Wash.

Mathieu Lewis-Rolland/Getty Images

hide caption

toggle caption

Mathieu Lewis-Rolland/Getty Images

[IMG: Community members place electric candles near a vase of flowers during a vigil at R.A. Long Park following a fatal chemical storage tank failure on May 26, 2026 in Longview, Wash.]

Community members place electric candles near a vase of flowers during a vigil at R.A. Long Park following a fatal chemical storage tank failure on May 26, 2026 in Longview, Wash.

Mathieu Lewis-Rolland/Getty Images

hide caption

toggle caption

Mathieu Lewis-Rolland/Getty Images

[H3] Death toll climbs to 9 after chemical tank rupture in Washington state

OPB

[IMG: LEXINGTON, KY - FEBRUARY 18, 2026 Cows are pictured in a feed barn at Hallstead Farms on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 in Lexington, Ky. Family farmers Reid and Amanda Hall raise beef cattle in central Kentucky despite the challenging economics of farming in 2026. Luke Sharrett for NPR]

LEXINGTON, KY - FEBRUARY 18, 2026
Cows are pictured in a feed barn at Hallstead Farms on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 in Lexington, Ky. Family farmers Reid and Amanda Hall raise beef cattle in central Kentucky despite the challenging economics of farming in 2026. Luke Sharrett for NPR

Luke Sharrett for NPR

hide caption

toggle caption

Luke Sharrett for NPR

[IMG: LEXINGTON, KY - FEBRUARY 18, 2026 Cows are pictured in a feed barn at Hallstead Farms on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 in Lexington, Ky. Family farmers Reid and Amanda Hall raise beef cattle in central Kentucky despite the challenging economics of farming in 2026. Luke Sharrett for NPR]

LEXINGTON, KY - FEBRUARY 18, 2026
Cows are pictured in a feed barn at Hallstead Farms on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 in Lexington, Ky. Family farmers Reid and Amanda Hall raise beef cattle in central Kentucky despite the challenging economics of farming in 2026. Luke Sharrett for NPR

Luke Sharrett for NPR

hide caption

toggle caption

Luke Sharrett for NPR

[H2]
What's Eating America

[H3] Why the U.S. cattle herd is at a 75-year low — and what it means for beef prices

[IMG: Supporters cheer during a campaign rally of presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella of the Defenders of the Motherland movement in Bogota, Colombia, May 20, 2026.]

Supporters cheer during a campaign rally of presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella of the Defenders of the Motherland movement in Bogota, Colombia, May 20, 2026.

Fernando Vergara/AP

hide caption

toggle caption

Fernando Vergara/AP

[IMG: Supporters cheer during a campaign rally of presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella of the Defenders of the Motherland movement in Bogota, Colombia, May 20, 2026.]

Supporters cheer during a campaign rally of presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella of the Defenders of the Motherland movement in Bogota, Colombia, May 20, 2026.

Fernando Vergara/AP

hide caption

toggle caption

Fernando Vergara/AP

[H2]
The Americas

[H3] In Colombia's election, undecided voters weigh leftist vs. right-wing firebrand

[H4] In Colombia, a flashy lawyer touts his tough-on-crime approach in presidential race

Listen

·
4:54

4:54

Transcript

Toggle more options

Download
Embed

Embed

<iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5830412/nx-s1-9788178" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Transcript

Navigate previousNavigate next

[IMG: Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. sits on the Columbia River, in Longview, Wash., on May 27, 2026. Contamination entered the river following the plant’s chemical disaster, but state officials quickly worked to control further contamination.]

Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. sits on the Columbia River, in Longview, Wash., on May 27, 2026. Contamination entered the river following the plant's chemical disaster, but state officials quickly worked to control further contamination.

Eli Imadali/OPB

hide caption

toggle caption

Eli Imadali/OPB

[IMG: Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. sits on the Columbia River, in Longview, Wash., on May 27, 2026. Contamination entered the river following the plant’s chemical disaster, but state officials quickly worked to control further contamination.]

Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. sits on the Columbia River, in Longview, Wash., on May 27, 2026. Contamination entered the river following the plant's chemical disaster, but state officials quickly worked to control further contamination.

Eli Imadali/OPB

hide caption

toggle caption

Eli Imadali/OPB

[H3] 'Something dramatically wrong': Questions but few answers after Longview mill tragedy

OPB
As crews continue to work through hazardous conditions, company and government officials say it's too early to know what might have caused the implosion in Longview that killed at least nine people.

[IMG: Arsenal fans celebrate winning the Premier League at Emirates Stadium on May 19 in London.]

Arsenal fans celebrate winning the Premier League at Emirates Stadium on May 19 in London.

Julian Finney/Getty Images

hide caption

toggle caption

Julian Finney/Getty Images

[IMG: Arsenal fans celebrate winning the Premier League at Emirates Stadium on May 19 in London.]

Arsenal fans celebrate winning the Premier League at Emirates Stadium on May 19 in London.

Julian Finney/Getty Images

hide caption

toggle caption

Julian Finney/Getty Images

[H2]
Europe

[H3] Arsenal's glory weekend beckons, and soccer fans all over the world are watching

This weekend is Arsenal F.C.'s victory parade. Fans from London to Lagos are celebrating a dream season — and watching to see if one more trophy is on the way.

[H4] Arsenal’s epic season has the world celebrating

Listen

·
2:28

2:28

Transcript

Toggle more options

Download
Embed

Embed

<iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5836382/nx-s1-9789700" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Transcript

[IMG: Former U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi (center) arrives to testify at a closed-door interview with the House Oversight Committee on Capitol Hill on Friday in Washington, D.C. Lawmakers will ask Bondi questions about the federal government]

Former U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi (center) arrives to testify at a closed-door interview with the House Oversight Committee on Capitol Hill on Friday in Washington, D.C. Lawmakers will ask Bondi questions about the federal government's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case and release of related files to the public.

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

hide caption

toggle caption

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

[IMG: Former U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi (center) arrives to testify at a closed-door interview with the House Oversight Committee on Capitol Hill on Friday in Washington, D.C. Lawmakers will ask Bondi questions about the federal government]

Former U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi (center) arrives to testify at a closed-door interview with the House Oversight Committee on Capitol Hill on Friday in Washington, D.C. Lawmakers will ask Bondi questions about the federal government's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case and release of related files to the public.

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

hide caption

toggle caption

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

[H2]
Law

[H3] Bondi doubles down on her handling of Epstein files in testimony to Congress

In a closed-door interview, Bondi said there were redaction errors, but otherwise defended the Justice Department's release of files in the Epstein case. She was ousted as attorney general in April.

[H4] Former AG Pam Bondi appears before Congress over handling of the Epstein files

Listen

·
2:26

2:26

Transcript

Toggle more options

Download
Embed

Embed

<iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5836563/nx-s1-9789735" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Transcript

[IMG: Lyndsey Sickler, one of Pittsburgh Pride organizers.]

Lyndsey Sickler, one of Pittsburgh Pride organizers.

Hannah Frances Johansson

hide caption

toggle caption

Hannah Frances Johansson

[H2]
National

[H3] Pride celebrations struggle as corporate sponsorships dry up

NPR Music: Tiny Desk, New Music and Music News Tiny Desks, All Songs Considered and in-depth features from NPR

[IMG: Cure For Paranoia, the winner of the 2026 Tiny Desk Contest, performs a Tiny Desk concert at NPR in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday May 20, 2026]

Cure For Paranoia, the winner of the 2026 Tiny Desk Contest, performs a Tiny Desk concert at NPR in Washington, D.C.
hide caption

toggle caption

[IMG: Cure For Paranoia, the winner of the 2026 Tiny Desk Contest, performs a Tiny Desk concert at NPR in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday May 20, 2026]

Cure For Paranoia, the winner of the 2026 Tiny Desk Contest, performs a Tiny Desk concert at NPR in Washington, D.C.
hide caption

toggle caption

[H2]
Tiny Desk

[H3] The Tiny Desk Contest winner is here!

Perseverance, plus a whole lot of talent, is what got the Dallas hip-hop collective to our space after submitting to the Tiny Desk Contest four years in a row.

[IMG: Cure For Paranoia, the winner of the 2026 Tiny Desk Contest, performs a Tiny Desk concert at NPR in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday May 20, 2026]

Cure For Paranoia, the winner of the 2026 Tiny Desk Contest, performs a Tiny Desk concert at NPR in Washington, D.C.
hide caption

toggle caption

[IMG: Electronic music icons Boards of Canada — the Scottish sibling duo of Mike Sandison and Marcus Eoin — return with their first LP since 2013.]

Electronic music icons Boards of Canada — the Scottish sibling duo of Mike Sandison and Marcus Eoin — return with their first LP since 2013.

Warp Records

hide caption

toggle caption

Warp Records

[H2]
NPR Music

[H3] New Music Friday: The best albums out May 29

Boards of Canada. Kurt Vile. Iceage. Stephen Thompson and Andrew Brown chat about their favorite albums out now.

[IMG: Drake dominates the charts this week.]

Drake dominates the charts this week.

Simone Joyner/Getty Images/Getty Images Europe

hide caption

toggle caption

Simone Joyner/Getty Images/Getty Images Europe

[H2]
Music

[H3] Drake tops the charts, sets records and sweeps away the oldies

It's Drake Week on the Billboard charts, as the rapper sets records for sheer quantity.

[IMG: Miles Davis (seen here during a concert in New York]

Miles Davis (seen here during a concert in New York's Central Park in 1969) might have been more compelled to self-reinvention than any other artist in the 20th century.

Jack Vartoogian/Getty Images

hide caption

toggle caption

Jack Vartoogian/Getty Images

[H2]
Music

[H3] The Miles Davis century: The definition, and evolution, of cool

He looms as large as anyone, but he means many things to many people.

[IMG: feeble little horse]

feeble little horse

Eve Alpert

hide caption

toggle caption

Eve Alpert

[H2]
NPR Music

[H3] New Music Friday

Boards of Canada. Kurt Vile. Iceage. feeble little horse. Paul McCartney.

Minyo Crusaders

Courtesy of the artist

hide caption

toggle caption

Courtesy of the artist

[H2]
Alt.Latino

[H3] Alt.Latino

New music from Japan and Hawaii, plus a tribute to Totó La Momposina.

Myspace Music, an early staple for Millennial music lovers.

Anna Webber/Getty Images

hide caption

toggle caption

Anna Webber/Getty Images

[H2]
NPR Music

[H3] All Songs Considered

The dot-com boom! Generational disillusionment! What's the defining Millennial song?

[IMG: Miles Davis at 100 for The Late Set]

Miles Davis at 100 for The Late Set

WTRI

hide caption

toggle caption

WTRI

[H3] The Late Set

Now 100 years since his birth, Miles Davis is still a source of endless fascination.

[IMG: Wild Card Thumbnail.jpg]

[H2]
Wild Card with Rachel Martin

[H3] Wild Card

Noah Kahan says "depression and anxiety give you sneaky superpowers."

[IMG: Trent Reznor singing into a microphone on stage.]

Trent Renzor of Nine Inch Nails performs at 106.7 KROQ's "Almost Acoustic Christmas" at Gibson Ampitheater at Universal Studios on December 10, 2005 in Los Angeles, California.

Karl Walter/Getty Images

hide caption

toggle caption

Karl Walter/Getty Images

[H4] Bonus

[H2]
NPR Music

[H3] NPR Music+

Nine Inch Nails' "Closer" contains one of the most notorious F-bombs ever committed to tape.

[H3] Sonny Rollins, colossus of the saxophone, has died at 95

[H2] More Videos

Cure For Paranoia: Tiny Desk Concert

Annahstasia: Tiny Desk Concert

Laurie Anderson: Tiny Desk Concert

RaiNao: Tiny Desk Concert

Vince Gill: Tiny Desk Concert

Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble: Tiny Desk Concert

Foo Fighters: Tiny Desk Concert

JADE: Tiny Desk Concert

KestheBand: Tiny Desk Concert

Ragtime: Tiny Desk Concert

Milo J: Tiny Desk Concert

Infinity Song: Tiny Desk Concert

Amaia: Tiny Desk Concert

Noah Kahan: Tiny Desk Concert

Gwenifer Raymond: Tiny Desk Concert

Mannequin Pussy: Tiny Desk Concert

Lecrae: Tiny Desk Concert

Aterciopelados: Tiny Desk Concert

Bush: Tiny Desk Concert

Militarie Gun: Tiny Desk Concert

Mumford & Sons: Tiny Desk Concert

Kronos Quartet: Tiny Desk Concert

Caamp: Tiny Desk Concert

Tiana Major9: Tiny Desk Concert

Madi Diaz: Tiny Desk Concert

Maybe Happy Ending: Tiny Desk Concert

De La Soul: Tiny Desk Concert

Buddy Guy: Tiny Desk Concert

Immanuel Wilkins: Tiny Desk Concert

FLO: Tiny Desk Concert

Ganavya: Tiny Desk Concert

Jill Scott: Tiny Desk Concert

Sarah McLachlan: Tiny Desk Concert

Geese: Tiny Desk Concert

John P. Kee & New Life: Tiny Desk Concert

Miguel: Tiny Desk Concert

Ollella: Tiny Desk Concert

FORAGER: Tiny Desk Concert

Sally Baby's Silver Dollars: Tiny Desk Concert

yeule: Tiny Desk Concert

Guitarricadelafuente: Tiny Desk Concert

John Fogerty: Tiny Desk Concert

From the Top: Tiny Desk Concert

Destin Conrad: Tiny Desk Concert

Coco Jones: Tiny Desk Concert

Great Grandpa: Tiny Desk Concert

Daniel Caesar: Tiny Desk Concert

GIVĒON: Tiny Desk Concert

More stations

[IMG: Live Sessions]

WFUV

Live
Sessions

[IMG: Tiny Desk]

Cameron Robert/NPR

Tiny
Desk

[IMG: Field Recordings]

NPR

Field
Recordings

[H2] MUSIC BY GENRE

Rock
Pop
Hip-Hop
Latin
Jazz
R&B/Soul
World
Classical
Folk
Electronic/Dance

[IMG: Elim_Chan_WEB_SMALL-15-scaled.jpg-fix.jpg]

[H2]
Music

[H3] NPR Classical

Two of our finest orchestras have just chosen new music directors. Hear tracks conducted by Elim Chan, who will take over the San Francisco Symphony and Daniel Harding, who will lead the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

[IMG: best-songs-2025-david-mascha.jpg]

[H2]
Music

[H3] Stream NPR Music's Best Songs Of 2025

Welcome to the sound of public radio in 2025. If the playlist feels chaotic at times, that's somewhat by design.

[IMG: A sparkly sweet treat for a sparkly sweet mix.]

A sparkly sweet treat for a sparkly sweet mix.

Lars Gotrich/NPR

hide caption

toggle caption

Lars Gotrich/NPR

[H2]
NPR Music

[H3] Roséwave: Simple Pleasures

You asked, we listened: Roséwave is back! Our summer playlist series returns with syrupy sweet songs from the likes of Amerie, Wednesday, Addison Rae, Marvin Gaye.

[IMG: All Songs Considered]

All Songs Considered

Frank Chimero/NPR

hide caption

toggle caption

Frank Chimero/NPR

[H3] All Songs Considered
Robin Hilton spins new music from emerging bands and musical icons.

[IMG: Alt.Latino]

NPR

[H3] Alt.Latino
What Latinidad sounds like, presented by Felix Contreras and Anamaria Sayre.

[IMG: Fresh Air Interviews]

Fresh Air Interviews

Frank Chimero/NPR

hide caption

toggle caption

Frank Chimero/NPR

[H3] Fresh Air Interviews
Terry Gross interviews luminary artists about their lives and musical work

[IMG: From the Top]

From the Top

Frank Chimero/NPR

hide caption

toggle caption

Frank Chimero/NPR

[H3] From the Top
NPR Music presents From The Top program highlights. For the complete From The Top program website, visit www.fromthetop.org.

[IMG: Jazz Night In America]

Jazz Night In America

NPR

hide caption

toggle caption

NPR

[H3] Jazz Night In America
Jazz Night In America is a public radio program, a video concert documentary series, and an online home for the music, from NPR Music, WBGO and Jazz at Lincoln Center.

[IMG: Metropolis]

[H3] Metropolis
KCRW's Jason Bentley hosts a weekly spin of the best electronic, dance and beyond.

[IMG: Mountain Stage]

Mountain Stage

[H3] Mountain Stage
Live recordings from the award-winning public radio program, hosted by Kathy Mattea.

[IMG: Marian McPartland]

Piano Jazz

Frank Chimero/NPR

hide caption

toggle caption

Frank Chimero/NPR

[H3] Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz
Each week, NPR's award-winning program showcases both acclaimed artists and up-and-coming performers as they share music and memories.

[IMG: The Thistle & Shamrock]

The Thistle & Shamrock

Frank Chimero/NPR

hide caption

toggle caption

Frank Chimero/NPR

[H3] The Thistle & Shamrock
Award-winning radio host Fiona Ritchie explores evolving music from Celtic roots in Europe and North America.

[IMG: World Cafe]

World Cafe

Frank Chimero/NPR

hide caption

toggle caption

Frank Chimero/NPR

[H3] World Cafe
WXPN in Philadelphia and host Raina Douris present interviews and performances with today's essential and emerging artists.

NTSB scrambles to keep cockpit audio private in era of AI The National Transportation Safety Board temporarily pulled its docket system offline after digital images were used to reconstruct cockpit voice recordings of the pilots in a recent crash.
[H3]
National
[H1] The NTSB tries to keep cockpit audio recordings private. AI is making that harder

May 30, 20266:00 AM ET

Heard on Weekend Edition Saturday

[IMG: Joel Rose.PNG]

Joel Rose

[H4] NTSB VOICE RECORDINGS

Listen

·
4:51

4:51

Transcript

Toggle more options

Download
Embed

Embed

<iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5835242/nx-s1-9791203" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Transcript

[IMG: Chris Babcock, an engineer at the National Transportation Safety Board, in one of the audition rooms at the agency]

Chris Babcock, an engineer at the National Transportation Safety Board, in one of the audition rooms at the agency's headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Joel Rose/NPR

hide caption

toggle caption

Joel Rose/NPR

WASHINGTON — What began as an inquiry into a mysterious sound in the background of an airplane cockpit voice recording escalated into an unexpected challenge for the nation's top safety investigators.

[IMG: Why flying is still safe despite high-profile problems]

[H3] National

[H3] Why flying is still safe despite high-profile problems

The National Transportation Safety Board temporarily pulled down public documents for thousands of investigations last week after the agency inadvertently allowed the reconstruction of audio recordings from the cockpit of UPS flight 2976, which crashed shortly after takeoff in Louisville, Ky. last year, killing 15 people, including all three pilots. Recent advances in artificial intelligence have made it easier to reconstruct audio from digital images that were published as part of the NTSB's investigation. And that's making it harder for the NTSB, which is forbidden by law from releasing those recordings, to stop them from being made public.
As investigators at the NTSB listened back to the cockpit voice recording from the crash flight, they heard a "high pitch ringing sound" that began just after the plane rotated for takeoff. But they couldn't figure out what it was. "They're not just looking at the things that people are saying. They're looking at the other ambient sounds, right? Because that might give us some clues," explained Scott Manley, an engineer and YouTuber, in a video he posted last week. Manley noticed NTSB investigators had tried to identify the mysterious sound. In the process, they created what are called spectrograms — basically, visual representations of the frequencies in an audio recording — and made those images available to the public on the NTSB's website. Manley suspected it would be possible to reconstruct the audio of the original recordings from those spectrogram images. "I basically made a post on Twitter saying, I think the NTSB has accidentally released cockpit audio recordings for this particular thing," Manley said in the video. Some of Manley's social media followers took that as a challenge.

This video, provided by the National Transportation Safety Board, shows the engine on the left wing detach from the UPS MD-11 jet on takeoff last year from the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. (Source: NTSB via Storyful)

"I know nothing about audio, but I was able to figure it out pretty quickly," said John McElhone. He runs a small company that makes electrical turbines, where he often uses new AI tools to write computer code. McElhone said it did not take him very long to turn those spectrograms back into audio — about ten minutes, to be precise.
"The AI is just using tools that already exist," he explained in an interview. "So I'm sure somebody could do this just by writing code by hand. But it would take much, much longer." McElhone did not post his audio reconstructions online. But other people did release theirs.

[IMG: Delta Air Lines ramp agent Mike Davis prepares to load passenger luggage on his luggage cart while working on the tarmac at Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, on May 13, 2026.]

[H3] National

[H3] Inside ATL: how Delta juggles 100,000 bags a day at the world's busiest airport

The NTSB's response was dramatic and unprecedented. The agency temporarily pulled down the public docket from the UPS crash — and for all its other crash investigations — while it conducted a review. "The NTSB has longstanding procedures in place to protect cockpit voice recordings and other sensitive onboard audio and video materials obtained during investigations," NTSB spokesman Peter Knudson said in a statement to NPR. "After becoming aware that artificial intelligence may allow approximations of cockpit audio to be digitally reconstructed from certain sound-spectrum imagery, the NTSB temporarily removed public access to its docket system while it reviewed investigative materials and evaluated additional safeguards," Knudson said. The NTSB has since restored access to most of its public dockets, including UPS flight 2976, Knudson said, but 41 dockets remain under review. In January, the NTSB offered reporters an inside look at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., including one of the soundproofed audition rooms where the NTSB analyzes the audio on cockpit voice recordings, and prepares the written transcripts it releases to the public.

[IMG: Fire and smoke mark where a UPS cargo plane crashed near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on November 04, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky.]

Fire and smoke mark where a UPS cargo plane crashed near Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport on November 04, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Stephen Cohen/Getty Images

hide caption

toggle caption

Stephen Cohen/Getty Images

"The reason why we do it here specifically is we provide a really high level of protection to the actual audio," said Chris Babcock, an engineer at the NTSB. The origins of the law that prevents the NTSB from releasing CVR audio date back to the crash of Delta Air Lines flight 1141 in 1988. Shortly before takeoff, the flight crew was joking about the dating habits of the flight attendants, "so that we can get it on the recorder, you know, in case we crash." Moments later, the plane did in fact crash after the pilots failed to properly configure the wing flaps and slats for takeoff, according to the NTSB.
The release of that cockpit audio was a major embarrassment for the pilots and the airline, leading Congress to pass a law prohibiting the release of cockpit recordings. For decades, the NTSB has prevented those audio recordings from leaking to the public — until now. "I didn't intend for this to be this kind of wild thing," said Manley. In an interview for this story, Manley said the NTSB should not have published those spectrogram images in the first place. But Manley conceded that he made a mistake, too.

[IMG: Short regional flights are the lifeblood of U.S aviation — but they were in decline even before jet fuel concerns struck. Here, a file photo shows a Delta Air Lines Connection regional jet operated by GoJet Airlines taking off from Logan International Airport in Boston.]

[H3] Your Money

[H3] Short flights are popular. Will they last?

"The mistake was for me to idly speculate in public on something that could have serious legal consequences," Manley said. "In retrospect, yeah, if I'd really thought about it, I would have tried to do a bit more on it myself. Or I would have just notified the guys at the NTSB." Manley, who is a pilot himself, says he understands why the NTSB does not release recordings of the final moments before a crash. But in the case of UPS flight 2976, he says the reconstructed audio reveals that those pilots kept their cool as they responded to a catastrophic engine failure. "They sounded a lot calmer when I heard the audio when I read the transcripts. So it made them seem more professional," Manley said. Still, NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy says the agency has good reasons for not releasing cockpit audio to the public. "Laws against releasing CVR audio exist to protect privacy, preserve the integrity of NTSB investigations, and out of respect for accident victims and their families during a time of tremendous loss," Homendy wrote on X. She called posts using the reconstructed audio "disgusting" and "manipulated," and she urged social media platforms to take them down. The NTSB held a two-day hearing on the UPS crash last week. Investigators still have not identified the source of the mysterious sound.
NTSB
aviation safety
AI

Facebook
Flipboard
Email

Elections 2026: The latest from the NPR Network Explore NPR's latest election coverage.

Subscribe to Politics Newsletter

[IMG: "I Voted" stickers are seen as a person casts their ballot in Philadelphia in Pennsylvania]

"I Voted" stickers are seen as a person casts their ballot in Philadelphia in Pennsylvania's primary on May 19.

Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images

hide caption

toggle caption

Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images

[H3]
Deep Dive

[H2] How single-party primary elections are reshaping Congress

May 30, 2026 • Some lawmakers are speaking out against closed, single-party primaries, which they see as part of a system that limits voter choice and incentivizes elected officials to prioritize party loyalty.

[IMG: Democratic senate candidate James Talarico speaks at a rally on May 27 in Houston.]

Democratic senate candidate James Talarico speaks at a rally on May 27 in Houston.

Danielle Villasana/Getty Images

hide caption

toggle caption

Danielle Villasana/Getty Images

[H3] Politics

[H2] What it means to be a man is a theme in Texas Senate race as Paxton attacks Talarico

May 30, 2026 • Soon after winning the Texas Republican Senate primary runoff, Ken Paxton attacked Democratic nominee, state Rep. James Talarico as "too low-T for Texas," putting manhood front and center in the race.

[IMG: People walk into a New Orleans school to cast their votes in Louisiana]

People walk into a New Orleans school to cast their votes in Louisiana's statewide primary on May 16.

Michael DeMocker/Getty Images

hide caption

toggle caption

Michael DeMocker/Getty Images

[H2] Louisiana lawmakers pass a congressional map to dismantle a majority-Black district

May 29, 2026 • Louisiana's Republican lawmakers raced to eliminate one of two majority-Black congressional seats in the state after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the current map unconstitutional in a sweeping ruling.

[IMG: A young child waits for her mom to finish voting at Phillis Wheatley Community School in New Orleans on May 15. Many voting machines in Louisiana are decades old.]

A young child waits for her mom to finish voting at Phillis Wheatley Community School in New Orleans on May 15. Many voting machines in Louisiana are decades old.

Kathleen Flynn/Getty Images

hide caption

toggle caption

Kathleen Flynn/Getty Images

[H3]
Exclusive

[H2] Replacing aging U.S. voting equipment will take years and billions of dollars

May 29, 2026 • America's voting systems are getting old. But unless Congress makes a massive financial commitment, a new report finds it could take decades before voting machines are widely replaced.

[IMG: President Trump holds his signed executive order that calls for restricting voting by mail in the White House’s Oval Office in March.]

President Trump holds his signed executive order that calls for restricting voting by mail in the White House's Oval Office in March.

Alex Brandon/AP

hide caption

toggle caption

Alex Brandon/AP

[H2] A federal judge in D.C. declines to block Trump's executive order on voting by mail

May 28, 2026 • A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has declined to temporarily block President Trump's executive order that calls for restricting mail-in voting. Another judge may rule on the order soon.

[IMG: Lori Kritman (center) takes a selfie at a watch party for Attorney General Ken Paxton on May 26 in Plano, Texas. Paxton defeated Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, in a Senate primary runoff election and will face Democrat James Talarico in the November general election.]

Lori Kritman (center) takes a selfie at a watch party for Attorney General Ken Paxton on May 26 in Plano, Texas. Paxton defeated Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, in a Senate primary runoff election and will face Democrat James Talarico in the November general election.

Stewart F. House/Getty Images

hide caption

toggle caption

Stewart F. House/Getty Images

[H2] Texas general election matchups are finally set. Here's what you need to know

May 27, 2026 • The Texas primary runoffs are over and November election matchups are set in major contests, like one for the U.S. Senate, as the results deliver lessons for both parties.

[IMG: Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., announces his intent to seek an 18th U.S. House term, during a March 12 event at the South Carolina Democratic Party headquarters in Columbia, S.C.]

Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., announces his intent to seek an 18th U.S. House term, during a March 12 event at the South Carolina Democratic Party headquarters in Columbia, S.C.

Meg Kinnard/AP

hide caption

toggle caption

Meg Kinnard/AP

[H3] Politics

[H2] Clyburn's district stays intact as South Carolina Republicans scrap redistricting

May 27, 2026 • The majority-Black district held for 34 years by South Carolina Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn will survive intact, for now, after Republican state lawmakers rejected a plan to redraw congressional maps.

[IMG: Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton speaks to supporters at a watch party on March 3 in Dallas. Paxton beat incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in a runoff for the nomination, setting up a tough fight in November against Democratic nominee, state Rep. James Talarico.]

Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton speaks to supporters at a watch party on March 3 in Dallas. Paxton beat incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in a runoff for the nomination, setting up a tough fight in November against Democratic nominee, state Rep. James Talarico.

Sergio Flores/Getty Images

hide caption

toggle caption

Sergio Flores/Getty Images

[H2] Texas Republicans nominate Ken Paxton for Senate seat, ousting incumbent John Cornyn

May 26, 2026 • Controversial Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton challenged Sen. John Cornyn's reelection and won President Trump's endorsement in the bitter primary fight that cost Republicans more than $100 million.

[IMG: The hat of Diane Benjamin, Dallas #2021 precinct chair, is visible at a campaign event for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on May 18, 2026, in Dallas.]

The hat of Diane Benjamin, Dallas #2021 precinct chair, is visible at a campaign event for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on May 18, 2026, in Dallas.

Julio Cortez/AP

hide caption

toggle caption

Julio Cortez/AP

[H3] Politics

[H2] Texas GOP voters vote in race that could shape future of the party — and the Senate

May 26, 2026 • Controversial Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is challenging U.S. Sen. John Cornyn's reelection. The $100 million fight could have far-reaching implications for the GOP, and party control of the Senate.

[H4] Texas GOP voters vote in race that could shape future of the party -- and the Senate

Listen

·
3:31

3:31

Transcript

Toggle more options

Download
Embed

Embed

<iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5833854/nx-s1-9785011" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Transcript

[IMG: An abortion-rights activist holds a box of mifepristone pills as demonstrators from both anti-abortion and abortion-rights groups rally outside the Supreme Court on March 26, 2024.]

An abortion-rights activist holds a box of mifepristone pills as demonstrators from both anti-abortion and abortion-rights groups rally outside the Supreme Court on March 26, 2024.

Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/AP

hide caption

toggle caption

Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/AP

[H3] Politics

[H2] As voters prioritize cost of living, focus on abortion evolves in midterm elections

May 22, 2026 • There's been a shift in attention in the party ahead of the midterms as voters rank affordability the top issue. That raises questions about what an evolving message on reproductive rights looks like.

[H4] As voters prioritize cost of living, focus on abortion evolves in midterm elections

Listen

·
4:01

4:01

Transcript

Toggle more options

Download
Embed

Embed

<iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5806338/nx-s1-9784544" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Transcript

[IMG: In this file photo, former second gentleman Douglas Emhoff, former Vice President and 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris Minnesota Governor and 2024 Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz and Tim Walz]

In this file photo, former second gentleman Douglas Emhoff, former Vice President and 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris Minnesota Governor and 2024 Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz and Tim Walz's wife Gwen Walz hold hands at the end of the fourth and last day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago, Illinois, on August 22, 2024.

Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

hide caption

toggle caption

Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

[H2] Democrats wanted answers for what went wrong in 2024. Now, there are more questions

May 21, 2026 • The Democratic Party wanted a review of the 2024 election. Then, the DNC learned the report was incomplete and unverifiable, party chairman Ken Martin said Thursday, releasing an annotated version.

[H4] Democrats wanted answers for what went wrong in 2024. Now, there are more questions

Listen

·
3:37

3:37

Transcript

Toggle more options

Download
Embed

Embed

<iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5830008/nx-s1-9781211" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Transcript

[IMG: Campaign signs are staked in a grassy area with yellow flowers next to a road in Rockport, Maine.]

Campaign signs sit next to a road in Rockport, Maine. Graham Platner is expected to be the Democratic nominee and would face off against incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins in the general election.

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

hide caption

toggle caption

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

[H2] Susan Collins brings federal dollars to Maine. She's hoping that's worth it to voters

May 21, 2026 • As Maine's Senate matchup is all but set, incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins urges voters to pick her over Democrat Graham Platner because she can fund state priorities due to her seniority.

[H4] Susan Collins brings federal dollars to Maine. She's hoping that's worth it to voters

Listen

·
4:19

4:19

Transcript

Toggle more options

Download
Embed

Embed

<iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5823448/nx-s1-9786043" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Transcript

[H2] Supreme Court voting rights ruling could play a big role at the local level

May 20, 2026 • The Supreme Court's recent ruling threatens the power of racial-minority voters in Voting Rights Act cases about not just Congress, but also at least 17 state and local governments, NPR finds.

[H4] Supreme Court voting rights ruling could play a big role at the local level

Listen

·
3:39

3:39

Transcript

Toggle more options

Download
Embed

Embed

<iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5812837-e1/nx-s1-9779050" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Transcript

[IMG: An attendee wears party colors at a primary election night party for Georgia gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson on Tuesday in Atlanta.]

An attendee wears party colors at a primary election night party for Georgia gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson on Tuesday in Atlanta.

Brynn Anderson/AP

hide caption

toggle caption

Brynn Anderson/AP

[H3]
Analysis

[H2] 4 takeaways from Tuesday's primary night in half a dozen states

May 20, 2026 • While Trump continues to rack up victories on his vengeance tour, general election opponents are waiting in swing districts and swing states. Can front-line GOP candidates navigate these choppy waters?

[IMG: People wait in a line at a precinct before voting during a Georgia primary.]

People wait in a line at a precinct before voting during a Georgia primary.

Brynn Anderson/AP

hide caption

toggle caption

Brynn Anderson/AP

[H2] In Georgia, two GOP Trump backers vie to face former Atlanta mayor for governor

[H2] Georgia Public Broadcasting

May 19, 2026 • Georgia is a swing state where both Democrats and Republicans are deciding the direction their parties will take in the fall in races for the Senate and the governor's mansion.

[IMG: Ed Gallrein, Republican congressional candidate for Kentucky, speaks on May 18 in Hebron, Ky.]

Ed Gallrein, Republican congressional candidate for Kentucky, speaks on May 18 in Hebron, Ky.

Jon Cherry/Getty Images North America

hide caption

toggle caption

Jon Cherry/Getty Images North America

[H2] Endorsed by Trump, Ed Gallrein defeats Rep. Thomas Massie in GOP House primary

May 19, 2026 • In a major victory for President Trump, his hand-picked challenger, Ed Gallrein, beat out U.S. House Rep. Thomas Massie in a Kentucky House GOP primary, ending Massie's reelection bid.

[IMG: Former President Donald Trump (right) shakes hands with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton at an October 2022 rally in Robstown, Texas.]

Former President Donald Trump (right) shakes hands with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton at an October 2022 rally in Robstown, Texas.

Nick Wagner/AP

hide caption

toggle caption

Nick Wagner/AP

[H2] Trump endorses Ken Paxton over incumbent John Cornyn in Texas Senate primary runoff

May 19, 2026 • President Trump has endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the Texas GOP runoff for U.S. Senate, one week before voting ends in the contentious and expensive primary.

[IMG: Wally and Gerald are two Black men who voted for Trump but have different views on Trump]

Wally and Gerald are two Black men who voted for Trump but have different views on Trump's performance.

Illustrations by Tara Anand

hide caption

toggle caption

Illustrations by Tara Anand

[H3] Swing Shift

[H2] These men voted for President Trump. They have very different views of how he's doing

May 19, 2026 • Two Black men from Georgia who voted for President Trump in 2024 have very different views of how the country is doing now, in the first installment of Swing Shift from NPR's Tam