# NPR API

> NPR returns news headlines, searchable articles, and article text as a workflow and API.

NPR, also known as National Public Radio, lists headlines from a chosen section in page order; choose a section and maximum results. Search news finds NPR-published articles by required keywords, with optional dates, sort order, results page, and maximum results. Read article returns available text and publication details for an NPR article; provide its link or headline.

- Page: https://fous.com/tools/npr
- Handle: `@npr`
- Category: [News](https://fous.com/tools/category/news)
- Source website: https://npr.org
- Last verified: Sep 29, 2026

## Methods

### List headlines

Operation `list_headlines`, version 1. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.

List NPR headlines in the order shown on the chosen section page, with summaries, publication times, authors, images and article links. Returns at most the stories displayed on that page; affiliated stories, ads and video-only cards are excluded.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `section` | string | no | `"world"` | The NPR news section to read, for example world. |
| `max_results` | integer | no | `5` | Maximum number of headlines to return, for example 20. |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "section": {
      "enum": [
        "top stories",
        "national",
        "world",
        "politics",
        "business",
        "health",
        "science",
        "climate"
      ],
      "type": "string",
      "default": "top stories",
      "description": "The NPR news section to read, for example world.",
      "examples": [
        "world",
        "top stories",
        "health"
      ]
    },
    "max_results": {
      "type": "integer",
      "default": 20,
      "maximum": 50,
      "minimum": 1,
      "description": "Maximum number of headlines to return, for example 20.",
      "x-fous-developer": true,
      "examples": [
        5,
        20,
        3
      ]
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {
      "section": "world",
      "max_results": 5
    },
    {
      "section": "top stories",
      "max_results": 20
    },
    {
      "section": "health",
      "max_results": 3
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `stories` | array |  | NPR stories in the same order as the selected page. |
| `stories[].authors` | array |  | Credited authors, empty if none are shown. |
| `stories[].section` | string | `"State of the World from NPR"` |  |
| `stories[].summary` | string or null | `"Turkey’s burgeoning defense industry, soft cultural power and role as conflict mediator are growing its influence in th` |  |
| `stories[].headline` | string | `"Turkey’s quest for Mideast power"` |  |
| `stories[].image_url` | string or null | `"https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/6400x3600+0+0/resize/800/quality/100/format/jpeg/?url=http` |  |
| `stories[].article_url` | string | `"https://www.npr.org/2026/09/28/nx-s1-5983874/turkeys-quest-for-mideast-power"` |  |
| `stories[].published_at` | string or null | `"2026-09-28T18:59:36-04:00"` | Publication time with UTC offset, or null if not shown. |

**Example input**

```json
{
  "section": "world",
  "max_results": 5
}
```

**Example output**

```json
{
  "stories": [
    {
      "authors": [
        "Hadeel Al-Shalchi"
      ],
      "section": "State of the World from NPR",
      "summary": "Turkey’s burgeoning defense industry, soft cultural power and role as conflict mediator are growing its influence in the Middle East. As dynamics with Iran, Gaza and the U.S. shift, Turkey is position…",
      "headline": "Turkey’s quest for Mideast power",
      "image_url": "https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/6400x3600+0+0/resize/800/quality/100/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2a%2Fec%2F4434197d48a196f635bfb18396cb…",
      "article_url": "https://www.npr.org/2026/09/28/nx-s1-5983874/turkeys-quest-for-mideast-power",
      "published_at": "2026-09-28T18:59:36-04:00"
    },
    {
      "authors": [
        "Majd Al-Waheidi"
      ],
      "section": "Up First Newsletter",
      "summary": "What we know — and still don't — about the suspected terror plot near a U.K. air base. Trump rejects Iran's offer to pause fighting. And CNN prepares for new owners with ties to Trump.",
      "headline": "What we know about the suspected U.K. terror plot. And, why the Gulf remains in limbo",
      "image_url": "https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8093x4552+0+843/resize/800/quality/100/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F3c%2F6cac24de4ae0b1630ba70add65…",
      "article_url": "https://www.npr.org/2026/09/28/g-s1-145248/up-first-newsletter-uk-us-air-base-iran-strait-hormuz-media-outlets-cnn-trump",
      "published_at": "2026-09-28T08:15:05-04:00"
    }
  ]
}
```

### Read article

Operation `read_article`, version 1. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.

Read an NPR article by its link or headline, including its full available text and publication details. For live blogs, returns the latest displayed updates.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `article` | string | yes | `"https://www.npr.org/2026/09/28/nx-s1-5918509/car-fuel-efficiency-cafe-standards-rollback"` | NPR article link or headline, for example: The Trump administration weakens fuel efficiency standards for new cars. |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "article"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "article": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "NPR article link or headline, for example: The Trump administration weakens fuel efficiency standards for new cars.",
      "examples": [
        "https://www.npr.org/2026/09/28/nx-s1-5918509/car-fuel-efficiency-cafe-standards-rollback",
        "https://www.npr.org/live-updates/plane-helicopter-crash-dc-airport-potomac",
        "The Trump administration weakens fuel efficiency standards for new cars"
      ]
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {
      "article": "https://www.npr.org/2026/09/28/nx-s1-5918509/car-fuel-efficiency-cafe-standards-rollback"
    },
    {
      "article": "https://www.npr.org/live-updates/plane-helicopter-crash-dc-airport-potomac"
    },
    {
      "article": "The Trump administration weakens fuel efficiency standards for new cars"
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `tags` | array |  | Article tags |
| `authors` | array |  | Article authors |
| `section` | string or null | `"Business"` | NPR section |
| `summary` | string or null | `"The Trump administration says easing these standards will make cars more affordable. Critics say it's not so simple and` | Article summary or standfirst |
| `headline` | string | `"The Trump administration weakens fuel efficiency standards for new cars"` | Article headline |
| `article_id` | string or null | `"nx-s1-5918509"` | NPR article ID |
| `paragraphs` | array |  | Article text paragraphs |
| `updated_at` | string or null | `"2026-09-28T19:36:28-04:00"` | Last updated date and time |
| `word_count` | integer | `1555` | Word count of returned text |
| `article_url` | string | `"https://www.npr.org/2026/09/28/nx-s1-5918509/car-fuel-efficiency-cafe-standards-rollback"` | NPR article link |
| `published_at` | string or null | `"2026-09-28T12:07:15-04:00"` | Publication date and time |
| `main_image_url` | string or null | `"https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5266x3511+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http` | Main image link |
| `main_image_caption` | string or null | `"Traffic moves along the 405 Freeway on Feb. 13 in Los Angeles."` | Main image caption |
| `full_text_available` | boolean | `true` | Whether the full text is present |

**Example input**

```json
{
  "article": "https://www.npr.org/2026/09/28/nx-s1-5918509/car-fuel-efficiency-cafe-standards-rollback"
}
```

**Example output**

```json
{
  "tags": [
    "Cars",
    "fuel efficiency",
    "auto"
  ],
  "authors": [
    "Willa Rubin"
  ],
  "section": "Business",
  "summary": "The Trump administration says easing these standards will make cars more affordable. Critics say it's not so simple and could be costly for the environment.",
  "headline": "The Trump administration weakens fuel efficiency standards for new cars",
  "article_id": "nx-s1-5918509",
  "paragraphs": [
    "The Trump administration announced Monday it's scaling back how fuel efficient American carmakers need to make their fleets.",
    "The Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards set average fuel economy levels for carmakers. The revised rules, which were finalized Monday, will now require carmakers to make their new passenge…",
    "This is down from Biden-era rules, which required an annual 2% increase in fuel efficiency with a goal of most vehicles getting, on average, 50.4 miles to the gallon by 2031."
  ],
  "updated_at": "2026-09-28T19:36:28-04:00",
  "word_count": 1555,
  "article_url": "https://www.npr.org/2026/09/28/nx-s1-5918509/car-fuel-efficiency-cafe-standards-rollback",
  "published_at": "2026-09-28T12:07:15-04:00",
  "main_image_url": "https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5266x3511+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe4%2F30%2F10c1cbbb4d28abb52f01a2a22fcc…",
  "main_image_caption": "Traffic moves along the 405 Freeway on Feb. 13 in Los Angeles.",
  "full_text_available": true
}
```

### Search news

Operation `search_news`, version 1. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.

Search NPR-published articles by keyword, with publication date, author, section and summary. Searches indexed stories; older stories edited much later may be absent from date-filtered results.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `page` | integer | no | `2` | Results page, starting at 1, for example 2. |
| `sort` | string | no | `"most_relevant"` | Order articles by newest publication or best match, for example newest. |
| `query` | string | yes | `"climate change"` | Words to search for, such as Tesla. |
| `to_date` | string | no | `"2026-09-29"` | Latest publication date, for example 2026-09-01. |
| `from_date` | string | no | `"2026-09-01"` | Earliest publication date, for example 2026-01-01. |
| `max_results` | integer | no | `2` | Articles per page, for example 20. |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "query"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "page": {
      "type": "integer",
      "default": 1,
      "minimum": 1,
      "description": "Results page, starting at 1, for example 2.",
      "x-fous-developer": true,
      "examples": [
        2
      ]
    },
    "sort": {
      "enum": [
        "newest",
        "most_relevant"
      ],
      "type": "string",
      "default": "newest",
      "description": "Order articles by newest publication or best match, for example newest.",
      "examples": [
        "most_relevant"
      ]
    },
    "query": {
      "type": "string",
      "minLength": 1,
      "description": "Words to search for, such as Tesla.",
      "examples": [
        "climate change",
        "Tesla",
        "zzzxqnonexistentarticlephrase777"
      ]
    },
    "to_date": {
      "type": "string",
      "format": "date",
      "description": "Latest publication date, for example 2026-09-01.",
      "examples": [
        "2026-09-29"
      ]
    },
    "from_date": {
      "type": "string",
      "format": "date",
      "description": "Earliest publication date, for example 2026-01-01.",
      "examples": [
        "2026-09-01"
      ]
    },
    "max_results": {
      "type": "integer",
      "default": 20,
      "maximum": 50,
      "minimum": 1,
      "description": "Articles per page, for example 20.",
      "x-fous-developer": true,
      "examples": [
        2,
        3
      ]
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {
      "page": 2,
      "sort": "most_relevant",
      "query": "climate change",
      "to_date": "2026-09-29",
      "from_date": "2026-09-01",
      "max_results": 2
    },
    {
      "query": "Tesla",
      "max_results": 3
    },
    {
      "query": "zzzxqnonexistentarticlephrase777",
      "max_results": 2
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `articles` | array |  | NPR articles matching the search. |
| `articles[].authors` | array |  |  |
| `articles[].section` | string or null | `"Politics"` |  |
| `articles[].summary` | string or null | `"President Trump announced plans to cancel $810 million in congressionally approved spending, a move that some in his ow` |  |
| `articles[].headline` | string | `"What to know about the $810 million in spending canceled by President Trump"` |  |
| `articles[].article_link` | string | `"https://www.npr.org/2026/09/28/nx-s1-5982739/what-to-know-about-the-810-million-in-spending-canceled-by-president-trump` |  |
| `articles[].published_at` | string | `"2026-09-28T05:00:00-04:00"` | Article publication time with UTC offset. |

**Example input**

```json
{
  "page": 2,
  "sort": "most_relevant",
  "query": "climate change",
  "to_date": "2026-09-29",
  "from_date": "2026-09-01",
  "max_results": 2
}
```

**Example output**

```json
{
  "articles": [
    {
      "authors": [
        "Eric McDaniel"
      ],
      "section": "Politics",
      "summary": "President Trump announced plans to cancel $810 million in congressionally approved spending, a move that some in his own party are calling illegal.",
      "headline": "What to know about the $810 million in spending canceled by President Trump",
      "article_link": "https://www.npr.org/2026/09/28/nx-s1-5982739/what-to-know-about-the-810-million-in-spending-canceled-by-president-trump",
      "published_at": "2026-09-28T05:00:00-04:00"
    },
    {
      "authors": [
        "Willa Rubin"
      ],
      "section": "Business",
      "summary": "The Trump administration says easing these standards will make cars more affordable. Critics say it's not so simple and could be costly for the environment.",
      "headline": "The Trump administration weakens fuel efficiency standards for new cars",
      "article_link": "https://www.npr.org/2026/09/28/nx-s1-5918509/car-fuel-efficiency-cafe-standards-rollback",
      "published_at": "2026-09-28T12:07:15-04:00"
    }
  ]
}
```

## Quick start

Replace `YOUR_API_KEY` with a Fous API key. To create one, open Developers at the bottom of Fous Studio, turn on Developer mode, then go to API keys (https://app.fous.com/keys). Change the values in `input` to run the same tool on new data.

```bash
curl 'https://api.fous.com/v1/query' \
  --fail-with-body --silent --show-error --max-time 180 \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data-raw '{
  "api": "@npr",
  "visibility": "public",
  "operation": "list_headlines",
  "version": 1,
  "input": {
    "section": "world",
    "max_results": 5
  },
  "response": {
    "format": "json"
  }
}'
```

```python
# Save as fous.py and run with python3 fous.py. No packages needed.
import json
import urllib.error
import urllib.request

api_key = "YOUR_API_KEY"

body = json.loads("{\n  \"api\": \"@npr\",\n  \"visibility\": \"public\",\n  \"operation\": \"list_headlines\",\n  \"version\": 1,\n  \"input\": {\n    \"section\": \"world\",\n    \"max_results\": 5\n  },\n  \"response\": {\n    \"format\": \"json\"\n  }\n}")
request = urllib.request.Request(
    "https://api.fous.com/v1/query",
    data=json.dumps(body).encode("utf-8"),
    headers={
        "Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}",
        "Content-Type": "application/json",
    },
    method="POST",
)
try:
    with urllib.request.urlopen(request, timeout=180) as response:
        result = json.load(response)
except urllib.error.HTTPError as error:
    raise RuntimeError(f"HTTP {error.code}: {error.read().decode('utf-8', errors='replace')}") from error
if result.get("success") is False:
    raise RuntimeError(result.get("error", {}).get("message", "Request failed"))
print(json.dumps(result["data"]["output"], indent=2))
```

```typescript
// Save as fous.mts and run with npx tsx fous.mts.
const apiKey = "YOUR_API_KEY";

const response = await fetch("https://api.fous.com/v1/query", {
  method: "POST",
  headers: {
    "Authorization": `Bearer ${apiKey}`,
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
  },
  signal: AbortSignal.timeout(180_000),
  body: JSON.stringify({
  "api": "@npr",
  "visibility": "public",
  "operation": "list_headlines",
  "version": 1,
  "input": {
    "section": "world",
    "max_results": 5
  },
  "response": {
    "format": "json"
  }
}),
});
type ApiResult = { success: boolean; data?: { output: unknown }; error?: { message: string } };
const result: ApiResult = await response.json();
if (!response.ok || result.success === false) {
  throw new Error(result.error?.message ?? `HTTP ${response.status}`);
}
if (!result.data) throw new Error("Missing API response data");
console.log(result.data.output);
```

## Use from an AI assistant

Connect this tool to Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code, Codex and any MCP client as its own MCP server. Each method is a typed tool whose arguments are the method’s input.

- Server URL: `https://api.fous.com/mcp/tools/npr`
- Authorization: `Authorization: Bearer <Fous API key>`

**Tools**

- `list_headlines`: List headlines. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.
- `read_article`: Read article. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.
- `search_news`: Search news. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.
- `fous_get_run`: the result of a run that was still going, by its `request_id`. Free.

Claude Code:

```bash
claude mcp add --scope user --transport http fous-npr https://api.fous.com/mcp/tools/npr --header "Authorization: Bearer ${FOUS_API_KEY:?Set FOUS_API_KEY to your Fous API key}"
```

To give the assistant every tool, connect `https://api.fous.com/mcp`: it finds one with `fous_search_tools` and runs it with `fous_run_tool`. Setup for other clients: https://fous.com/llms-full.txt.

## Use cases

- Track headlines across NPR sections
- Find articles about a topic within a date range
- Review article summaries, authors, and publication times
- Read available article text and publication details
- Collect story links and images for editorial research

## FAQ

### Can I run it with my own inputs?

Yes. Change the inputs in Studio and press Run, or send new inputs from your code, or ask a connected AI assistant.

### Can I call this NPR tool as an API?

Yes. Send a POST request to /v1/query with your Fous API key and the inputs, and get JSON back.

### How much does it cost?

Each completed run costs 1 credit. Failed runs without a completed receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted. With pay as you go, a credit costs 1¢. Monthly plans cost less per credit.

### Do I need a NPR account?

No. You only need a Fous account.

### How current is the data?

Fous gets the data from npr.org when you run it. Some results are reused for up to 24 hours, and results that use your account or key are never reused. It was last verified on Sep 29, 2026.

### What are the latest headlines in an NPR section?

Use List headlines with the section you want and a maximum number of results.

### Which NPR articles mention a particular topic?

Use Search news with the topic as the query; optionally set dates and sort order.

### How can I read an NPR article?

Use Read article with the article link or headline to get its available text and publication details.

## Related

- [AP News API](https://fous.com/tools/ap-news.md): AP News provides reporting, up to 50 public-page headlines, searchable articles visible in its search, and full text when accessible.
- [The New York Times API](https://fous.com/tools/the-new-york-times.md): The New York Times provides current section headlines and summaries, keyword-matched public listings with dates, authors, sections and links, and Best Sellers lists for the latest issue or dates within a week.
- [CNN API](https://fous.com/tools/cnn.md): CNN provides section-page headlines and searchable public articles, plus article text; subscriber stories show only a brief public preview, and live blogs include entries.
- [Fox News API](https://fous.com/tools/fox-news.md): Fox News returns section-page headlines, keyword-matched articles among up to 100 available results, and readable article text, including the latest live-blog updates.
- [BBC News API](https://fous.com/tools/bbc-news.md): BBC News returns section-ordered headlines, searchable articles with dates, authors and sections (filters/newest sorting cover 180 matches), and article text with available latest live entries.
- [Reuters API](https://fous.com/tools/reuters.md): Reuters provides international news and reporting, with latest section headlines and keyword search; coverage and article details may be limited by access restrictions and news indexing.
- [The Wall Street Journal API](https://fous.com/tools/the-wall-street-journal.md): The Wall Street Journal provides news-section headlines and searchable public article headlines and summaries, with available story details and publication dates for search filtering.
- [Yahoo News API](https://fous.com/tools/yahoo-news.md): Yahoo News provides section headlines and searchable articles, plus public article text and details; health has no public stories, and search covers a limited results window.
- [All News tools](https://fous.com/tools/category/news)