Dan Roland

A 14-year-old from Rancho Cucamonga, California, Shrey Parikh, is the winner of the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee.

In the final round, the two finalists went head-to-head in a spell-off, the Spelling Bee version of overtime.

This is how the announcement was made.

The three-day competition in Washington, D.C.

began with nearly 250 students, nine advanced to the finals.

Winning the championship includes a $50,000 prize, a commemorative medal, a reference library, and a trip to Universal Orlando Resort.

All three stock market indexes finished in positive territory.

The Dow added 24 points.

And you're listening to NPR News.

A Blue Origin Glenn rocket exploded during the test launch Thursday night on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida.

The rocket was undergoing an engine hot fire test in preparation for an upcoming satellite launch.

The blast sent a huge fireball into the sky.

Advisors to the Food and Drug Administration Thursday recommended the next COVID-19 vaccines that they target the latest variant to become dominant in the United States.

NPR's Rob Stein reports.

There's no word yet from the White House if President Trump will approve a tentative agreement with Iran to extend the current ceasefire for another 60 days while negotiators start a new round of talks.

Vice President J.D.

Vance confirmed there was an agreement Thursday and it comes at a time

when it appears the current ceasefire has been wavering.

There have been several instances where the U.S.

has taken what it calls defensive action.