Skip to main content Keyboard shortcuts for audio player Subscribe to NPR's Up First Email National Guard Members walk near a replica of President Trump's proposed arch at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, DC, in July. Kent Nishimura/AFP via Getty Images hide caption Trump's D.C. arch is now a military complex. Here's how that complicates things September 22, 2026 • The future of Trump's D.C. arch was already fraught. Then he rebranded it as a military complex. Experts say that only raises more legal and logistical questions. Then-CNN White House correspondent Jim Acosta talks with reporters as he returns to the White House after his press pass was restored on Nov. 16, 2018, in Washington. Evan Vucci/AP hide caption A journalist once barred from the White House says this media ban is different September 22, 2026 • Jim Acosta has already been through a White House press-pass fight. Now, three news organizations are barred, and he says the press is showing solidarity that should have come sooner. Former CNN correspondent Jim Acosta on White House's ban of 3 media outlets Embed Embed < iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5976755/nx-s1-9935562" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> A clipping of hair labeled as Thomas Jefferson's in the collections of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello, his primary home and plantation. Hugh Talman/Smithsonian hide caption New DNA analysis adds evidence Jefferson fathered children with Sally Hemings September 22, 2026 • A lock of hair, 15 years of sleuthing and a 200-year-old question. In History by a Hair , Smithsonian Institution scholar Richard Kurin follows the DNA trail back to Thomas Jefferson. New DNA analysis adds evidence Jefferson fathered children with Sally Hemings Embed Embed < iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5791513/nx-s1-9935403" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Rob Crisp, a peer support specialist with the Holistic Empathetic Assistance Response Team (HEART) program, responds to a call for a wellness check at a parking lot in Durham, N.C., on Sept. 14. Cornell Watson for NPR hide caption How unarmed 911 teams are reshaping public safety in nearly 100 cities September 22, 2026 • Alternative response programs, where mental health clinicians respond to 911 calls instead of police, have proliferated since George Floyd's murder. What does it take to do this work well? California Attorney General Rob Bonta arrives at the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Oakland, Calif., on Aug. 18 for proceedings in a separate case involving allegations that Meta's Facebook and Instagram platforms harmed children's mental health. Benjamin Fanjoy/Getty Images hide caption California Attorney General Bonta says states made demands in Paramount-Warner deal September 22, 2026 • The settlement brings a two-month legal fight over Paramount's Warner Bros. Discovery takeover closer to an end. California AG Rob Bonta discusses Paramount's settlement with states over merger plan Embed Embed < iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5976894/nx-s1-9935405" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> A man places a photograph of Nolan Xavier Wells in front of the podium before a news conference at McCormick Place in Chicago, on July 22. Wells, an 18-year-old Mississippi college student, was found dead after a boat trip with friends on July 4. Octavio Jones/AFP via Getty Images hide caption Grand jury finds no evidence of criminal conduct in the death of Nolan Wells Gulf States Newsroom September 22, 2026 • A grand jury found Wells' cause of death "consistent with drowning," and decided not to bring indictments. The teenager was found dead on Horn Island, after he boated there with friends to celebrate Independence Day. The sun creates a "Chicagohenge" effect in Chicago, as the sun rises and falls straight down streets such as Kinzie and Madison one or two days each year, as seen here on Sept. 22, 2017. Bilgin S. Sasmaz/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images hide caption What the equinox 'henge' effect tells us about U.S. cities September 21, 2026 • The fall equinox, which arrives Tuesday in the U.S., brings shorter days, and chances to witness alignment between Earth and the sun. It's a modern version of ancient observances of a celestial shift. An American Eagle plane takes off from Hollywood Burbank Airport in October 2025 in Burbank, Calif. Mario Tama/Getty Images hide caption Aviation regulators turn to AI to help manage the nation's airspace September 21, 2026 • The Federal Aviation Administration launched an ambitious $875 million push to make the U.S. airspace more efficient. But critics say it won't solve bigger problems with air traffic control. AI Air Traffic Control Embed Embed < iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5976816/nx-s1-9934778" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> The data center backlash is reshaping American politics — one community at a time September 21, 2026 • With striking speed, the widespread debate around data centers has become a fault line in American communities, cutting across political parties and forging unexpected alliances. The data center backlash is reshaping American politics — one community at a time Embed Embed < iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5927288/nx-s1-9934925" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> John Boyd Jr., left, and filmmaker Josh Tickell speak at the Washington premiere of "Common Ground" on Nov. 13, 2023. Boyd is a fourth-generation Virginia farmer and president of the National Black Farmers Association. Paul Morigi/Getty Images hide caption How a national farm leader is dealing with record diesel prices September 21, 2026 • John Boyd Jr., president of the National Black Farmers Association, says soaring diesel costs are deepening a farm crisis as farmers face sharply higher fuel costs in the middle of harvest season. How rising diesel fuel costs are affecting American farmers Embed Embed < iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5973073/nx-s1-9934052" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Bullet holes can be seen in a car in Austin, Texas, on Sunday. Courtesy of Austin Councilmember Mike Siegel hide caption Federal immigration agent shoots and injures man in Austin, Texas September 20, 2026 • The Department of Homeland Security said Monday it was leading the investigation into the officer involved in a shooting of "an illegal alien from Venezuela" during an operation in Austin, Texas. A mockup of President Donald Trump's proposed triumphal arch stands at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, June 27, 2026, in Washington. Jen Golbeck/AP hide caption Trump says his D.C. arch will serve as 'military complex' with snipers and drones

September 20, 2026 • President Trump has claimed that military operations are needed at his proposed triumphal arch in Washington D.C., in order to protect national security. A federal court is weighing the arch's legality. A graffiti-covered former Family Dollar in the Lower Ninth Ward is now the New Orleans Free Store. Catie Dull/NPR hide caption In New Orleans, an empty building becomes a free store — and roller skating rink September 20, 2026 • In the Lower Ninth Ward, an old Family Dollar stands covered in graffiti. It looks abandoned. But inside, it's a treasure trove — clothing, home goods, toys and books. And everything is free. NOLA FREE STORE Embed Embed < iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5940784/nx-s1-9933382" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Fox Corp. must turn over hundreds of documents that could shed light on how founder Rupert Murdoch handled major scandals. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Invision hide caption Judge orders Fox to hand over hundreds of documents in shareholders' case September 20, 2026 • Fox Corp. must turn over hundreds of documents that could shed light on how founder Rupert Murdoch handled some of his media companies' biggest scandals. Outdoor educator Gabe Giffin is concerned about potential impacts on local wildlife from the SpaceX rocket facility in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana. Kathleen Flynn hide caption SpaceX has big plans for a new Louisiana 'Star Base,' worrying some near there Gulf States Newsroom September 20, 2026 • State officials say the new SpaceX site will be a $100 billion investment and launch thousands of rockets. Lawmakers helped ease regulations and negotiations were covered under nondisclosure agreements. New SpaceX site in Louisiana concerns some residents Embed Embed < iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5974180/nx-s1-9927470" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Student Podcast Challenge How the NPR College Podcast Challenge changed lives September 20, 2026 • Tee up those entries: It's time for the next NPR College Podcast Challenge, and hear how the contest changed the lives of past participants. How the NPR College Podcast Challenged changed lives Embed Embed < iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5945292/nx-s1-9933647" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Student Podcast Challenge NPR's College Podcast Challenge is back for 2026 September 20, 2026 • Students: It's time to turn on the mic and hit 'record.' Send us your podcasts and we'll pick the best ones. It's $5,000 for our grand prize and $500 for our finalists. U.S. President Donald Trump reacts towards members of the media after a courtesy call with Irish President Catherine Connolly at Áras an Uachtaráin on September 12, 2026 in Dublin, Ireland. Charles McQuillan/Getty Images Europe hide caption CNN, MS NOW, Politico reporters denied access to White House following Trump ban September 19, 2026 • Three reporters were blocked from the White House grounds Saturday morning, a day after President Trump said CNN, Politico, and MS NOW would be banned for reporting "FICTION and LIES." Revolvers are displayed on a countertop during the NRA conference on April 18 in Houston. Brandon Bell/Getty Images hide caption A new DOJ program restores ex-felons' right to own guns. What you need to know September 18, 2026 • A felony conviction usually means losing rights like voting, serving on a jury or owning a gun. But for the first time in decades, the Justice Department is giving ex-felons a chance to get at least one of those rights back: gun ownership. GUN RESTORATION Embed Embed < iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5950379/nx-s1-9932500" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> A mother bear and two cubs in Brooks River, where brown bears living in Katmai National Park and Preserve are entered into a tournament celebrating bears that have put on pounds to survive the winter. C. Loberg/NPS hide caption Alaska's salmon-feasting bears face off in biggest Fat Bear Week ever September 18, 2026 • This year's single-elimination tournament will see 16 competitors face off, compared to 12 in past years. Officials report more cubs in Katmai National Park than they've seen in recent memory. President Trump speaks Thursday during a dinner in the Rose Garden at the White House. Alex Brandon/AP hide caption Trump says he is banning CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House September 18, 2026 • The president chalked the ban up to what he called unfavorable coverage, and he threatened that bans on other media companies could be coming. Honoree Rachel Accurso (aka Ms. Rachel) and her husband, Aron Accurso, attend the Glamour Women of the Year Awards at The Plaza Hotel on Nov. 4, 2025, in New York. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images hide caption Ms. Rachel has entered her album era, and she is so happy about it September 18, 2026 • Ms. Rachel has conquered YouTube, Netflix and the toy aisle. Now she's making an album, with real instruments, big feelings and her littlest listeners in mind. Ms. Rachel has entered her album era, and she is so happy about it Embed Embed < iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5938847/nx-s1-9931346" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> From left: Macklemore, Kim Kardashian, Celine Dion. Morgan Hancock/Getty Images; Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue; Thomas Samson/AFP via Getty Images hide caption The NPR news quiz True or false: Trump's name is now on the Kennedy Center. The quiz has the answer September 18, 2026 • The world made it to another Friday without an AI apocalypse, so here's the quiz! See you next week … maybe. Cynthia Montoya sits in the living room of her home in Thornton, Colo., where photographs and memories of her daughter, Juliana, surround her. Juliana was 13 years old when she started using AI chatbots, and within a year she died by suicide. Jimena Peck for NPR hide caption How Google is drafting AI chatbot laws around the country September 18, 2026 • As states push to regulate chatbots, tech companies are trying to write safety rules in ways that exempt some of their key products.