NPR News: 07-25-2026 6AM EDT
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston.
Who is running for the Democratic Senate nomination in Maine and why does it matter?
Democrats in Maine will choose a new candidate who will go against Republican Senator Susan Collins in the midterms this fall. The frontrunner is a professional logger and politician with a populist message. Kevin Miller with Maine Public reports the nominating convention gets underway later this morning.
Troy Jackson campaigned several times with Maine's former Democratic nominee.
What is Troy Jackson's campaign message and political background?
Now that Graham Platner is out, Jackson says he's the best person to rally the Democrats and independents.
We're not from the left. We're not from the right. We're from the bottom and we're rising. And I know what happens when working people decide that they've had enough.
Jackson served six years as Maine's Senate president. With his track record on workers' rights and pledge to support single-payer health care, he appears to have the support of the majority of delegates who will select a new nominee.
What federal actions and controversies involve the Smithsonian Institution today?
His only opponent is Sandra Pelletier, a political newcomer and biopharmaceutical executive. For NPR News, I'm Kevin Miller.
President Trump says he'll impose what he calls a major tariff on Mexico. After a cyclospora outbreak sickened people in at least nine states, the parasite can cause severe diarrhea. Federal health officials have traced many of the illnesses to shredded iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico. The president has signed an executive order that takes aim at the Smithsonian Institution. It accuses the 180-year-old museum of advocating for, quote, social justice and the radical transformation of American society. NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben reports.
Why did oil prices fall and how are gas prices being affected by Strait of Hormuz disruptions?
In the order, the president references an administration report focusing on the National Museum of American History. The report accuses that museum of overemphasizing troubling aspects of American history, like slavery and colonization, while underemphasizing or being too negative about the nation's founders. The order directs the Secretary of the Interior to install signs near the museum to correct, quote, inaccurate information, and tell visitors that, quote, the museum exhibits should be renovated. Congress set up the institution to be independent. A board of regents oversees it, though government officials are on that board, including the vice president, Supreme Court chief justice, and bipartisan members of Congress.
What happened at the US–Canada bridge ceremony after new US tariffs were announced?
Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR News.
Oil prices fell Friday on reports that new peace talks with Iran may be moving ahead, but drivers are still paying more at the gas pump. Oil analyst Matt Smith says the sharp drop in traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains a major problem.
This is hugely problematic, and just looking at the tanker traffic going through the Strait of Hormuz, it's dropped to a trickle just because the Iranians still control the strait there and could continue to do so for months here.
Why was the Paramount–Warner Bros. merger paused and what are the antitrust implications?
The national average for regular gas is now $4.11 a gallon, up about 12 cents from a week ago. This is NPR News. Officials in Canada held a ceremony on Friday for the completion of a new bridge that connects the US and Canada. Representatives from the US did not take part in the event after President Trump imposed new tariffs on Canada. Gregor Robinson is the Canadian Minister of Housing and Infrastructure.
Gregor Robinson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure
President Trump this week announced 50% tariffs on a variety of Canadian products worth about $20 billion. Paramount and Warner Bros. are hitting pause on their proposed merger. NPR's Chloe Veltman reports Paramount agreed to delay closing the deal for months following mounting pressure from antitrust lawsuits.
Attorneys General from 12 states allege the proposed merger violates a core federal antitrust law. Earlier this week, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order freezing Paramount's acquisition. Now the company has agreed not to close the $111 billion deal until June 1, 2027, or five days after lawsuits are resolved, whichever is earlier. In a statement to NPR, Paramount called the agreement a significant win and said going to trial will be, quote,
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Chapters
7 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–0:05
2
Who is running for the Democratic Senate nomination in Maine and why does it matter?
0:05–0:27
3
What is Troy Jackson's campaign message and political background?
0:27–0:53
4
What federal actions and controversies involve the Smithsonian Institution today?
0:53–1:38
5
Why did oil prices fall and how are gas prices being affected by Strait of Hormuz disruptions?
1:38–2:20
6
What happened at the US–Canada bridge ceremony after new US tariffs were announced?
2:20–2:49
7
Why was the Paramount–Warner Bros. merger paused and what are the antitrust implications?
2:49–4:59