NPR News: 07-29-2026 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.
What happened in the U.S. and Saudi airstrikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq?
The U.S. and Saudi Arabia launched a wave of airstrikes targeting Iranian-backed militias in Iraq today. NPR's Jane Araf reports the armed groups said at least 20 of their fighters were killed. The U.S.
and Saudi Arabia have blamed the Iran-backed militias in Iraq for drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities this week. Iraq's Prime Minister, who met President Trump last week in Washington, convened an emergency security meeting in Baghdad after the airstrikes. The U.S.
Why did Iraq convene an emergency security meeting after the airstrikes?
has been pressing Prime Minister Ali Azadi to rein in Iranian-affiliated militias that are part of Iraq's official defense forces. Jordan's military also said it shot down five Iranian missiles early Wednesday. Iran has been targeting U.S. bases in the kingdom. Jane Araf, NPR News, Amman.
What issues will Dr. Anthony Fauci face in his Senate testimony about COVID-19 origins?
Dr. Anthony Fauci will testify before the Senate today. Republicans are expected to press him on the federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including questions about the virus's origins and past public health guidance. NPR's Jonathan Lambert reports.
Fauci is headed to the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee after getting subpoenaed by Kentucky Senator Rand Paul. The two have sparred for years over the COVID-19 pandemic. Paul believes the coronavirus came from a lab and has repeatedly alleged that Fauci covered up evidence. Fauci has pushed back against such claims, maintaining he's open to the lab leak theory, but that existing evidence supports the virus jumping from an animal to a human. Questions will likely center on over 1,000 pages of Fauci's private notes released by the senator over the weekend. Paul claims that there are discrepancies between how Fauci talked about COVID origins in public and in private. But scientists accuse Paul of cherry-picking examples from early in the pandemic when there was a lot of uncertainty.
Who is Jay Clayton and why was his nomination for director of national intelligence controversial?
Jonathan Lambert, NPR News.
The Senate has confirmed Jay Clayton to serve as President Trump's new spy chief. NPR's Jenna McLaughlin reports Clayton's nomination drew criticism from Democrats who questioned his independence and lack of intelligence experience.
Jay Clayton will be Trump's new director of national intelligence. Clayton is currently the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York. Advocates like Republican Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas say that job's intersection with national security, such as the indictment of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, prepared him to lead the intelligence community's 18 agencies.
How severe was the EF3 tornado in northeastern Wisconsin and what damage did it cause?
Critics like Senator Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon, say Clayton has already shown he won't directly challenge the president's falsehoods.
He is never going to stand up to Donald Trump.
Wyden pointed to Clayton's refusal to say President Biden won the U.S. presidential election in 2020 during his confirmation hearing as one example. Jenna McLaughlin, NPR News.
You're listening to NPR News from Washington.
What local and national political and economic updates did NPR report, including South Dakota and the Federal Reserve meeting?
The National Weather Service says the tornado that tore through northeastern Wisconsin on Monday was an EF3 with winds reaching 140 miles per hour. The tornado stayed on the ground for about 12 miles and was roughly 1,500 yards wide. It destroyed homes, overturned vehicles, and brought down trees and power lines in the city of Appleton and surrounding communities. The governor has declared a state of emergency in the affected areas. South Dakota Governor Larry Rodin has won the Republican nomination for governor. Jason Dirks of South Dakota Public Broadcasting reports Rodin's runoff victory over a populist challenger.
Rodin was lieutenant governor and moved into the state's top seat when Governor Kristi Noem joined the Trump administration last year. Rodin's opposed abortion pills, pledged to reform the state's prison system, and passed legislation to lower property taxes by raising sales taxes. He was challenged for the nomination by business executive Toby Doden, who was backed by the right-wing Turning Point organization founded by the late Charlie Kirk. The self-described political outsider ran on eliminating homeowner property taxes.
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Chapters
7 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–0:05
2
What happened in the U.S. and Saudi airstrikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq?
0:05–0:34
3
Why did Iraq convene an emergency security meeting after the airstrikes?
0:34–0:55
4
What issues will Dr. Anthony Fauci face in his Senate testimony about COVID-19 origins?
0:55–1:56
5
Who is Jay Clayton and why was his nomination for director of national intelligence controversial?
1:56–2:34
6
How severe was the EF3 tornado in northeastern Wisconsin and what damage did it cause?
2:34–3:00
7
What local and national political and economic updates did NPR report, including South Dakota and the Federal Reserve meeting?
3:00–5:04