NPR News: 07-30-2026 8PM EDT
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton.
Why is Todd Blanche’s Attorney General confirmation on hold over a $1.8 billion fund?
Todd Blanche's confirmation to be Attorney General is on hold over the $1.8 billion fund for President Trump's allies who say they've been victimized by the government. Blanche says the fund no longer exists, but two outgoing Republican senators are refusing to advance him until they get that in writing. Trump says he may try to wait them out, as NPR's Eric McDaniel reports.
Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Tom Tillis of North Carolina are using their leverage to make sure that the fund, which Trump has suggested could be used to make payments to Capitol rioters, is kaput, as the Justice Department has claimed. In response, Trump posted, quote, Cornyn tweeted in reply that the president is mistaken if he believes concerns about the fund are limited to himself and Senator Tillis, suggesting they're speaking on behalf of other Senate Republicans. Either way, Blanche, who was already confirmed to a lower DOJ post, can remain acting attorney general. Eric McDaniel, NPR News, the Capitol.
Colin Gray, the father of Georgia high school shooter Colt Gray, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for supplying the assault-style weapon used in the 2024 shooting that killed four people and injured nine. It's a rare case of a parent being held responsible for their child's crime. Judge Nicholas Prim handed down the sentence.
How did a Georgia parent get sentenced for supplying the weapon used in a 2024 school shooting?
You were convicted because the warning lights were flashing brighter and brighter. And you didn't get him help. And you didn't remove his access to the guns.
Colt Gray, who's 16 now, was sentenced to life without parole earlier this week after pleading guilty. The number of people excused from the Trump administration's new Medicaid work requirement rules is small, fewer than even some conservative states wanted. Catherine Houghton with our partner KFF Health News reports.
By January, millions of people will have to prove they're either working, volunteering, or going to school to keep Medicaid's low-cost health coverage. States like Montana initially plan to give people who are homeless a pass. But the federal government says that's not allowed.
What will Medicaid work requirements mean for people experiencing homelessness in Montana?
My Medicaid is still active, but when are they going to cut that off from me? I can't get employed. How am I supposed to survive?
Taiwan Pugh has been living without housing in Missoula, Montana, since his wife's death last year. He has seizures that make it hard to keep a job. People like Pugh could still qualify for a medical exemption, but that would take a paper trail of proof, which is especially hard for people without steady access to housing and health care.
That was Katherine Houghton with our partner KFF Health News.
Which Minnesota water systems were hit by cyberattacks and who might be responsible?
Authorities say cyber attacks targeted more than 30 water systems in Minnesota earlier this week. The source of the attacks is being investigated, but they came amid warnings that Iranian hackers have been focused on such systems. There are no reports of people being directly affected by the attacks. This is NPR News.
Why is K-pop group BTS reportedly boycotting the Grammys over a new Asian pop category?
A federal judge has refused to dismiss the case against an Afghan woman who's the first person facing deportation under the Trump administration's activation of a long dormant court. Her lawyer says the reactivation of the alien terrorist removal court violates her constitutional rights. It was created in 1996, but had never received a petition until this month. K-pop group BTS is apparently boycotting next year's Grammy Awards over a new Asian pop category. NPR's Seyoon Gong reports some criticized the categories as a means for exclusion.
NPR's Seyoon Gong reports some criticized the categories as a means for exclusion.
BTS didn't specify the reason for their decision in a social media post, but they said they hope, quote, music is heard and loved by what it is and not divided by region or language. Last month, the Grammys announced the new category for songs with, quote, meaningful use of one or more Asian languages. Some black artists have accused the Grammys of pigeonholing them into certain categories and keeping them from the General Fields Awards, Record of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–0:04
2
Why is Todd Blanche’s Attorney General confirmation on hold over a $1.8 billion fund?
0:04–1:20
3
How did a Georgia parent get sentenced for supplying the weapon used in a 2024 school shooting?
1:20–2:09
4
What will Medicaid work requirements mean for people experiencing homelessness in Montana?
2:09–2:41
5
Which Minnesota water systems were hit by cyberattacks and who might be responsible?
2:41–3:00
6
Why is K-pop group BTS reportedly boycotting the Grammys over a new Asian pop category?
3:00–4:57