NPR News: 08-08-2026 1PM EDT
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Who is Todd Blanche and how was he confirmed as Attorney General?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Linda Kenyon. Todd Blanche says he's deeply honored by the trust President Trump has placed in him to lead the Justice Department. NPRS Carrie Johnson reports on the debate that led to the narrow confirmation vote for Blanche to serve as attorney general.
The Senate ultimately confirmed Blanche as the nation's eighty eighth attorney general by a single vote. Critics say Blanche presided over a DOJ that attacked the career workforce, went after the president's political foes, and botched the release of files connected to the convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. But Senator Cassidy and others suggest anyone Trump would hire to replace Blanche could be less qualified and less likely to push back on Trump's impulses. Carrie Johnson, NPR News.
The vote to confirm Blanche for Attorney General was fifty to forty nine. A growing number of states are considering stricter rules for social media influencers who are paid to promote political candidates.
What new rules are states proposing for paid political influencers?
NPR's Windsor Johnston reports the issue is taking on new urgency as campaigns are courting popular online creators in the lead up to the elections in the fall.
Texas now requires online creators to disclose when they are paid to post political content, and lawmakers in New York are considering a similar rule. California already requires disclosure and a bill before the state legislature would allow fines of up to five thousand dollars per violation. The issue recently surfaced in Michigan, where influencers on social media were reportedly offered money to promote Democratic primary Senate candidate Haley Stevens without clearly disclosing the payments. Stephen's campaign denied any involvement. The controversy highlights the growing role of paid influencers as campaigns try to reach voters ahead of the midterm elections. Windsor Johnston, NPR News, Washington.
Water levels at Make Lake Mead have reached their lowest level on record. Tourists Matthew Stubb and Jessica Torres were amazed when they came to see the nation's largest reservoir.
I wonder if it'll fully go like and you know the girl just fully disagreement.
That's what I'm doing.
Why are Lake Mead’s water levels at a historic low and what does it mean?
That would be a real big concern 'cause it's a real dry area and this band this dam was built for a reason. Yeah. It's built for the water situation.
Lake Mead is located on the Colorado River between Nevada and Arizona. It was formed in the mid nineteen thirties when the Hoover Dam was constructed on the Colorado River. The lake supplies water to more than twenty million people. And is one of the most important reservoirs on the Vital Waterway, along with Lake Powell. Experts say they are also concerned that Lake Powell might also reach record low levels very soon. You're listening to NPR News. Much of Europe is bracing for yet another heat wave. Vicky Barker reports Europeans have been suffering through a record breaking hot summer.
Heat health alerts have already taken effect in much of the UK, where London is about to experience its fifth heat wave of the season. All of Italy's major cities are under the highest level of heat alert, and record heat's been reported in neighboring Austria.
How is Europe coping with extreme heat and the upcoming solar eclipse?
Several European countries have been experiencing temperatures above a hundred and four Fahrenheit, prompting health warnings for millions of elderly or otherwise medically vulnerable people. Climatologists say Europe, which lacks widespread air conditioning, is warming twice as fast as the rest of the world, severely testing public health systems, power generation, transportation networks, and tourism infrastructure. For NPR News, I'm Vicky Barker in London.
A rare total solar eclipse is set to sweep over parts of Europe next week. The event is expected to boost tourism in Spain, where the path of total darkness will pass on Wednesday. Parts of Greenland, Iceland, and Portugal will also experience the eclipse. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves between the sun and the Earth, blocking the sun's light either partly or fully. Some safety tip reminders if you're going to be in Europe.
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Chapters
5 chapters
1
Who is Todd Blanche and how was he confirmed as Attorney General?
0:01–1:09
2
What new rules are states proposing for paid political influencers?
1:09–2:22
3
Why are Lake Mead’s water levels at a historic low and what does it mean?
2:22–3:25
4
How is Europe coping with extreme heat and the upcoming solar eclipse?
3:25–5:01
5
How can AI help people with criminal records clear their felonies and find work?
5:01–5:03