NPR News: 08-21-2026 6PM EDT
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Why did President Trump turn the National Mall into an indie car racetrack?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. President Trump has turned the National Mall and streets of downtown Washington, D.C. into an indie car racetrack for the weekend. Trump bypassed congressional approval and issued an executive order earlier this year to fast track the event. It's the latest in a series of events celebrating America's two hundred and fiftieth birthday that critics say have turned the nation's capital into Trump's personal playground. NPR's Adam Bearn has been checking out the track.
Crews are putting the final touches on a transformation of the National Mall. It's normally the home of many of the city's museums and monuments. This weekend, the wide streets are being taken over by race cars. It's part of the celebrations for America's 250th birthday.
How will the new federal plan affect Colorado River water allocations for Arizona, California, and Nevada?
an hour for our race, it's unlimited. Denker thinks the drivers will hit 180 miles an hour on Pennsylvania Avenue. Qualifying for the race is Saturday. The main event is Sunday afternoon. Adam Bearn, NPR News, Washington.
The federal government is out with a new plan that calls for significant cuts to the amount of Colorado river water flowing to Arizona, California, and Nevada. From Member Station KJZZ, Alex Hager reports the main states and the river's lower basin will rain in demand by about twenty percent.
The cutbacks will last through twenty twenty eight. It's an attempt to prop up the nation's two largest reservoirs, which both hit record low levels earlier this month. The cuts could have been nearly double this amount, but the federal government negotiated with Arizona, California, and Nevada to soften the blow of water reductions.
What changes is the HHS proposing for categorizing childhood vaccines?
Cities in the Phoenix and Tucson areas will be the hardest hit, but most have robust backup plants to keep taps flowing normally. The upstream states of Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and New York. Mexico will not have to take cutbacks under the new plan. That's after years of failed negotiations. Federal officials said they want to keep working with states that use the river to come up with a consensus agreement for cutting back on demand. For NPR News, I'm Alex Hager in Phoenix.
The Trump administration has taken another step towards potentially changing the way children get vaccinated against infectious diseases, NPR's Rob Stein reports.
The Department of Health and Human Services is seeking public comment on possible changes in how the federal government categorizes childhood vaccines. For example, federal officials are asking whether more vaccines should be in a category called shared clinical decision making. That's where parents are advised to consult with the health professional about whether or not a vaccine is absolutely necessary.
Why were the editor‑in‑chief and staff of Stars and Stripes fired by the Pentagon?
This is the the first concrete step taken by the administration to implement a controversial executive order President Trump signed last week about childhood vaccines. That order calls for children to receive fewer shots and space out the shots they do get more. Rob Stein, NPR News.
Major US stock indexes rose today. This is NPR News. The editor-in-chief of military news outlet Stars and Stripes says the Pentagon has fired him, as well as its publisher and a reporter, Eric Slavin, cited an interview he gave in which he objected to any potential censorship by the US military. Stars and Stripes is partly funded by the Pentagon, but has a long legacy of editorial independence. Recently it reported on challenging conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier. Several states looking for new ways to crack down on homelessness have passed laws that make it a crime to camp on public property.
How did Prince Harry and Elton John end up owing nearly $13 million to the Daily Mail?
NPR's Marissa J. Lang reports Tennessee has some of the harshest camping penalties in the country.
Three people in Tennessee this summer have been charged with felonies for camping on public property. Two in a Nashville park, and recently a Chattanooga man who was found sleeping in his car. Under state law, he could face up to six years in prison. Lindsay Cranks of Housing for All Tennessee says these increasing arrests don't actually help solve homelessness.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
Why did President Trump turn the National Mall into an indie car racetrack?
0:00–0:54
2
How will the new federal plan affect Colorado River water allocations for Arizona, California, and Nevada?
0:54–1:38
3
What changes is the HHS proposing for categorizing childhood vaccines?
1:38–2:35
4
Why were the editor‑in‑chief and staff of Stars and Stripes fired by the Pentagon?
2:35–3:33
5
How did Prince Harry and Elton John end up owing nearly $13 million to the Daily Mail?
3:33–4:15
6
What does the MPR Politics Podcast say about the Trump administration’s claim of a crime‑drop?
4:15–5:03