NPR News: 09-14-2026 6PM EDT
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What did the whistleblower reveal about DHS investigators posing as voters in New York?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. The Department of Homeland Security ordered investigators to pretend to be voters to access records in New York, according to a whistleblower complaint. Democrats say the operation was part of the Trump administration's efforts to find non-citizens on voter rolls. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says the administration broke state laws.
to violate state laws and lie. to access private voter information and create law enforcement records as part of DHS's quote unlawful voter initiative.
The New York Times first reported the apparent operation. Kentucky Republican Senator Mitch McConnell says he'll vote tonight for the first time since his hospitalization in June.
Why is Senator Mitch McConnell’s return to the Senate after his fall significant?
The eighty-four-year-old was hospitalized after a fall in his home. His three month absence from the Senate generated a flood of criticism and speculation as he initially remained quiet for weeks about his condition. The leaders at three major AI companies are ramping up their calls to slow the development of more powerful AI systems, but experts worry restrictions may accomplish little unless the US can reach an agreement with China and other countries, NPR's Windsor Johnston reports.
Gary Marcus is an artificial intelligence researcher at New York University. He says the United States and China share an interest in placing limits on AI agents that can operate freely online. He also says building larger AI models matters less than preventing poorly controlled systems from attacking critical infrastructure.
You're gonna find banking industries attack, electrical grids attacked. China shouldn't want that, we shouldn't want that.
How are AI leaders proposing global limits on powerful AI systems and why does China matter?
We can make a deal about unrestrained agents.
The leaders of major AI companies say they support global cooperation on safeguards. Marcus says that could be done without requiring American companies to slow development on their own. Windsor Johnston and PR News.
A nationwide study found that military veterans have higher levels of PFOS in their blood. NPR's quote Lawrence reports some of these so called forever chemicals have been linked to cancer and liver fail failure.
The study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that fifty eight percent of veterans have elevated levels of PFAS in their blood. That's associated with illnesses like kidney or testis cancer, liver or cardiovascular disease.
What are the health risks of PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ for military veterans and how can they get tested?
The lead author of the study, Christian Hoover at Brown University, says young veterans in particular had levels eighteen percent higher than their civilian counterparts.
If you are a veteran that is between twenty and thirty nine, but I really strongly advise that they get tested and that they consult with their physicians.
But PFAS blood testing isn't covered by VA health insurance or offered at VA medical centers. VA is currently quote reevaluating blood testing in accordance with new federal research. Quill Lawrence NPR News.
AI stocks slid worldwide today after leaders of the industry warned that a slowdown is needed for the safety of humanity. This is NPR. Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil is suing Columbia University, alleging it failed to address harassment against him and other members of a pro Palestinian campus group.
Why did Texas Railroad Commissioner candidate Bo French’s anti‑immigrant post spark bipartisan condemnation?
The suit says the university's deliberate indifference led to the doxing of multiple group members and Khalil's detention by immigration agents. The Republican candidate for Texas's oil and gas regulating body is under fire after posting a statement that Republican and Democratic officials are condemning as racist. Houston Public Media's Andrew Schneider reports.
Bo French, the GOP candidate for Texas Railroad Commissioner, posted a photo Sunday of a group of Asian Americans at a University of Texas football game saying it illustrated, quote, how many Americans have been displaced by foreigners? Asked about it on the Mark Davis show on Monday, French doubled down.
DEI was discriminating against deserving people so that, you know, these liberal bureaucrat uh administrators at U University of Texas and places like that could select their preferred groups of people.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
What did the whistleblower reveal about DHS investigators posing as voters in New York?
0:00–0:46
2
Why is Senator Mitch McConnell’s return to the Senate after his fall significant?
0:46–1:41
3
How are AI leaders proposing global limits on powerful AI systems and why does China matter?
1:41–2:22
4
What are the health risks of PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ for military veterans and how can they get tested?
2:22–3:11
5
Why did Texas Railroad Commissioner candidate Bo French’s anti‑immigrant post spark bipartisan condemnation?
3:11–4:10
6
What changes did Pope Leo XV announce for Vatican finances and how did AI‑related stock moves reflect industry concerns?
4:10–5:03