NPR News: 09-14-2026 9PM EDT
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Why did the Supreme Court reject President Trump's mail‑in voting restrictions?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. The Supreme Court has rejected President Trump's restrictions on mail-in voting for now. The decision allows states to continue sending ballots under existing processes used by nearly one-third of voters. Election officials said there wasn't enough time to implement the changes, and opponents said Trump lacked constitutional authority to set election rules. The Justice Department argues that postal rules are controlled by the federal government. The Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it will no longer cap greenhouse gas emissions from coal and natural gas plants. Houston Public Media's Natalie Weber tells us the change is a major rollback of Biden-era rules.
The Biden administration sought to limit climate change-inducing emissions from power plants. At the time, the EPA said this sector accounted for the second highest amount of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin lauded the rollbacks at a press conference in Houston, saying the Biden administration overstepped its authority.
What are the implications of the EPA rolling back greenhouse‑gas limits on power plants?
Today's announcement isn't just about restoring the American economy. It's also about restoring the rule of law.
Several environmental organizations have criticized the EPA's move, saying it will negatively impact the climate and public health. For NPR News, I'm Natalie Weber in Houston.
Kentucky Republican Senator Mitch McConnell returned to the Senate today. The 84-year-old former Republican leader has not been to the Capitol since June 14th when he was hospitalized for a fall in his home. His three-month absence for the Senate generated a flood of criticism and speculation as he remained quiet for weeks about his condition. He eventually disclosed that he had been briefly unconscious and had been treated for pneumonia. In a statement today, McConnell said his recovery has been a long and often frustrating process. The artificial intelligence company OpenAI recently added a new feature on chat GPT for people in suicidal crisis.
How is Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s health update affecting his return to Washington?
It's meant to connect those individuals to human sources of support. The company says it's seen good adoption of the feature, but as NPR's Ritu Chatterjee reports, mental health experts give it a mixed review.
The new feature is called Trusted Contact. Adult users of ChatGPT can opt in using the app's settings. They can add the name and contact of a loved one who can support them during a mental health crisis. If that person agrees, the bot then saves their contact. Psychologist Jennifer Lockman runs the Suicide Prevention Clinic at the University of Alabama.
We know from research that human connection, belonging is a huge protective factor to help people when they're thinking about suicide.
Lockman says the trusted contact feature is another opportunity to connect people in crisis to someone they already trust. But she says the bot cannot replicate or replace mental health professionals who are trained to guide people in crisis.
How does OpenAI’s new “Trusted Contact” feature aim to help users in suicidal crisis?
Ritu Chatterjee, NPR News.
Major U.S. stock indexes fell today. The S&P 500 fell nearly half of a percent. This is NPR News. Some detainees at the now-closed immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades known as Alligator Alcatraz spent time in small metal enclosures. Prison officials called calming areas. That's according to a report from the Department of Homeland Security inspector general who says the practice, quote, does not meet standards for human treatment. But advocates had previously reported and criticized the treatment of detainees. It marks the first time a government agency has confirmed the existence of such conditions.
Why is the Rio Grande experiencing historic dryness and what are the consequences for the Southwest?
One of the most essential water sources in the American Southwest, the Rio Grande, is experiencing one of its driest periods ever. Bryce Dix with member station KUNM reports.
In Albuquerque, there is no water in the riverbed, a feat that has only happened three times in almost half a century. Without water, the river's wildlife and vegetation are struggling. Paul Tashin is a conservationist with Audubon Southwest.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
Why did the Supreme Court reject President Trump's mail‑in voting restrictions?
0:00–1:02
2
What are the implications of the EPA rolling back greenhouse‑gas limits on power plants?
1:02–1:56
3
How is Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s health update affecting his return to Washington?
1:56–2:49
4
How does OpenAI’s new “Trusted Contact” feature aim to help users in suicidal crisis?
2:49–3:31
5
Why is the Rio Grande experiencing historic dryness and what are the consequences for the Southwest?
3:31–4:19
6
What changes did Pope Leo XIV make to Vatican employee salaries and why?
4:19–5:04