NPR News: 09-15-2026 6PM EDT
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Why does Attorney General Todd Blanch claim AI concerns are politically motivated?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. Attorney General Todd Blanch says rising concerns about AI are politically motivated. NPR's Franco Ordonia's reports.
The Attorney General says the reason that AI concerns are drawing so much attention right now is the same reason the President dismisses those concerns as a hoax. Blanche says it's because the midterm elections are less than two months away.
Every Democrat Senator suddenly races to a microphone to talk about AI after being eerily silent for months and months and months. So to talk about the timing of this as being nothing but an effort to to influence the midterms, I shouldn't have to say that out loud.
Asked about the need for regulations, Blanche says it's not the job of the Justice Department to regulate AI. Indeed, it was highly unusual for the U.S. Attorney General to wade into overtly political matters. Franco Ordonez in PR News, the White House.
Kentucky Republican Congressman Thomas Massey has moved to impeach Secretary of Defense Pete Heggseth over the Iran War.
What are the details behind Congressman Thomas Massey’s impeachment effort against the Secretary of Defense?
NPR's Eric McDaniel reports the House would have to act on the proposal by Thursday.
It was an unexpected start to the legislative day. Impeaching Peter Brian Hegseth, Secretary of Defense for high crimes and misdemeanors. Congressman Massey long a thorn in the side of the administration is on his way out of office after being primaried by a Trump-backed opponent. Massey alleges that Heggseth has waged the war in Iran illegally, in part because the conflict has not been authorized by Congress. Republicans, in theory, have enough votes to defeat the proposal, though it could be a complicated vote for house members in swing districts, seen as an approval of an unpopular war that's driving up cost of living. The party also has some attendance problems. A record number are retiring. Many missed votes Monday night, leaving Democrats at the time with more voting members.
Eric McDaniel and Pierre News Washington.
The average American family made more money last year than in 2024, while the number of people living in poverty fell, NPR Scott Horsley reports.
The median American family made a little over $87,000 last year. That's up 2.6% from 2024. Families at the top of the income ladder saw bigger gains than those at the bottom. The share of families living in poverty fell slightly to 10.2%. The annual snapshot from the Census Bureau comes as many Americans are wrestling with stubborn inflation that's been rekindled by the war with Iran. Price hikes have been outpacing wage gains for the last five months. It was a happier story in 2025 when the typical household saw real improvements in their purchasing power. Analysts cautioned some of those gains could be eroded in the coming years by cuts to the social safety net.
How did the latest Census data show changes in American family incomes and poverty rates?
Scott Horsley, Impair News, Washington.
It comes after a federal court once again blocked the board from putting President Trump's name on the performing arts venue without Congress's approval. The board recently wrote in a court document that it's unlikely Trump would support the renovation, quote, without such appropriate recognition. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is heading to Europe, seeking deeper ties with the EU as the trade war with President Trump intensifies. He wants a broader partnership that could give Canadians greater freedom to work and study in Europe while stopping short of EU membership. Kearney has been trying to reduce Canada's dependence on the U.S. Last year, the Trump administration shuttered a program that publicized air quality data at U.S.
embassies. As NPR's Jonathan Lambert reports, new research shows that led to more air pollution.
Since 2008, the State Department has been adding air quality monitors to U.S. Embassy buildings and making the data public. Researchers credit the program with helping improve air quality in many cities, especially those without domestic monitoring. But in early 2025, the Trump administration ended the program, citing financial costs.
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Chapters
4 chapters
1
Why does Attorney General Todd Blanch claim AI concerns are politically motivated?
0:00–1:03
2
What are the details behind Congressman Thomas Massey’s impeachment effort against the Secretary of Defense?
1:03–2:33
3
How did the latest Census data show changes in American family incomes and poverty rates?
2:33–4:29
4
What impact did the Trump administration’s shutdown of embassy air‑quality monitors have on pollution levels?
4:29–4:39