NPR News: 09-16-2026 6PM EDT
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Why is the Federal Reserve raising interest rates despite President Trump's demands?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. The Federal Reserve is defying President Trump's repeated calls to lower interest rates. Instead, for the first time in more than three years, the central bank is raising them. Trump expressed his displeasure in a social media post. NPR Scott Horsley reports on the Fed's decision today to stick with its campaign to bring down inflation.
The central bank raised its benchmark interest rate by a quarter percentage point. The move, which was widely expected, will make it more expensive to borrow money, to buy a car or grow a business, or carry a balance on your credit card. The Fed is trying to combat stubborn inflation which has been rekindled by the US war with Iran. Gasoline prices are averaging well above four dollars a gallon, and diesel fuel is at a record high of six dollars thirty one cents a gallon.
How are higher interest rates expected to affect gasoline and diesel prices?
Raising interest rates won't necessarily bring lower prices at the gas pump, but it may help tamp down demand. Retail sales data released earlier today show consumers continued to spend freely in August, even as prices rose faster than wages. Scott Horsley, MPR News, Washington.
President Trump goes to North Carolina today to support the Republican Senate candidate there. As NPR's Tamara Keith reports as the midterms approach, Trump has promised to campaign for Republicans in tough races all over the country.
Polls have consistently shown Michael Watley, the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in North Carolina, trailing the state's former governor, Roy Cooper, a Democrat. Watley was chairman of the Republican National Committee in 2024, and Trump partially credits him with his win that year. Democrats haven't won a U.S.
What is the significance of President Trump's campaign stop in North Carolina for the Senate race?
Senate seat or presidential contest in North Carolina since two thousand eight, but Republicans are now playing defense in a state Trump won by three points just two years ago. The theory is that Trump, though broadly unpopular, can excite the Republican base, specifically those who otherwise might sit out the midterms. Tamar Keith, NPR News.
The European Union has invited Canada to become the first associate member of the bloc. Terry Scholz reports from Brussels.
The EU and Canada have both been on the receiving end of President Trump's threats and tariffs and have been looking to reduce their dependence on the US. Now they'll seek a new relationship with each other. As EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen offered to create a new status.
I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to being the first associate member of the European Union.
What does Canada’s new associate‑member status with the EU mean for trade and security?
It's not clear exactly what this status will entail or when it might be realized, but Von der Leyen mentioned increasing cooperation in manufacturing, tech, defense, the Arctic, minerals, and AI. For NPR News, I'm Terry Schultz in Brussels.
Consumers continue to spend and help power the US economy, according to the latest government snapshot. Retail sales increased a better than expected one point two percent last month after dipping a half percent in July. This is NPR News. White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles says that doctors now find no evidence of cancer after she underwent months of treatment for early stage breast cancer. The 69-year-old had announced her diagnosis in March. American Theater Magazine's list of the most produced plays of the upcoming season has just been released. Top of the list is John Proctor is the villain, Kimberly Bellflower's Look at Teenagers, and the response to Arthur Miller's The Crucible.
Why did U.S. retail sales rise in August and what does it mean for the economy?
Jeff London has more than a question.
Twenty professional theaters across the country will be producing John Proctor, which was a hit on Broadway in twenty twenty five. Second on the list with fourteen is Brandon Jacob Jenkins' Tony and Pulitzer winner Purpose, about a family discovering dark secrets in their father's past. Another play getting double-digit productions is Bess Wolves Pulitzer Winning Liberation, and the musical Come from away and lay miserab. American Theater looked at 1634 upcoming productions at regional and commercial theaters in 2026-27.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
Why is the Federal Reserve raising interest rates despite President Trump's demands?
0:00–0:47
2
How are higher interest rates expected to affect gasoline and diesel prices?
0:47–1:33
3
What is the significance of President Trump's campaign stop in North Carolina for the Senate race?
1:33–2:30
4
What does Canada’s new associate‑member status with the EU mean for trade and security?
2:30–3:24
5
Why did U.S. retail sales rise in August and what does it mean for the economy?
3:24–4:23
6
What new research reveals about the T‑rex’s body temperature and why does it matter?
4:23–5:03