NPR News: 09-19-2026 11AM EDT
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Why were journalists denied White House entry after President Trump's media ban?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Janine Hurst. Several journalists were denied entry to the White House today, a day after President Trump banned CNN, Politico, and MSNOW over reporting he didn't like. CNN White House correspondent Betsy Klein was one of them.
I walk in, I tap my badge, and it beeps a couple of different times. It turns red, blue, and green, and it didn't accept my PIN number. The Secret Service agent in the guardhouse with whom I have been friendly in the past asked to see my badge, and I handed it over to him. He told me that it had been deactivated. I asked him if he could provide an explanation as to why it had been deactivated. He said he had
no further information.
How do experts argue that the White House ban violates the First Amendment?
Klein speaking there on CNN. Experts say the ban is a violation of the First Amendment. Growing number of states are weighing in on how to regulate data centers powering artificial intelligence. Northern Virginia has the world's largest concentration. Jahid Khalil of VPM News reports the governor is announcing new rules.
Among the immediate actions that Governor Abigail Spanberger took were banning the state from entering into nondisclosure agreements regarding proposed data center development and telling regulators to start making new rules on things like zoning, environmental protections, and energy. The regulations take time to be reviewed and written, and many of the policy goals that Spanberger laid out would need to be approved by the legislature. Spanberger said the state needed a plan to address electric bills, water use, and air quality.
These impacts are not hypothetical or far off into the future.
What new rules is Virginia proposing to regulate AI data centers?
Virginians are feeling them right now, day in and day out, which is why the need for action is urgent.
Spanberger stopped short of a moratorium on data centers, an action one northern Virginia county took this week. For NPAR News, I'm Jad Khalil in Richmond.
Hundreds of protesters locked arms to form a human chain in front of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in D.C. yesterday. They stood in solidarity against the center's recent closure and President Trump's threats to demolish it if his name isn't on it.
The Kennedy Center looks different these days. A tarp almost completely obscures JFK's name from view, and security barriers prevent anyone from going in or out. That's why yesterday, hundreds of protesters held signs who were red, white, and blue and chanted.
Why did protesters form a human chain at the Kennedy Center and what are they demanding?
Hands-off-the-arts organizers like D.C. drag performer Tara Hoot said they want to spread awareness.
I hope it inspires people to take action, to call their elected officials, those elected officials to take action and make sure they take care of this historic space of American history.
The future of the Arts Center remains in limbo as a legal battle plays out in federal court. When asked about the potential demolition yesterday, Trump said, quote, I'm ready to fix it, but that the Trump administration should be recognized for that work. Ava Berger, NPR News, Washington.
You're listening to NPR News. Texas is now limiting the expansion of flock license plate cameras because of privacy concerns. The move comes during a growing national backlash against those cameras.
What privacy concerns are prompting Texas to limit license‑plate camera expansion?
From Texas Public Radio, David Martin Davies has more.
In 2023, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a law that charges car insurance policyholders a dollar per vehicle. Much of that money was used to install flock cameras. Now Abbott is blocking state funding for new cameras, and no more permits will be issued for automated license plate readers along state roads. Polling shows that flock cameras are unpopular with Texas voters. Lindsay Hindren is a senior researcher at Recon MR Polling.
55% of Texans are saying that they really don't want these in their area.
The cameras scan passing vehicles and store license plate numbers and other identifying information in a searchable database used by law enforcement. Flock says the technology helps police solve crimes.
What caused the latest fire at California’s Moss Landing battery storage facility?
For NPR News, I'm David Martin-Davies in San Antonio.
In California, the still-burning remains of the Moss Landing Power Plant battery storage facility got fire again yesterday, prompting fire officials to issue a temporary shelter-in-place order.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
Why were journalists denied White House entry after President Trump's media ban?
0:00–0:44
2
How do experts argue that the White House ban violates the First Amendment?
0:44–1:37
3
What new rules is Virginia proposing to regulate AI data centers?
1:37–2:23
4
Why did protesters form a human chain at the Kennedy Center and what are they demanding?
2:23–3:12
5
What privacy concerns are prompting Texas to limit license‑plate camera expansion?
3:12–4:01
6
What caused the latest fire at California’s Moss Landing battery storage facility?
4:01–5:04