NPR News: 09-19-2026 7PM EDT
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Why did protesters form a human chain at the Kennedy Center and what are they demanding?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Linda Kenyan. A huge crowd of protesters locked arms to form a human chain in front of the Kennedy Center in Washington DC yesterday. They stood in solidarity against the center's recent closure and President Trump's threats to demolish the memorial if his name is not on it. And Pierre's Ava Berger reports.
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 protesters held signs where red, white, and blue enchanted. hands off the arts organizers like DC drag performer Tara Hoot said they want to spread awareness.
I hope it inspires people to take action to call their elected officials, um those elected officials to take action to make sure they take care of this historic
How are Michigan Senate candidates proposing to lower fuel costs for voters?
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 and PR News, Washington.
In Michigan, high energy costs are a major focus in one of the most watched Senate races in the country. As Michigan public radio's Russ McNamara reports, both Democrat Abdul El Sayed and former Republican Congressman Mike Rogers think a fuel tax cut will provide short term relief.
As for a long-term fix, El Sayed wants an immediate end to hostilities with Iran, the main driver of record high diesel prices. Rogers says he wants further deregulation of the oil and gas industry to boost domestic production, but is willing to wait for the Trump administration's timeline on Iran.
What is causing the widespread power outages in Cuba and how are residents coping?
Michigander families who are suffering under higher fuel costs. Recent polls show El Said with a slim lead, Rogers narrowly lost a U.S. Senate campaign two years ago to Democrat Alyssa Slotkin. For NPR News, I'm Ross McNamara in Detroit.
Cuba is recovering from a nationwide power outage, NPR's Hyder Peralta report.
Cuba's electrical grid has been on the ropes for years, but ever since the US enacted an oil blockade in January, nationwide blackouts have become commonplace. This year there have been at least six total collapses. The Cuban government says this one started in the West and spread to the whole island on Friday. By Saturday morning, some of the grid had come online and most of the capital, Havana, had been restored.
Why did activists protest outside Ed Sheeran’s Philadelphia concert and what issues are they highlighting?
Even outside these blackouts, Cubans have been living. Living with precious little electricity, often going more than thirty hours at a time without power. The US government says the oil blockade is intended to bring a political transition in Cuba, but the Cuban government says right now there are no active negotiations with the United States.
You're listening to NPR. Ed Sheeran is taking the stage in Philadelphia tonight for the first time since rapper McNamar was dropped from his tour following his pro Palestinian statements. Other opening acts then withdrew. Emily Neal from Member Station WHYOI reports on a demonstration ahead of the show.
People gathered in South Philadelphia, blocks away from where Sheeran would take the stage Saturday night at Lincoln Financial Field. Robert Boucher, seventy-three, is a Philadelphia resident.
What are the antitrust allegations against Anthropic, OpenAI, SpaceX AI, and Google?
He says the backlash to Macklemore is a freedom of speech issue.
Bringing relief and justice to Gazans who are under siege and and to other Palestinians on the West Bank who are under siege from Israeli settlers and that influences in America should not be stifling free speech about this and that's what all of this is about.
Organizers asked Sheran and others to donate to mutual aid efforts to benefit Gaza. Shean said in a statement this week that he does not quote use his professional platform for politics. For MPR News, I'm Emily Neal in Philadelphia.
A new lawsuit aims uh claims rather that anthropic open AI, SpaceX AI, and Google illegally agreed to slow their AI development. The lawsuit argues this coordination violates antitrust laws and reduces consumer value.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
Why did protesters form a human chain at the Kennedy Center and what are they demanding?
0:01–0:53
2
How are Michigan Senate candidates proposing to lower fuel costs for voters?
0:53–1:53
3
What is causing the widespread power outages in Cuba and how are residents coping?
1:53–2:35
4
Why did activists protest outside Ed Sheeran’s Philadelphia concert and what issues are they highlighting?
2:35–3:28
5
What are the antitrust allegations against Anthropic, OpenAI, SpaceX AI, and Google?
3:28–4:34
6
How can U.S. citizens living abroad request an absentee ballot for the 2026 election?
4:34–4:52