NPR News: 09-19-2026 9AM EDT
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Why is President Trump threatening to ban major news outlets from the White House?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. President Trump's threat to ban several major news organizations from the White House is drawing sharp criticism from press groups. NPR's Ron Elving reports Trump is accused CNN, MS Now, and Politico of deliberately spreading what he calls fake news.
There is broad agreement that the president cannot do this in the manner he wishes. Once he opens the door to the media, he cannot close it partially to exclude those whose reporting may displease him. It's been to court, been ruled a violation of the First Amendment guarantee, and the president of the White House Correspondence Association, Jackie Heinrich, noted yesterday that the constitutional protection does not depend, quote, on whether the president likes a news organization. Organization's coverage agrees with its reporting or approves the questions its journalists ask.
At SMPR's Ron Elving, reporters for all three organizations remained on White House grounds through last night. In a post on social media this morning, MS Now says it's been denied White House access. Protesters formed a human chain around the Kennedy Center and Washington DC last night. The dispute intensified after a federal judge blocked an effort to restore President Trump's name to the building, ruling that only Congress can rename it. Laura Bly, a former National Symphony staff member, says she's baffled by the president's focus on the Performing Arts Center.
What’s the controversy over renaming and possibly demolishing the Kennedy Center?
It's a nightmare because Donald Trump isn't interested in the performing arts. He never has been. I think he saw the Kennedy Center as low hanging fruit, that he had the right to appoint most of the trustees and tell them to make him chairman and tell them to put his name on it.
The president has suggested tearing the Kennedy Center down, calling it a quote dump. The administration has been ordered by a judge to provide thirty days' notice before beginning any demolition work. It was a mixed week on Wall Street as investors face the prospect of higher interest rates. N PR Scott Horsley reports energy prices continue to climb, but that hasn't stopped shoppers from spending.
The spike in energy prices triggered by the US war with Iran shows no sign of easing, diesel fuels especially costly, with the average price up more than seventy percent since the war began. That's tough on farmers who rely on diesel to power their harvesting equipment. It could also lead to sky high heating bills for customers in New England who depend on heating oil. Despite the high fuel prices, retail spending remained strong in August. For the week, the NASDAQ rose three quarters of a percent, while the S P five hundred index fell a tenth of a percent and the Dow dropped one point seven percent.
How are rising energy prices affecting farmers, consumers, and the stock market?
Scott Horsley, M PR News, Washington.
It's M PR. A big college football game between number eight Ole Miss and number seven LSU gets underway in Oxford, Mississippi today, but the game is being overshadowed by the return of one coach to the place he abandoned last year, Steve Futterman reports.
LSU head coach Lane Kiffin used to coach here at Ole Miss. Then last year he bolted, leaving before the season ended to take over at LSU. And fans here like Ronda Loeb haven't forgotten.
We all feel like we got slided by the way Lane laughed.
When Kiffen left, Mississippi was about to take part in the college football playoffs. Former Mississippi Governor Haley Barber is a bit more direct. I I think he's a narcissist. And old Miss Student Bailey Wood compares it to being dumped by a boyfriend.
I just feel betrayed.
Why is the return of LSU coach Lane Kiffin to Ole Miss fueling fan backlash?
Not a favorite person for sure.
This will not be a warm and fuzzy homecoming. For M PR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Oxford, Mississippi.
Fat Bear Week returns Tuesday at Alaska's Katmai National Park and Preserve. The online competition lets the public choose its favorite among the park's famously well-fed brown bears. The animals spend the summer gorging on salmon to build the fat reserves they need for winter hibernation. Now, in its 12th year, the event uses a single elimination bracket with a new matchup decided through online voting.
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Chapters
5 chapters
1
Why is President Trump threatening to ban major news outlets from the White House?
0:00–1:33
2
What’s the controversy over renaming and possibly demolishing the Kennedy Center?
1:33–2:56
3
How are rising energy prices affecting farmers, consumers, and the stock market?
2:56–3:52
4
Why is the return of LSU coach Lane Kiffin to Ole Miss fueling fan backlash?
3:52–4:58
5
What is Fat Bear Week and how does it tie into NPR’s weekly politics series?
4:58–5:04