NPR News: 09-21-2026 5PM EDT
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What did Paramount agree to in its settlement with Democratic attorneys general?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. Paramount made a series of concessions to resolve a lawsuit filed by a coalition of 12 Democratic attorneys general today. It paves the way for the $111 billion takeover of Warner Brothers Discovery. California Democratic Attorney General Rob Bonta says the company promised to make more movies in the U.S. With this settlement, Paramount
has made an enforceable commitment to significantly increase domestic production. Production in the United States and necessarily production right here in L.A., in Hollywood. More jobs, more economic activity, better for workers, more output.
Paramount agreed to release at least 30 films a year or risk a financial penalty. The deal will also create a board intended to insulate CNN from corporate intervention. The Ellison family, which runs Paramount, has close ties to President Trump. CNN, MSNOW and Politico have filed a lawsuit over being denied White House access. President Trump said he barred them because of coverage he disliked.
How will the settlement affect domestic film production and jobs in Hollywood?
Vice President J.D. Vance defended the ban today, saying news outlets shouldn't get White House access if they produce what he calls propaganda.
That's not representative of the American people. It's not representative of public opinion. So if you're going to engage in what is effectively far-left propaganda, why would a Republican White House give you special access?
President Trump will be among the first speakers at the U.N. General Assembly tomorrow, as NPR's Michelle Kellerman reports.
This is the last General Assembly for Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who has raised concerns about a fragmented world. He's pushing for a ceasefire in Russia's war against Ukraine and de-escalation in the Persian Gulf. The leaders of Brazil, Kenya, Canada and the European Union echo that, writing in a joint op-ed in the Financial Times, calling for cooperation over fragmentation. Climate change and AI are expected to be major themes, though last year President Trump called climate change a hoax. In addition to his speech, he's expected to meet Ukraine's president and Venezuela's interim leader, who took over after the U.S.
What are the key points of President Trump’s upcoming UN General Assembly speech?
ousted Nicolas Maduro. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, New York.
The national average for a gallon of diesel is more than $6.51. NPR's Stephen Basaja reports it's another record high caused by the Iran war. Diesel prices are rising
shockingly fast. The previous record of $5.85 was broken at the start of the month, and prices have since gone up another 66 cents. Diesel is literally the fuel the U.S. economy runs on. It's used to ship everything from apples to candles. And shipping companies are passing on the higher diesel costs they're paying to their customers. So far, that higher cost has not affected prices on store shelves much yet, but shoppers should brace for it. Commuters using regular gasoline are also feeling rising prices.
Why are diesel and gasoline prices hitting record highs and what does it mean for consumers?
Since the start of September, a gallon of regular has gone up 38 cents. Stephen Basaja, NPR News, Birmingham, Alabama.
This is NPR News. Russian drones have hit Ukraine's southern city of Zaporizhia. The attack came a day after authorities said Kiev's forces fired over 1,000 drones at Russia. The conflict shows no signs of easing as world leaders gather at the U.N. General Assembly. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky plans to meet with President Trump, while Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend. A new poll from NPR and Ipsos finds some people are using artificial intelligence to explore spirituality. NPR's Jason DeRose reports.
The poll found that 11% of AI users say they've sought spiritual guidance from artificial intelligence, while 13% say they've used the technology to generate prayers. 15% say they've used it to study scripture.
How are people using AI for spiritual guidance and ethical questions according to the NPR‑Ipsos poll?
Mallory Newell is with the polling firm Ipsos. She says using AI for curiosity...
...is still very mainstream. Even curiosity about morality or faith, but outsourcing your faith to AI, certainly not mainstream.
The NPR Ipsos poll found that among those who've used AI, 16 percent say they've turned to the technology as a discussion partner for moral and ethical questions.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
What did Paramount agree to in its settlement with Democratic attorneys general?
0:00–1:02
2
How will the settlement affect domestic film production and jobs in Hollywood?
1:02–2:06
3
What are the key points of President Trump’s upcoming UN General Assembly speech?
2:06–2:51
4
Why are diesel and gasoline prices hitting record highs and what does it mean for consumers?
2:51–3:42
5
How are people using AI for spiritual guidance and ethical questions according to the NPR‑Ipsos poll?
3:42–4:51
6
What is the “Raccoon Boot Camp” program and how does it help rescued baby raccoons?
4:51–5:03