What is the significance of the U.S. military's relationship with scouting?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. The 100-year-old partnership between the U.S. military and scouting could be coming to an end. NPR's Graham Smith reports Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is moving to withdraw support from the organization, formerly known as the Boy Scouts.
In a draft report to Congress reviewed by NPR, Hegseth says supporting the Scout Jamboree next summer would harm national security, that scarce resources can't be diverted from border security work. He also condemns scouting for promoting DEI. saying it rebranded to be, quote, genderless and attack boy-friendly spaces.
Another draft memo obtained by NPR orders the branches to bar scout troops from meeting on military bases worldwide and says that DOD will stop offering advanced rank to Eagle Scouts who enlist. The Pentagon refused to offer comment on what they called, quote, leaked documents that they cannot authenticate. and which may not have been finalized. Graham Smith, NPR News.
The Ukrainian capital came under another round of Russian airstrikes, damaging homes and knocking out power and water in parts of the city. The attacks come as U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators discuss a potential peace plan backed by the Trump administration. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he plans to review the proposal with President Trump.
Zelensky is heard here through a BBC interpreter.
Our team has reported on the new draft of steps, and this is indeed the right approach. I will discuss the sensitive issues with President Trump. Ukraine will never be an obstacle to peace. This is our principle, a shared principle, and millions of Ukrainians are counting on and deserve a dignified peace.
Ukrainian officials say Zelensky is expected to travel to the U.S. this week. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has announced investments aimed at reaching rural areas ahead of next year's midterms. NPR's Ashley Lopez reports.
The DCCC announced an eight-figure investment in voting blocks it hopes to persuade in their effort to win back Congress. That includes voters of color, as well as notably voters in rural areas where Democrats have suffered deep losses in recent years. Congresswoman Suzanne DelBene, who chairs the DCCC, says the party has an opportunity to engage these voters.
on economic issues. When we look at the swing districts across the country, the districts that are going to determine the majority in the House of Representatives, we know that rural voters are key in those districts.
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