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Today’s Headlines
Record-breaking fundraising is underway for the 2026 midterm elections. Over $15 billion has already been amassed by various groups aiming to sway the outcome and control of Congress.
Election workers process ballots for the California state primary at the Los Angeles County Ballot Processing Center on June 5. California’s relatively slow vote count has put “a big target on its back,” as one election expert told NPR.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
- 🎧 Democratic nominees for the House and Senate are seeing an influx of donations, despite unpopularity within the Democratic Party, according to NPR’s Stephen Fowler. Republicans are also facing unpopularity due to factors like Iran’s conflict, gas prices, and the economy. Key figures such as Elon Musk are donating to super PACs to support Republican candidates. In 13 pivotal races identified by the Cook Political Report, Republicans are being outmatched financially by a 5-to-1 ratio. Both parties are making significant financial investments, which could mean Democrats have opportunities to secure victories in various locations. Presently, 75% of ad purchases are focused on races that are either toss-ups or leaning Republican.
- ➡️ Some tight congressional races might remain undecided for days post-Election Day. Here’s why.
- ➡️ The NPR App centralizes all election coverage—from major national stories to local issues. Access headlines, playlists, podcasts, videos, and more on the 2026 Election tab.
A Ukrainian drone strike on Saint Petersburg, Russia’s historical capital, resulted in at least one death and multiple injuries. Key targets included a crucial port oil terminal. Over the weekend, Russian missile strikes in Ukraine claimed at least 11 lives. As the conflict persists, President Trump suggests that alleviating Russian pressure is essential to resolving the war.
- 🎧 The recent assault on Saint Petersburg is the largest since Russia’s 2022 invasion, NPR’s Charles Maynes reports to Up First. Although the number of drones that hit the city is unclear, Russia’s Defense Ministry announced intercepting 1,000 drones in various regions that night. Trump’s efforts appear focused on safeguarding Russian oil facilities after agreeing with President Vladimir Putin to import Russian diesel. The decision was aimed at reducing gas prices for U.S. voters before the midterm elections. Trump has labeled earlier Ukrainian strikes as a “disgrace,” despite ongoing Russian assaults on Ukraine. Maynes notes that the president holds President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accountable for attacks that allegedly elevate U.S. fuel costs, even as economists link the price surge mainly to Trump’s Iran war.
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned violent incidents that have overshadowed generally peaceful protests nationwide. Initially sparked by student demands for better conditions, the movement now includes public-sector workers opposing high energy costs, living expenses, and social inequality. The Interior Ministry reported about 2,300 arrests and nearly 1,000 injured officers.
- 🎧 NPR’s Eleanor Beardsley observed protests in Paris, witnessing burned bikes, broken glass, and graffiti on looted stores demanding “tax the rich.” She spoke with 23-year-old Sarah Berlia, who views the actions as expressions of a frustrated generation facing diminishing rights. Beardsley notes that French protest culture often attracts “troublemakers,” but the current scale is enormous. The protests have political ramifications, as France nears a presidential election. Far-left candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon has joined the protesters, while far-right leader Marine Le Pen, leading in polls, has denounced the violence and government response.
Living Better
Tony Stepanow, from Finland, attends a sauna during the International Sauna Congress 2026 in Oslo, Norway, Sept. 25, 2026.
Siv Dolmen for NPR
Siv Dolmen for NPR
Living Better is a special series about what it takes to stay healthy in America.
Saunas are gaining popularity in the wellness sector for their potential mental health benefits. This trend highlights the increasing interest in overall wellness and social connectivity, particularly after the pandemic. While scientists have studied saunas’ cardiovascular effects, their mental health impact is still being explored. Here’s what is known so far.
- 🥵 Heat detection by the skin triggers signals to a brain area that regulates cooling, influencing mood and pleasure, relevant to depression.
- 🥵 Heat induces an anti-inflammatory response akin to exercise, beneficial for depression and other mental health issues.
- 🥵 Heat exposure acts like a “thermoregulatory workout,” enhancing efficient body cooling over time.
Picture Show
Jennifer Teresa Villanueva’s aunts, cousins, grandmother and uncle gather around the dining table for an afternoon brunch at home in Chicago in 2018.
Jennifer Teresa Villanueva
Jennifer Teresa Villanueva
For eight years, artist Jennifer Teresa Villanueva has been documenting her family’s daily life, capturing moments of love, care, and sacrifice within their Chicago home. This personal project began in 2018, inspired by her grandmother’s hospitalization. Initially, it aimed to understand her grandmother’s daily routines, but it soon evolved into a deeper exploration of the immigrant experience. “I am interested in what happens when the camera enters a home where everyone already knows one another,” Villanueva told NPR. “There is no distance between photographer and subject. I am photographing the people who raised me, and I am also photographing the home that raised me.” See photos from the project and learn more about Villanueva’s work.
3 Things to Know Before You Go
Noah Adams adjusts his headphones in the National Public Radio studio in Washington Feb.16, 1987.
Charles Tasnadi/AP
Charles Tasnadi/AP
- Noah Adams, a seasoned writer and broadcaster who led All Things Considered for 18 years, has passed away at the age of 84.
- Trump announced plans to close and renovate the East Potomac Golf Links in Washington, D.C., amid ongoing legal disputes.
- An Air Force service member tragically died following a rappelling mishap during a pregame ceremony at the Alamodome, before the University of Texas at San Antonio’s football game against Navy. (via Texas Public Radio)
This newsletter was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.
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