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Top Headlines Today
President Trump has reversed his position on the release of the Jeffrey Epstein documents, now advocating for a vote to disclose information regarding the convicted sex offender. This marks a significant change after months of opposition from Trump and his congressional allies. The House is slated to vote on this matter tomorrow.
A protester holds a sign related to the release of the Jeffrey Epstein case files outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 12, 2025. Democrats released emails Wednesday in which Jeffrey Epstein suggested Donald Trump was aware of the disgraced financier’s sexual abuse and had “spent hours” with one of his victims at his house.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
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Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
- 🎧The Epstein bill is likely to gain momentum in the House now that Trump has given Republicans the nod to back it, NPR’s Luke Garrett mentioned on Up First. While the timeline for a Senate vote remains uncertain, the bill could still face hurdles in making the files public even if it passes through Congress and the President.
- 🎧The debate over the files has created an unexpected divide between Trump and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, previously a close ally. Trump withdrew his endorsement, calling her “wacky.” Greene voiced on CNN’s State of the Union that his rhetoric might “radicalize people against me and put my life in danger.”
The USS Gerald R. Ford, the U.S.’s most advanced aircraft carrier, entered the Caribbean Sea yesterday, joining nearly a dozen other naval vessels. The Trump administration has been targeting small boats leaving Venezuela, alleging they carry drugs. Trump is considering military measures against Venezuela and says President Nicolas Maduro is open to discussions.
- 🎧The administration plans to label the Cartel de los Soles, allegedly led by Maduro, as a foreign terrorist organization. This designation would enable the military to target Maduro’s assets. Maduro denies involvement in drug trafficking. NPR’s Carrie Kahn notes that while Maduro is mobilizing citizens for defense, he emphasizes peace.
- ➡️ An NPR exclusive reveals that a Justice Department official told prosecutors in February that the U.S. should “just sink the boats.” Find out what else was uncovered.
Over the weekend, Border Patrol agents arrested 81 individuals in Charlotte, N.C., during a federal immigration crackdown, apprehending people outside various locations, including supermarkets and a church. Read more about the crackdown.
- 🎧 Fear is spreading in immigrant communities, reports Nick de la Canal from WFAE. Some businesses locked doors with patrons inside, while others closed early. There has been significant pushback, including protests and advocacy groups mobilizing volunteers to observe agents.
Cost of Living
Lydia Patel looks over the clothes from her Rent the Runway order at her home in Rochester, Minn.
Jenn Ackerman/for NPR
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Jenn Ackerman/for NPR
NPR’s series Cost of Living: The Price We Pay is examining what’s driving price increases and how people are coping after years of stubborn inflation.
The burgeoning online clothing rental market, currently valued at $2.6 billion, is expected to more than double by 2035, according to Future Market Insights. This trend indicates a shift among consumers towards more cost-effective shopping solutions as rising inflation and tariffs threaten to hike clothing prices.
- 👗 Apparel prices have climbed 9% since February 2020, as per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Though this is less than overall inflation, experts predict further increases with tariffs impacting store prices.
- 👗 Lydia Patel, a Minnesota-based pharmacist and mother of three, has opted not to purchase clothing for two years, saving thousands by renting instead.
- 👗 Rental fashion services face challenges from tariffs, resulting in shipment cancellations and production delays, limiting consumer options.
Discover why fashion rental platforms like Rent the Runway are gaining traction. This series will also delve into the escalating cost of higher education this week. Keep up with the latest here.
How are higher prices changing the way you live? Fill out this form to share your story with NPR.
Deep Dive
An adult female lone star tick crawls on a blade of grass.
CDC
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CDC
For the first time, researchers have documented a fatality linked to alpha-gal syndrome, an allergy to red meat caused by tick bites. In 2024, a 47-year-old pilot fell ill after consuming a hamburger at a barbecue and was later found unconscious. Despite hospitalization efforts, he was pronounced dead. A blood test confirmed an allergic reaction, and small bumps on his ankles were indicative of lone star tick larvae, responsible for triggering the syndrome.
- ➡️ Alpha-gal is a sugar molecule not naturally found in humans. When transmitted by a tick, it can cause reactions ranging from a rash to severe anaphylaxis 2-6 hours post meat consumption.
- ➡️ The CDC reported over 110,000 suspected cases between 2010 and 2022, but researchers believe the number might be closer to 450,000.
- ➡️ Patients are generally advised to avoid consuming meats like beef, pork, lamb, venison, or rabbit.
3 Things to Know Before You Go
The body of the young wooly mammoth known as Yuka was so well-preserved that scientists were able to recovery ancient RNA molecules.
Valeri Plotnikov
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Valeri Plotnikov
- Scientists have extracted the oldest RNA molecules from a woolly mammoth, offering a glimpse into the processes at work in the extinct mammal’s body at the time of its death.
- MacArthur “Genius” Award-winner Alice Wong died on Friday at the age of 51. She was an author and activist who fought for disability rights and justice.
- The Labor Department will release a key report on the September job market this Thursday, nearly seven weeks behind schedule.
This newsletter was edited by Majd Al-Waheidi.
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
