NPR News: 09-10-2026 8AM EDT

0:00Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Kuro Vakulman, President Trump is claiming that he'll give all American adults $5,000 each if Republicans retain control of Congress after this year's midterm elections. Trump headline the GOP's midterm convention last night in Dallas, it's not clear if his promise is legally possible. And Pierre Steven Fowler reports. In a winding speech at the Republican National Committee's midterm convention, Trump gave many reasons for Republicans to show up and vote. But about an hour into his address, he introduced a new idea, elect Republicans and get money. If the Republicans win the House of Representatives and the United States Senate, both of them, because of our economic tremendous economic success, like in history we've never had anything like what's happening. But because of our tremendous strength and success economically, I will issue a dividend to every adult citizen in the United States of America for $5,000.

1:05Aside from the legal and logistical questions surrounding that promise, there's a political hurdle. For now, polls suggest Republicans could lose both chambers of Congress in November. Steven Fowler in P.R. News, Dallas. It has been one year since right-wing activist Charlie Kirk was shot to death during an event at Utah Valley University. As N.P.R. Alaina Moore reports, Kirk's organization, Turning Point USA, will return to that campus this evening to memorialize him. Turning Point says the memorial will both honor Kirk and serve as a quote, call for students and supporters to continue his life's work. But the event is expected to look quite different compared to Kirk's funeral last year in Phoenix, where top Trump administration officials, including both the president and vice president, delivered remarks. As did Kirk's widow and Turning Point CEO, Erica Kirk. None have speaking slots at the memorial this evening. It'll also coincide with the final day of the GOP's midterm convention in Dallas, where

2:06President Trump, Vice President Vance, and Erica Kirk were all in attendance on Wednesday. Alaina Moore and P.R. News, Orem, Utah. President Trump continues to tout his tariffs as one of the achievements of his administration. He is embroiled in a trade war with Canada. The effects of his tariffs are deeply felt in states that border Canada, main Democratic governor Janet Mills, spelled out how her state has been affected. We import 80% of our heating oil and gasoline from Canada. We do food processing and seafood processing and seafood going back and forth between Maine and Canada. Lobsters go back and forth between Maine and Canada routinely. 170 million dollars of exports from Maine are affected by these tariffs. Governor Mills spoke to NPR's Morning Edition. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Rhode Island held its primary elections yesterday, incumbent Democratic Governor Dan McKee

3:06lost his primary race to Democratic challenger Halena Fulkes. She has a former senior executive with pharmacy retailer CVS. The leader of the Education Department's Special Education Office says she is resigning from her post. That's even as the agency is in the midst of upheaval and downsizing. NPR's Janaki Metta has more. Kelly Rogers announced her departure less than one day before staff from the special education office were scheduled to move to the Department of Health and Human Services building according to internal emails reviewed by NPR. That move is part of the Trump administration's historic actions to dismantle the education department. Some employees who are not authorized to speak publicly tell NPR they are shocked by the timing. Rogers has been in her role for less than four months and has said she is enthusiastic about joining forces with HHS. The Education Department confirmed Rogers resignation in an email to NPR saying she was moving to Florida to be closer to family and for a new opportunity.

4:08Rogers last day will be this Friday, September 11th. Janaki Metta and P.R. News. The Poetry Foundation has awarded its Lifetime Achievement Award to former US Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky. The prize is worth $100,000. The Poetry Foundation has also named Poet and Children's Author Nikki Grimes as its next Young People's Poet Laureate. HHS will also receive a $50,000 prize. I'm Corva Coleman, NPR News in Washington. This is Ira Glass. On this American life, we tell stories about when things change. Like for this guy David, whose entire life took a sharp, unexpected, and very unpleasant term. And it did take me a while to realize that this is basically because the monkey pressed the button. That's right, because the monkey pressed the button. Rising stories every week, wherever you get your podcasts.