NPR News: 09-11-2026 7AM EDT

0:00Live from NPR News and Washington, I'm Wieser-Johnston. Today marks 25 years since the September 11 terrorist attacks. Nearly 3,000 people were killed at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and on United Flight 93, that crashed in Western Pennsylvania. Ceremonies will be held at all three sites to remember those who died. In the days and months after the attacks, thousands of people helped search the wreckage at the World Trade Center. NPR's Jasmine Guards reports advocates say the crews included more than 2,000 immigrants who lacked legal status. Many immigrant workers have gotten workers' comp and helped through the James the Drogant 9-11 Health and Compensation Act, but advocates say many without legal status are too scared to apply. Lucelli asks that we withhold her last name for fear of deportation. She worked at Ground Zero, wearing a paper mask and rubber gloves. Since then, she's battled breast cancer and asthma.

1:03The attack released hundreds of tons of toxic debris into the air. There have been more than 57,000 cancer cases related to exposure. The 9-11 immigrant worker freedom act would give Ground Zero workers a path to citizenship. It was introduced in 2017 and reintroduced in 2025, but remains stalled in Congress. Jasmine Guards and NPR News, New York. President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance closed out the Republican midterm convention in Dallas last night with an appeal for party unity. NPR's Tamri Keith reports. At the end of last night, the upper deck of the arena was actually totally empty. As red, white, and blue and gold balloons dropped from the ceiling, the president's favorite tenor saying America is beautiful and phantom of the opera. The president was undoubtedly in his happy place, closing his eyes and swaying on stage. But it's just not clear that his party is in any better place than it was when it started.

2:03NPR's Tamri Keith reporting. The Labor Department will give an update on inflation this morning. NPR Scott Horsley reports. The news will be closely watched by the Federal Reserve. Forecasters think the report will show that consumer prices in August were up about 3.4 percent from a year ago. They think the cost of living rows nearly half a percent between July and August, thanks in part, to a surge in energy prices, amid renewed fighting in and around the state of Formuse. Gasoline prices have been climbing and diesel prices have soared to an all-time high. The inflation report will help to inform policymakers at the Federal Reserve. As they try to decide whether to raise interest rates next week, the Central Bank has kept its benchmark rate steady since December, but not without some debate. For the members, the rate setting committee voted to raise rates at the last Fed meeting in July. Scott Horsley in Pair News, Washington. This is NPR News. The Trump administration says it will give certain people enrolled in affordable care

3:05act plans, $500 rebates. NPR Selena Simmons-Duffin reports the president is aiming to use a pool of money that's usually sent to community groups to help people choose a plan and sign up for coverage. Republicans in Congress and President Trump let COVID-Ara subsidies expire in the affordable care act marketplaces at the end of last year. On average, premium costs doubled. Even a middle-income, middle-aged person is probably paying thousands more than they were last year. Cynthia Cox is with KFF, a nonpartisan health research organization. This $500 might do something, but it is small in comparison to the amount that they're having to pay for health insurance premiums. She says it's not clear if the Trump administration has the legal authority to send these payments and points out they won't go to the millions of people who lost coverage as a result of the premium spikes. Selena Simmons-Duffin and Pair News.

4:05The price of diesel has climbed to a record $6.5 a gallon. The increase is being driven by tighter global supplies and oil prices above $100 a barrel. Higher transportation costs could also push up prices for groceries and other consumer goods. Diesel powers the truck's trains and heavy equipment that move goods across the country. According to GasBuddy.com, this is the first time that Diesel has surpassed the $6 mark and the third record set this week. This is NPR News. This week on the NPR Politics Podcast, the Republican midterm convention was basically a two-night mega-informer show. He has told voters, I want you to pretend please that I'm on the ballot just come out and vote and show up for it. We break down President Trump's midterm strategy, including that $5,000 promise. This week on the NPR Politics Podcast.