President Trump has a long list of grievances against many U.S. colleges and universities. He’s complained about antisemitism on campuses, of gender- and race-based course offerings, even communist indoctrination. To force change, the government has increasingly used the power of money. It’s withheld billions in research funding and clamped down on international student visas. This week on The Sunday Story, NPR Correspondent Elissa Nadworny explores what the disruption means for the future of higher education in America.

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Congress leaves for recess without an agreement on government funding, making an October shutdown more likely than not. The First Amendment's free speech protections were tested in the courts and on late-night TV. A vaccine advisory panel wrapped up a week of contentious meetings in Atlanta.

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President Trump is pressuring the FCC to target broadcasters that criticize him, raising new questions about free speech and government power. A CDC vaccine panel, reshaped by RFK Jr.’s appointees, rolls back long-standing childhood vaccine guidance. And the president is moving to label Antifa a terrorist organization after the Charlie Kirk assassination.

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Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Roberta Rampton, Jane Greenhalgh, Andrew Sussman, Mohamad ElBardicy and Olivia Hampton.

It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ana Perez and Christopher Thomas.

We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. And our technical director is David Greenburg.

And our executive producer is Jay Shaylor.

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Vaccine advisers to the CDC meet today to decide on COVID boosters and childhood shots, with new members raising doubts about long-settled science. The Federal Reserve cuts interest rates by a quarter point to shore up a slowing job market, even as President Trump pushes for deeper cuts. And ABC suspends Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show after his remarks about Charlie Kirk’s killing.

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Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Scott Hensley, Rafael Nam, Matteen Mokalla, Mohamad El-Bardicy and Olivia Hampton.

It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Ana Perez and Christopher Thomas.

We get engineering support from Zo van Ginhoven. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

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Utah prosecutors charge Tyler Robinson with aggravated murder and other crimes in the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a case that could carry the death penalty. President Trump is in Britain for a rare second state visit, mixing royal pageantry with talks on trade and foreign policy. And FBI Director Kash Patel returns to Capitol Hill, facing questions about his leadership and his handling of high-profile investigations.

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Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Gigi Douban, Roberta Rampton, Jason Breslow, Mohamad El-Bardicy and Olivia Hampton.

It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas.

We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.



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Vice President JD Vance calls Charlie Kirk’s death personal and political, vowing to target groups he blames for fueling violence. FBI Director Kash Patel faces senators after his tweets during the Kirk investigation raised questions about his leadership. And the Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates as President Trump reshapes the central bank’s governing board.

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Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Roberta Rampton, Ana Yukhananov, Rafael Nam, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Olivia Hampton

It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas.

We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.



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Authorities in Utah are still searching for a motive in the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in Jerusalem after Israel’s strike on Doha put the U.S. at odds with two close allies. And at the Emmys, Adolescence, The Studio, and The Pitt took top prizes.

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Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Russell Lewis, Kevin Drew, Matteen Mokalla, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Olivia Hampton

It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas.

We get engineering support from David Greenburg. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

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As a young woman, Kate Riley’s search for meaning led her to a Christian commune. She lived there for a year and embraced collective life – everyone dressed the same and no one owned any private property. Kids growing up there didn’t have contact with cell phones or money. In this week’s conversation, Riley sits down with Ayesha Rascoe to explore what it means to be an individual in a communal place. And she shares what she learned about her own identity. These experiences informed her first novel, Ruth.

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Members of Tyler Robinson's community say they are shocked he is accused of killing Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. Colleges are questioning how open their campuses should be to the public. Missouri lawmakers

have answered President Trump's call to help maintain the Republican majority

in Congress by redrawing the state's voting map for the midterm election next

year.

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Police have released video and pictures of a suspect who they believe shot and killed right-wing activist Charlie Kirk in Utah, and authorities are urging the public to come forward with tips. Stocks are surging on hopes of lower interest rates, even as Americans face rising prices at the store and a cooling job market. And in Brazil, former President Jair Bolsonaro has been found guilty of plotting a coup after losing the 2022 election.

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Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Eric Whitney, Rafael Nam, Tara Neil, Mohamad ElBardicy, Alice Woelfle.

It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas.

We get engineering support from David Greenburg. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

And our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor

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