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By
Brittney Melton
Good morning. You're reading the Up First newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day.
By a 12-point margin, registered voters say they would prefer to elect a Democrat to Congress, according to the latest NPR/PBS News/Marist poll. More voters believe Democrats will effectively address gas prices, the economy and foreign policy amid rising costs and the war in Iran. President Trump faces near-record-low approval ratings: 39% of respondents approved of his job, and 53% disapproved, marking the highest share of strong disapproval since the question was first asked in 2017.
Voters cast their ballots on Sept. 18, 2026 in Arlington, Virginia. Tom Brenner/Getty Images hide caption
Trump addressed the United Nations General Assembly yesterday, highlighting economic growth and improvements to global leaders. He discussed options for his conflict with Iran, including total destruction or a peace deal after the elections. Iran's president will speak today.
CNN, MS NOW and Politico will try to hold the president and his administration accountable in court today after they were barred from the White House over coverage Trump doesn't like. Lawyers will argue that Trump is violating their constitutional rights. The Department of Justice defends Trump's recent media ban, saying the outlets' reporting on issues like White House construction and ammunition depletion during the Iran war threatens national security and spreads falsehoods.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement plans to establish "mobile detention facilities" for immigrant detainees in Pennsylvania, according to government documents. This initiative is part of a significant expansion that began last year following ICE's $75 billion boost from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said he wanted to streamline the deportation process and described wanting a squad of trucks rounding up immigrants like "[Amazon] Prime, but with human beings." ICE's plan has been met with strong opposition from local communities and immigration activists, and comes at a time when the Trump administration is detaining immigrants at record numbers.
Revolvers are displayed on a countertop during the NRA conference on April 18 in Houston, Texas. Brandon Bell/Getty Images hide caption
A person convicted of a felony often loses rights such as voting, jury service and gun ownership. Getting these rights back is nearly impossible without a presidential pardon, according to clemency experts. But for the first time in decades, the Justice Department is allowing ex-felons a chance to regain their gun ownership rights. The DOJ will accept applications this week from invited candidates and begin accepting applications from the first 5,000 candidates from the general public in November. The DOJ estimates 25 million people might qualify for the new gun restoration program. Gun rights groups support this initiative as it will give people who have paid their debts a second chance, while critics raise questions about its implementation. Here's what we know so far.
Gardener's gloved hands are tending to and harvesting a variety of healthy green and red lettuce and radish plants thriving in a sustainable raised garden bed outdoors Oliver Helbig/Getty Images hide caption
Living Better is a special series about what it takes to stay healthy in America.
An increasing number of people are growing their own produce at home, especially after this summer's record number of foodborne illness cases. A third of Americans, or 44 million households, are growing fruits or veggies, which is about a 4% annual increase over the past five years, according to the National Gardening Association. Experts say that farming practices, not size, are what is significant for food safety. Here's why that matters.
Introducing Incendiamoeba cascadensis, which translates to "fire amoeba of the Cascade mountain range." This single-celled organism can replicate at temperatures up to 145°F, a new record for a complex organism. Felix Mikus hide caption
This newsletter was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.
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