Morning news brief

NPR | By A Martínez,

Steve Inskeep

Published October 21, 2026 at 3:42 AM CDT

Trump envoy Steve Witkoff to visit Russia in hopes of ending war, Trump campaigns in North Carolina, Saudi Arabia cancels 'Davos in the Desert' due to Houthi strikes.

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Morning Edition

A Martínez

A Martínez is one of the hosts of Morning Edition and Up First.

Steve Inskeep

Steve Inskeep is a host of NPR's Morning Edition and Up First.

See stories by Steve Inskeep

Leon Bridges reinvents his sound with new album, 'Happiness Anytime'

Michel Martin

Leon Bridges has transformed since his 2015 debut album from a Sam Cooke-style crooner to a shape-shifting singer of all things from mambo to disco. His new album is called "Happiness Anytime."
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Expecting a baby? 5 tips to help you prepare for pregnancy costs

Stephanie O'Neill

The cost of having a baby is difficult to predict. The amount families pay varies widely. Here are five tips to help you prepare for the often unexpected costs of pregnancy and giving birth.
Netflix holds quarterly earnings call following leadership shakeup and layoffs

Mandalit del Barco

Netflix reported its latest quarterly earnings on Tuesday. It comes as the streaming company has announced a management shakeup and layoffs of more than 1,000 employees.
A Democrat could become governor of Alaska for the first time in over 20 years

Eric Stone

Alaska has been a reliably red state but a Democrat has a chance of becoming governor.
Actor Christina Applegate says she was misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis

A Martínez

Actor Christina Applegate revealed she was misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis. NPR's A Martínez speaks with neurologist Michael Kornberg about how MS can be misdiagnosed.