Overview of NPR News: 09-27-2026 4PM EDT
This NPR News hour covered the escalating war with Iran and its political fallout in the U.S., an alleged terror plot near a British military base used by the U.S. for Middle East operations, severe coastal flooding from a powerful nor’easter in the Northeast, the growing role of grandparents in child care as costs rise, and the weekend box office results.
Top Stories
War in Iran and U.S. political pressure
- Iran said only diplomacy can end the war, after President Trump rejected its proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and stop fighting.
- Trump called the Iranian offer unacceptable.
- NPR’s Mara Liasson reported that the war is unpopular with voters, including many Republicans.
- Some Republicans in Congress are beginning to speak out against the war.
- The conflict is also affecting the election debate because voters connect it to higher gas and diesel prices and broader cost-of-living concerns, which remain a top issue heading into the midterms.
Terrorism investigation near UK military base
- British officials said five people were arrested over an alleged plot targeting a major UK military base in southwestern England.
- The base has been used by the U.S. to launch strikes against Iran.
- Local officials said there had already been increased surveillance after a recent threat linked to Iran.
- The base has been the site of protests since the British government allowed the U.S. to use it for strikes on Iranian missile sites.
Northeast battered by major nor’easter
- A strong nor’easter continued pounding the Northeast with coastal flooding, high winds, and power outages for a second straight day.
- Some shore towns saw their worst flooding in more than a decade.
- Atlantic City experienced flooding at its highest level since Superstorm Sandy.
- Wind gusts reached 60 mph in some areas.
- A public housing employee in New York died after being struck by a falling tree branch.
- Officials warned the storm would linger off the coast through Monday.
Child care costs pushing families to grandparents
- Rising child care costs are leading more families to rely on grandparents for help.
- NPR reported that grandparents are increasingly stepping in because formal child care is too expensive or hard to find.
- An AARP study found grandparents who help but are not full-time caregivers spend a median of 3.8 hours per week watching grandchildren.
- The average U.S. child care cost last year was more than $13,000, according to Child Care Aware of America.
Weekend box office
- Avengers: Endgame Encore opened at No. 1 with about $26 million.
- It is a re-release of Avengers: Endgame and serves as a teaser for the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday.
- Resident Evil came in second with about $23 million in its second weekend.
- Heart of the Beast placed third with about $20 million.
Key Takeaways
- The war in Iran is becoming a major political liability in the U.S., especially as election season nears.
- Severe weather continues to create dangerous coastal conditions and infrastructure strain in the Northeast.
- Child care affordability remains a major issue, with family members filling the gap.
- The entertainment industry continues to lean on franchise re-releases and established brands at the box office.