Here's the Scoop

House Speaker Mike Johnson abruptly canceled votes scheduled for today and sent representatives home early – ending the last session of Congress before the midterms. Johnson claims the House finished its business, but Democrats say it’s because Republicans are trying to sidestep a vote on a resolution to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. NBC News correspondent Julie Tsirkin breaks down why Massie’s resolution may have put the GOP on edge. Then, Canada is cozying up to Europe. Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke before the European Parliament this morning, after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed making Canada the bloc’s first “associate member.” NBC News international reporter Matt Bodner explains what that designation would entail and what it could mean for the U.S. on the international stage. Finally, the animated sitcom “South Park” is back for Season 29 with its signature satire – and a new name. The Guardian’s Jesse Hassenger joins to talk about whether creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone will soften their political commentary after proving in Season 28 that a $1.5 billion deal with Paramount+ won’t tame them. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

President Donald Trump has been calling for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates, but on Wednesday, new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh defied the president, announcing the first rate hike since 2023. NBC News business reporter Allie Canal explains why this decision came now and how American consumers could be affected. Then, the Trump administration is planning a $2.8 billion arms sale to Israel — including 40,000 heavy bombs — according to a U.S. official and a source familiar with the matter, which would be one of the largest deliveries of U.S. munitions to the country. NBC News chief White House correspondent Garrett Haake explains why the Biden administration had paused delivery of these bombs — and why Congress might not be able to stop it, despite changing public sentiment toward Israel. Plus, all of Ed Sheeran’s supporting acts and his house band have left his tour after rapper Macklemore was dropped for making a pro-Palestinian speech. NBC News senior breaking news reporter Doha Madani breaks down how New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft is involved and why this controversy might boost Macklemore’s sales. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After months of legal back-and-forth about mail-in voting, the Supreme Court has blocked President Trump’s executive order restricting the practice. NBC News senior political reporter Jane C. Timm shares how states are responding – and why this may not be the end of the story on mail-in ballots. Then, the Environmental Protection Agency is rolling back a Biden-era rule placing limits on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, saying it will save the energy industry hundreds of billions of dollars. Bloomberg News Climate Reporter Zahra Hirji explains how this fits into the administration’s broader strategy of deprioritizing the fight against climate change – and what else could be coming down the pipeline. And finally, the AI safety issue is making some strange bedfellows. NBC News AI reporter Jared Perlo joins us from the Pro-Human Assembly, an AI risk conference in Washington, D.C., to explain why Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Trump ally Steve Bannon were back-to-back headlines. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

AI industry leaders like the CEOs of Anthropic and OpenAI have been responding to recent warnings about AI ending humanity by calling for collaboration among top companies and government regulators. NBC News chief Capitol Hill correspondent Ryan Nobles explains why Congress — just back from summer recess — is unlikely to pass meaningful AI legislation anytime soon. Then, Saudi Arabia has become a new target in the Iran war. Last week, the Iran-backed Houthi rebels took control of parts of Yemen’s Red Sea coastline, opening up another front in the war — and cutting off alternative routes for oil exports in the region. NBC News international correspondent Matt Bradley explains how the economic and military pressure on Saudi Arabia could lead it to negotiate an independent deal with Iran. And finally, “The Pitt” and “Hacks” are among the shows expected to win big at this year’s Primetime Emmy Awards. But concerns about AI’s role in the industry – including whether it will replace screenwriters, animators or even actors – hangs over it all. NBC News entertainment correspondent Chloe Melas explains why AI actor Tilly Norwood may not be ready for primetime.Why Congress Isn’t Meeting the AI Moment And Why Saudi Arabia’s Oil Is a New Iran Target Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Midterm elections usually shake up power in Washington – and Democrats are hoping that will hold true in November. But will the "Trump effect" change that calculus? Welcome to Here’s the Scoop, Election Edition. Every Saturday until Election Day, NBC News Chief White House Correspondent Garrett Haake will bring on newsmakers to discuss the themes, issues and key players shaping the 2026 midterms. This week, Garrett’s looking at how Republicans and Democrats are positioning themselves to keep or take control of Congress next year, respectively, and he's speaking with two people at the crux of those decisions: former White House deputy chief of staff James Blair and California Democratic congressman Pete Aguilar. Blair left the West Wing to run President Donald Trump’s super PAC, MAGA Inc. He’s got $400 million to spend, a president itching to hit the campaign trail and a plan to keep Republican majorities in Washington for two more years. Meanwhile, Aguilar’s role as chair of the House Democratic Caucus means he’s in charge of crafting the party's message as it faces tough polling, deeper GOP coffers and new congressional maps. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.