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Episode Date: July 25, 2026

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Democrats in Maine will officially choose a new Senate candidate today to replace Graham Platner. The former nominee ended his Senate bid after being accused of rape and allegation he denies. Democrats appear ready to nominate a former state Senate president and logger to take on Republicans Susan Collins in November. NPR's Elena Moore reports. Not long after Platner dropped out, the Maine Democratic Party laid out a path forward, announcing a last-minute party convention in Bangor, Maine, where 601 elected delegates will vote on a new nominee. Now it's time to do just that. Former state senator Troy Jackson goes in as the clear favorite, given nearly all of his primary rivals have already dropped out. He's known as a champion of labor interests, single-payer health care and tribal sovereignty. If Jackson does win Saturday, he still faces a challenging road ahead. in defeating longtime incumbent Republican Susan Collins.

Elena Moore, NPR News, Bangor Maine. President Trump's trade policies are adding fresh pressure to household budgets, as Americans also contend with higher gas prices tied to the war with Iran. NPR's Rafael NOM reports the tariffs have caused other countries to retaliate. And recent polls show voters don't like them. This has a real impact on American families, especially at a time when the cost of living, is a real concern. It's also that the war with Iran has led to a big increase in gas prices.

The Budget Lab at Yale University says the latest tariffs will add a little under a percentage point to consumer inflation. And in dollar terms, that means an additional tax of $1,100 to households per year, essentially. As NPRs, Raphael-Nob, reporting, the outbreak of cyclospora that sickened thousands of people in the U.S. has expanded to four additional states that's according to an update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. MPRs Ping Wong reports the investigation into the outbreak continues. The CDC has confirmed nearly 2,000 cases of cyclosporiasis over the past month in a multi-state outbreak. It says the true count of people sickened may be much higher. The parasite has been causing

intestinal issues and explosive diarrhea across at least nine states now, including Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania. 98 people have been hospitalized, and no one has died. The parasitic infection can be treated with an antibiotic, though most healthy people, can recover without treatment. The CDC says the data continues to show that iceberg lettuce grown and processed by Taylor Farms de Mexico and served at Taco Bell restaurants is a source of the contamination. The company announced a voluntary recall last week on all its iceberg lettuce sourced from Central Mexico. Ping Huang, NPR. This is NPR News in Washington.

Budget shortfalls and declining enrollment are top concerns for K-12 school leaders. That's according to a recent survey from the nonpartisan research organization, RAND. NPR's Kaden Mills reports. The nationally representative survey conducted in the spring found that school districts are trying to address their funding gaps, in part, by competing for students. The survey asked leaders from 38 school districts to rank their top concerns, among them were rising costs and declining revenues. The cost of services has increased, and state funding has not kept up. Many of the schools surveyed say they are attempting to address budget shortfalls by increasing their enrollment. Some are experimenting with marketing campaigns and increased services, like expanding options for extracurriculars and pre-K programs,

though Rand acknowledges that already tight budgets don't leave much room for that. Caden Mills, NPR News. India's education minister is stepping down. His resignation comes after weeks of nationwide protests over allegations that medical school entrance exams were leaked and sold. The demonstrations mainly led by students and young people have become one of the biggest political challenges facing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. Tens of thousands of students and supporters have taken to the streets demanding accountability and sweeping reforms to India's examination system.

Modi has yet to accept the minister's resignation. I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News, in Washington.