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Episode Date: August 18, 2026

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Rylan Barton. Opening statements in the multi-state lawsuit against META kicked off today. A bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general alleged that META crafted its Instagram and Facebook platforms to hook children. Kentucky's Republican Attorney General Russell Coleman says the company should be held accountable for what he calls harms to children. There is no limitation as to the doom's growing, the length of time. These are algorithms that themselves are. targeting our kids' algorithms. So no, there are not sufficient protections. There have not been sufficient protections, given the nature of the harm. An initial estimate of potential penalties is as high

as $1.4 trillion, roughly the entire value of META's equity on the NASDAQ. Additional 50% tariffs go into effect on some Canadian goods at midnight tonight. As NPR's Emily Fang reports, the Trump administration move would further strain the U.S.'s relationship with its northern neighbor. Trade negotiations have stalled over U.S. objections. to Canadian tariffs on American cars and dairy and a boycott of American liquor that was levied in response to the first round of U.S. tariffs on Canada last year and President Trump's threats to make Canada the U.S. is 51st D. Gary Hofbauer, a trade expert and fellow at the nonpartisan Peterson Institute in Washington, said the tariffs could also threaten the renewal of a major free trade agreement between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. What this does, it puts a real cloud on economic integration within North America. Polls show the vast majority of Canadians do not support giving the U.S. any trade concessions.

Emily Fang and Peer News, Washington. President Trump has been promoting new data showing U.S. prescription drug prices fell 8 tenths of a percent in July and are down more than 3 percent from a year ago. The Trump administration credits its most favored nation drug deals, and the Trump, R-X website. But experts say the picture is more complex. A Biden-era law also allows Medicare to negotiate drug prices. Three states are holding primary contests today, Alaska, Florida, and Wyoming. In Alaska, incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan is running against a retired teacher named Dan Sullivan. Alaska Public Media's Eric Stone reports. Alaska's Senate race has been the subject of millions in campaign spending and could

decide control of the chamber. Two-term Republican Senator Dan Sullivan is facing off against Democrat Mary Peltola. They are all but guaranteed to take the top two spots in Alaska's nonpartisan top four primary ahead of the ranked choice general election in November. But the race for the third and fourth spots is murkier. Ahead of the primary, super PACs on both sides have spent millions to elevate marginal candidates. The race also features a teacher who shares the incumbent Sullivan's first and last name. A move some Republicans, including President Trump, say was meant to confuse voters. Voters will also narrow a 17 candidate field in the race to be Alaska's next governor.

For NPR news, I'm Eric Stone in Juneau. Major U.S. stock indexes closed down today. This is NPR. The Trump administration is moving ahead with plans to rescind a quarter-century-old rule that blocked logging and other development on national forest lands. The U.S. Forest Service proposal would scrap the so-called roadless rule adopted the last day of the Clinton administration in 2001. The agency says the rule has frustrated land managers and made it harder to fight wildfires.

Recent college graduates are struggling to land entry-level jobs. Lee Gaines reports a lot of the blame is landing on AI. Irene Chang graduated from Georgia Tech this past spring with an engineering degree. I think I've applied to around 450 applications now. Still, no offers. She thinks AI might be part of the reason. Economists don't all agree. Stanford University researchers found employment declined for younger workers and jobs

that AI can more easily automate, like softens. software development. But Harvard University economist David Deming isn't convinced. He points to the rise in remote work since the pandemic. He says employers are less likely to hire entry-level workers for remote positions. Still, he thinks AI will impact jobs at some point. But it'll take some time and it's going to be very bumpy and messy and and, you know, buckle up. For NPR news, I'm Lee Gaines. Residents of the Swiss village of Kanderstag face a looming threat from an unstable mountain rock formation called Spitzch-Stai. This formation could trigger a massive landslide.

The risk is linked to thawing permafrost and glacier dynamics due to climate change. Locals say they're aware but not afraid, thanks to precautions and monitoring. You're listening to NPR News from Washington.