Good morning! Welcome to the Up First newsletter. Subscribe here to receive it directly in your inbox, and tune into the Up First podcast for the essential news to kickstart your day.
Top Headlines Today
Yesterday, President Trump claimed that acetaminophen-the main component in Tylenol-is linked to autism and advised pregnant women to avoid using it. He announced that the Food and Drug Administration plans to revise drug labels to include warnings for expectant mothers regarding this pain reliever. Additionally, the president proposed that a certain cancer medication, which seems to facilitate the transport of a form of vitamin B into the brain, could potentially alleviate some autism symptoms. These statements were made despite the absence of robust scientific validation. Currently, only anecdotal evidence hints at the cancer drug’s possible benefits for individuals with autism.
President Trump responds to questions following his announcement on “important medical and scientific discoveries for America’s youth” in the Roosevelt Room at the White House on September 22.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
- 🎧 While some research hints at a potential connection between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism, it falls short of the rigorous standards federal agencies require for health advisories, NPR’s Jon Hamilton explains on Up First. Typically, authorities rely on randomized controlled trials to establish causality. The current data mostly comes from observational studies involving pregnant women, which suggest a possible link between acetaminophen and a higher risk of autism diagnosis in children. However, other investigations have failed to replicate these findings, possibly due to genetic differences among individuals.
Jimmy Kimmel Live! is set to return to late-night TV tonight after being temporarily taken off air. The show was suspended following a public warning from FCC Chair Brendan Carr directed at ABC, triggered by Kimmel’s remarks about Charlie Kirk’s assassination. The comedian criticized the president’s response to Kirk’s death and accused MAGA supporters of politicizing the tragedy. After several days of “thoughtful discussions” with Kimmel, ABC’s parent company, Disney, decided to reinstate the program.
- 🎧 Sinclair Broadcast Group, a major owner of ABC affiliates, announced it will not air Kimmel’s show on its stations across 30 markets, NPR’s Mandalit del Barco reports. This decision limits the show’s availability in many regions, especially in the South and Midwest. Carr clarified that his earlier comments about pulling Kimmel’s show were not intended as threats to ABC affiliates. Meanwhile, FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, the sole Democrat on the commission, welcomed Kimmel’s return and praised public support against what she described as a concerning attack on free speech.
President Trump is in New York this morning to participate in the United Nations General Assembly, where he will engage in private meetings with several world leaders. His attendance occurs amid growing U.S. isolation within the U.N., which is advocating for the recognition of a Palestinian state.
- 🎧 Some U.N. officials are pushing for increased pressure on Israel to halt its military actions in Gaza and expedite humanitarian aid to Palestinians, NPR’s Franco Ordoñez reports. However, Trump opposes this approach, prioritizing the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas first. Today, he is expected to convene a large meeting with eight Middle Eastern and Muslim-majority countries and hold one-on-one talks with leaders from Ukraine, Argentina, and the European Union. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine remains a source of frustration for the president, and it will be telling to see if this sentiment translates into new diplomatic efforts.
In-Depth Feature
The sun sets over Tangier Island, Virginia, a community imperiled by climate change and rising sea levels.
Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
Located in the Chesapeake Bay, Tangier Island, Virginia, is among the last inhabited islands in the area but faces the threat of complete submersion within the next half-century. Since 1850, the island has lost approximately two-thirds of its land due to erosion and rising sea levels, with an average elevation of just three feet above the water. Climate scientist and ecological restoration expert Dave Schulte, who has extensively studied Tangier, notes that this dire forecast has drawn international attention and heightened awareness. Schulte estimates that safeguarding and restoring the island would require an investment between $250 million and $350 million. Below are some of the measures implemented to protect Tangier:
- 💧 In 1990, a seawall was built along the island’s western shore, followed by a breakwater constructed in 2020 to shield the harbor. Both projects spanned several decades to complete.
- 💧 The Department of the Interior, as stated by the White House, takes an active role in supporting Tangier. The U.S. Geological Survey tracks sea level changes to guide coastal management, while the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works to preserve the local crabbing industry.
- 💧 Virginia’s Democratic Senator Tim Kaine has secured $800,000 for 2024 and $10 million this year to bolster resilience efforts on Tangier. These funds aim to enhance seawall construction and utilize dredged materials, a strategy successfully applied on nearby Poplar Island, Maryland, which was once similarly endangered.
Discover more about how the residents of Tangier Island are confronting the challenges posed by their vanishing homeland.
Relationship Insights
Have you ever found yourself so captivated by someone that they dominate your thoughts? This experience is known as limerence-a state of intense romantic fixation marked by emotional highs and lows. Neuroscientist Tom Bellamy, author of Smitten: Romantic Obsession, the Neuroscience of Limerence and How to Make Love Last, shares with Life Kit how to recognize limerence and break free from its grip.
- ❤️ Limerence often develops toward individuals who are inconsistent, unsuitable, or otherwise incompatible. The uncertainty surrounding the relationship fuels the intensity of desire.
- ❤️ The crucial first step is acknowledging the issue and understanding that a shift in perspective is necessary.
- ❤️ Focus on what you can control: consider blocking the person on social media and minimizing face-to-face interactions.
- ❤️ Convert your idealized fantasies into “daymares” by imagining the scenario going awry. For instance, if you picture a romantic getaway, reimagine it with an awkward or disappointing twist to diminish its allure.
For further advice on overcoming romantic obsession, listen to this episode of NPR’s Life Kit. Don’t forget to subscribe to the Life Kit newsletter for expert tips on love, finances, relationships, and more.
Three Quick Updates Before You Go
Swimmers gather before the inaugural Chicago River Swim held on Sunday, September 21, 2025.
Chris Bentley/Here & Now
- The Chicago River hosted its first organized open-water swim in nearly a century this past Sunday, drawing 263 participants and celebrating the river’s environmental recovery. (via WBUR)
- Every evening at dusk, Josh Hersh, a retired elementary school teacher, plays “Taps” from his rooftop on Long Beach Island, New Jersey. Neighbors listen appreciatively to the minute-long Civil War-era bugle call signaling lights out for soldiers. (via WBUR)
- Eleven-year-old Ryan Betts-Ng is a finalist in this year’s NPR Student Podcast Challenge with his entry, Monster Madness, dedicated to Bigfoot. His podcast features thorough research, collaboration with his younger brother, and original sound effects.
This newsletter was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.
