Morning news brief

NPR | By Leila Fadel,

Michel Martin

Published July 21, 2026 at 2:44 AM MDT

Iran-backed Houthis say they will blockade another waterway, threatening Red Sea shipping, Pete Hegseth heads to the Hill looking for a nearly $90 billion funding boost, Arizona voters head to the polls.

Corrected: July 21, 2026 at 11:15 AM MDT

A previous version of this story incorrectly said President Trump would travel to Delaware on Tuesday to receive the bodies of two U.S. soldiers killed in Jordan. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Monday evening that the ceremony would be rescheduled. Also, a previous headline and description of this story incorrectly said the Trump administration was seeking a $350 billion increase in funding from Congress, mostly for military operations in Iran. In fact, the amount is nearly $90 billion.

Leila Fadel

Leila Fadel is a national correspondent for NPR based in Los Angeles, covering issues of culture, diversity, and race.

See stories by Leila Fadel

Michel Martin

Michel Martin is the weekend host of All Things Considered, where she draws on her deep reporting and interviewing experience to dig in to the week's news. Outside the studio, she has also hosted "Michel Martin: Going There," an ambitious live event series in collaboration with Member Stations.

See stories by Michel Martin