DOJ opens antitrust probe into five TV networks over White House press dispute

Federal judge orders temporary restoration of revoked press passes

The Justice Department opened the investigation against ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, and Fox News over their actions in a White House press-access legal battle, according to NPR’s Up First newsletter for October 12, 2026. The probe follows President Trump’s decision to bar CNN, MSNOW, and Politico from the White House, citing unfair negative coverage, NPR reported. In a separate action, the administration revoked White House press passes for more than 70 journalists, and the affected news organizations have sued to restore their access.

Press rights groups have denounced the investigation, NPR reported. The Justice Department is citing national security grounds for its actions. A federal judge has temporarily ordered the restoration of the revoked press passes, with a final decision expected by Tuesday evening.

President Trump is also urging Ukrainians to hold wartime elections and replace President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, blaming him for not ending the war, NPR reported. Trump accuses Zelenskyy of causing rising global fuel prices through Ukraine’s long-range drone strikes on Russian oil refineries. Trump said he lifted sanctions on Russian diesel temporarily on Friday and announced that both sides had agreed to an “energy ceasefire.” Trump has urged Ukrainians to elect a new leader before, and each time he has done so, Zelenskyy’s popularity has risen, NPR’s Joanna Kakissis told Up First. Through conversations with Ukrainians in Kyiv, a common sentiment emerged: while they see Zelenskyy as imperfect, they believe outsiders should not dictate their electoral process or leadership changes. Most Ukrainians acknowledged that holding elections now would be risky, given the ongoing conflict, with Russia bombing their cities daily. Zelenskyy said Sunday that he was unaware of any plans for a ceasefire requiring both sides to stop attacking energy facilities.

Houthi forces in Yemen are attacking Saudi airports, including a deadly strike on a passenger terminal in the capital, Riyadh, NPR reported. Saudi Arabia says at least 20 people have died from these recent attacks in the last week, drawing global condemnation. The Saudis have requested U.S. refueling support for their fighter jet strikes on Yemen’s Houthis, but Trump has yet to agree. While the United States provides intelligence on the Houthis, Trump remains hesitant to get involved in another Gulf war, especially with ongoing Iranian attacks on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. Since 2015, Saudi Arabia has fought the Houthis, backed by Iran, in an unsuccessful attempt to reinstate the Yemeni government. The latest attacks challenge Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s efforts to secure the country and implement reforms to attract foreign investors and tourists, NPR’s Aya Batrawy said.

NPR confirmed that at least four people died from storm-related incidents after Hurricane Isaias struck the Gulf Coast as a Category 2 storm on Friday night. Emergency crews in Florida and Alabama are assessing damage and power outages caused by the storm. Isaias brought 105-mph winds, snapping trees and knocking out power, while officials warned of ongoing flash-flood threats farther inland.

Suicide is a growing public health crisis in the United States, especially within the Black community, where rates have increased more than 50% in the last decade, according to CDC data cited by NPR. Black youth suicides by firearms surpassed those of white youth in 2022. As public health initiatives increasingly pull away from issues that affect different communities, Morning Edition’s Michel Martin wanted to address this issue with care and honesty, NPR reported. Martin led a live event titled “Going There: A Matter of Life and Death,” uniting clinicians, lawmakers, and individuals affected by the epidemic to explore why the crisis is happening, how it affects communities, and how action can be taken. Speakers included CEO emerita of BET Debra Lee, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J., psychiatrist Dr. Paul Nestadt, retired NFL champion Vernon Davis, WWE superstar Ettore “Big E” Ewen, and Rev. Johnny Parker, a pastor and counselor. People in crisis, or those who know someone in crisis, can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day.

BTS frontman RM is showcasing art from his personal collection for the first time in a collaboration with the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, NPR reported. The K-pop idol’s real name, Kim Nam-joon, has prompted the group’s fanbase, known as ARMY, to coin the term “Namjooning” to describe his interests. RM collaborated with two of the museum’s curators for the exhibit “RM x SFMOMA: Between You and Me.” The works on display feature mostly RM’s own art collection alongside works from SFMOMA, including a Mark Rothko painting shown side by side with one by Yun. Shane Salvata, the museum’s director of retail, said: “This is hands down the most inventory that we’ve ever front-loaded for an exhibition.”

In other news from the newsletter, Pope Leo XIV announced Sunday that he will undergo surgery this week to remove a “localized nodule” in his lung, which doctors found at a “very early stage.” The Kennedy Center has appointed Rick Canny, a talent manager known for working with acts like ZZ Top and Tommy Lee, as its new artistic director. In today’s economy, many job seekers are facing longer periods of unemployment, with nearly 40% exhausting their benefits before finding new work.