--:-- Amy Held: This message comes from Capital One with the Venture X-Card. Earn unlimited double miles on everything you buy. Plus, get premium benefits at a collection of hotels when booking through Capital One Travel. What's in your wallet? Terms apply. Details at CapitalOne.com.
--:-- Amy Held: Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Amy Held.
--:-- Amy Held: Federal agencies are set to run out of money at midnight tonight. A shutdown could lead to delays with services for Americans ranging from air traffic control to receiving benefits. Federal workers could go without pay and some President Trump has threatened to fire.
--:-- Amy Held: NPR's Deirdre Walsh reports Republicans and Democrats say they remain far apart on any agreement.
--:-- Hakeem Jeffries: A funding deal has to address expiring health care subsidies. And the reality is that in a matter of days, notices are going to go out to tens of millions of Americans making clear that their health care is about to become dramatically more expensive.
--:-- [Sound of disagreement or debate]
--:-- Amy Held: Republicans accuse Democrats of hostage taking and say the issue should be negotiated on a separate track.
--:-- Amy Held: The Senate is expected to vote later today on two proposals a House bill that extends current funding levels until November 21st and a Democratic alternative that attaches health care changes. Both failed before and are expected to fail again as the deadline to avoid a shutdown approaches.
--:-- Amy Held: Deirdre Walsh, NPR News.
--:-- Deirdre Walsh: A highly anticipated and unusual gathering of top military leaders has concluded in Virginia.
--:-- Deirdre Walsh: Trump gave a rambling and political speech that referenced using the military against The Enemy Within, he talked about Democratic-run cities and said some could be used as training grounds for the military.
--:-- Pete Hegseth: I spoke first, saying the Trump administration renamed Department of War had become woke. Standards must be uniform, gender neutral, and high. If not, they're not standards. They're just suggestions. Suggestions that get our sons and daughters killed.
--:-- Pete Hegseth: I also called for a return to, quote, the highest male standard for combat positions.
--:-- Amy Held: National Guard troops are set to be deployed to Portland, Oregon.
--:-- Troy Brenelson: The Oregon National Guard has begun calling up guards and has more than 160 members who volunteered so far. While their arrival could in theory come Thursday, vetting them takes at least 96 hours.
--:-- Stephen Bomar: Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Bomar with the Oregon Military Department says it just as likely the troops won't be ready this week. We had all ready to go. The earliest would be shortly after that 96-hour mark, but I do not see that happening in this case.
--:-- Troy Brenelson: Since Trump's order, there's been little communication between the Guard and Portland officials, including its mayor and police chief. The order itself says the troops' mission will be to protect federal property and staff.
--:-- Troy Brenelson: National Guard deployments are also expected in cities such as Chicago and Memphis.
--:-- Troy Brenelson: In Portland, I'm Troy Brantelson.
--:-- Amy Held: Louisiana's governor has asked the Trump administration to deploy National Guard troops to his state.
--:-- Amy Held: It's NPR.
--:-- Amy Held: In Afghanistan, the Taliban has ordered a nationwide Internet shutdown to last indefinitely.
--:-- Amy Held: For many, it was the last lifeline to the outside world, four years into Taliban rule. That's seen school, jobs, and books taken from girls and women, the U.N. says the Afghan people face significant risk.
--:-- Amy Held: The Major League Baseball playoffs begin today.
--:-- Becky Sullivan: In the American League, Detroit plays Cleveland and Boston takes on New York.
--:-- Becky Sullivan: In the National League, San Diego plays the Cubs and the Dodgers host the Cincinnati Reds in Los Angeles.
--:-- Becky Sullivan: NPR Becky Sullivan has more.
--:-- Becky Sullivan: It's been 27 years since the San Diego Padres last played in a World Series. 43 years for the Milwaukee Brewers and the Seattle Mariners have never made the trip at all.
--:-- Becky Sullivan: All of them are hoping for their first World Series title this year. It was a season with no big dominant super team on top. The Brewers led the majors with 97 wins, with the Philadelphia Phillies just behind at 96.
--:-- Becky Sullivan: They're the top two seeds in the National League. The American League is led by the Toronto Blue Jays with the Mariners in the two-seed.
--:-- Becky Sullivan: The two teams that competed for last year's title, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees, are both back in contention, but both must first survive a wildcard series, the Dodgers against the Cincinnati Reds and the Yankees against their rivals, the Boston Red Sox.
--:-- Becky Sullivan: Becky Sullivan in PR News.
--:-- Amy Held: Will it be Chunk or maybe Grazer? Two of the contestants among the dozen in the running for fan favorite in Fat Bear Week.
--:-- Amy Held: Today, polls close.
--:-- Amy Held: It's fun and games for voters. But for the bulked-up bears, it's about survival as they prepare for winter hibernation in Alaska's Katmai National Park and Preserve.
--:-- Amy Held: You're listening to NPR News.
--:-- Amy Held: Listen to this podcast sponsor-free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR News Now Plus at plus.npr.org.
