In a news wrap on September 14, 2026, officials at the Kennedy Center warned of a potential fiscal collapse unless President Trump's name is added to the exterior of the building. This warning was detailed in a court filing related to a lawsuit by Democratic Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, who opposes the naming effort. The Kennedy Center's board is scheduled to meet to discuss ten potential inscriptions of Trump's name, asserting that without proper recognition, he may not assist in the center's financial recovery.
Additionally, several state election officials expressed concerns about uncertainties surrounding mail-in ballots for the upcoming midterms but countered recent reports suggesting chaos regarding the rules. This comes as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to rule on Trump's executive order aimed at restricting mail-in voting. A federal judge recently blocked the order, citing risks that valid mail-in ballots could go uncounted. With at least three states already sending ballots, some military and overseas ballots are expected to be dispatched later this week.
In international news, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte condemned Russia's recent attacks near Ukraine's border with Poland. A Russian drone strike targeted a train in Western Ukraine shortly after European officials had visited the area. Rutte stated that the attacks were intended to deter Western support for Ukraine, emphasizing NATO's unity in response. He remarked that Russian President Vladimir Putin is mistaken if he believes he can undermine this support.
President Trump claimed on social media that both Ukraine and Russia had agreed to cease attacks on each other's energy targets, though details were not provided. A Kremlin spokesperson welcomed the idea but indicated that Russian forces would continue operations across Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed skepticism about Russia's commitment to any agreement.
The National Weather Service issued warnings for potential flooding in parts of the Central Plains and Midwest, following severe storms in the Northeast. In Northern New Jersey, participants in a half-marathon encountered significant flooding, while Connecticut reported cars submerged in water. Officials attributed the flooding to a phenomenon known as a rain bomb, exacerbated by climate change, which leads to intense rainfall in short periods.
In Pennsylvania, health officials reported a third measles-related death, involving an unvaccinated 40-year-old woman. This incident occurred in a rural area northeast of Pittsburgh, separate from the previous two deaths involving infants earlier this year. Pennsylvania's Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro has had disputes with Trump administration officials regarding measles reporting.
On Wall Street, the market closed lower, with the Dow Jones industrial average dropping approximately 150 points, the Nasdaq declining by half a percent, and the S&P 500 also starting the week negatively.
Fashion designer Bob Mackie, known for his contributions to 1970s glamour, passed away at the age of 87. Mackie was celebrated for his work on "The Carol Burnett Show" and for designing iconic looks for Cher. He won nine Emmy Awards, a Tony, and received three Oscar nominations. Reflecting on his design philosophy, Mackie emphasized enhancing the existing image of performers rather than changing them.