Canadian Products Banned, AI's Math Breakthrough & NFL Season Begins - Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Erica Mandy (0:00)

Today is Wednesday, September 9th. We'll tell you which Canadian products President Trump is now banning from coming to the US. Also, where Americans are voting in another primary election today, ahead of the GOP's first ever midterm convention. Plus, why the head of the Smithsonian is stepping down. Who gets credit when AI solves a 90-year-old math problem? And what changes fans will notice as the NFL season officially kicks off today? Those stories and even more news to know coming up.

Welcome to The NewsWorthy. All the day's news in less than 15 minutes. I'm Erica Mandy. Thanks so much for being here. Let's do this.

The US trade war with Canada is entering new territory, with President Trump now banning some Canadian products from entering the country instead of just taxing them. Trump signed orders yesterday banning many Canadian dairy products, alcoholic beverages and motorcycles from being imported into the US. Those bans are said to be unprecedented, and they're said to take effect in three weeks. The orders came just hours after Canada put new tariffs on about $20 billion worth of American goods that were put in place in retaliation for Trump's earlier tariffs on Canadian products. And speaking of which, Trump also modified some of his existing 50% tariffs on Canada. All that said, Trump's team is reportedly still in contact with Canadian officials in hopes of finding a resolution soon. If not, Trump has plans for even more tariffs on January 1st.

Missiles are once again flying in the Middle East. Overnight, Iran launched ballistic missiles toward US forces in Jordan. So far, no casualties have been reported. That was Iran's response to a new round of American strikes just hours earlier. The US military says it destroyed five Iranian oil tankers after Iran targeted a US. Navy warship twice over the past two days. The warship evaded the attacks, and no Americans were hurt.

Meanwhile, the standoff in the Strait of Hormuz is escalating, too. Iran says it captured an American underwater drone in the Strait. The US military says it had malfunctioned, was an older model, and did not contain sensitive data or classified sonar or radar equipment. Both sides are also trying to turn up the economic pressure on the other. But for now, there are still no talks underway.

All week, the US is holding events to mark 25 years since the September 11th terror attacks. President Trump attended one of them yesterday, paying particular tribute to people who sacrificed their lives to save others. For example, Wells Crowther, a young equities trader who became known as the man in the red bandana. After the planes hit, Crowther took three trips to the 78th floor lobby of the South Tower and led more than a dozen people to safety, but sadly did not make it out himself before the tower collapsed. Trump posthumously awarded Crowther the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The president also used the event to briefly talk about his political priorities. For example, he compared the danger officers faced during 9-11 to the threat of communism today, a message Trump has repeated as he warns about what he believes are radical Democrats running in the midterms.

Starting today, Republicans are hosting something we almost never see, a national convention for a midterm election. The two-day event is happening in Dallas with more than 50 speakers, including Vice President JD. Vance, other cabinet members, lawmakers, and Republican candidates, and President Trump is speaking both days. Party officials say the goal is to remind voters of what they see as Trump's accomplishments and use those issues to energize his supporters. Some Republicans are embracing this strategy. Reports say others are worried it could hurt vulnerable candidates, particularly in states where Trump is less popular. Either way, organizers expect about 30,000 people to attend the convention, and they'll be streaming the full event online. Democrats will not be having one of their own.

New Hampshire has now set up one of the most important Senate races of the midterms. As expected, voters pick Democratic Congressman Chris Papas and former Republican Senator John Sununu to face off in November. And this is a race both parties are going to be watching very closely. Remember, Democrats already hold the Senate seat, but Senator Gene Shaheen is retiring and Republicans see an opportunity to flip. In fact, a recent poll had Sununu slightly ahead of Papas in a potential general election matchup. So some New Hampshire Democrats have been sounding the alarm, worried the National Party could spend too much time chasing Republican-held seats elsewhere and not enough protecting this one. Meanwhile, Papas' House seat is also up for grabs. And as of this morning, the Democratic primary to replace him is too close to call. And then there's Rhode Island holding its primary today. Governor Dan McKee is trying to win the Democratic nomination for a second full term. But he's facing a rematch with Helena Foulkes, who came in second to McKee four years ago. This time, the race has been more competitive. Of course, there are also dozens of other federal, state, and local primary races on the ballots today in this heavily Democratic state. Next, there's just one more state primary left on the calendar. Delaware votes next week. Then it's all eyes to November for the general election.