Today’s Top Stories from NBC News
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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2026
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In today’s newsletter: Experts predict scenarios in which AI could turn on humans. Trump announces a deal with Denmark giving the U.S. security control in Greenland. And the exit of “American Idol” from California is a harsh reality check for Hollywood.
Here’s what to know today.
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(Chelsea Stahl / NBC News)
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Google yesterday disclosed the first known instance of its AI software, Gemini, carrying out an undirected computer hack. Meanwhile, a small group of cybersecurity researchers said they broke into OpenAI in an operation that happened soon after the company’s Hugging Face incident.
Some AI experts have been warning for years about the potential for AI systems to cause catastrophic damage or even lead to human extinction. The incidents now add to a growing list of disclosures from AI companies of hacks. And recent warnings from AI employees and company leaders have spurred an explosion of interest worldwide.
In interviews, AI researchers, analysts studying the intersection of AI and the military and biologists studying AI-mediated risks said that worries about the technology’s growing capabilities are not the stuff of science fiction.
Instead, they said, humans acting alone or with state support could soon use AI systems to cause potentially catastrophic harm — like deploying potent biological or chemical weapons, maybe unleashing pathogens more lethal than Covid.
Safety researchers also predict that self-improving AI systems could coordinate complex campaigns to gain control of military systems and execute a coup against human governments. For example, the systems could convince leaders to delegate more authority to AI systems — and “this leaves the AI in a perfect position to literally coup the government,” one researcher said.
And those are just the scenarios experts can currently envision.
Read the full story here.
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President Donald Trump announced a new deal with Denmark yesterday that he says grants the U.S. security control in Greenland. A State Department official said the deal will allow for the U.S. to develop a military presence in the territory and bar any U.S. adversary from being able to have a base or military presence there.
The agreement is expected to be signed by Denmark, Greenland and the U.S. next week in connection with the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in New York City. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen emphasized that the agreement does not give the U.S. sovereignty over Greenland.
Here’s what else to know.
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- How are Republicans and Democrats owning — or ignoring — the affordability crisis? In the second episode of “Here’s the Scoop, Election Edition” chief White House correspondent Garrett Haake and his guests discuss the effect the war in Iran, tariffs and AI are having on American households. Catch new episodes every Saturday until Election Day.
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- For subscribers: Trump’s promise of $5,000 checks has created confusion among GOP lawmakers, while even supporters who voted for him three times have their doubts.
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After 24 years of telling hopeful contestants, “You’re going to Hollywood!” “American Idol” judges now need a new catchphrase, as the star-making ABC reality competition show’s producers are relocating from California to Georgia for their 25th season.
Losing “Idol” is a major symbolic blow to L.A.’s reality TV economy, but the problem is much broader, industry sources say. Other long-running reality shows, like Fox’s “The Masked Singer” and ABC’s “Shark Tank,” are also moving out of state this year. Over the last five years, unscripted production has dropped 62.7%, according to FilmLA, the film permit coordinator for L.A. County.
What California is doing to entice productions.
Receive weekly insider analysis into what’s going on in the entertainment industry in On the Lot from senior Hollywood reporter Rebecca Keegan. Sign up here.
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- Slop
- Looksmaxxing
- Meme coin
- Cuffing season
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Find out the answer and test your knowledge of this week's most-read stories. (The answer to the question is also at the bottom of this newsletter.)
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Earlier this year, a series of curious-looking PDF files began to show up on the Texas Department of Public Safety’s website. Each one is a “first responder interaction plan,” a sort of guide for emergency personnel to follow in case they come across a robotaxi or self-driving tractor-trailer that needs assistance or is in their way.
As a tech reporter, I think it’s fascinating to look at how technology affects people who didn’t even sign up for a product or service. These seemed to have potential. With my editor, Ben Goggin, I came up with a plan to dig through the hundreds of pages of material and literally test out some of the information — such as the emergency phone numbers the companies had set up for first-responders. The first two hotlines I tried worked fine, but on the third, I got a recorded voice: “Your call cannot be completed as dialed….” My interest was piqued.
— David Ingram, tech reporter
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- Michael P. Desronvil, the lone holdout juror in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial, said he didn’t have “any doubts” during the combative, dayslong deliberations that ended in a mistrial.
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- Duncan Sheik, the singer-songwriter behind the 1990s hit “Barely Breathing” and the composer of “Spring Awakening,” died at age 56.
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▼ NBC Selected: Online Shopping, Simplified
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Body care is the through line today. We tested dozens of body lotions to find the best ones that’ll keep your skin healthy and hydrated, even through harsh winters. Our editors also did a deep dive into the world of body oils. Are they actually worth the investment? Do experts think they help keep your skin moisturized? Here’s what we found out.
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Sign up to The Selection newsletter for hands-on product reviews, expert shopping tips and a look at the best deals and sales each week.
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Thanks for reading the Morning Rundown. Today’s newsletter was curated for you by Elizabeth Robinson.
By the way, the answer to the quiz question above is A. Slop.
If you have any comments — likes, dislikes — send us an email at: MorningRundown@nbcuni.com
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