Thousands of federal firefighters face a looming pay cut. How much is up to Congress The bipartisan infrastructure law granted federal firefighters a big pay bump. Amid a looming government shutdown, that wage increase will expire, leaving first responders unsure about their income. Read more on NPR

Up First briefing: Hollywood writers deal, NASA asteroid sample, pickleball caucus Hollywood writers reached a tentative deal with major studios. NASA scientists are celebrating the successful landing of an asteroid sample. A pickleball caucus is uniting senators across parties. Read more on NPR

Scientific dynamic duo aims to stop the next pandemic before it starts Two scientists, one Nigerian and one American, created a cutting-edge surveillance network to catch the next emerging disease before it becomes a pandemic. Read more on NPR

A government shutdown could cut short the National Zoo’s panda goodbye celebrations Through the rest of the month, the zoo is inviting the public to commemorate the departure of the three giant pandas who will return to China in December. A shutdown could kill the party’s finale. Read more on NPR

Senate pickleball caucus leaves politics off the court Some bipartisan senators are picking up paddles and trying out America’s fasting growing sport as a way to build relationships. They’re trading partisan barbs for friendly competition. Read more on NPR

5 things to know about the 14th Amendment effort to block Trump from the presidency Some legal scholars and activists say an obscure provision of the Constitution, dating back to just after the Civil War, should disqualify Donald Trump from a second White House term. Read more on NPR

A Mafia boss on the run for decades dies in hospital months after his capture Matteo Messina Denaro died on Monday in a hospital prison ward several months after being captured following decades on the run, Italian state radio said. Read more on NPR