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The U.S. military destroyed five Iranian oil tankers Tuesday and Iran struck back, targeting U.S. troops in Jordan.

NPR's Leila Fadel speaks with retired General Joseph Votel about the latest attacks and counterattacks from Iran.

The redistricting that Republicans hoped would help them win a key House seat in Missouri is in limbo after contradictory court rulings.

Good morning. You're reading the Up First newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day. U.S. Central Command announced that it destroyed five Iranian oil carriers in the Gulf of Oman and near Iran's Kharg Island yesterday. In retaliation, Iran targeted U.S. troops stationed at an air base in Jordan.

At least 48 former members of Pennsylvania’s General Assembly are now registered lobbyists seeking to influence policies they once shaped, according to a Spotlight PA analysis. They range from former rank-and-file lawmakers to the onetime most powerful members of the legislature. Their clients span a range of prominent industries — often ones the lobbyist was once involved in legislating, a review of the state’s lobbying disclosure database shows.

Friday, Sept. 11, marks the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people across New York, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. For Pittsburgh and the surrounding regions, the anniversary carries a particularly close connection: a fourth hijacked plane, believed to be headed towards the White House or U.S. Capitol, was brought down by a passenger revolt and crashed into a field near Shanksville, about 90 minutes southeast of Pittsburgh.

Karla Boos founded Quantum Theatre in 1990 and has been its lone artistic director ever since, guiding Quantum through adventuresome, site-specific productions that made it arguably Pittsburgh’s signature independent theater company. That will change Jan. 1. With Boos retiring, the company announced Wednesday it had concluded its national search by hiring as its new artistic director Katie Brook, a nationally known producer, director and educator with strong Pittsburgh ties.

This Friday marks 25 years since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. A number of events will be held this year at the Flight 93 National Memorial near Shanksville, Pa., to honor the 40 passengers and crew members who heroically prevented hijackers from flying into the U.S. Capitol that day. Among them will be a chalk art tribute, as 20 artists from around the country create chalk portraits of those who died that day.

Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch announced Tuesday that he's retiring at the end of the year. Bunch says his timing has nothing to do with attacks on the Smithsonian from the Trump administration.

Back-and-forth strikes between the U.S. and Iran continue, U.K. imposes sanctions on Israeli settlements, accusing settlers of "ethnic cleansing," Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III resigns.