After years of tension, the U.S. Secretary of State plans a trip to China.

And just as he prepares for departure, a new complication appears in the sky.

A Chinese spy balloon was spotted floating over Montana.

I'm Stephen's Keep with Leyla Faddle, and this is up first from NPR News.

A prisoner at Guantanamo Bay who was tortured by the CIA is finally being released.

Why did this take so long?

In what system do you finish your sentence and remain in jail?

Where does that happen?

Certainly not in a democracy that is governed by a system of law.

Climate change is threatening Utah's great salt lake what happens if it dries up.

I mean, we're talking about something that could potentially make these neighborhoods

for those that are vulnerable, for those that have lung issues, uninhabitable.

Stay with us.

We have the news you need to start your day.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to make a short trip to China this weekend.

China and the U.S. have been trying to cool off tensions.

They've been talking a little bit, but their strategic competition continues.

And the latest source of tension is high over the United States.

The Pentagon asserts that a Chinese surveillance balloon has been flying high over Montana.

Watching episodes of Yellowstone maybe?

We just don't know.

We just talk about how this might affect Blinken's visit.

...