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First presidential debate to focus on prosperity, security and nation's direction

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The first presidential debate, to be held next Monday, Sept. 26, at Hofstra University in New York, will be divided into three 30-minute segments on three topics, according to the Commission On Presidential Debates co-chairman, Frank Fahrenkopf.

That's a bit different from the original announcement for the first debate, which said there would be six 15-minute segments. Farhrenkopf told NPR that it was moderator Lester Holt's decision to combine the segments.

  • MPR will have live digital coverage of the debate here:Election 2016

The topics will be: the Direction of America, Achieving Prosperity and Securing America.

Fahrenkopf says there will be an audience, divided between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump supporters, with tickets also available for the commission and Hofstra University.

Like the country, Fahrenkopf says he doesn't fully know what to expect at the debate. "It's clear that there's no love between them," he said. "And how they will present themselves to the American people is anyone's guess."

There will be no commercial breaks, and Fahrenkopf said Clinton and Trump will stand at lecterns for the first debate. Two other presidential debates and a vice presidential debate have also been scheduled.