NPR News Now: September 5, 2025, 12AM EDT

Host: Shea Stevens
Duration: ~5 minutes

Overview

This concise NPR News Now update covers the day’s top national headlines, focusing on significant political, legal, business, and cultural developments. Key stories in this edition include tensions at a Senate hearing with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.; President Trump’s executive order to rebrand the Defense Department; a DOJ lawsuit against a California utility for wildfire damages; reversals of airline passenger protections; leadership changes at Northwestern University; and the latest music chart highlights.

1. Senate Hearing: Health Policies under Scrutiny

• Topic: Changes at the Department of Health and Human Services
• Speakers: Shea Stevens (NPR), Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. (US Health Secretary), Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR)
• Timestamps: 00:18–01:15

Key Points:

• Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. defended his staffing cuts and policy shifts at HHS during a heated Senate hearing.
  • Quote:
    “[T]hese changes were absolutely necessary adjustments to restore the agency to its role as the world’s gold standard public health agency with the central mission of protecting Americans from infectious disease.”
    – Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. [00:37]
• Senator Ron Wyden accused Kennedy of endangering Americans’ health:
  • Quote:
    “Every single day there’s been an action that endangers the health and wellness of American families. Robert Kennedy has elevated conspiracy theorists, crackpots and grifters to make life or death decisions about the health care of the American people.”
    – Sen. Ron Wyden, paraphrased by Shea Stevens, direct quote [00:57]
• The hearing was prompted by an open letter signed by more than 1,000 current and former health department staff, calling for Kennedy’s resignation.

2. Pentagon Set to Be Renamed ‘Department of War’

• Reporter: Danielle Kurtzleben (NPR)
• Timestamps: 01:15–02:16

Key Points:

• President Trump is expected to sign an executive order rebranding the Department of Defense as the Department of War.
• The order permits use of “war” in official titles (e.g., Secretary of War).
  • Also instructs officials to recommend making the change permanent through legislation.
• Historical context: The original “Department of War” name was used until the 1940s.
• The administration claims the change will “signal to adversaries America’s readiness to wage war to secure its interests.”
  – White House fact sheet, paraphrased by Danielle Kurtzleben [01:50]

3. DOJ Sues Southern California Edison over Wildfires

• Reporter: Steve Futterman (NPR, Los Angeles)
• Timestamps: 02:16–03:09

Key Points:

• The Justice Department blames Southern California Edison for the disastrous Eaton fire (19 deaths, 4,000+ homes lost) and another 2022 fire.
• Quote:
  “The big message today is that Edison is responsible.”
  – Acting U.S. Attorney Billa Saleh, paraphrased [02:38] “But for Edison’s negligence, these fires would not have started and they’ve got to change the way they do business.”
  – Billa Saleh [02:44]
• Government seeks tens of millions in damages; Edison admits possible equipment involvement but no direct liability.

4. Airline Passenger Compensation Plan Cancelled

• Host: Shea Stevens
• Timestamps: 03:09–03:38

Key Points:

• The Trump administration will cancel a Biden-era plan requiring airlines to pay cash, lodging, and meals for flight delays and cancellations.
• Airlines claimed these requirements would increase ticket prices.
• US stock futures are flat, Asian markets are up.

5. Northwestern University President Steps Down

• Host: Shea Stevens
• Timestamps: 03:38–04:05

Key Points:

• Michael Schill, president of Northwestern University, resigns due to ongoing disputes with the Trump administration.
• Schill is noted for crisis management and free speech advocacy at the university.

6. Music Chart Highlights

• Reporter: Stephen Thompson (NPR)
• Timestamps: 04:05–04:49

Key Points:

• Four new albums debut in the Billboard Top 10:
  • Stray Kids (K-pop, #1)
  • Rapper Big X the Plug (country album)
  • Deftones (hard rock)
  • Lavey (first ever Top 10)
• Quote:
  “Four new albums crack the Billboard Top 10 for the first time, led by the K pop boy band Stray Kids at number one.”
  – Stephen Thompson [04:05]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. on HHS Reform:
  “These changes were absolutely necessary adjustments to restore the agency to its role as the world’s gold standard public health agency...” [00:37]
• Senator Ron Wyden’s Criticism:
  “Every single day there’s been an action that endangers the health and wellness of American families...” [00:57]
• Billa Saleh on Edison’s Wildfire Liability:
  “But for Edison’s negligence, these fires would not have started and they’ve got to change the way they do business.” [02:44]
• Stephen Thompson on the Charts:
  “Four new albums crack the Billboard Top 10 for the first time, led by the K pop boy band Stray Kids at number one.” [04:05]

Episode Tone:
Direct, factual, briskly-paced news update, typical of NPR’s signature headline reporting.