NPR News Now

Episode: NPR News: 09-07-2025 12PM EDT
Date: September 7, 2025
Host: Windsor Johnston

Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now episode delivers a succinct roundup of major headlines from across the United States and around the globe. Key stories include ongoing unrest in Chicago over President Trump's threat to deploy National Guard troops, a massive drone attack in Ukraine, President Trump's appearance at the US Open, the aftermath of a tragic school shooting in Minneapolis, and the canonization of a millennial saint by Pope Leo.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Protests Against National Guard Deployment in Chicago

• Details: Large demonstrations erupted in Chicago in response to President Trump's threats to send National Guard troops and federal immigration agents to the city.

• Community Response: Protester Dahlia Underwood voiced concerns about the impact on immigrant communities, emphasizing the nation’s history of inclusion.

• Legal Action: City and state leaders are considering lawsuits if the administration proceeds. Similar federal deployments have already occurred in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., and are being considered for Baltimore and New Orleans.

  • Quote:

    "We're separating families. We're literally separating families. That's what we're doing. And I don't think that's fair. Everyone deserves a chance here. Everyone was given the chance, you know, to make a living. I think everybody deserves that."
    — Dahlia Underwood, protester (00:41)

2. Largest Drone Attack in Ukraine Since War Began

• Incident: Russia deployed over 800 attack drones and multiple missiles across Ukrainian cities, marking the war’s most extensive drone assault to date.

• Casualties: At least 11 Ukrainians were killed, including a mother and her newborn. Dozens were injured.

• Damage: The strikes affected government districts in Kyiv, apartment buildings, and the power grid.

  • Quote:

    "Kyiv Mayor Vitaly Klitschko said in a social media post that a government building near President Volodymyr Zelensky's office caught fire because of burning debris from a shot down drone."
    — Joanna Kakissis, NPR correspondent (01:35)

3. President Trump at the US Open

• Historic Attendance: President Trump is attending the US Open men’s final in New York City, making him the first sitting US president to do so in 25 years.

• Security and Public Reception: Security is heightened. The US Tennis Association has advised broadcasters to avoid showing crowd reactions, recalling that the last time Trump attended in 2015, he received boos and jeers.

  • Quote:

    "Trump has embraced sporting events. In February, he became the first president to attend the Super Bowl... the US Tennis association has reportedly told broadcasters to avoid showing crowd reaction to Trump's attendance."
    — Lou Garrett, NPR reporter (02:30)

4. Powerball Jackpot Winners

• Event: Two winning tickets were sold for a nearly $1.8 billion Powerball jackpot, the second largest in US history.
• Locations: Winners are from Missouri and Texas.

5. Minneapolis School Shooting Victim Laid to Rest

• Tragic Loss: Fletcher Merkle, age 8, was killed in a shooting during a school mass. Classmate Harper Moisky, age 10, was also killed, and 21 others—most of them children—were wounded.

• Community Mourning: Fletcher’s funeral is open to the public, with mourners encouraged to wear bright colors instead of black.

  • Quote:

    "Fletcher's funeral, which is open to the public, will be held at a Lutheran church in South Minneapolis... Fletcher's family is asking mourners to wear bright colors instead of black."
    — Elizabeth Shockman, Minnesota Public Radio (03:27)

6. Canonization of Carlo Acutis, First Millennial Saint

• Historic Event: At the Vatican, Pope Leo canonized Carlo Acutis, the first millennial to be named a Roman Catholic saint.

• Background: Acutis, a computer programmer and devout Catholic, died of leukemia at 15 and was recognized for his work creating websites documenting miracles.

  • Quote:

    "His family says he was a devout Roman Catholic, creating a website documenting miracles, but he died of leukemia aged 15. After that, Pope Francis supported his family's quest to have Carlo Acutis canonized, in part to help energize the faith among young people."
    — Ali Macbool, BBC (04:13)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (With Timestamps)

• On family separation and immigrant rights in the US:

  "We're separating families. We're literally separating families. That's what we're doing. And I don't think that's fair. Everyone deserves a chance here."
  — Dahlia Underwood (00:41)

• On devastation in Kyiv following the drone attack:

  "A government building near President Volodymyr Zelensky's office caught fire because of burning debris from a shot down drone."
  — Joanna Kakissis (01:35)

• On shifts in sporting event protocol around Trump’s attendance:

  "The US Tennis association has reportedly told broadcasters to avoid showing crowd reaction to Trump's attendance."
  — Lou Garrett (02:30)

• On the aftermath of the Minneapolis school shooting:

  "Fletcher's family is asking mourners to wear bright colors instead of black."
  — Elizabeth Shockman (03:27)

• On modern sainthood and youth engagement:

  "Pope Francis supported his family's quest to have Carlo Acutis canonized, in part to help energize the faith among young people."
  — Ali Macbool (04:13)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Protests in Chicago & Dahlia Underwood's statement: (00:16–00:55)
• Details of Trump’s plan & deployments: (00:55–01:15)
• Ukrainian drone attack coverage: (01:16–02:19)
• US Open presidential attendance: (02:19–02:57)
• Powerball jackpot: (02:57–03:10)
• Minneapolis school shooting funeral: (03:11–03:52)
• Canonization of Carlo Acutis: (03:53–04:45)

Summary

This NPR News Now episode efficiently covers urgent national and international news, focusing on political tension in US cities, the escalation of the war in Ukraine, historic moments at sporting and religious events, and the mourning of young shooting victims. The episode utilizes clear, direct reporting that highlights both factual developments and the human impact behind each story.