NPR News Now – September 7, 2025, 5PM EDT

Host: Jeanine Herbst

Podcast: NPR News Now

Episode Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now briefing delivers the latest global and national headlines as of early evening on September 7, 2025. Major topics include President Trump’s threats toward Chicago, a record-setting Russian drone attack on Ukraine, Wall Street’s anticipation of upcoming inflation data, the canonization of the first millennial saint, and a box office update for the horror film "The Last Rites."

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Trump’s Threats to Chicago (00:18–01:25)

• Background: President Trump dialed back—but did not withdraw—threats of federal action toward Chicago, referencing his recent executive order to rebrand the Defense Department as the “Department of War.”
• Presidential Statement:
  • On deploying troops, Trump deflected the notion that he was threatening war, emphasizing a focus on crime reduction:

    "We're going to clean up our cities. We're going to clean them up so they don't kill five people every weekend. That's not war. That's common sense." — President Trump (00:50)

• Public & Political Reaction:
  • Large crowds protested in downtown Chicago.
  • Local lawmakers, including Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, strongly opposed the President’s plan:

    "[Trump’s plan is] one repeated by… dictators across history, inciting the local population before sending in disruptors. He said Illinois won’t fall for it." — Gov. J.B. Pritzker [via social media, as quoted by Kat Lahnstorff] (01:16)

2. Record Russian Drone Attack on Ukraine (01:25–02:23)

• Attack Scale:
  • Ukraine reported over 800 drones and 13 missiles used in overnight attacks across multiple cities; at least 11 people were killed, including a mother and newborn in Kyiv.
• Damage & Impact:
  • Attacks damaged Kyiv’s government district and caused power outages.
  • Kyiv’s mayor publicly confirmed that burning debris ignited a government building near President Zelensky’s office.
• Sound Bite:
  • The episode opens the segment with chilling audio of a drone over Kyiv:

    "This is the sound of a shot head attack drone flying over Kyiv." — Joanna Kakissis (01:39)

3. Wall Street Braces for Inflation Report (02:23–03:12)

• Economic Context:
  • After a disappointing jobs report, investors expect the Federal Reserve may cut interest rates for the first time this year.
  • Focus is shifting from inflation to labor market concerns, but a major surge in inflation could still stall Fed action.
• Analysis:

  "Yes, inflation is still running a little high, but right now, boosting the labor market could become the Fed's bigger priority." — Rafael Nam (02:35)

4. First Millennial Saint Canonized (03:12–04:26)

• Event:
  • The Vatican canonized Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old who died in 2006, making him the first saint of the millennial generation.
• Significance:
  • Acutis was a tech-savvy teen who used his skills to promote Catholic miracles online, earning the nickname "God’s Influencer."
  • The Church hopes his sainthood inspires more youth engagement.
• Personal Reflection:

  "It’s a way to bring all us young people closer to the Catholic Church." — Lamina Morforne, 14-year-old attendee (03:51)

• Context:

  "It can take centuries for a person to be canonized, but for Acutis, it took less than 20 years." — Ruth Sherlock, NPR (04:06)

5. Box Office Update: "The Last Rites" (04:26–04:57)

• Top Film:
  • "The Last Rites" opened at No. 1 with $83 million, the third-highest domestic debut for a horror movie.
• Horror Genre Success:
  • 2025’s domestic horror releases have collectively topped $1 billion in ticket sales, with additional hits including "Weapons," "Final Destination: Bloodlines," and "Sinners."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump on Chicago:

  "That's not war. That's common sense." — President Trump (00:53)

• Gov. Pritzker on Trump’s Move:

  "[A] plan… repeated by dictators across history, inciting the local population before sending in disruptors. Illinois won’t fall for it." (01:16)

• Sound from Kyiv Drone Attack:

  "This is the sound of a shot head attack drone flying over Kyiv." — Joanna Kakissis (01:39)

• On Carlo Acutis:

  "It’s a way to bring all us young people closer to the Catholic Church." — Lamina Morforne (03:51)
  "God’s Influencer." — nickname for Carlo Acutis (03:17)

• On Interest Rate Cuts:

  "...boosting the labor market could become the Fed's bigger priority." — Rafael Nam (02:35)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:18 – Lead story: Trump and threats to Chicago
• 01:25 – Russia’s record drone attack on Ukraine
• 02:23 – Wall Street & Fed expectations
• 03:12 – Canonization of Carlo Acutis
• 04:26 – "The Last Rites" tops box office

Summary prepared for quick catch-up on NPR News Now’s major stories at 5PM, September 7, 2025, with emphasis on direct quotes and contextual analysis.