NPR News Now: September 10, 2025 – 5PM EDT

Brief Overview

This episode of NPR News Now delivers a concise update on major events in the U.S. and internationally, including the reported shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Russian drone incursion into Poland, developments within the Federal Reserve, an NCAA gambling scandal, and a shift in the House of Representatives. The episode maintains NPR's trademark factual, measured tone.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University

[00:24–01:54]

• Incident Report:
  • President Trump posted on Truth Social that conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot in the neck at a speaking event at Utah Valley University in Orem.
  • Reporter Emma Pitts (Deseret News) witnessed the shooting and detailed the moment Kirk was struck and the chaos that ensued.
• Eyewitness Account:
  • Emma Pitts conveyed the scene:

    "Charlie Kirk, he had just, I mean, maybe 10 minutes had started... before he could even answer the second question... I heard first a sound. It sounded like a firecracker. And then I just saw so much blood come out of the left side of Charlie's neck. And then he went limp. And at that point we all hit the ground." (Emma Pitts, 00:53)

• Context and Response:
  • Kirk was there as part of his "American Comeback" tour, supporting President Trump.
  • Videos online show him being shot during the event.
  • The FBI and local law enforcement are investigating, with the situation still developing and Kirk's death not yet independently confirmed.

2. Russian Drones Enter Polish Airspace

[01:54–02:51]

• International Escalation:
  • Russia denies deliberately sending drones into Polish territory, after Polish and NATO forces shot down over a dozen drones—a situation raising concerns over escalation in the Ukraine conflict.
• Official Statements:
  • The Russian Defense Ministry claims Polish territory was not targeted, characterizing allegations as groundless.
  • Russia expresses willingness to consult with Poland but maintains no interest in escalation.
• Diplomatic Tensions:
  • Russia's chargé d'affaires in Warsaw, Andrei Ordache, called accusations "groundless" and reaffirmed that Russia was "absolutely not interested in any escalation with Poland." (Charles Maynes, 02:13)

3. President Trump vs. The Federal Reserve

[02:51–03:44]

• Legal and Political Clash:
  • President Trump is appealing a court ruling that keeps Fed Governor Lisa Cook on the board, after attempting to fire her over alleged mortgage document irregularities.
  • Lisa Cook denies wrongdoing; the episode highlights ongoing presidential efforts to influence Federal Reserve policy as Trump presses for lower interest rates.

4. NCAA Lifetime Ban for College Basketball Players over Gambling

[03:44–04:22]

• Gambling Scandal:
  • Three NCAA basketball players, formerly at Fresno State (one later at San Jose State), have been banned for betting on their own and others' games.
• Investigation and Evidence:
  • Suspicious bets on Mikel Robinson led to the discovery. He underperformed in a game with heavy bets on the "under" for several stats, netting nearly $16,000.
  • The NCAA urges Congress to ban betting on individual college athletes, but legislation has stalled.
• Quote:

  "Upon investigating, officials from the school and the NCAA found that Robinson had gambled on himself and worked with two other players in this bet and others." (Becky Sullivan, 03:44)

5. House Republican Majority Narrows

[04:22–05:03]

• Political Update:
  • Democrat James Walkinshaw wins a special election in Northern Virginia, reducing the GOP's House majority (now 219–213).
• Market Recap:
  • Ahead of the August Consumer Price Index report, stock markets closed mixed:
    • Dow down 220 points
    • Nasdaq up 6 points
    • S&P up 19 points

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Emma Pitts on the shooting of Charlie Kirk:

  "I heard first a sound. It sounded like a firecracker. And then I just saw so much blood come out of the left side of Charlie's neck. And then he went limp. And at that point we all hit the ground." — Emma Pitts, 00:53

• Russian diplomat on drone incident:

  "[I] had been presented with groundless accusations, declaring Russia was absolutely not interested in any escalation with Poland." — Andrei Ordache via Charles Maynes, 02:13

• On NCAA gambling:

  "Robinson performed below his season averages on all those stats and the bets hit for a total of nearly $16,000." — Becky Sullivan, 03:44

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Charlie Kirk shooting: 00:24–01:54
• Russian drones in Poland: 01:54–02:51
• Trump and the Fed: 02:51–03:44
• NCAA gambling scandal: 03:44–04:22
• House election, market wrap: 04:22–05:03

Summary

This NPR News Now episode delivers fast, factual coverage of a major shooting incident, simmering international tensions, high-stakes political and financial maneuvers, collegiate sports scandal, and shifts in American political power. The sober tone and firsthand accounts, notably from the Utah Valley shooting, stand out, as does the clear context provided for both national and global headlines.