NPR News Now – 6AM EDT on September 11, 2025

Podcast: NPR News Now
Host: Korva Coleman
Date: September 11, 2025
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This tightly paced news bulletin delivers vital updates on national tragedies, international business tensions, critical health statistics, and economic indicators. With September 11th as its date of broadcast, the episode includes a somber reflection on the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Key events include the manhunt for the suspect in activist Charlie Kirk’s killing, dangers facing international business relations due to a major immigration raid, new CDC mortality data, ongoing efforts to identify 9/11 victims, and the government’s inflation outlook.

Key News Segments & Insights

1. Utah Law Enforcement Manhunt: Shooting Death of Charlie Kirk

[00:18] – [01:10]

• Authorities in Utah are actively searching for a suspect involved in the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
• Massive investigation involves collaboration between state, local, and university police departments.
• After interrogating an initial suspect, law enforcement released them, continuing the search.
• Governor Spencer Cox delivers a stern message to the perpetrator:

  "To whoever did this, we will find you." — Utah Governor Spencer Cox [00:53]

• Community members, including students like Chris Stomas, react with shock; school classes are canceled through the weekend.

  "It's shocking, to be honest. Like, I would not have expected this at all." — Chris Stomas (student) [01:01]

2. Colorado School Shooting

[01:10]

• A high school student in the Denver area shot and wounded two fellow students before dying by suicide.
• Brief update; no further details provided in this bulletin.

3. Immigration Raid Fallout: South Korean Workers Detained

[01:10] – [02:16]

• Hundreds of South Korean workers await repatriation via charter plane in Atlanta following a US immigration raid at a Hyundai plant.
• Hyundai’s $26 billion investment in the US over three years may be affected, as foreign companies reconsider sending workers stateside.
• Choi Stangron, a former director at Hyundai Motor Korea Foundation, highlights potential long-term consequences:

  "We're going to see not just Korean firms, but I think foreign firms more broadly be more cautious about their workers... to try and help set up facilities." — Choi Stangron [01:55]

• Some companies are now advising employees against US travel amid heightened immigration enforcement.

4. COVID-19 Falls Out of Top 10 Causes of Death in the US

[02:16] – [03:11]

• For the first time since 2020, CDC data shows COVID-19 is no longer a top 10 cause of death in the US.
• Now outpaced by deaths from suicide, diabetes, kidney disease, and unintentional injury—heart disease and cancer remain dominant.
• Deaths declined 4% overall last year, across most demographic groups, though disparities persist (higher for men, older adults, Black Americans).
• Key quote summarizing the change:

  "Covid was once the third leading cause of death in the U.S., but more people died from causes such as suicide, diabetes, kidney disease, and unintentional injury, bumping Covid off the list." — Ping Huang [02:33]

5. 24th Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks: Remembrance and Ongoing Victim Identification

[03:11] – [04:31]

• The episode solemnly marks 24 years since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
• Updates from New York: Medical examiners recently identified the remains of three more victims using advanced DNA techniques; 40% of victims remain unidentified.
• The office continues to reach out to families for new DNA samples, fulfilling a "solemn promise" for as long as it takes.
• Reflective quote emphasizing ongoing dedication:

  "That commitment was a very solemn promise to do whatever it takes for as long as it takes to get them identified." — Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jason Graham [03:47]

• Technological progress makes identification more feasible for previously unidentifiable remains.

6. Economic Update: Inflation and Wholesale Prices

[04:31] – [04:57]

• Anticipation for the government’s latest report on consumer prices; some expect a 2.9% inflation rise in August.
• Yesterday’s report showed wholesale prices fell 0.1%, offering a glimpse into possible inflation easing.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Governor Spencer Cox:

  "To whoever did this, we will find you." [00:53]

• Chris Stomas (Student):

  "It's shocking, to be honest. Like, I would not have expected this at all." [01:01]

• Choi Stangron (Hyundai Foundation):

  "We're going to see not just Korean firms, but I think foreign firms more broadly be more cautious about their workers... to try and help set up facilities." [01:55]

• Dr. Jason Graham (Chief Medical Examiner, NYC):

  "That commitment was a very solemn promise to do whatever it takes for as long as it takes to get them identified." [03:47]

• Ping Huang (NPR):

  "Covid was once the third leading cause of death in the U.S., but more people died from causes such as suicide, diabetes, kidney disease, and unintentional injury, bumping Covid off the list." [02:33]

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------|:--------------:| | Shooting Death of Charlie Kirk (Utah) | 00:18 – 01:10 | | Colorado School Shooting | 01:10 | | Hyundai Plant Raid – South Korean Workers | 01:10 – 02:16 | | COVID-19 Mortality Stats Update | 02:16 – 03:11 | | 9/11 Anniversary and Victim Identification | 03:11 – 04:31 | | Economic Update – Inflation & Wholesale Prices| 04:31 – 04:57 |

This NPR News Now episode delivers a balanced and urgent checkpoint on headline events, public health insights, the legacy of American tragedy, and the moment’s economic climate—all in under five minutes.