NPR News Now: September 12, 2025 – 5PM EDT

Host: Dan Ronan
Date: September 12, 2025
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This edition of NPR News Now delivers key headlines from the US and abroad. Major topics include the aftermath and investigation of the Charlie Kirk shooting in Utah, President Trump’s response and calls for the death penalty, debate around deploying the National Guard to Memphis, Bad Bunny’s decision to cancel his US tour dates over ICE concerns, a landmark study connecting fossil fuel companies to intensified heat waves, and the latest on Boeing workers’ strike and market updates.

Key Stories and Highlights

1. Arrest in the Killing of Charlie Kirk

• Reporting: Franco Ordonez
• Discussion:
  • A suspect has been arrested in connection with the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
  • President Trump, in a Fox and Friends interview, advocated for the death penalty.
• Notable Quotes:
  • President Trump:

    “Well, I hope he's going to be found guilty, I would imagine, and I hope he gets the death penalty. What he did, Charlie Kirk was the finest person. He didn't deserve this.” (00:56)

• Details:
  • The shooting took place at a Utah college.
  • The rifle used had inscriptions like “hate fascist catch.”
  • Officials believe the suspect acted alone.
  • The investigation is ongoing.

[00:29–01:36]

2. National Guard Deployment to Memphis

• Reporting: Mariana Bacalhau (WPLN/Nashville)
• Discussion:
  • President Trump’s plan to send National Guard troops to Memphis has drawn praise and cautious support from Tennessee and Washington Republicans.
  • Tennessee Governor Bill Lee to meet with President Trump regarding deployment details.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Governor Bill Lee:

    “We've made significant investments toward public safety in Memphis, $150 million in intervention grant funds and vast expansion of troopers there.” (02:09)

• Context:
  • Memphis crime rate reportedly at a 25-year low.
  • National Guard to assist local law enforcement.

[01:36–02:41]

3. Bad Bunny Cancels 50-State US Tour over ICE Concerns

• Reporting: Anastasia Tiolkis
• Discussion:
  • Bad Bunny, Puerto Rican rapper and singer, cancelled his US tour citing fears of ICE raids at concert venues.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Bad Bunny (via I D magazine interview):

    “ICE could be outside. And it's something that we were talking about and very concerned about.” (02:51)

• Response:
  • Instead of a US tour, Bad Bunny held a 30-day residency in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and plans to continue his tour internationally.

[02:41–03:26]

4. Study Links Fossil Fuel Producers to Extreme Heat Waves

• Reporting: Julia Simon
• Discussion:
  • New study from ETH Zurich University ties 213 recent heat waves to human-caused climate change and emissions from major fossil fuel producers.
• Key Findings:
  • Dozens of record heat waves “would be virtually impossible without the activity of big fossil fuel companies.”
  • These findings may play a growing role in legal actions against oil companies.
• Corporate Response:
  • No comment from ExxonMobil, BP, or Chevron.

[03:26–04:28]

5. Boeing Strike Update and Wall Street Wrap

• Reporting: Dan Ronan
• Discussion:
  • 3,200 Boeing workers in St. Louis reject the company’s newest contract offer, extending their strike.
  • Main issues: financial and retirement benefits.
• Market Recap:
  • Dow closed down 273 points to 45,834.
  • S&P down 3 points to 6,580.
  • Nasdaq up 98 points, ending at 22,141—a record high.

[04:28–05:07]

Memorable Quotes by Timestamp

• 00:56 – President Trump (re: Charlie Kirk’s killer):

  “I hope he gets the death penalty. What he did, Charlie Kirk was the finest person. He didn't deserve this.”

• 02:09 – Tennessee Governor Bill Lee (on crime and public safety):

  “We've made significant investments toward public safety in Memphis, $150 million in intervention grant funds and vast expansion of troopers there.”

• 02:51 – Bad Bunny (on touring the US):

  “ICE could be outside. And it's something that we were talking about and very concerned about.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Charlie Kirk Killing & Trump Reaction: 00:29–01:36
• National Guard in Memphis: 01:36–02:41
• Bad Bunny Cancels US Tour: 02:41–03:26
• Climate/Heat Wave Study: 03:26–04:28
• Boeing Strike & Market Update: 04:28–05:07

Summary produced by NPR News Now, September 12, 2025, 5PM EDT.