NPR News Now: September 13, 2025, 10PM EDT

Host: Dale Willman
Date: September 14, 2025
Format: Five-minute comprehensive news update

Episode Overview

This concise evening news update delivers breaking stories and significant developments on national and global stages. Key themes include reactions to the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, increased policing in Baltimore, a violent far-right protest in London, Hollywood's response to artist boycotts amid the ongoing Gaza crisis, and updates from NCAA football.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Arrest and Aftermath: Killing of Charlie Kirk

[00:20 – 01:20]

• Context:
  The alleged killer of controversial activist Charlie Kirk is held without bail in Utah. Kirk's widow, Erica Kirk, publicly responds, expressing grief and attribution of blame to "evildoers."

• Public Response:
  Kirk's death has sparked intense, divisive debates both in public forums and on social media. Utah Governor Spencer Cox urges calm and a pause from online arguments.

• Investigation Status:
  Police are determining what prompted Tyler Robinson’s actions; he faces formal charges next week.

  Notable Quotes:

  • "The movement my husband built will not die." — Erica Kirk [00:40]
  • "The tone… must calm down." — Paraphrase of Governor Spencer Cox [00:47]
  • "This is our moment. Do we escalate or do we find an off ramp? It’s a choice." — Scott Moscione [01:02]

2. Baltimore: State Police Deployment Amid Record Low Crime

[01:20 – 02:21]

• Context:
  Maryland Governor Wes Moore orders state police to patrol Baltimore’s high-risk neighborhoods, even as the city experiences historically low crime rates. This follows a presidential threat to send in the National Guard.

• Community Concerns:
  Local leaders like Donald Gresham voice discomfort, drawing parallels to feeling policed on a "plantation," and skepticism that law enforcement presence improves community safety.

• Resource Allocation:
  Residents fear an emphasis on arrests over investments in healthcare and education.

  Notable Quotes:

  • "You feel like you’re on a plantation… They say they're there to protect us, but they never have been… It’s going to be a place where they going to really feel like it’s not home." — Donald Gresham [01:53]

3. London: Far-right Rally and Counter-Protests

[02:21 – 03:15]

• Event Recap:
  More than 100,000 marchers, led by anti-immigrant activist Tommy Robinson, filled London streets with chants and flag-waving; a few thousand counter-demonstrators from Stand Up To Racism staged a nearby rally.

• Key Messages:
  Tommy Robinson’s rhetoric frames participants as part of a "tidal wave of patriotism," claiming Britain has "awoken."

  Notable Quotes:

  • "You are part of a tidal wave of patriotism that is sweeping across this country." — Tommy Robinson, as reported by Chloe Veltman [02:51]
  • "Britain, he said, has finally awoken." — Vicki Barker [02:59]

4. Gaza Controversy: Paramount Denounces Hollywood Boycott

[03:15 – 04:23]

• Conflict:
  Paramount Studios publicly condemns a pledge—signed by over 4,000 Hollywood figures—to boycott Israeli film institutions over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

• Studio Statement:
  Paramount asserts that boycotting artists based on nationality doesn't advance peace or understanding.

• Actors’ Response:
  The group behind the boycott clarifies it targets institutions, not individuals, particularly those accused of "whitewashing" or justifying alleged genocide.

  Notable Quotes:

  • "Silencing individual creative artists based on their nationality does not promote better understanding or advance the cause of peace." — Paramount statement [03:39]
  • [The group reiterates] "the pledge does not ask people to avoid working with individual members… but rather Israeli film institutions involved in… 'whitewashing or justifying Israel’s genocide in Gaza.'" — Chloe Veltman [03:50]

5. NCAA Football Highlights

[04:23 – 05:00]

• Game Recaps:
  • Georgia narrowly defeats Tennessee in overtime, 44-41, after Tennessee’s missed field goal; Georgia Tech upsets Clemson with a last-second 55-yard field goal.
  • Penn State, Oregon, and Marist secure wins in their respective matches.
• Key Moments:
  • Max Gilbert (Tennessee) misses a game-deciding field goal; Aiden Burr (Georgia Tech) kicks the game-winner.

Notable Quotes & Speaker Attribution

• Erica Kirk [00:40]: “The movement my husband built will not die.”
• Scott Moscione [01:02]: “This is our moment. Do we escalate or do we find an off ramp? It’s a choice.”
• Donald Gresham [01:53]: “You feel like you're on a plantation… It’s going to be a place where they going to really feel like it's not home.”
• Tommy Robinson (via Chloe Veltman) [02:51]: “You are part of a tidal wave of patriotism that is sweeping across this country.”
• Paramount Statement [03:39]: “Silencing individual creative artists based on their nationality does not promote better understanding or advance the cause of peace.”

Timestamps for Significant Segments

• [00:20] Charlie Kirk killing — updates and public reactions
• [01:20] Baltimore policing — community response and official actions
• [02:21] London far-right rally — event summary and rhetoric
• [03:15] Hollywood-Gaza boycott — Paramount’s response and artist rebuttal
• [04:23] NCAA football — highlight scores and key plays

This episode offers a snapshot of intensifying social and political tensions across multiple fronts, from local U.S. communities to the international stage, interwoven with responses from public figures and major institutions.