NPR News: 09-13-2025 3AM EDT

Summary

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NPR News Now – September 13, 2025, 3AM EDT

Host: Dale Willman
Episode Overview:
This episode of NPR News Now delivers a concise five-minute roundup of the day’s top stories across the nation. Major topics include the resolution of the Charlie Kirk shooting case, Louisiana’s escalating pertussis outbreak and vaccine debate, President Trump’s plan for National Guard deployment to Memphis, ongoing Boeing worker strikes, Missouri’s congressional redistricting, and the latest WNBA accolades.

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1. Utah Campus Shooting: Suspect Arrested

[00:20 – 01:16]

• Main Details:

  • Police arrested a 22-year-old man, Tyler Robinson, in connection with the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on a Utah college campus.
  • Utah Governor Spencer Cox emphasized the need for national unity in his statement during the announcement.

• Governor Cox’s Plea for Unity:

  • “This is our moment. Do we escalate or do we find an off ramp?”
    — Spencer Cox, [00:41]
  • “It's a choice. It's a choice and every one of us gets to make that choice.”
    — Spencer Cox, [01:05]
  • Steve Futterman notes a relative told investigators that Robinson had become more politically engaged and critical of Kirk’s views, which were described as “hateful.”
  • Formal charges against Robinson are expected next week.

• Charlie Kirk’s Legacy:

  • Kirk’s widow, Erica Kirk, highlighted his commitment to family values:
    • “Charlie always said that if he ever ran for office... his top priority would be to revive the American family.”
      — Erica Kirk, [01:23]
  • The family of Robinson also confirmed his recent increased interest in politics.

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2. Louisiana’s Worst Whooping Cough Outbreak in Decades

[01:41 – 02:54]

• Scope and Impact:

  • Louisiana is facing its worst pertussis (whooping cough) outbreak in 35 years, with two infant deaths reported.

• Political and Public Health Tensions:

  • Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, a physician who chairs the HELP Committee, addressed Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in a letter, urging him to publicly support the DTaP vaccine.
  • Cassidy’s letter reveals strains due to Kennedy’s history of anti-vaccine activism.
    • “I ask that you publicly reaffirm your support for the DTaP vaccine.”
      — Quoted by Selena Simmons Duffin, summarizing Sen. Cassidy, [02:45]
  • Cassidy asserts the vaccine is safe, effective, and lifesaving. HHS has not commented.

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3. Trump Orders National Guard to Memphis Amidst Crime Concerns

[02:54 – 03:31]

• President Trump announced plans to send National Guard troops to Memphis to address the city’s crime rate, stating on Fox News that local leadership supports the move.
• However, Memphis Mayor Paul Young contradicted Trump’s claim, asserting he did not request the Guard and that “it’s not the way to drive down crime.”

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4. Boeing Workers’ Strike Continues

[03:31 – 04:16]

• Vote Outcome:
  • Workers at three Midwest Boeing plants rejected a revised five-year contract offer, extending their ongoing strike into its seventh week.
    • “The offer was rejected 57%.”
      — Olivia Meisel, reporter, [03:31]
    • Ken Kellogg, union member, expressed growing financial strain:
      • “I've been without a paycheck for two months and it's really starting to weigh on me. I just bought a house. I'm already two weeks late on my first house payment.”
        — Ken Kellogg, [03:47]
  • Workers’ demands: faster progression to top pay scale, larger signing bonus, better 401k.
  • Boeing is implementing a contingency plan, including hiring replacement workers.

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5. Missouri Redistricting Legislation Passes

[04:16 – 04:41]

• The Missouri Senate approved a redistricting plan backed by President Trump, potentially giving Republicans an additional U.S. House seat.
• Opponents are calling for a referendum, possibly putting the new map to a statewide vote ahead of the midterms.

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6. Sports Honors: WNBA & Coaches

[04:41 – 04:59]

• Asia Wilson won her second straight WNBA Rookie of the Year award, outperforming Alyssa Thomas and Nafija Collier.
• Golden State’s Natalie Nakase named Coach of the Year.
• Paige Bookers also named Rookie of the Year.

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “This is our moment. Do we escalate or do we find an off ramp?” – Spencer Cox [00:41]
• “Charlie always said that if he ever ran for office... his top priority would be to revive the American family.” – Erica Kirk [01:23]
• “I've been without a paycheck for two months and it's really starting to weigh on me. I just bought a house. I'm already two weeks late on my first house payment.” – Ken Kellogg [03:47]
• “I ask that you publicly reaffirm your support for the DTaP vaccine.” – Sen. Bill Cassidy (via Selena Simmons Duffin) [02:45]

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For listeners: This episode offers a snapshot of the most urgent national stories, blending developments in crime, politics, health, labor, and sports—each covered with on-the-ground reporting and notable voices from those involved. For full context on how these events are developing, check NPR’s ongoing coverage.

Transcript

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[Dale Willman]

Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. The search for the gunman who killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk is over. A 22 year old man was arrested Friday in connection with Wednesday's shooting on a Utah college campus. As Steve Futterman reports, as he announced.

[Steve Futterman]

That authorities had arrested the suspect, Utah Governor Spencer Cox made a call for national unity.

[Spencer Cox]

This is our moment. Do we escalate or do we find an off ramp?

[Steve Futterman]

Although authorities have not shared a motive, Cox said a family member told investigators that Tyler Robinson had become more interested in politics in recent years and had criticized Charlie Kirk's views, which he said were hateful. The Utah governor said political differences should not lead to violence.

[Spencer Cox]

It's a choice. It's a choice and every one of us gets to make that choice.

[Steve Futterman]

Formal charges are expected next week when Robinson is due in court. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Orem, Utah.

[Dale Willman]

Kirk's widow, Erica Kirk, spoke Friday about her husband and said he was a leader in representing American family values.

[Erica Kirk]

Charlie always said that if he ever ran for office, I know a lot of you asked if he ever was going to, but privately he told me if he ever did run for office, that his top priority would be to revive the American family. That was his priority.

[Dale Willman]

Tyler Robinson's family, meanwhile, says he had recently become more political. Louisiana is experiencing the worst outbreak of pertussis, which is also known as whooping cough, in 35 years. That's according to state health officials. As NPR's Selena Simmons Duffin reports, one of the state's senators is now asking for help from Health Secretary Robert F.

[Selena Simmons Duffin]

Kennedy Jr. Republican Senator Bill Cassidy is a physician and he chairs the HELP Committee, which oversees the Department of Health and Human Services. Cassidy cast a key vote to confirm Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. As health secretary, despite voicing concerns about Kennedy's history of anti vaccine activism. A letter from Cassidy to Kennedy this week hints at a growing rift. Cassidy lays out the scope of the pertussis outbreak in his state. Two babies have died. He says the DTaP vaccine is safe and effective and it protects babies against dying from pertussis. Cassidy goes on, quote, I ask that you publicly reaffirm your support for the DTaP vaccine and says Kennedy's public support will save lives. HHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Selena Simmons Duffin, NPR News, Washington.

[Dale Willman]

President Trump said on Friday that he'll be sending National Guard troops to Memphis to address crime issues there. In announcing the plan on Fox News, he said both the mayor and Tennessee's governor are happy about the pending deployment. But Memphis Mayor Paul Young, who is a Democrat, says he did not ask for the Guard and says that it's not the way to drive down crime. You're listening to NPR News. Boeing workers at three Midwest plants have rejected another contract proposal. The move extends their almost six week long strike. From St. Louis Public Radio, Olivia Meisel has the latest.

[Olivia Meisel]

The offer was rejected 57%.

[Ken Kellogg]

Union members who voted rejected Boeing's modified five year contract 57% to 43%. But while some celebrated member Ken Kellogg says he is worried about his financial future.

[Olivia Meisel]

I've been without a paycheck for two months and it's really starting to weigh on me. I just bought a house. I'm already two weeks late on my first house payment.

[Ken Kellogg]

Employees said they want faster progression to the top of the pay scale, a larger signing bonus and a better 401k plan. A Boeing official said the company was disappointed with the results but will continue with its strike contingency plan, which includes hiring replacement workers. For NPR News, I'm Olivia Meisel in St. Louis.

[Dale Willman]

The Missouri Senate has passed a plan backed by President Trump that could help Republicans win an additional U.S. house seat. The Friday vote sends the measure to the governor for an expected signature, but opponents announced a referendum petition that could force a statewide vote on the new map. Missouri is the third state to take up congressional redistricting legislation ahead of the midterms elections next year. Asia Wilson has won her second straight WNBA Rookie of the Year award, winning the Las Vegas Aces star beat out Alyssa Thomas of Phoenix and Nafija Collier of Minnesota for the honor. Golden State's Natalie Nakase won the award for coach of the year, while Paige Bookers was named rookie of the Year. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.

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