NPR News Now: September 13, 2025, 5AM EDT

Host: Doualisa Kautao, NPR
Episode Length: 5 minutes
Theme: A concise update on the most significant national and international news events, including political violence, public safety, geopolitical tensions, and economic trends.

Key News Segments & Insights

1. Utah Authorities Prepare Charges in Charlie Kirk Assassination

[00:20]

• Incident: Law enforcement in Utah are preparing to charge a 22-year-old, Robinson, with the assassination of conservative activist and Turning Point co-founder Charlie Kirk.
  • Arrest: Robinson was apprehended after a tip from a family member.
  • Background: He was a promising student who withdrew from college and spent significant time in "corners of the internet that celebrate edgy and trollish humor."
• Public Response: Utah Governor Spencer Cox emphasized the magnitude of the attack:

  "It is also much bigger than an attack on an individual. It is an attack on all of us. It is an attack on the American experiment. It is an attack on our ideals."
  — Spencer Cox, Governor of Utah [01:04]

• Judicial Action: Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty.
• Reporter: Bobby Allen, Orem, Utah

2. Security Concerns for Public Figures in Wake of Kirk’s Killing

[01:26]

• Security Flaws: The shooter attacked from 150 yards away, suggesting even more police officers on the ground may not have stopped the incident.
  • Expert Analysis: Security professionals suggest more robust protective measures like ballistic glass, drones, and countersnipers—but acknowledge such approaches are costly and symptom-focused.
• Root Causes: According to Jason Russell, ex-Secret Service:

  "If you pay any attention to social media, it's extremely divisive. And now it's become almost us versus them mentality."
  — Jason Russell [02:05]

• Prevention Focus: Russell asserts that reducing violence requires addressing the underlying sense of alienation and division.
• Reporter: Meg Anderson

3. Debate Over Sending National Guard to St. Louis

[02:24]

• Trump’s Announcement: President Trump recounted that Union Pacific CEO Jim Venna advised deploying the National Guard to Memphis, and later to St. Louis, to address crime concerns. The railroad confirmed contact but declined comment on specifics.
• Local Leadership Response: St. Louis Board of Aldermen President Megan Green disagreed with using the Guard to fight crime, suggesting instead:

  "If St. Louis is on his mind, it needs to be on its mind for disaster response."
  — Megan Green [02:57]

• Context: St. Louis recently suffered $1B in tornado damage; crime rates are actually down 17% year-to-date.
• Reporter: Rachel Lippman, St. Louis Public Radio

4. International Update: Security and Political Upheaval

[03:14]

• Europe: France, Germany, and Denmark plan to send troops and fighter jets to Poland following a breach of Polish airspace by nearly 20 Russian drones, all of which were shot down.
• Nepal: Gen Z activists shaped the appointment of Susheela Karki, aged 73, as interim Prime Minister amid violent anti-government protests.
  • Historical Note: Karki is both the nation's first female Chief Justice and now its first female head of government.
  • Recent Unrest: Clashes over a social media ban resulted in at least 50 deaths and over 1,000 injuries.

5. Economic Headlines: Stocks Surge Amid Fed Speculation

[04:15]

• Markets: Major U.S. stock indexes hit record levels this week.
• Data: The latest government report reveals the fastest-rising annual inflation in seven months, with double-digit tariffs inflating prices of imports (e.g., coffee, clothing, small appliances).
• Labor Market: Persistent inflation concerns are being overshadowed by a slowdown in hiring and rising jobless claims.
• Investor Sentiment: Markets anticipate the Federal Reserve will lower interest rates to support employment.

  "Investors are betting the Federal Reserve will try to prop up the job market by lowering interest rates next week…The Dow climbed nearly 1%, the S&P 500 index jumped 1.6%, and the Nasdaq soared more than 2%."
  — Scott Horsley [04:15]

• Reporter: Scott Horsley, Washington

Memorable Quotes

• Spencer Cox, Utah Governor:

  "It is also much bigger than an attack on an individual. It is an attack on all of us. It is an attack on the American experiment. It is an attack on our ideals." [01:04]

• Jason Russell, former Secret Service:

  "If you pay any attention to social media, it's extremely divisive. And now it's become almost us versus them mentality." [02:05]

• Megan Green, St. Louis Board of Aldermen President:

  "If St. Louis is on his mind, it needs to be on its mind for disaster response." [02:57]

Summary Table of Segments (Timestamps)

| Segment | Timestamp | |----------------------------------------------|-----------| | Utah charges in Charlie Kirk killing | 00:20 | | Security for public figures | 01:26 | | National Guard debate in St. Louis | 02:24 | | European/Asian security & political updates | 03:14 | | Economic report: stocks & inflation | 04:15 |

Tone & Style

Factual, urgent, and measured—reflecting NPR’s commitment to clear and balanced coverage of breaking and developing stories. Quotes from officials and experts are used to provide personal perspective amidst the fast-moving events.