NPR News Now — 09-13-2025, 7AM EDT

Host: NPR News Anchor, Dwahili Psykowtao
Date: September 13, 2025
Episode Theme:
A concise morning update featuring coverage on political violence, immigration tensions, National Guard deployments, a Hollywood-Israel boycott controversy, and the spread of an invasive insect.

1. Utah Governor Addresses Political Violence Post-Assassination

[00:18–01:31]

• Context:

  • Utah Governor Spencer Cox addressed young Americans on the dangers of political violence following the capture of a suspect in the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
  • The address took place at Utah Valley University following news that Kirk, a divisive but actively engaged political figure, had been killed.

• Key Points:

  • Gov. Cox warned about the rising culture of rage in politics and called for young people to make more constructive choices.
  • He echoed Kirk’s own belief in engaging with opponents without the use of violence.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Gov. Spencer Cox (via Sage Miller):

    "To my young friends out there, you are inheriting a country where politics feels like rage. It feels like rage is the only option."
    — [00:42]

  • Gov. Cox, urging a new culture:

    "Your generation has an opportunity to build a culture that is very different than what we are suffering through right now, not by pretending differences don't matter, but by embracing our differences and having those hard conversations."
    — [01:08]

  • Sage Miller summary:
    • Kirk’s willingness to engage with dissenters was commended by both Cox and others.

2. ICE Shooting Sparks Outrage in Chicago Suburb

[01:31–02:19]

• Context:

  • Federal immigration agents fatally shot Silverio Villegas Gonzalez, a 38-year-old Mexico native, during an attempted vehicle stop.

• Community Response:

  • Activists and community leaders sharply criticized ICE’s approach.
  • Lawrence Benito of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights condemned ICE’s increasing aggression.
  • Local resident Ozzie Lopez highlighted the tragedy for all involved.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Lawrence Benito:

    "While we are still uncovering the details of this particular incident, we know the increasingly aggressive tactics of ICE do not keep our communities safe."
    — [01:52]

  • Ozzie Lopez:

    "It's just crazy that this is what it's getting to...someone had to flee for their lives and then in the process lost their life and then someone else got hurt in the process where, you know, it doesn't look good on either side."
    — [02:04]

3. National Guard Deployment to Memphis

[02:19–03:13]

• Context:

  • President Trump announced plans to deploy the National Guard to Memphis, citing concerns from business leaders and previous law enforcement actions in other cities.

• Key Developments:

  • Trump’s comments made during a Fox and Friends appearance.
  • He threatened additional measures, including military deployment if necessary.
  • Noted political resistance blocked similar actions in Chicago.

• Notable Quotes:

  • President Donald Trump:

    "We're going to Memphis. I'm just announcing that now and we'll straighten that out. National Guard, National Guard and anybody else we need. And by the way, we'll bring in the military, too, if we need it."
    — [02:35]

  • Franco Ordonez report:
    • Overview of Trump’s previous emergency powers invocation in the Capitol and remarks about targeting other major cities.

4. Paramount Rejects Boycott of Israeli Film Institutions

[03:13–04:15]

• Context:

  • Paramount Studios became the first major Hollywood player to officially respond to a boycott pledge against Israeli film institutions, initiated by Filmmakers for Palestine.

• Key Points:

  • The boycott, signed by thousands of industry figures, is in protest of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as criticized by the UN.
  • Paramount emphasized supporting dialogue and not targeting artists by nationality.
  • Filmmakers for Palestine responded by reiterating their moral obligation to call out harm against Palestinians.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Paramount statement (via NPR News Anchor):

    "Silencing individual creative artists based on their nationality does not promote better understanding or advance the cause of peace. We need more engagement and communication, not less."
    — [03:30]

  • Filmmakers for Palestine (via NPR News Anchor):

    "Speak out now against the harm done to Palestinian people."
    — [03:50]

5. Invasive Spotted Lanternfly Swarms Detected on Radar

[04:15–04:50]

• Context:

  • Weather radars in the Mid-Atlantic States captured swarms of the invasive spotted lanternfly, first detected in the US in 2014.
  • The insect has now spread to 19 states and the District of Columbia, often appearing on radar as rain.

• Environmental Impact:

  • Lanternflies pose a threat to hardwoods, fruit trees, and other native plants.
  • The USDA encourages residents to destroy the insects and check belongings for eggs to curb the spread.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Nate Rott:

    "The flies are deemed a pest. They can damage hardwoods, fruit trees and other native plants, so people are encouraged to squish them and to check their cars and outdoor equipment to keep from transporting their eggs any further."
    — [04:35]

6. Closing

[04:50–04:57]

• Dwahili Psykowtao signs off:

  "And I'm Dwahili Sai Kowtel, NPR News, in New York City."
  — [04:50]

Summary prepared for readers who missed this NPR News Now episode. The update spans domestic events, political response, cultural controversies, and an environmental alert—each delivered in NPR’s signature factual and concise reporting style.