NPR News Now: 09-13-2025 7PM EDT

Host: Dan Ronan
Date: September 13, 2025
Duration: ~5 minutes

Overview

This concise episode of NPR News Now delivers the top national and international headlines of the hour. Coverage includes President Trump’s new threats of sanctions against Russia, repercussions across the U.S. in response to social media posts about activist Charlie Kirk, regulatory rollbacks on climate reporting, Poland’s heightened military activity amid Ukraine conflict spillover, the legacy of former Morgan State University president Earl Richardson, and a look ahead to the Fed’s upcoming meeting on interest rates and the Primetime Emmys.

Key Stories & Discussion Points

1. President Trump Threatens New Russia Sanctions But Calls for NATO Cohesion

[00:20–01:16]

• Main Points:
  • President Trump signals readiness to impose new sanctions on Russia, contingent upon coordinated action from other NATO nations.
  • He released the text of a letter to NATO nations and the world demanding that they halt Russian oil imports.
  • Trump also urges NATO countries to levy tariffs of "50 to 100%" on Chinese goods, noting China as a top consumer of Russian oil.
  • Context includes ongoing Russian attacks in Ukraine, Russian drones entering Polish airspace, and political pressure within Trump's own party.
• Quote:
  • "He wrote that he'll be ready to impose new sanctions on Russia when other NATO nations have stopped buying oil from the country." – Danielle Kurtzleben [00:43]
  • "He also said he wants NATO countries to impose tariffs of 50 to 100% on Chinese goods. China is a top buyer of Russian oil." – Danielle Kurtzleben [00:48]

2. Consequences Over Social Media Posts About Charlie Kirk’s Death

[01:16–02:18]

• Main Points:
  • Over 30 people nationwide face termination, leave, investigations, or calls to resign after posts criticizing conservative activist Charlie Kirk, recently assassinated.
  • Noted incidents:
    • An assistant dean at Middle Tennessee State University fired for posting "hate begets hate, zero sympathy" regarding Kirk.
    • Cumberland University dismisses a professor and staff for "inappropriate" posts; also cancels an event with journalist Matthew Dowd (himself fired from MSNBC).
    • Nashville emergency workers placed on leave due to posts.
  • Prominent Republicans amplified attention and pressure regarding these posts.
• Quote:
  • "An assistant dean at Middle Tennessee State University posted, quote, 'hate begets hate, zero sympathy' about Kirk's death and was fired." – Tony Gonzalez [01:39]
  • "In some cases, prominent Republicans have drawn attention to the posts and applied pressure." – Tony Gonzalez [02:12]

3. Trump Administration Moves to Halt Climate Pollution Reporting

[02:18–03:14]

• Main Points:
  • A new proposal from the Trump administration seeks to end or suspend EPA greenhouse gas emission reporting requirements for major polluting industries, including power plants, steel mills, and oil & gas facilities.
  • EPA claims this measure would save companies $2.4 billion over ten years.
  • Environmental groups describe the proposal as illegal and predict legal challenges.
• Quote:
  • "The agency says this will save companies up to $2.4 billion in compliance costs over 10 years." – Jeff Brady [02:45]
  • "David Doniger with the Natural Resources Defense Council says the proposal is illegal, which means the final regulation would almost certainly be challenged in court." – Jeff Brady [03:00]

4. Polish Military Response amid Ukraine Conflict Spillover

[03:14–04:04]

• Main Points:
  • Polish and allied forces deployed military aircraft due to drone threats from ongoing Ukrainian border conflict.
  • As a precaution, an airport in Lubin, eastern Poland, was closed for two hours.
  • Earlier in the week, Polish jets shot down several Russian drones.
• Quote:
  • “Polish military officials deployed military aircraft today along with other allied nations in what's being called a preventative measure because of the threat posed by a drone attack..." – Dan Ronan [03:16]

5. Legacy of Earl Richardson, Former Morgan State President, Champion of HBCUs

[04:04–04:52]

• Main Points:
  • Earl Richardson, influential president of Baltimore's Morgan State University (1994–2010), has died at age 81.
  • During his tenure, student enrollment doubled and the campus expanded.
  • Richardson is credited with launching a historic lawsuit addressing funding inequities for Maryland’s HBCUs, compared to Brown v. Board of Education in its significance. The suit led Maryland to allocate over $500 million to Black colleges.
• Quote:
  • “The lawsuit in Maryland argued that the state had failed to provide adequate funding to the state’s HBCUs and had instead started and boosted competing programs at nearby majority white schools… In 2021, Maryland agreed to add more than a half billion dollars.” – Joseph Shapiro [04:20–04:45]

6. Looking Ahead: Fed Considers Lowering Interest Rates

[04:52–04:58]

• The Federal Reserve is set to meet next week and will consider lowering interest rates.
• No additional detail or quotes provided.

Notable Moments and Quotes

• "Trump posted what he said was the text of a letter to all NATO nations and the world..." – Danielle Kurtzleben [00:38]
• "An assistant dean... posted, quote, 'hate begets hate, zero sympathy' about Kirk's death and was fired." – Tony Gonzalez [01:39]
• "The EPA also plans to suspend reporting for oil and gas facilities. The agency says this will save companies up to $2.4 billion in compliance costs over 10 years." – Jeff Brady [02:43]
• "Richardson is known for the lawsuit he helped lead that gets compared to Brown versus the Board of Education." – Joseph Shapiro [04:12]

Episode Timeline (Timestamps)

• 00:20 Trump threatens new Russia sanctions, NATO oil ban called for
• 00:43–01:16 Trump seeks NATO tariffs on Chinese goods; Russian drones in Polish airspace
• 01:16–02:18 Fallout from social media posts about Charlie Kirk’s death
• 02:18–03:14 EPA to end/suspend pollution reporting; legal challenges expected
• 03:14–04:04 Polish preventive military action after Russian drone threats
• 04:04–04:52 Death and legacy of Earl Richardson, Morgan State
• 04:52–04:58 Fed preview: interest rate considerations

This summary delivers the core news and context from the episode, with key segments and impactful quotes for listeners seeking a concise yet thorough overview.