NPR News: 09-13-2025 9AM EDT

Summary

---

NPR News Now: September 13, 2025, 9AM EDT

Host: Dwahalisai Kowtow
Date: September 13, 2025
Length: Five minutes

---

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now segment provides concise updates on major national and global stories, including the aftermath of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination, a contentious redistricting effort in Missouri, a major earthquake in Russia, significant political change in Nepal, and new findings on a major US methane leak’s health impacts.

---

Key News Stories & Insights

1. Aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s Assassination

00:18–02:08

• Erica Kirk’s First Public Statement:
  Erica Kirk, widow of Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk, brought her husband’s body back home to Arizona and spoke out publicly for the first time following his assassination.

  • Quote (Erica Kirk, 00:40):
    “My husband laid down his life for me, for our nation, for our children. He showed the ultimate and true covenantal love.”
  • Quote (Erica Kirk, 00:51):
    “You have no idea the fire that you’ve ignited within this wife. The cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry.”

• Security Lapses Spotlighted:
  NPR’s Meg Anderson reports that only six police officers were present at the Utah Valley University event (3,000 attendees) where Kirk was shot from a rooftop over 150 yards away.

  • Interviewees noted that “more police on the ground might not have made a difference,” but also that security was insufficient given the event’s size.
  • Strategies such as ballistic glass, drones, and countersnipers exist but are costly and don’t address underlying issues.

• Notable Perspective:

  • Quote (Jason Russell, ex-Secret Service, 01:58):
    “Ultimately, to stop violence, you have to make fewer people feel like it’s the only way forward.”

2. Missouri Redistricting Battle

02:08–03:07

• GOP Push to Reshape Congressional Map:
  Missouri Republicans passed a map intending to remove sitting Democratic Congressman Emanuel Cleaver by transforming his district into a GOP-leaning seat. President Trump has advocated for such moves before 2026.
• Grassroots Opposition:
  Immediate organizing among redistricting foes aims to force the map to a public vote.
  • Quote (Doug Beck, Senate Minority Leader, 02:46):
    “I am already going to start cutting up old campaign signs to put petitions on there and start going out and collecting signatures.”
• Governor expected to sign the map, but enough signatures could trigger a ballot referendum.

3. Magnitude 7.4 Earthquake in Russia's Far East

03:07–03:13

• A significant earthquake struck briefly, with no additional details provided during the segment.

4. Historic Change in Nepal Amid Youth-Led Unrest

03:13–04:05

• Gen Z Influence:
  Following violent clashes over a government social media ban (at least 50 dead, 1,000+ injured), Gen Z groups had a decisive role in naming a new interim prime minister.
• First Female Leader:
  73-year-old Susheela Karki, previously the nation’s first female chief justice, becomes Nepal’s first-ever female head of government.

5. Health Impacts of the 2015 California Methane Leak

04:05–04:55

• Findings from UCLA:
  • The four-month methane leak in Southern California (2015) released vast amounts of planet-warming pollution and toxic chemicals.
  • Notable New Research:
    • Pregnant women living near the site during the leak had a 50% higher risk of delivering babies with low birth weights.
    • Expert note: Facilities like these near urban areas “can translate into substantial health effects.”
      • Quote (Prof. Michael Jarrett, UCLA, 04:30):
        “These large natural gas storage facilities close to major urban populations can translate into substantial health effects.”
    • Low birthweight correlated with increased risks for autism, ADHD, and chronic diseases like diabetes.

---

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On National Division:

  • “If you pay any attention to social media, it’s extremely divisive. And now it’s become almost a us versus them mentality.” (01:50, Reporter/Correspondent)

• Call to Address Root Causes of Violence:

  • “You have to make fewer people feel like it’s the only way forward.” – Jason Russell, 01:58

• On Civic Action Against Redistricting:

  • “I am already going to start cutting up old campaign signs to put petitions on there and start going out and collecting signatures.” – Doug Beck, 02:46

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Charlie Kirk’s Assassination Coverage: 00:18–02:08
• Missouri Redistricting Fight: 02:08–03:07
• Russia Earthquake Report: 03:07–03:13
• Nepal’s Political Upheaval & First Female PM: 03:13–04:05
• Methane Leak Health Effects Research: 04:05–04:55

---

NPR News Now delivers rapid updates on urgent stories in politics, security, health, and world affairs, reflecting both immediate events and deeper undercurrents shaping headlines today.

Transcript

[Commercial Announcer]

This message comes from Capital One with the Venture X card. Earn unlimited double miles on everything you buy, plus get premium benefits at a collection of hotels when booking through Capital One Travel. What's in your wallet? Terms apply [e-mail].

[NPR News Anchor]

Live from NPR News in New York City. I'm Dwahalisai Kowtow. Erica Kirk, the wife of Turning Point USA co founder Charlie Kirk, escorted the body of her husband home to Arizona from Utah last night. Later on Fox News, she spoke publicly for the first time about her husband's assassination.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

My husband laid down his life for.

[Interviewee/Expert]

Me, for our nation, for our children. He showed the ultimate and true covenantal love.

[NPR News Anchor]

Addressing those responsible for her husband's death, she said, you have no idea the fire that you've ignited within this wife. The cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry. The killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has raised questions about the vulnerability of public figures to violence. NPR's Meg Anderson reports that officials found only six police officers were working the Utah Valley University event where Kirk was murdered.

[Interviewee/Expert]

The shooter fired from a rooftop about 150 yards away, so more police on the ground might not have made a difference. But security experts told NPR the amount of officers was not enough for the event, which drew around 3,000 people. There are ways to defend against a sniper attack, ballistic glass, drones, countersnipers. But Jason Russell, a former Secret Service agent, says they're expensive and they don't fix the deeper problem.

[NPR News Anchor]

You know, obviously, if you pay any.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

Attention to social media, it's extremely divisive. And now it's become almost a us versus them mentality.

[Interviewee/Expert]

Ultimately, to stop violence, Russell says, you have to make fewer people feel like it's the only way forward. Meg Anderson, NPR News.

[NPR News Anchor]

Missouri Republicans have passed a new congressional map that seeks to remove Democratic Congressman Emanuel cleaver. But as St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum reports, voters there may have the final say over whether the map goes into effect.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

The new map would transform Cleaver's Kansas City based district into a GOP leaning seat. President Trump has been pressuring Republican led states to pass new maps before the 2026 election cycle. But Missouri redistricting opponents immediately launched an effort to put the map to voters. Missouri Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck says he thinks the map may be unpopular enough for Missourians to vote it down. I am already going to start cutting up old campaign signs to put petitions on there and start going out and collecting signatures. While Governor Mike Kehoe is expected to sign the map, it can't go into effect if redistricting foes turn in enough signatures to force a vote. For NPR News, I'm Jason Rosenbaum in Jefferson city.

[NPR News Anchor]

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck the Far east of Russia briefly this morning. You're listening to NPR News. Gen Z groups in Nepal helped to choose an interim prime minister after a week of violent clashes between police and young antigovernment demonstrators. 73 year old sudden Susheela Karki, the first woman to serve as chief justice of the Himalayan nation, now becomes the first female to lead the nation of some 30 million people. The latest violence left at least 50 people dead and more than 1,000 others injured over a government social media ban that started last week. New research is showing the public health effects of one of the largest methane gas leaks in US History. They include increased preterm births, low birth weights and even miscarriages. Stone of member station La EST reports.

[Field Reporter]

A Southern California gas company storage facility leaked methane for almost four months in 2015. It spewed years worth of planet heating pollution as well as dangerous chemicals into nearby communities. A new study from UCLA finds that the pollution made pregnant women living in the area at the time 50% more likely to have babies with low birth weights.

[Reporter/Correspondent]

These large natural gas storage facilities close to major urban populations can translate into substantial health effects.

[Field Reporter]

That's UCLA Professor Michael Jarrett, who oversaw the research. Low birth weight has been linked to increased risk of developing autism, ADHD and chronic diseases such as diabetes. For NPR News, I'm Erin Stone in Los Angeles.

[NPR News Anchor]

This is npr.

[Commercial Announcer]

This message comes from REI Co Op A summit view, an epic climb. That first 5K. It all starts here with gear, clothing, classes and advice. To get you there, visit rei.com or your local REI Co op. Opt outside.