NPR News: 09-14-2025 1AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now – September 14, 2025, 1AM EDT

Host: Dale Willman
Duration: 5 minutes

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Episode Overview

This episode delivers a concise update on key national and international news stories, including President Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops to Memphis, local reactions to the shooting of Charlie Kirk, Hollywood’s debate over a boycott of Israeli film organizations, developments in the Russia-Ukraine war, a U.S.-Venezuela maritime incident, a billionaire’s controversial home purchase in England, and highlights from the Queen City LPGA Championship.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. National Guard Deployment in Memphis

• [00:20] President Trump announced plans to send National Guard troops to Memphis, claiming local officials support the move.

• Mayor Paul Young publicly disagreed, expressing a preference for federal agency support (FBI, DEA, ATF) over military intervention.

  Mayor Paul Young (00:36):
  “That was an overstatement. I am focused on the resources, FBI, DEA, ATF. Those are the things that I believe will truly help us be able to support law enforcement and reduce violent crime. I do not support the National Guard.”

• Young added that if the Guard does arrive, he hopes they will help rather than hinder local efforts.

2. Community Reaction to the Shooting of Charlie Kirk in Orem, Utah

• [01:16] Residents remain uneasy after the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

• Case Dearden, a local father, lamented the rising tension and called for unity over division.

  Case Dearden (01:31):
  “He says the tensions are just rising and rising. The violence needs to stop. The division is what's causing this problem. So if we're going to keep pointing fingers, more people are going to be murdered.”

• Residents emphasized the importance of dialogue, even about divisive issues.

3. Hollywood Backlash Over Israeli Film Group Boycott

• [01:57] Paramount condemned a pledge—signed by 4,000+ Hollywood figures—to boycott Israeli film groups in response to the Gaza crisis.

• Paramount distinguished between protesting institutions and individual artists:

  Paramount Statement via Chloe Veltman (02:15):
  “Silencing individual creative artists based on their nationality does not promote or advance the cause of peace.”

• The group behind the letter clarified that their pledge targets institutions not individuals, particularly those that “whitewash or justify Israel's genocide in Gaza.”

4. Trump’s Comments on Russia-Ukraine War

• [03:00] President Trump argued that halting Russian oil purchases by NATO member nations would end the Russia-Ukraine war.
• Lamented what he sees as insufficient commitment from NATO, noting Turkey’s large share of oil imports from Russia.

5. U.S.–Venezuela Maritime Incident

• The Venezuelan foreign minister accused a U.S. warship of illegally boarding a Venezuelan fishing boat and occupying it for eight hours.
• The White House did not offer immediate comment; this operates against the backdrop of U.S. anti-drug operations in the Caribbean.

6. English Country Estate Controversy

• [03:52] Billionaire Steven Schwarzman faced criticism for trucking in water during a drought to fill his estate’s lake, while locals faced restrictions.
  • Regional authorities blocked the water deliveries despite their legality.
  • Some local residents have rallied to his defense, citing his investments in the community.
  • Schwarzman is expected to attend an upcoming banquet for President Trump’s UK visit.

7. Queen City LPGA Championship

• [04:38] Charlie Hall leads after three rounds, edging closer to victory; Gino Tittical is trailing closely, seeking a second win this season.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mayor Paul Young on National Guard deployment
  “Those are the things that I believe will truly help us be able to support law enforcement and reduce violent crime. I do not support the National Guard.” (00:36)

• Case Dearden of Orem, Utah, on community tension
  “The division is what's causing this problem. So if we're going to keep pointing fingers, more people are going to be murdered.” (01:31)

• Paramount’s statement on creative expression
  “Silencing individual creative artists based on their nationality does not promote or advance the cause of peace.” (02:15)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:20 — President Trump’s National Guard order in Memphis; Mayor Young’s response
• 01:16 — Community perspective in Orem, Utah, following the Kirk shooting
• 01:57 — Paramount’s condemnation of Hollywood boycott of Israeli film groups
• 03:00 — Trump’s remarks on Russia-Ukraine war and NATO’s oil trade
• 03:30 — U.S. warship incident with Venezuelan fishing boat
• 03:52 — Steven Schwarzman’s English estate controversy
• 04:38 — Queen City LPGA Championship update

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This tightly packed news update blends political developments, international incidents, cultural debates, and sports highlights—reflecting NPR’s signature balanced, fact-based tone.

Transcript

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[Dale Willman]

Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Wilman. President Trump's announcement that he'll send National Guard troops into Memphis is continuing to receive pushback. On Friday, Trump said the state's governor and the mayor of MEMPH office were happy about the decision. But Mayor Paul Young, who's a Democrat, says he politely disagrees.

[Mayor Paul Young]

That was an overstatement. I am focused on the resources, FBI, dea, atf. Those are the things that I believe will truly help us be able to support law enforcement and reduce violent crime. I do not support the National Guard.

[Dale Willman]

But Young said if the Guard is deployed, he hopes they'll strengthen the city and not be a distraction from ongoing law enforcement efforts. One day after a suspect was arrested in the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, many people living in the area where the shooting took place say they still don't feel safe. NPR's Marisa Penaloza has more.

[Case Dearden]

Orem's nickname is Family City, USA. It's known as a welcoming, safe community, and that's one of the reasons Case Dearden and his family moved here. Now the father of two young kids is concerned that violence could escalate.

He says the tensions are just rising and rising. The violence needs to stop. The division is what's causing this problem. So if we're going to keep pointing fingers, more people are going to be murdered.

Dearden and many others here say there needs to be a way to talk with each other, even when people disagree. Marisa Penalosa, NPR News, Orem, Utah.

[Dale Willman]

Paramount has issued a statement criticizing a letter signed earlier this week by more than 4,000 Hollywood actors and filmmakers pledging to boycott Israeli film groups. As NPR's Chloe Veltman reports, Paramount is the first major studio to condemn this response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

[Chloe Veltman]

Paramount's statement issued on Friday, said it disagreed with the call to boycott Israeli filmmakers. Silencing individual creative artists based on their nationality does not promote or advance the cause of peace, the statement said. Well known actors and directors such as Emma Stone, Gael Garcia Bernal and Eva Duvernay have signed the letter, which went live online on Tuesday. In a response on Instagram to Paramount's criticism, their group issued a statement reiterating that the pledge does not ask people to avoid working with individual members of the Israeli film community, but rather Israeli film institutions involved in, quote, whitewashing or justifying Israel's genocide in Gaza. Chloe Veltman, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

President Trump says the Russia Ukraine war would end if all NATO countries stopped buying oil from Russia. In a social media post Saturday, Trump said NATO's commitment to winning the war has been so far less than 100%, and he calls it shocking. NATO member Turkey is the third largest purchaser of oil from Russia. You're listening to NPR News. Venezuela's foreign minister says a U.S. warship illegally boarded a Venezuelan fishing boat while it was sailing in Venezuelan waters. There were nine fishermen on board that craft. The official says 18 armed people stayed on the boat for eight hours before leaving. President Trump has sent warships into the Caribbean saying they're fighting against Latin American drug cartels. The White House has not commented on those claims. An American billionaire is making waves after buying a stately home in the English countryside. Vicki Barker reports from London.

[Vicki Barker]

When Blackstone chief executive Steven Schwarzman trucked in thousands of gallons of water to fill the ornamental lake at his English country estate in the middle of a drought this summer, some locals whose own water was being rationed complained to the press, which led the regional water company to ban the deliveries even though they'd been perfectly legal. Now, backlash to the backlash, with other locals saying Schwarzman has poured money into the community, even had potholes filled when the town hall couldn't or wouldn't. Schwarzman hasn't commented. It's believed he'll be flying into the UK to attend the banquet honoring President Trump's second state visit next week. For NPR News, I'm Vicki Barker in London.

[Dale Willman]

Charlie hall has a one stroke lead after three rounds of the Queen City LPGA Championship taking place near Cincinnati, Ohio, this weekend. She shot a 567 on Saturday and birdied four of her final eight holes. Gino tittical is in second. She's trying to become the first multiple winner on the LPGA Tour this season. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.

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