NPR News Now — September 14, 2025, 7AM EDT

Host: Dwahilisa Kautel (with reports from Alex Hager, Meg Anderson, Joseph Shapiro)

Episode Overview

This hourly NPR News Now update delivers concise coverage of several major news stories, including:

• Memorial plans for the late Charlie Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA
• The booming school security industry amidst ongoing U.S. school shootings
• Urgent warnings as water levels drop at Lake Powell and Lake Mead
• Xi Yan Zhang’s historic appointment as music director of the Seattle Symphony
• The passing of Earl Richardson, a transformative leader in the HBCU community

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Memorial Plans for Charlie Kirk (Turning Point USA)

• [00:15] Dwahilisa Kautel announces the upcoming memorial for Charlie Kirk, with President Trump, the Vice President, and Kirk's widow Erica expected to attend.
• Erica Kirk’s first public remarks after her husband’s death are highlighted:
  • Quote:
    "If you thought that my husband's mission was powerful before, you have no idea."
    — Erica Kirk ([00:37])
• [00:53] Reporter Steve Futterman elaborates on Erica Kirk’s emotional livestream, noting her resolve:
  • Her message is clear: Charlie Kirk’s movement will continue.

2. The School Security Industry in Response to School Shootings

• [01:10] Dwahilisa Kautel introduces Meg Anderson’s report on the rapid growth of the school security sector.
• [01:24] The sector is now a multi-billion dollar industry:
  • Quote:
    "The school security industry is now worth as much as $4 billion."
    — Meg Anderson ([01:24])
  • At the National School Safety Conference, vendors showcase panic buttons, bulletproof whiteboards, and trauma kits.
  • Sarah McNeily of Sam Medical emphasizes preparedness:
    • "It's an unfortunate circumstance, but being prepared and having these devices in the schools is essential."
  • Gun violence prevention researchers note most products are reactive, advocating for gun access restrictions and increased mental health support for prevention.

3. Falling Water Levels at Lake Powell and Lake Mead

• [02:05] Water levels at the two largest U.S. reservoirs are dropping quickly, prompting urgent calls for action.
• [02:24] Alex Hager reports on tense negotiations between states:
  • The current management rules expire in 2026, yet reservoirs could face failure before agreements are reached.
  • Catherine Tara (University of New Mexico) underscores the stakes:
    • Quote:
      "The consequence of drawing down these reservoirs and, you know, not conserving as a basin is that people won't get water in a way that I don't think we've seen before."
      — Catherine Tara ([02:44])
  • Tara stresses that basin-wide collaboration on cutbacks is difficult but possible.

4. Xi Yan Zhang’s Historic Seattle Symphony Appointment

• [03:07] Dwahilisa Kautel covers the milestone as Xi Yan Zhang becomes the first woman and person of color to lead the Seattle Symphony in its 122-year history.
  • Colleagues describe her as an “electric artistic leader.”
  • Quote:
    "I don't try to take charge, and if I do music well, then the music will win them over for me."
    — Xi Yan Zhang ([03:07], via Seattle Times)

5. Passing of HBCU Champion Earl Richardson

• [04:02] Joseph Shapiro reports on the death of Earl Richardson, celebrated for expanding Morgan State University and leading a landmark lawsuit:
  • Student enrollment doubled under his tenure (1994-2010), and the campus grew significantly.
  • The lawsuit led to landmark funding for Maryland’s HBCUs:
    • After 15 years, Maryland agreed in 2021 to provide over half a billion dollars for HBCUs.
  • The lawsuit is compared to Brown v. Board of Education in its impact.

Memorable Quotes & Notable Moments

• Erica Kirk, reflecting on her husband’s legacy:
  "If you thought that my husband's mission was powerful before, you have no idea." ([00:37])

• Meg Anderson on the scale of school security:
  "The school security industry is now worth as much as $4 billion." ([01:24])

• Catherine Tara on the urgency for Colorado River conservation:
  "The consequence of drawing down these reservoirs and, you know, not conserving as a basin is that people won't get water in a way that I don't think we've seen before." ([02:44])

• Xi Yan Zhang on her musical philosophy:
  "I don't try to take charge, and if I do music well, then the music will win them over for me." ([03:07])

Timeline of Important Segments

• [00:15] Memorial service announcement for Charlie Kirk
• [00:37] Erica Kirk’s remarks
• [01:24] The booming school security industry
• [02:24] Urgent situation for Lake Powell and Lake Mead
• [03:07] Xi Yan Zhang’s historic Seattle Symphony role
• [04:02] Legacy of Earl Richardson and historic HBCU funding lawsuit

Tone & Delivery

The episode maintains NPR’s signature succinct, serious, and respectful tone, balancing factual reporting with emotional resonance—especially in coverage of memorials and milestones.