NPR News Now: 09-15-2025 3AM EDT

Host: Dale Willman
Date: September 15, 2025
Episode Overview:
This five-minute NPR News update covers major national and international headlines, including the impending charges in the Charlie Kirk murder case, U.S.–European coordination on sanctions against Russia, ongoing conflict in Ukraine and NATO airspace incidents, public safety controversies in Washington D.C., the unveiling of Boston’s new slavery memorial, the latest Emmy Awards results, and recent changes in college football rankings.

Key News Stories & Insights

1. Impending Charges in the Charlie Kirk Case

[00:20–01:12]

• Utah prosecutors are preparing formal charges against Tyler Robinson, the main suspect in the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Charges, including aggravated murder (which may carry the death penalty), could be filed as soon as Tuesday.
• Joe Hernandez (NPR): Robinson is being held without bail and, according to Utah Governor Spencer Cox, "has not confessed" and is "not cooperating."
• Quote:
  • Gov. Spencer Cox:
    "He's not cooperating, but, but, but all the people around him are cooperating, and I think that's, that's, that's very important." [00:51]
• Robinson’s roommate is assisting the investigation. Kirk was killed during an outdoor university event.

2. U.S.–Europe Sanctions Tensions Over Russia

[01:12–01:40]

• President Trump urged Europe to strengthen sanctions on Russia about oil purchases, stating his readiness for secondary U.S. sanctions but demanding Europe "toughen up."
• Quote:
  • Donald Trump:
    "Europe is buying oil from Russia. I don't want them to buy oil and the sanctions that they're putting on are not tough enough and I'm willing to do sanctions, but they're going to have to toughen up their sanctions commensurate with what I'm doing." [01:25]
• Context: Comes as Russia escalates attacks on Ukraine.

3. Russia’s War & NATO Airspace Violation

[01:40–02:44]

• Russian drone entered Romanian airspace for almost an hour, raising NATO security concerns.
• Ukrainian President Zelenskyy called this an "obvious expansion" of Russia’s war.
• Joanna Kakissis (NPR):
  • Romania’s Defense Ministry noted the drone did not fly over populated areas or pose immediate danger.
  • Zelenskyy urged allies to "free further" (likely "impose further") sanctions after repeated airspace violations.
• Quote:
  • (Paraphrased) Zelenskyy emphasized striking at "Russia's war machine" and targeting Russian oil infrastructure. [02:03]
  • Joanna Kakissis:
    "Zelensky said in a video address that the Ukrainian military is striking what he calls Russia's war machine. He said Ukraine has hit Russian oil plants and depots to restrict Russia's ability to wage war." [02:03]

4. Washington D.C.: Police and ICE Controversy

[02:44–03:27]

• President Trump considered calling a national emergency in D.C., criticizing Mayor Muriel Bowser for ending police cooperation with ICE.
• Claim: Trump warns that the lack of police-ICE cooperation will lead to increased crime.
• Background: Trump had recently deployed National Guard troops, although they performed mostly non-law enforcement tasks.

5. Boston’s New Memorial to Slavery

[03:27–04:14]

• Boston’s Freedom Trail now features a prominent memorial: a 14-foot statue of a Black woman releasing birds, recognizing 219 enslaved people by early church members.
• Roshana Moore Evans (Memorial Committee): Moved by the memorial’s unveiling.
• Quote:
  • Roshana Moore Evans:
    "She is this large black woman in this amazing white dress that accentuates her beautiful dark skin. It's a moment, an important moment for this city, for this country, and it's going to bring about the healing that we all need." [03:49]
• Every enslaved person's name was read during the service.

6. Emmy Awards Highlights

[04:14–04:34]

• “The Pit” wins best drama series; Noah Weil wins best actor.
• Studio sets new comedy-series win record.
• Seth Rogen wins four Emmys for the show.
• Kristen Miliotti wins best actress in a limited series for “The Penguin.”

7. AP College Football Rankings

[04:34–04:57]

• Texas A&M enters the AP Top 10 after upsetting Notre Dame.
• Ohio State holds first place, followed by Penn State, LSU, Miami, and Georgia.
• Notre Dame: Stays in Top 25 with a .02 record, a feat unmatched since 1988.
• Oregon drops to sixth, despite a road victory over Northwestern.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [00:51] Gov. Spencer Cox:
  "He's not cooperating, but... all the people around him are cooperating, and I think that's very important."
• [01:25] President Trump:
  "Europe is buying oil from Russia. I don't want them to buy oil... they're going to have to toughen up their sanctions commensurate with what I'm doing."
• [03:49] Roshana Moore Evans:
  "She is this large black woman in this amazing white dress that accentuates her beautiful dark skin. It's a moment, an important moment for this city, for this country, and it's going to bring about the healing that we all need."

Segment Timestamps

• [00:20] Charlie Kirk case developments
• [01:12] Trump presses Europe on Russian sanctions
• [01:40] Russian drone violation of Romanian airspace; Ukraine strikes back
• [02:44] D.C. police & ICE controversy; Trump threatens national emergency
• [03:27] Boston unveils slavery memorial
• [04:14] Emmy Awards results highlights
• [04:34] College football poll changes

This summary presents a concise yet comprehensive overview of the top national and international stories on NPR News Now, giving readers key details and direct quotes from the newsmakers and reporters featured in the episode.