NPR News Now – September 15, 2025, 4AM EDT

Host: Dale Willman
Duration: 5 minutes

Overview

This episode covers the latest breaking stories in U.S. and global news: increased military tensions in Eastern Europe, the looming threat of a U.S. government shutdown, the response to the assassination of activist Charlie Kirk, controversy following comments by a Fox News host, business and stock market updates, major entertainment awards, the Toronto International Film Festival, and the latest LPGA golf results.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Tensions in Eastern Europe: Russian Drone Incursion

• [00:20] 19 Russian drones reportedly entered Polish airspace last week, stoking anxiety in the region.
  • President Trump suggested it "may have been a mistake by Moscow."
  • Texas Congressman Michael McCaul disagreed, issuing a strong warning:

    "We've never seen anything like this in recent times. And so what I'm concerned about is that the escalation here and the temperature rising, we got to be very careful not to be on the precipice of a World War Three."
    (Michael McCaul, 00:37)

  • McCaul’s comments were made on ABC’s “This Week.”

2. Impending U.S. Government Shutdown

• [00:51] Congress must pass a funding bill by midnight, September 30 to prevent a government shutdown.
  • Senate needs a bipartisan vote; Republicans alone cannot overcome a filibuster.
  • Democratic base demands stand on Medicaid and Obamacare subsidies; other Democrats warn this could backfire.

    "They say Republicans don't care whether the government stays open or not, and that Democrats would be blamed for a shutdown."
    (Mara Liasson, 01:01)

3. Aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s Assassination: Capitol Hill Security Concerns

• [01:35] Lawmakers call for calm after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
  • Oklahoma Senator James Lankford shares that Congress received 14,000 threats in 2025.

    "There are things that are occurring now that are different than what we have seen just two or three years ago. So, yeah, we have to pay attention to this."
    (James Lankford, 01:57)

  • Lankford emphasizes the urgent need for leadership and de-escalation.

    "It is important for leaders to be disciplined, to be able to say, let's set the example and try to do things very differently."
    (James Lankford, 02:15)

  • Lankford invoked Kirk:

    "When the words stop, the violence starts."
    (Senator Lankford quoting Charlie Kirk, 02:21)

4. Fox News Host Brian Kilmeade Controversy

• [02:35] Brian Kilmeade publicly apologizes after advocating for execution of mentally ill homeless individuals on “Fox and Friends.”
  • He had stated, “[They] should be given an involuntary lethal injection… Just kill them.”
  • His remarks caused significant backlash, prompting an on-air apology.

5. Economic & Market Update

• [03:27] Asian stock markets start the week quietly; traders await U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate decisions.
  • The Bank of Canada also considering a rate cut.

6. 2025 Emmy Awards

• [03:35] Results from last night’s Emmy Awards:
  • Jean Smart: Best Actress, Comedy for “Hacks” (fourth win for the show)
  • Noah Weil: Best Actor, Drama for “The Pit,” which also won Best Drama Series
  • “Netflix Adolescence:” Six awards, including Best Limited Series. The studio set record for most wins by a comedy series in a season.

7. Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)

• [03:55] TIFF highlights and winners:
  • People’s Choice Award: “Hamnet” (Chloé Zhao, director – first to win TIFF’s top honor twice; also won for “Nomadland” in 2020)

    "Twelve of the last 15 winners have later received Oscar nominations for best picture and four went on to win best picture."
    (Bob Mondello, 03:55)

  • Runners-up: Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein” and “Wake Up Dead Man” (a new “Knives Out” mystery)
  • First-ever International prize: Park Chan Wook’s “No Other Choice”

8. Sports: LPGA Queen City Championship

• [04:42] Charlie Hull wins her third LPGA Tour title at the Queen City Championship.
  • Clinched the win with a 30-foot two-putt on the 18th hole.
  • Previous leader Geno Tit four-putted on the final hole.
  • First title for Hull since 2022.

Notable Quotes

• “We've never seen anything like this in recent times. ... be very careful not to be on the precipice of a World War Three.”
  Michael McCaul, 00:37

• “They say Republicans don't care whether the government stays open or not, and that Democrats would be blamed for a shutdown.”
  Mara Liasson, 01:01

• “There are things that are occurring now that are different than what we have seen just two or three years ago. So, yeah, we have to pay attention to this.”
  James Lankford, 01:57

• “It is important for leaders to be disciplined, to be able to say, let's set the example and try to do things very differently.”
  James Lankford, 02:15

• “When the words stop, the violence starts.”
  James Lankford quoting Charlie Kirk, 02:21

• “Twelve of the last 15 winners have later received Oscar nominations for best picture and four went on to win best picture.”
  Bob Mondello, 03:55

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Eastern Europe & Russian drones – 00:20
• Government shutdown deadline – 00:51
• Charlie Kirk assassination & Capitol threats – 01:35
• Fox News host controversy – 02:35
• Market/Economic update – 03:27
• Emmy Award results – 03:35
• TIFF highlights – 03:55
• LPGA Queen City Championship – 04:42

This NPR News Now episode offers a concise yet comprehensive update on world events, politics, culture, and sports, featuring key voices from government and in-depth cultural reporting.