NPR News Now — September 16, 2025, 8PM EDT

Brief Overview

This episode of “NPR News Now” delivers concise, timely updates on major national stories, including legal proceedings in two high-profile murder cases, responses from national leaders, a new development in obesity medication, the death of actor Robert Redford, President Trump’s UK state visit, and a unique mathematical observation about the date.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Updates on Two Major Murder Cases

• Utah Prosecutors Will Seek the Death Penalty in Charlie Kirk’s Murder
  • Tyler Robinson, 22, is charged with the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
  • Prosecutors filed seven charges, including aggravated murder.
  • A note under Robinson’s keyboard indicated premeditation. Robinson remains in jail without bail and appeared virtually in court.
  • Jeff Gray (County Attorney):

    “I do not take this decision lightly and it is a decision I have made independently as county attorney based solely on the available evidence and circumstances and nature of the crime.” (00:45)

• NY Judge Drops Terrorism Charges in UnitedHealthcare CEO Murder
  • Luigi Mangione, held for the murder of CEO Brian Thompson, had two terrorism charges dropped due to lack of intent to intimidate the public.
  • Mangione still faces second-degree murder and other charges.

2. State Department Responds to Reaction Over Kirk’s Assassination

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s Warning
  • Threatens deportation for visa holders who celebrated Kirk’s assassination on social media, claiming visa revocations are in process.
  • Rubio:

    “America will not host foreigners who celebrate the death of our fellow citizens.” (01:52)

  • States the process "is only getting started" but anticipates some visas will be revoked.

    “I’m sure there’ll be some that are remote. There’s no shortage of idiots around the world that have decided it’s a great idea to murder someone. We don’t want people like that in our country.” (02:09)

  • Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau notes consular officials are following up on tips from social media.

3. Medical News: New Obesity Drug in Development

• Eli Lilly’s Experimental Obesity Pill
  • New study on Orforglipron, an oral medication.
  • Patients lost an average of 11.2% body weight over ~18 months.
  • Side effects similar to existing obesity treatments.
  • Results published in the New England Journal of Medicine; the study was funded by Eli Lilly.
  • Sydney Lupkin:

    “The company’s stock tumbled when the drug resulted in less weight loss compared with Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy injection.” (03:06)

4. Robert Redford’s Death and Legacy

• Tributes to Robert Redford (1936–2025)
  • The legendary actor died at 89 at his home in Utah.
  • Colman Domingo:

    “[Redford] had an everlasting impact on movies.” (03:32)

  • Ron Howard called the Sundance Film Festival “a game changer.”

5. President Trump’s UK State Visit

• President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrive in the UK for a state visit.
  • The official program begins tomorrow with a greeting at Windsor Castle by King Charles.

6. A Mathematical Note About the Date

• September 16, 2025, is a Special Date
  • Ari Daniel explains that 9/16/25 aligns with 3²=9, 4²=16, and 5²=25—forming a rare Pythagorean triple.

    “If you sum the squares of the first 2, 9 plus 16, you get the square of the last 1, 25.” (04:17)

  • Terence Blackmon (Chair, Math Department, Medgar Evers College):

    “This date reveals kind of hidden mathematical poetry that is sitting there just like walking and coming upon a beautiful flower.” (04:45)

  • No other dates in this century with the same property.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jeff Gray (County Attorney, on seeking death penalty):

  “It is a decision I have made independently as county attorney based solely on the available evidence and circumstances and nature of the crime.” (00:45)

• Marco Rubio (on visa policy after Kirk’s murder):

  “America will not host foreigners who celebrate the death of our fellow citizens.” (01:52) “We don’t want people like that in our country.” (02:09)

• Terence Blackmon (on the uniqueness of the date):

  “This date reveals kind of hidden mathematical poetry that is sitting there just like walking and coming upon a beautiful flower.” (04:45)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• [00:20–01:50] – Legal updates on Charlie Kirk and Brian Thompson’s murder cases
• [01:50–02:28] – Secretary Rubio and State Department’s response to online celebrations
• [02:28–03:17] – Eli Lilly obesity pill study findings
• [03:17–03:48] – Robert Redford tributes
• [03:48–04:12] – President Trump’s UK visit
• [04:12–04:57] – Pythagorean triple date anecdote
• [04:57–04:59] – Closing remarks

This episode concisely covers urgent legal developments, government actions, medical research advances, major cultural losses, international diplomacy, and an engaging math tidbit—typical of NPR's informative, measured reporting style.