NPR News Now – Episode Summary

Podcast: NPR News Now
Episode: NPR News: 09-17-2025 11AM EDT
Date: September 17, 2025
Host: Windsor Johnston (NPR News Anchor)
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode of “NPR News Now” delivers a concise roundup of major national stories and breaking news as of mid-morning on September 17, 2025. Key topics include explosive testimony from the former CDC director, a likely interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve, new crime-related legislation in D.C., new research on abortion access and crime in Texas, and a WTO report on AI’s effect on global trade.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Former CDC Head Testifies Before Congress

[00:20 – 01:09]

• Susan Menarez, recently ousted CDC director, delivers her first public testimony since her removal, alleging inappropriate pressure from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
• Menarez accuses Kennedy of urging her to:
  • "commit in advance to approving every ACIP recommendation regardless of the scientific evidence"
  • Dismiss career vaccine policy officials "without cause"
  • Resign if unwilling to comply
• Memorable Quote:

  “He directed me to commit in advance to approving every ACIP recommendation regardless of the scientific evidence. He… also directed me to dismiss career officials responsible for vaccine policy without cause. He said if I was unwilling to do both, I should resign.”
  — Susan Menarez, [00:47]

• Secretary Kennedy has denied these claims. Menarez ends with a "warning about the future of public health and the nation's path forward."

2. Federal Reserve Expected to Cut Interest Rates

[01:09 – 02:11]

• Scott Horsley reports the Federal Reserve is expected to announce its first rate cut in nine months, likely by a quarter percentage point.
• Rationale:
  • Growing concerns about a "sharp slowdown in hiring," despite sustained inflation.
  • Central bank aims to "keep a lid on unemployment."
  • Rates have held steady since December, partly from fears that President Trump’s tariffs might "rekindle inflation."
  • August consumer prices rose 2.9% year-over-year.
• Memorable Quote:

  “By cutting interest rates, the Fed hopes to keep a lid on unemployment.”
  — Scott Horsley, [02:03]

3. D.C. Juvenile Crime Legislation

[02:11 – 03:11]

• The U.S. House passes a controversial bill to allow 14-year-olds in Washington, D.C., to be charged as adults for violent crimes (down from current minimum age of 16).
• Supported by some House Democrats crossing party lines.
• Framed as a response to criticism that local officials are “too soft” on juvenile crime.
• Part of broader Congressional efforts to exert federal control over D.C. crime policies.
• President Trump has threatened further interventions, including direct oversight of the D.C. police and deployment of National Guard troops, practices already happening in D.C. and Memphis.
• D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser will testify before the House tomorrow.
• Memorable Quote:

  “President Trump has recently said he could take over the D.C. police Department again, and National Guard troops still patrol the city. He's deploying troops in Memphis... Trump has suggested similar actions in other cities led by Black Democrats.”
  — Kristen Wright, [02:50]

4. Research: Abortion Access and Property Crime in Texas

[03:11 – 04:22]

• Research from the National Bureau of Economic Research indicates that decreased abortion access in Texas (post-2013 restrictions) is linked to rises in live births and increased property crime, such as motor vehicle theft.
• The study attributes these outcomes to:
  • Increased financial strain in affected areas (e.g., housing insecurity, rising debt).
  • Effects concentrated on "crimes that generated the highest value."
• Researchers plan to examine if similar trends hold in other states with restricted abortion access.
• Notable Quote:

  “The effect was really concentrated on crimes that generated the highest value.”
  — Erkman Aslam (study co-author), [04:05]

5. AI’s Potential Impact on World Trade

[04:22 – 04:58]

• World Trade Organization (WTO) report projects that artificial intelligence could increase global trade in goods and services by nearly 40% by 2040.
• WTO cautions that benefits may be unevenly distributed without sufficient safeguards.
• Calls for government action:
  • Update regulations
  • Invest in workforce training
  • Ensure broad sharing of AI-driven gains

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Susan Menarez on pressure from Secretary Kennedy:

  “He directed me to commit in advance to approving every ACIP recommendation regardless of the scientific evidence...”
  [00:47]

• Scott Horsley on the Federal Reserve’s goals:

  “By cutting interest rates, the Fed hopes to keep a lid on unemployment.”
  [02:03]

• Kristen Wright on federal responses to D.C. crime:

  “President Trump has recently said he could take over the D.C. police Department again, and National Guard troops still patrol the city...”
  [02:50]

• Erkman Aslam on crime impacts:

  “The effect was really concentrated on crimes that generated the highest value.”
  [04:05]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:20 – CDC testimony: Allegations by Susan Menarez
• 01:34 – Federal Reserve rate cut preview (Scott Horsley)
• 02:28 – D.C. crime bill details (Kristen Wright)
• 03:32 – Texas abortion access and property crime study, insights from Erkman Aslam
• 04:22 – WTO report on AI and global trade