NPR News: 09-17-2025 12AM EDT

Summary

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NPR News Now – September 17, 2025, 12AM EDT

Host: Shea Stevens
Duration: 5 minutes

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Main Theme

A concise update on top U.S. news stories, including legal proceedings in high-profile murder cases, changes in COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, medical device approvals for rheumatoid arthritis, political hearings, court rulings, and the passing of an iconic film figure.

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Key Stories & Discussion Points

1. Utah Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty in Charlie Kirk Murder Case

• [00:21] Host Shea Stevens introduces major legal news: prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Tyler Robinson, accused of murdering conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
• [00:36] Field Report by Martha Harris (Provo, Utah):
  • Tyler Robinson appeared virtually from jail, stayed mostly silent except for stating his name.
  • He faces seven charges, including aggravated murder.
  • Judge orders a public defender for Robinson due to his financial situation.
  • Protective order granted to Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erica Kirk, barring contact from Robinson.
  • Quote: “Robinson nodded as the judge talked to him but did not show much emotion.” – Martha Harris

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2. Terrorism Charges Dropped in New York Murder Case

• [01:19] New York judge dismisses terrorism charges against Luigi Mangione, accused of killing health insurance executive Brian Thompson.
  • Mangione, 27, still faces state and federal charges, including second-degree murder.
  • Alleged attack occurred last December in Manhattan.
  • No trial date set yet.

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3. Wisconsin Maintains Annual COVID Shot Recommendation

• [01:50] Sarah Lear (Wisconsin Public Radio):
  • Wisconsin’s health officials continue recommending annual COVID shots for everyone six months and older.
  • This diverges from recent FDA guidance, which recommends the new vaccine only for Americans 65+ or with certain medical risks.
  • Dr. Wyan Westergaard, infectious disease specialist, highlights controversy:
    • Quote: “In the past several months, leaders at federal agencies have made policy decisions and issued recommendations that aren’t supported by or directly contradict scientific consensus.” – (02:07-02:18)
  • Multiple states, including Wisconsin, have issued standing orders allowing broad vaccine access without prescription.

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4. FDA Approves New Device for Rheumatoid Arthritis

• [02:33] John Hamilton reports:
  • FDA approved Setpoint Medical’s surgically implanted device to reduce inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
  • Delivers brief electrical pulses to the vagus nerve daily to activate anti-inflammatory pathways.
  • Patient testimony highlights life-changing result:
    • Quote: “Three weeks in, my elbow pain was completely gone. My hands didn’t hurt anymore. The swelling started going away.” – Patient Lynn Milam (02:58-03:05)
  • Intended for RA patients not responding to drugs.

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5. Senate Democrats Grill FBI Director

• [03:17] Senate Democrats sharply question FBI Director Cash Patel.
  • New Jersey Senator Cory Booker criticizes Patel’s leadership:
    • Quote: “I prayed that Patel would, in his words, step up and defend his oath and do a much better job of defending the nation.” – Shea Stevens summarizing Booker (03:17)
  • Patel rejects the criticism, calling Booker’s comments “a rant and false information.”

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6. Georgia Supreme Court: DA Bonnie Willis Remains Off Trump Election Case

• [03:43] Georgia Supreme Court upholds ruling that bars Fulton County DA Bonnie Willis from overseeing the Trump election interference case.
  • The disqualification is due to the appearance of impropriety from her romantic ties to a special prosecutor she hired.
  • Appeals court decision stands; Willis cannot return to the case.

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7. Remembering Robert Redford

• [04:11] Fans mourn the death of actor, director, and producer Robert Redford at age 89.
  • Archive audio from Redford’s 2002 speech receiving a lifetime achievement award for founding the Sundance Film Festival:
    • Quote: “I’ve spent most of my life just focused on the road ahead… but now tonight I’m seeing in the rearview mirror that there’s something I’ve not thought about called history.” – Robert Redford (04:23)
  • Noted film credits: “All the President’s Men,” “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” and “Ordinary People” (Oscar for Best Director).

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8. Brief Financial Update

• [04:44] U.S. futures are flat in after-hours Wall Street trading.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• “He has been charged with aggravated murder. Prosecutors have filed their intent to seek the death penalty.”
  — Martha Harris (00:36)

• “In the past several months, leaders at federal agencies have made policy decisions and issued recommendations that aren’t supported by or directly contradict scientific consensus.”
  — Dr. Wyan Westergaard (02:07-02:18)

• "Three weeks in, my elbow pain was completely gone. My hands didn’t hurt anymore. The swelling started going away."
  — Lynn Milam, Clinical Trial Patient (02:58-03:05)

• “I’ve spent most of my life just focused on the road ahead… but now tonight I’m seeing in the rearview mirror that there’s something I’ve not thought about called history.”
  — Robert Redford (04:23)

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Timestamps of Important Segments

• Utah court appearance in Charlie Kirk murder case: 00:21 – 01:19
• NY terrorism charge dismissal (Mangione): 01:19 – 01:50
• Wisconsin COVID vaccine guidance: 01:50 – 02:33
• FDA arthritis device approval: 02:33 – 03:17
• FBI Director Patel Senate hearing: 03:17 – 03:43
• Georgia DA Willis disqualification: 03:43 – 04:11
• Robert Redford’s passing and tribute: 04:11 – 04:44
• Financial markets update: 04:44 – 05:00

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This episode delivered a packed and efficient news roundup, with policy decisions, legal updates, medical breakthroughs, and the loss of a Hollywood legend, remaining clear, concise, and factual throughout.

Transcript

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[Shea Stevens]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for the man who's charged with murdering conservative activist Charlie Kirk. KU ER's Martha Harris reports on the suspect's court appearance.

[Martha Harris]

On Tuesday, Tyler Robinson appeared virtually from the Utah county jail. He is being held there without bail. Robinson sat silently in front of a white wall, except when he said his name. In the brief hearing, a Utah judge read Robinson the seven charges against him. Robinson nodded as the judge talked to him, but did not show much emotion. He has been charged with aggravated murder. Prosecutors have filed their intent to seek the death penalty. The judge said a defense lawyer will be appointed to represent Robinson because of his financial circumstances. The judge also approved a protective order from Charlie Kirk's widow, Erica Kirk. This prohibits Robinson from contacting her. For NPR News, I'm Martha Harris in Provo, Utah.

[Shea Stevens]

A judge in New York has dismissed terrorism charges against the man who's accused of killing health insurance executive Brian Thompson. 27 year old Luigi Mangione still faces several other state and federal counts, including second degree murder charges. He's accused of attacking Thompson outside of a Manhattan high rise last December. No trial date has yet been announced. Health officials in Wisconsin say they'll continue recommending annual Covid shots for anyone who's six months and older. Sarah Lear of Wisconsin Public Radio has the story.

[Sarah Lear]

Wisconsin's recommendation stands in contrast to recent FDA action. That agency recommended the new COVID vaccine only for Americans 65 and older or those with certain medical conditions. Dr. Wyan Westergaard is an infectious disease specialist with the state health department.

[Martha Harris]

In the past several months, leaders at federal agencies have made policy decisions and issued recommendations that aren't supported by or.

[Robert Redford]

Directly contradict scientific consensus.

[Sarah Lear]

Multiple states, including Wisconsin, have now issued standing orders for the new COVID vaccine. The goal of those orders is to ensure that people over six months old can get the vaccine without a prescription. For NPR News, I'm Sarah Lear in Madison.

[Shea Stevens]

Researchers say people with rheumatoid arthritis can now be treated with a device that reduces inflammation. More from NPR's John Hamilton.

[John Hamilton]

The the surgically implanted device made by Setpoint Medical was approved this summer by the Food and Drug Administration. It uses pulses of electricity delivered to the vagus nerve to activate the body's own system for reducing inflammation. Lynn Milam was a patient in the clinical trial that led to the device's approval.

[Sarah Lear]

Three weeks in, my elbow pain was completely gone. My hands didn't hurt anymore. The swelling started going away.

[John Hamilton]

The device is placed through a small incision in the neck and delivers electrical pulses for about a minute each day. It is approved for people with rheumatoid arthritis that hasn't responded to drug treatment.

[Shea Stevens]

John Hamilton, this is npr. Senate Democrats grilled FBI Director Cash Patel on his leadership. Patel rejected questions during the Senate hearing and defended his record. New Jersey Democrat Cory Booker said he prayed that Patel would, in his words, step up and defend his oath and do a much better job of defending the nation. Patel called Booker's comment a rant and false information. The Georgia Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from the Fulton County District Attorney. Bonnie Willis sought to challenge her removal from the election interference case against Donald Trump and several co defendants. An appeals court ruled that she could not oversee the case because of an appearance of impropriety stemming from a romantic ties to a special prosecutor who she hired. That ruling is being upheld by Georgia's highest court. Fans are mourning the death of Robert Redford. The veteran actor, director and producer died Tuesday at the age of 89. Here's Redford speaking in 2002 after receiving a lifetime achievement award for creating the Sundance Film Festival.

[Robert Redford]

I've spent most of my life just focused on the road ahead. I've not looking back. But now tonight I'm seeing in the rearview mirror that there's something I've not thought about called history. And what moves me tonight is that I'm being joined by colleagues and peers to reflect on that history.

[Shea Stevens]

Redford's dozens of film credits include all the President's Men, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and Ordinary People, which earned him an Oscar for best director. US Futures are flat in after hours trading on Wall Street. This is npr.

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