NPR News: 09-17-2025 6PM EDT

Summary4 min read

Host: Jahiel Snyder
Date: September 17, 2025
Length: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers concise coverage of the day’s top headlines, including political fallout at the CDC, the Justice Department's legal battle over election data, significant international and economic developments, breaking updates on violence and politics within the US, and major Latin Grammy nominations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. CDC Shake-up and Senate Hearing

[00:18–01:19]
- Former CDC Director Susan Menaras testified before a Senate panel about the circumstances of her dismissal.
- Menaras alleged she was ousted for refusing demands from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., including giving blanket approvals for future vaccines and firing career scientists.
- Kennedy reportedly referred to the CDC as "the most corrupt federal agency in the world," and accused employees of dire misconduct.
- Quote:
  - “CDC employees were killing children and they don’t care.” — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (as recounted by Menaras), [01:02]
- Kennedy disputes Menaras' account of her firing.
- Context: A CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee meeting is upcoming and could impact the childhood vaccine schedule.

2. Justice Department Sues States for Election Data

[01:19–02:05]
- The DOJ is suing Maine and Oregon, both Democratic-led, to compel release of full voter registration rolls, including sensitive info such as partial Social Security numbers.
- DOJ claims the info is needed to ensure compliance with federal election laws.
- States (across party lines) resist over security and privacy concerns, and lack of clarity from the Trump administration regarding intended use of data.
- Quote:
  - “Voting officials on both sides of the aisle have fought previous efforts to acquire the data DOJ is asking for, which includes partial Social Security numbers.” — Miles Parks, [01:46]

3. President Trump’s UK State Visit and Fed Rate Cut

[02:05–03:12]
- President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attended a state dinner at Windsor Castle, will meet PM Keir Starmer next.
- The Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 0.25%, citing worries about a weakening job market:
  - Only 22,000 new jobs in August; June saw the first job loss since early pandemic.
  - Fed member Steven Myron dissented, advocating a larger rate cut.
  - More rate cuts are anticipated this year.
- Quote:
  - “Fed policymakers opted to lower their benchmark rate amid signs that hiring has slowed sharply in recent months.” — Scott Horsley, [02:38]

4. Utah Valley University Shooting Update and GA Governor’s Race

[03:12–04:06]
- Classes resume at Utah Valley University after the fatal shooting of activist Charlie Kirk; Tyler Robinson, 22, faces aggravated murder charges, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty.
- Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger announces gubernatorial run, notable for his refusal to reverse 2020 election results under Trump.
- Quote:
  - “Raffensperger famously rejected Donald Trump’s request to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia.” — Jahiel Snyder, [03:43]

5. Latin Grammy Nominations Announced

[04:06–04:51]
- Bad Bunny leads with 12 nominations, including Album, Song, and Record of the Year for “De Vitidarmas Photos.”
- Argentine duo Catriel y Pacuamoroso have 10 nominations; their album “Papota” was partly recorded at NPR’s Tiny Desk.
- Producer Edgar Barrera garners 10 nominations for work with stars like Karol G and Shakira.
- Quote:
  - “The nominations are for his album De Vitidarmas Photos, a love letter to Puerto Rico’s history and cultural heritage.” — Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, [04:13]

Notable Quotes & Moments

“CDC employees were killing children and they don’t care.”
—Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (as recounted by Susan Menaras), [01:02]
“Voting officials on both sides of the aisle have fought previous efforts to acquire the data DOJ is asking for, which includes partial Social Security numbers.”
—Miles Parks, [01:46]
“Fed policymakers opted to lower their benchmark rate amid signs that hiring has slowed sharply in recent months.”
—Scott Horsley, [02:38]
“Raffensperger famously rejected Donald Trump’s request to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia.”
—Jahiel Snyder, [03:43]
“The nominations are for his album De Vitidarmas Photos, a love letter to Puerto Rico’s history and cultural heritage.”
—Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, [04:13]

Segment Timestamps

[00:18] CDC dismissal revelation and Senate testimony
[01:19] DOJ sues Maine and Oregon for voter data
[02:05] Trump in the UK; Federal Reserve announces rate cut
[03:12] Utah shooting update; Raffensperger enters GA governor’s race
[04:06] Latin Grammy nominations breakdown

This episode delivers critical news on US health policy controversies, legal battles over election transparency and data privacy, a major economic policy update, an unfolding campus tragedy, political maneuverings, and the year’s hottest Latin music contenders—all succinctly and with NPR's hallmark direct, informative tone.

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Transcript13 lines

[00:01]
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[00:19]
Jahiel Snyder
News in Washington, I'm Jahiel Snyder. Former CDC Director Susan Menaras told members of a Senate panel she was ousted because she refused to agree to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr's demands on vaccines and other matters. Here's NPR's Will Stone reporting.
[00:35]
Will Stone
Manares told members of the Senate committee that Kennedy asked her to offer blanket approval on future vaccine recommendations and to fire career scientists. During the hearing, she recounted a string of events that she said led to her dismissal, culminating with a tense meeting in late August.
[00:52]
Isabella Gomez Sarmiento
He called in that context, cdc, the most corrupt federal agency in the world, emphasized that CD employees were horrible people. He said that CDC employees were killing children and they don't care.
[01:06]
Will Stone
Kennedy has disputed Monarz's accounts of why she was fired. The hearing comes ahead of Thursday's meeting of the CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee, which could lead to some changes in the childhood vaccine schedule. Will Stone, NPR News.
[01:19]
Jahiel Snyder
The Justice Department escalating demands for election data from the states. It's suing two Democratic controlled states seeking to force them to hand over their full registration lists in Pierce Mile Parks.
[01:31]
Miles Parks
The Department of Justice has asked for sensitive elections data from many states, but Maine and Oregon are the first states to be sued over the matter. The department says it needs the data to determine if the two states are following federal election laws when it comes to keeping accurate registration lists. But states have constitutional authority to run their own elections, and voting officials on both sides of the aisle have fought previous efforts to acquire the data DOJ is asking for, which includes partial Social Security numbers. One reason is security risks. Another is that the Trump administration has not been clear on what it plans to do with the data. Miles Parks, NPR News, Washington.
[02:05]
Jahiel Snyder
President Trump is wrapping up the first day of his state visit to the UK he and first Lady Melania Trump are at Windsor Castle being treated to a lavish state dinner. Trump is to meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer tomorrow. The Federal Reserve is cutting interest rates for the first time this year. NPR's Scott Horsley reports on the vote today to lower the benchmark rate by a quarter percentage point.
[02:29]
Scott Horsley
The quarter point rate cut was widely expected. It will make it somewhat cheaper to get a car loan, bankroll a business expansion or carry a balance on your credit card. The newest member of the Fed's rate setting committee. Steven Myron dissented from the vote, saying he would have preferred a larger half point cut. Fed policymakers opted to lower their benchmark rate amid signs that hiring has slowed sharply in recent months. US employers added just 22,000 jobs in August, and revised figures show the economy lost jobs in June for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic. Growing concerns about the job market are overshadowing worries about higher inflation. For now, Fed policymakers signaled on average they expect to cut interest rates by another half percentage point before the end of the year. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.
[03:13]
Jahiel Snyder
And you're listening to NPR News. Students at Utah Valley University began returning to classes today following last week's shooting death of the conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The courtyard where Kirk was shot remains blocked off. Yesterday, prosecutors said they'll see the death penalty. They charged 22 year old Tyler Robinson with seven counts, including aggravated murder. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger says he's entering the race for governor next year. He made the announcement today, joining two others seeking the Republican nomination. Raffensperger famously rejected Donald Trump's request to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. There's one name leading the pack of Latin Grammy nominations, Bad Bunny. The Puerto rican superstar received 12 no nations today, as NPR's Isabella Gomez Sarmiento.
[04:06]
Isabella Gomez Sarmiento
Reports, Bad Bunny is up for album of the Year, song of the Year and record of the Year. The nominations are for his album De Vitidarmas Photos, a love letter to Puerto Rico's history and cultural heritage. The Argentine duo Catriel y Pacuamoroso follow close behind with 10 nods. Their album Papota, half of which was recorded at NPR's Tiny Desk, is up for album of the year. The duo also has multiple nominations for song and record of the Year. Among the artists up for Latin Grammys for their work behind the scenes. Producer and songwriter Edgar Barrera has 10 nominations for his work with artists like Carol G. Shakira and Grupo Frontera. Isabela Gomez Sarmiento, NPR News.
[04:52]
Jahiel Snyder
And I'm Jael Snyder. This is NPR News from Washington.
[04:58]
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