NPR News Now — 09-18-2025, 12PM EDT

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Date: September 18, 2025
Duration: ~5 minutes

Overview

This episode delivers the hour’s top stories, including rising concerns over censorship in entertainment following Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension, President Trump’s remarks during a UK state visit, employee lawsuits against Starbucks’ new dress code, possible changes to CDC vaccination guidelines, and widespread protests in France over President Macron’s policies.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Jimmy Kimmel Suspended from ABC: Censorship Concerns

[00:19–01:24]

• Major unions have joined entertainment industry leaders in warning about censorship after Jimmy Kimmel was suspended indefinitely by ABC.
• Kimmel’s suspension followed backlash to his monologue comments about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
• Quote — Jimmy Kimmel (via transcript):

  “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.” (00:54–01:05)

• Supporters of Kirk, the FCC chair, and major ABC affiliates demanded an apology and a donation to Turning Point USA, while critics decried the move as “censorship.”

2. Trump’s UK State Visit: Comments on Kimmel, Tech Deals, the Gaza War & Discontent with Putin

[01:24–02:32]

• President Trump addressed Kimmel’s firing during a UK press conference, attributing it to “lack of talent” rather than a free speech issue.
  • Quote — Donald Trump:

    “Jimmy Kimmel is now not a talented person. He had very bad ratings and they should have fired him a long time ago. So, you know, you can call that free speech or not. He was fired for lack of talent.” (01:27–01:38)

• Trump also commented on tech deals, the Gaza war, and his disappointment in Russian President Vladimir Putin, criticizing Putin for not ending the war with Ukraine but remained non-committal about direct US action.
  • Quote — Donald Trump:

    “It doesn't affect the United States and he look, it doesn't so much affect you, of course. You are a lot closer to the scene than we are. We have a whole ocean separating us.” (02:08–02:17)

• UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged increasing pressure on Putin and said Europe is ready to take the lead.
  • Quote — Keir Starmer:

    “We have to put extra pressure on Putin. And it's only when the president has put pressure on Putin that he's actually shown any inclination to move. So we have to ramp that pressure up.” (02:20–02:32)

3. Starbucks Sued Over New Employee Dress Code

[02:38–03:29]

• Starbucks employees in three states are taking legal action, claiming the company violated labor law by failing to reimburse them for clothing purchases required by a new dress code.
• The revised dress code restricts colors and materials to black, khaki, and denim; limits tattoos and facial piercings.
• Starbucks says the new code is aimed at making green aprons “stand out.”

4. CDC Panel Considers Changes to Childhood Vaccination Guidance

[03:29–04:07]

• A CDC advisory panel is weighing whether newborns with hepatitis B-negative mothers should wait until at least one month old for their first hepatitis B shot (instead of receiving it within 24 hours).
• The panel is also considering recommending that children under 4 receive a separate measles shot (not the combined MMRV vaccine for measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox).
• Most doctors are opposed to both changes.

5. Mass Protests in France Over Macron’s Economic Policies

[04:07–04:56]

• Widespread train and teacher strikes severely disrupt public transport and schools, with nearly half of high school and middle school teachers participating.
• Protesters accuse Macron of favoring the rich and fear the new center-right prime minister will continue the same agenda.
• Far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon calls for both the prime minister and Macron to step down.
  • Quote — Jean-Luc Mélenchon (translated, summary):

    “The new prime minister will be forced out just like the one before. But Macron needs to go, too. He's lost four prime ministers. Normally in a democracy, there are consequences for that.” (04:39–04:55)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jimmy Kimmel monologue excerpt: (00:54–01:05)
• Donald Trump on Kimmel: “He was fired for lack of talent.” (01:38)
• Donald Trump on Ukraine: “We have a whole ocean separating us.” (02:08–02:17)
• Keir Starmer on Putin: “We have to ramp that pressure up.” (02:20–02:32)
• Mélenchon on Macron and PM turnover: (04:39–04:55)

Timestamps by Segment

• 00:19 – 01:24 | Kimmel suspension & censorship debate
• 01:24 – 02:32 | Trump’s UK visit, comments on Kimmel, tech, Ukraine, Gaza; Starmer’s response
• 02:38 – 03:29 | Starbucks dress code lawsuit
• 03:29 – 04:07 | CDC vaccine recommendation proposals
• 04:07 – 04:56 | French strikes & anti-Macron protests

Episode Tone & Language

The tone remains straightforward and factual throughout, typical of NPR news summaries, with direct quotes from newsmakers to capture pointed or impactful moments. The hosts and correspondents keep the language concise, focusing on key details and direct attributions.

For listeners seeking a quick rundown of the major national and international news headlines as of midday on September 18, 2025, this episode provides brief but substantive updates across politics, labor, health, and global protests.