NPR News Now: September 18, 2025, 2AM EDT

Host: Shea Stevens
Duration: ~5 minutes
Date: September 18, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a rapid-fire update on major global and national news stories, focusing on significant political, economic, and cultural events. Highlights include President Trump’s state visit to the UK and related big tech investments, a Federal Reserve interest rate cut amid concerns over the labor market, continuing impact after the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, a deadly shooting of police officers in Pennsylvania, Mexico’s endangered cactus confection, and fallout from controversial comments on the Jimmy Kimmel Show.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. President Trump’s State Visit to the UK & Tech Investment Deals

Timestamps: 00:21–01:29

• Major Announcements:

  • Microsoft unveils a $30 billion investment in the UK’s AI sector.
    • Lauren Frayer: “Microsoft says it's investing $30 billion in the UK's AI sector.” (00:42)
  • Google commits nearly $7 billion to open a UK data center.
    • Lauren Frayer: “Google nearly 7 billion to open a data center here.” (00:42)

• Trade Talks Remain Unfinished:

  • Duncan Edwards (CEO, British American Business):
    • “The UK Government will try to reopen discussions around tariff rates in general and on some specific categories like steel, scotch whiskey.” (01:00)
  • Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously negotiated tariff relief with the US, but some significant tariffs remain in effect:
    • UK Steel: still faces a 25% US tariff.
    • Scotch whiskey: 10% tariff.

2. Federal Reserve Cuts Interest Rates

Timestamps: 01:29–02:19

• The Fed reduces its benchmark rate by a quarter point and signals two more potential cuts this year.
• Fed Chair Jerome Powell addresses an unusual labor market slowdown:
  • “The market slowing in both the supply of and demand for workers is unusual in this less dynamic and somewhat softer labor market. The downside risks to employment appear to have risen.” (01:40)
  • Projected unemployment rate at 4.5% by year’s end.
• Inflation is still above the 2% target.

3. Utah Valley University Reels from Campus Shooting

Timestamps: 02:19–02:54

• Classes resume at UVU one week after Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist, was assassinated on campus.
• The campus is marked by a large flag and visible expressions of mourning.
• Firsthand account from student Aaliyah Wright:
  • “The last time I was in this hallway, like I just watched a man die. And so it's definitely a very different experience. And I got to my first class and I sat down and cried silently in the back of the room.” (02:40)
• Community Impact: Increased closeness among students in the aftermath.

4. Market Response to Fed’s Announcement

Timestamps: 03:07–03:23

• US Futures rose in pre-market trading after the Fed news.
• Asia-Pacific markets showed mixed results.

5. Deadly Police Shooting in Pennsylvania

Timestamps: 03:23–03:39

• A shooting incident in North Cadoras Township leaves three police officers dead and two critically wounded.
• Local community mourns as a procession for fallen officers takes place.

6. Mexico Faces Near-Extinction of Iconic Confection Ingredient

Timestamps: 03:39–04:39

• Acitron—a candied barrel cactus, crucial to Mexican holiday cuisine—is nearly extinct.
• Edith Hernandez Torres, a seller in Mexico City markets, responds to guilt queries:
  • “Well, our whole planet is going extinct,” she shrugs. (04:07)
• Issue: The barrel cactus grows extremely slowly (takes 40 years to reach knee-height), making farming impractical.
• Warning from Biologists: If consumption continues, wild acitron may disappear entirely.

7. Controversy Around Jimmy Kimmel Show

Timestamps: 04:39–04:58

• ABC suspends The Jimmy Kimmel Show following the host’s controversial comments regarding the Kirk assassination.
• FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has “appeared to threaten to pull licenses from ABC affiliates” airing the show.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Duncan Edwards (British American Business):

  • “The UK Government will try to reopen discussions around tariff rates in general and on some specific categories like steel, scotch whiskey.” (01:00)

• Jerome Powell (Fed Chair):

  • “Overall, the market slowing in both the supply of and demand for workers is unusual in this less dynamic and somewhat softer labor market. The downside risks to employment appear to have risen.” (01:40)

• Aaliyah Wright (UVU student):

  • “The last time I was in this hallway, like I just watched a man die. And so it's definitely a very different experience. And I got to my first class and I sat down and cried silently in the back of the room.” (02:40)

• Edith Hernandez Torres (acitron seller):

  • “Well, our whole planet is going extinct,” she shrugs. (04:07)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:21: Major US-UK investment announcements and trade discussions
• 01:29: Federal Reserve interest rate cut and labor market analysis
• 02:19: Utah Valley University’s return to classes after Kirk assassination
• 03:07: Market reactions to Fed policy
• 03:23: Police shootings in Pennsylvania
• 03:39: Mexico’s acitron crisis
• 04:39: ABC pulls Jimmy Kimmel Show after controversial remarks

This summary captures the rapid yet thorough style of NPR’s morning news programming, offering a balanced mix of politics, economics, tragedy, and cultural insight.