NPR News: 09-18-2025 3PM EDT

Summary

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NPR News Now: 09-18-2025 3PM EDT – Episode Summary

Overview

This rapid-fire NPR News Now episode, anchored by Lakshmi Singh, delivers a concise roundup of significant news from the US and abroad as of September 18, 2025. Major stories include President Trump’s UK state visit and new tech trade agreements, the political fallout after the sudden suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's talk show, looming recruitment challenges at the US Census Bureau, a lawsuit from Starbucks employees over dress code expenses, mass protests in France against President Macron, and a military accident in Washington state.

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1. US, UK Forge Major Tech and AI Trade Partnership

[00:25–01:04]

• President Trump spent his second day of an historic state visit at Chequers, meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

• A new trade deal aims to bolster the UK's access to American artificial intelligence technology and hardware.

  • Trump touts "$350 billion in deals across many sectors."
  • Commitment to making the US a "secure and reliable supplier of the best AI hardware and software."
    • Quote ([00:44]) – President Trump:
      "This trip has galvanized $350 billion in deals across many sectors, and we're committed to ensuring that the UK has a secure and reliable supplier of the best AI hardware and software on earth."

• Some friction remains, including disagreements regarding the UK's plans to recognize a Palestinian state ahead of the UN General Assembly.

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2. Jimmy Kimmel’s Talk Show Suspended – Political, Ratings Fallout

[01:04–02:15]

• ABC indefinitely suspends "Jimmy Kimmel Live" following a controversial monologue about MAGA supporters and the death of Charlie Kirk.

• Wanda Sykes, slated as a guest, expresses concerns over "free speech."

  • Quote ([01:44]) – Wanda Sykes:
    "Hey, for those of you who pray, now's the time to do it. Love you, Jimmy."

• President Trump responds from the UK:

  • Labels Kimmel’s firing as a result of "bad ratings" and calls him "not a talented person."
    • Quote ([01:54]) – President Trump:
      "Jimmy Kimmel was fired because he had bad ratings more than anything else. And he said a horrible thing about a great gentleman known as Charlie Kirk. And Jimmy Kimmel is not a talented person."

• FCC Chairman Brendan Carr comments that late-night shows have political agendas.

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3. US Census Bureau Faces Recruitment, Funding Hurdles

[02:15–03:20]

• The US Census Bureau’s inspector general raises alarms about recruiting enough temporary workers for major 2026 field tests (foundation for the 2030 census).
• Reasons for concern:
  • Uncertain federal funding and an ongoing Trump administration hiring freeze.
• Delays could affect accuracy, especially in counting hard-to-reach populations:
  • "Children under the age of five, people of color and renters."
  • 2030 census crucial for determining congressional seats, Electoral College votes, federal funding allocations.
    • Quote ([02:38]) – Hansi Lo Wang:
      "That could lead to delays in recruiting workers who are supposed to help the bureau develop better ways of addressing longstanding undercounts of populations, such as children under the age of five, people of color, and renters."

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4. Starbucks Employees Sue Over Dress Code Expenses

[03:20–03:44]

• Employees in three states file a lawsuit alleging Starbucks failed to reimburse them for new dress code-related clothing purchases.
• Starbucks recently restricted clothing to black, khaki, or denim; also limited visible tattoos and piercings.
• Starbucks’ stance: aim is increased visibility of green aprons on employees.

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5. Mass Protests and Strikes in France Against Austerity

[03:44–04:52]

• Strikes and demonstrations paralyze much of France, as students and workers protest President Macron's spending cuts, seen as favoring the wealthy.

• High school students join, demanding solidarity with labor.

  • Quote ([04:18]) – Mila Schenck, 12th grader:
    "Cut the Social Security system, that wants to cut in health and in education, which would only weigh heavy on the people that are already vulnerable."

• Protesters criticize Macron for governing with a minority, using emergency constitutional powers to pass reforms despite lacking a parliamentary majority.

  • Quote ([04:34]) – Mila Schenck:
    "He went against people's opinion and is governing with a minority and is trying to pass budgets while having a minority."

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6. US Army Helicopter Crash at Joint Base Lewis-McChord

[04:52–05:04]

• Brief news: Army helicopter crashes near Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington state.
• No immediate details on injuries or how many personnel were on board.

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Notable Quotes At-a-Glance

• President Trump ([00:44]):
  "We're committed to ensuring that the UK has a secure and reliable supplier of the best AI hardware and software on earth."
• President Trump ([01:54]):
  "Jimmy Kimmel was fired because he had bad ratings ... and Jimmy Kimmel is not a talented person."
• Wanda Sykes ([01:44]):
  "Hey, for those of you who pray, now's the time to do it. Love you, Jimmy."
• Hansi Lo Wang ([02:38]):
  "That could lead to delays in recruiting workers who are supposed to help the bureau develop better ways of addressing longstanding undercounts..."
• Mila Schenck ([04:18], [04:34]):
  "Cut the Social Security system, ...which would only weigh heavy on the people that are already vulnerable."
  "He went against people's opinion and is governing with a minority..."

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Key Segment Timestamps

• 00:25–01:04—US-UK AI Trade Deal; Trump in UK
• 01:04–02:15—Jimmy Kimmel Suspension Reaction
• 02:15–03:20—Census Bureau's Recruitment Problems
• 03:20–03:44—Starbucks Dress Code Lawsuit
• 03:44–04:52—French Protests Against Macron
• 04:52–05:04—US Army Helicopter Crash

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This abbreviated but info-rich episode encapsulates the shifting political, economic, and cultural landscapes on both sides of the Atlantic as of September 18, 2025.

Transcript

[NPR Podcast Host]

On the Throughline podcast from npr. Immigration enforcement might be more visible now, but this moment didn't begin with President Trump's second inauguration or even his first, a series from Throughline about how immigration became political and a cash cow. Listen to Throughline in the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. The US and Britain have signed a major trade partner to support artificial intelligence and other new technologies in the United Kingdom. President Trump spent the second day of his historic state visit at Chequers, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's official country residence.

[President Trump]

This trip has galvanized $350 billion in deals across many sectors, and we're committed to ensuring that the UK has a secure and reliable supplier of the best AI hardware and software on earth. And we supply that, and we'll make sure we supply it in quantity to the uk.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Trump and Starmer also acknowledge disagreements, including those related to the UK's intention to formally recognize a Palestinian state ahead of the UN General assembly next week. People are sharing mixed reactions following ABC's decision to suspend the Jimmy Kimmel late night talk show indefinitely. The network move followed remarks Kimmel made Monday night suggesting MAGA supporters are trying to use the the death of Charlie Kirk to score political points. Here's Steve Futterman.

[Steve Futterman]

Jimmy Kimmel's Wednesday night show was about to begin taping when ABC pulled the plug. Comedian Wanda Sykes was set to be a guest. She is concerned about free speech.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Hey, for those of you who pray, now's the time to do it. Love you, Jimmy.

[Steve Futterman]

President Trump was asked about the Kimmel suspension during his news conference in the.

[President Trump]

UK Well, Jimmy Kimmel was fired because he had bad ratings more than anything else. And he said a horrible thing about a great gentleman known as Charlie Kirk. And Jimmy Kimmel is not a talented person.

[Steve Futterman]

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr says he believes late night talk shows have political agendas. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Los Angeles.

[Lakshmi Singh]

The U.S. census Bureau's internal watchdog is raising concerns the bureau may not be able to recruit enough temporary workers to carry out next year's major field tests for the next national headcount in 2030. NPR's Hansi Lo Wang reports. The bureau says the tests are designed to help produce an accurate tally of the country's residents that will be used to redistribute political representation and federal funding.

[Hansi Lo Wang]

Next month, the Census Bureau is set to start recruiting workers for what it calls the 2026 census test in parts of Alabama Arizona, Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas. But the Commerce Department inspector general's office has found that uncertain funding from Congress and President Trump's ongoing hiring freeze on federal workers have helped put the bureau at risk of not finalizing a staffing in time. That could lead to delays in recruiting workers who are supposed to help the bureau develop better ways of addressing long standing undercounts of populations, such as children under the age of five, people of color and renters. The 2030 census counts are set to be used to determine each state's share of congressional seats, Electoral College votes and trillions in federal funding in the next decade. Ansi Loong, NPR News from Washington.

[Lakshmi Singh]

This is npr. Starbucks employees in three states are suing their employer over the company's new dress code. They say Starbucks failed to reimburse them for the expense of having to buy new clothes. Starbucks says it wants the employee's green aprons to stand out. The new dress code keeps clothing colors and materials largely to black khaki and denim. Certain tattoos and facial piercings are also restricted. Much of France has been paralyzed by strikes and protests against President Emmanuel Macron and what people call his policies for the wealthy. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports. Many high school students are among the protesters.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

These students are blocking their Paris high school and calling for solidarity with workers. 12th grader Mila Schenck says they're against Macron's budget of austerity, that wants to.

[Mila Schenck]

Cut the Social Security system, that wants to cut in health and in education, which would only weigh heavy on the people that are already vulnerable.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

She says Macron is also denying democracy because he keeps naming prime ministers from his camp when he doesn't have the support.

[Mila Schenck]

He went against people's opinion and is governing with a minority and is trying to pass budgets while having a minority.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

Macron has passed many reform measures using an emergency clause in the Constitution because he doesn't have the votes in Parliament. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR news, Paris.

[Lakshmi Singh]

The U.S. army says a helicopter crashed near Joint Base Lewis McChord in Washington state last night. Still no word yet on injuries or how many people were involved. You're listening to NPR News.

[NPR Podcast Host]

Listen to this podcast sponsor, free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR News Now [e-mail] that's plus.NPR.org.