NPR News: 09-18-2025 4AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now – September 18, 2025, 4AM EDT

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

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Episode Overview

This concise NPR News Now episode covers key global and national news stories as of September 18, 2025. Major topics include President Trump's state visit to the UK, a deadly police shooting in Pennsylvania, new information on the CDC director's firing, changes within the National Park Service, an ongoing investigation into a student's death in Mississippi, and findings from a large vitamin B3 study. The coverage is direct and factual, summarizing the news for listeners in under five minutes.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. President Trump’s UK Visit and Technology Deal

Segment Start: 00:21

• President Trump is in the UK for a state visit, meeting Prime Minister Keir Starmer, following a day of ceremonies with King Charles.
• Trump and First Lady Melania attended a Windsor Castle dinner, highlighting the intertwined relationship between the UK and US.
• Trump is expected to sign a technology deal during the visit.

Notable Quote:

• President Donald Trump (00:48):

  “We've done more good for humanity than any two countries in all of history. Together we must defend the exceptional heritage that makes us who we are. And we must continue to stand for the values and the people of the English speaking world. And we do indeed stand for that.”

• King Charles reportedly reflected on the enduring bond between the two nations at the dinner.

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2. Pennsylvania Police Shooting

Segment Start: 01:22

• Three law enforcement officers dead, two injured after a domestic incident south of Harrisburg.
• The suspect was shot and killed by police.
• Wounded officers are in critical but stable condition; lockdown at a nearby school has been lifted.

Notable Moment:

• Colonel Christopher Paris of the Pennsylvania State Police, expressing grief:
  (Paraphrased by anchor Shea Stevens at 01:35)

  “The grief will be unbearable, but we will bear it and we will not rest until we've conducted a full, fair, competent and thorough investigation.”

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3. CDC Director Firing – Testimony and Fallout

Segment Start: 02:01

• Former CDC Director Susan Menarez gave new testimony to a Senate panel regarding her removal.
• Menarez claims she clashed with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. over his push to change the childhood vaccine schedule.
• She resisted Kennedy’s attempts to overhaul the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee and pre-approve recommendations.

Notable Quotes:

• Susan Menarez, via Alison Aubrey (02:43):

  “He said that the childhood vaccine schedule would be changing starting in September and I needed to be on board with it.”

• Will Stone notes (02:48):

  “Kennedy has accused Monarch of lying about the reason she was fired. The CDC vaccine committee, which includes a new roster of members, some with a history of being critical of vaccines, meets in Atlanta on Thursday.”

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4. FBI Director Patel Grilled on Epstein Documents

Segment Start: 03:04

• FBI Director Cash Patel was questioned by Democrats in a House panel about withholding documents pertaining to Jeffrey Epstein.
• No new details disclosed, but highlights ongoing scrutiny and demands for transparency.

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5. National Park Service Removes Slavery and Tribal History Exhibits

Segment Start: 03:17

• The National Park Service is removing exhibits and signs related to US slavery and Native American tribes.
• Follows President Trump’s March executive order to address content deemed as “inappropriately disparaging” historical figures.
• Notably, exhibits at a Philadelphia house where George Washington held slaves are targeted.

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6. Ongoing Investigation: Death at Delta State University

Segment Start: 03:38

• Mississippi authorities are awaiting autopsy results after Damar Trevion Reed, a 21-year-old Black student, was found hanging from a tree.
• Chief state medical examiner Michael Peeler expects results soon.
• Police currently say there is no evidence of foul play.

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7. Vitamin B3 and Skin Cancer Recurrence – New Study

Segment Start: 04:11

• A large new study of 33,000+ veterans suggests vitamin B3 (nicotinamide) may reduce recurrence of non-melanoma skin cancer.
• Participants who took 500mg of B3 twice daily saw a 53% reduction in risk.

Notable Quotes:

• Study author Lee Wheelis (quoted at 04:35):

  “A 53% reduction in the risk of skin cancers among patients taking nicotinamide.”

• Alison Aubrey (04:41):

  “B3 supplements are widely available, available over the counter. The participants took 500 milligrams twice a day for at least 30 days.”

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8. Markets Update

Segment Start: 04:51

• U.S. futures are slightly higher in after-hours trading.

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• President Trump on UK/US Relations:
  “We've done more good for humanity than any two countries in all of history…” (00:48)

• Colonel Paris on Officer Deaths:
  “The grief will be unbearable, but we will bear it…” (01:35)

• Menarez on Pressure to Change Vaccine Schedule:
  “He said that the childhood vaccine schedule would be changing starting in September and I needed to be on board with it.” (02:43)

• Study Author on Skin Cancer Risk Reduction:
  “A 53% reduction in the risk of skin cancers among patients taking nicotinamide.” (04:35)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:21 – President Trump’s UK visit and dinner with King Charles
• 01:22 – Deadly police shooting in Pennsylvania
• 02:01 – CDC director’s testimony and vaccine schedule disputes
• 03:04 – FBI Director Patel grilled on Epstein files
• 03:17 – National Park Service removes controversial historical exhibits
• 03:38 – Investigation into Damar Trevion Reed’s death at Delta State
• 04:11 – New findings on vitamin B3 and skin cancer
• 04:51 – Brief Wall Street update

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Summary

This NPR News Now segment delivers fast-breaking updates on global politics, domestic incidents, health policy shifts, and new medical research, all with hallmark brevity and neutrality. The episode covers diplomatic developments, tragic news events, political testimony, evolving government policy on historical memory, and important scientific findings—all within a rapid and accessible format.

Transcript

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[Shea Stevens]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. President Trump is expected to sign a technology deal during his meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer today during his second state visit to Britain after a day of ceremonies and meetings with King Charles, the president and First Lady Melania Trump attended a lavish dinner last night at Windsor Castle. Trump told those gathered that the traditions of the United Kingdom and the US Are intertwined together.

[President Donald Trump]

We've done more good for humanity than any two countries in all of history. Together we must defend the exceptional heritage that makes us who we are. And we must continue to stand for the values and the people of the English speaking world. And we do indeed stand for that.

[Shea Stevens]

King Charles called the state dinner a unique and important occasion, reflecting an enduring bond between the US And Britain. Three law enforcement officers are dead and two others are injured after a shooting in south central Pennsylvania. NPR's Jeff Brady has the story.

[Jeff Brady]

The police officers were investigating a case that authorities say was domestic related. Along a rural road south of Harrisburg, Colonel Christopher Paris, commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, mourned the dead officers.

[Shea Stevens]

The grief will be unbearable, but we will bear it and we will not rest until we've conducted a full, fair, competent and thorough investigation.

[Jeff Brady]

Paris says a suspect also is dead, shot by police. The two wounded officers are listed in critical but stable condition at a hospital in York. Pennsylv students and staff at a nearby school sheltered in place as classes were ending. That order has been lifted. Jeff Brady, NPR News, Philadelphia.

[Shea Stevens]

Former CDC director Susan Menarez is offering new details on her firing. Last month, Menares says she clashed with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Over his demands for changes to the vaccine schedule for children. NPR's Will Stone reports on her testimony before Senate panel.

[Will Stone]

Monara's was confirmed in late July after receiving broad support from Republicans. At the time, Kennedy himself stated she had unimpeachable scientific credentials. But Monara says that she soon found herself at odds with Kennedy. She says she refused to back Kennedy's efforts to overhaul a vaccine advisory committee or pre approve its recommendations, and that came to a head in late August.

[Alison Aubrey]

He said that the childhood vaccine schedule would be changing starting in September and I needed to be on board with it.

[Will Stone]

Kennedy has accused Monarch of lying about the reason she was fired. The CDC vaccine committee, which includes a new roster of members, some with a history of being critical of vaccines, meets in Atlanta on Thursday. Will Stone, NPR News, FBI Director Cash.

[Shea Stevens]

Patel sparred with Democratic lawmakers again Wednesday, this time before a House panel. Patel was grilled on why he has not released more documents on late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. You're listening to npr. The National Park Service is taking steps to remove all signs and exhibits on the history of U.S. slavery and Native American tribes. In March, President Trump signed an executive order directing the Interior Department to deal with images that, quote, inappropriately disparage historical figures. One target is a historic house in Philadelphia where George Washington held slaves. In Mississippi, authorities are awaiting autopsy results on the death of 21 year old Damar Trevion Reed, a black student found hanging from a tree at Delta State University. Chief state medical examiner Michael Peeler says the results should be available in a day or two. Police say they found no evidence of foul play in Monday's incident. A new Study finds vitamin B3 supplements may help prevent a recurrence of skin cancer. As NPR's Alison Albry reports, the study included more than 33,000 veterans who had been treated for the disease.

[Alison Aubrey]

Doctors who perform skin cancer surgeries often recommend nicotinamide, a form of vitamin B3. Small studies have shown it can help prevent non melanoma skin cancers. The new research adds to the evidence, says study author Lee Wheelis of Vanderbilt.

[Shea Stevens]

University, a 53% reduction in the risk of skin cancers among patients taking nicotinamide.

[Alison Aubrey]

B3 supplements are widely available, available over the counter. The participants took 500 milligrams twice a day for at least 30 days. Alison Aubrey, NPR News.

[Shea Stevens]

U.S. futures are slightly higher in after hours trading on Wall Street. This is NPR News.

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