NPR News Now: September 19, 2025 (12PM EDT)

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The episode delivers a concise roundup of the day's top national and international news in under five minutes, focusing on US-China diplomatic moves, Congressional negotiations on government funding, debates over vaccine recommendations, tensions in the Middle East, a Texas A&M resignation over campus controversy, and reactions to Jimmy Kimmel’s show suspension.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. US-China Relations & TikTok Deal Progress

• President Trump Updates
  • President Trump announced on social media that he and Chinese President Xi Jinping made progress towards a TikTok deal.
  • Both leaders agreed to meet at the APEC summit in South Korea late next month.
  • Trump stated plans to visit China early next year.
  • TikTok, owned by China-based ByteDance, continues to face potential bans in the US due to national security concerns.
  • “President Trump says on social media he and Chinese President Xi Jinping made progress toward approving a deal on TikTok.” — Lakshmi Singh [00:17]

2. Congressional Spending Bill & Government Funding

• Continuing Resolution in Congress
  • The House of Representatives passed a short-term spending bill extending government funding through November 21; it now heads to the Senate.
  • House Speaker Mike Johnson pressured Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to avoid a shutdown:
    • “The ball is in Chuck Schumer's court. I hope he does the right thing. I hope he does not choose to shut the government down and inflict pain unnecessarily on the American people.” — Speaker Mike Johnson [01:01]
  • All House Democrats except Rep. Jared Golden (Maine) voted for the measure.
  • The Senate is set to vote on both Democrat- and Republican-sponsored funding plans.

3. Vaccine Advisory Panel & Childhood Immunization

• Federal Vaccine Advisors’ Surprising Reversal
  • A federal advisory panel decided to pause proposed changes to the childhood vaccine schedule.
  • The previously considered adjustment would have removed the recommendation of the hepatitis B vaccine at birth.
  • Panel composition and direction drew attention, with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appointing members who have publicly questioned vaccine safety.
  • The panel also suggested the “Vaccine for Children” program should exclude the combined MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox) shot.

4. Middle East Tensions: Israel-Lebanon

• Renewed Strikes and Political Fallout
  • Israel launched airstrikes in southern Lebanon, warning residents of increased attacks targeting Hezbollah.
  • Hundreds of residents have been displaced.
  • Lebanese leaders condemned the strikes as contrary to UN resolutions and international peace efforts.
  • The strikes deepened Hezbollah’s resistance to governmental efforts to disarm the group.
    • “Israel has been launching attacks almost every day against what it says are Hezbollah targets... the attacks violated UN Resolutions and were a setback to international peace efforts.” — Jane Araf [02:06]

5. Market Update

• Stock Markets Trending Up
  • Morning trading saw the Dow Jones up 57 points (at 46,200), S&P up 13 points (at 6,645), and NASDAQ up 87 points.

6. Texas A&M President Resigns Amid DEI and Identity Controversy

• Leadership Turmoil at Texas A&M
  • University President Mark Welsh resigned after conservative lawmakers pushed for his removal due to a controversial lesson on gender identity.
  • Welsh, a retired four-star general, had previously supported a professor involved but reversed course and fired her.
  • He is the second president in two years to leave the role, following ongoing disputes about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in hiring.
  • “Welsh is the second A and M president to last two years on the job... For Welsh, the controversy was over a lesson that included gender identity.” — Rob Salinas [03:32]

7. Protest over Jimmy Kimmel’s Suspension

• Public Demonstration in Hollywood
  • Fans gathered on Hollywood Boulevard to protest ABC’s suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, who had commented on the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
  • Supporters called for Kimmel’s reinstatement, with additional protests at Disney Studios in Burbank.
  • The show remains suspended indefinitely.
    • “Many vehicles come by with people honking their horns in support... Basically, they are saying Jimmy Kimmel should be allowed back on the air.” — Steve Futterman [04:18]

8. Media and Political Climate

• Trump’s Criticism of Media
  • In a recent statement, President Trump suggested that networks critical of him should potentially face loss of broadcast licenses.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The ball is in Chuck Schumer's court. I hope he does the right thing... I hope that they will vote on this clean, short term CR so that we can continue the work to get our appropriations done.”
  — Speaker Mike Johnson [01:01]

• “Israel and Lebanon agreed to a ceasefire last November, but Israel has been launching attacks almost every day against what it says are Hezbollah targets.”
  — Jane Araf [02:06]

• “Welsh originally came to the defense of the professor but fired her a day later. Welsh is a retired four-star general who served on the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the Obama administration.”
  — Rob Salinas [03:32]

• “Many vehicles come by with people honking their horns in support... Basically, they are saying Jimmy Kimmel should be allowed back on the air.”
  — Steve Futterman [04:18]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• US-China/TikTok Deal, Government Funding: [00:17–01:15]
• Vaccine Advisory Panel Developments: [01:15–02:06]
• Middle East—Israel/Lebanon Airstrikes: [02:06–02:57]
• Stock Market Update: [02:57–03:32]
• Texas A&M President Resigns: [03:32–04:04]
• Jimmy Kimmel Protest: [04:04–04:46]
• Trump’s Media Comments: [04:46–04:56]

This episode swiftly covers breaking political, medical, and cultural narratives from the US and abroad, signaling rapid developments and persistent tensions in each arena.