NPR News Now – September 20, 2025, 12PM EDT

Episode Overview

This episode of NPR News Now delivers a succinct, five-minute roundup of top headlines both in the U.S. and abroad. Key stories include new restrictions on military press coverage, a legal battle over food assistance recipient data, a dramatic shift in high-skilled worker visa policy, protests in the Netherlands, a quirky British rail initiative, and the kickoff of Oktoberfest in Munich.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Pentagon's New Rules for Military Reporters

• [00:18–01:22]
  • The Pentagon has imposed fresh restrictions on journalists, requiring them to sign a pledge not to gather unauthorized information—even unclassified documents.
  • Failure to comply means revocation of press credentials.
  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made a public statement emphasizing:

    "Reporters can follow the rules or go home."

  • NPR’s David Folkenflick points out First Amendment concerns, underscoring that these rules may infringe upon constitutional rights:
    • Quote:
      “The federal government cannot tell you what you can or can’t say publicly, with some very small limitations like defamation and other things like that.” — David Folkenflick [00:52]
    • He highlights the protection of dissent and reporting that challenges those in power.

2. Legal Challenge to USDA Data Request on SNAP Recipients

• [01:22–02:21]
  • This summer, the USDA demanded that states submit personal information (including Social Security numbers and addresses) of food assistance applicants.
  • 21 states plus D.C., led by California, sued to block the order.
  • A federal judge granted a temporary restraining order to the plaintiff states, putting the USDA’s deadline on hold.
  • The USDA had threatened to withhold hundreds of millions in SNAP funds if states didn’t comply.
  • Judge Chesney found that compliance could cause “irreparable injury” to states, impacting staff and benefit administration.
  • Next court hearing scheduled for October 9th.

3. $100,000 Visa Fee for High-Skilled Foreign Workers

• [02:21–03:14]
  • President Trump announced a significant policy shift: a $100,000 annual fee per worker for companies hiring high-skilled foreign employees via the H-1B visa program (notably software engineers).
  • The stated aim is to ensure companies only hire foreigners when no Americans can fill the role and raise revenue for the U.S. Treasury.
  • Quote:
    "That will incentivize companies to pursue foreign workers only if they truly cannot find Americans to do the job." — President Trump, summarized by NPR’s Adrian Florido [02:34]
  • Critics say the move will have a major financial impact on tech firms and their recruitment practices.

4. Police Respond to Violent Anti-Immigration Protest in the Netherlands

• [03:14–03:50]
  • Dutch police in The Hague dispersed anti-immigration demonstrators with tear gas and a water cannon.
  • Protesters threw rocks, attacked a centrist political party's office, and set a police car on fire.
  • This violence comes ahead of an upcoming national election.

5. British Rail’s Public Contest: Name the Leaf-Clearing Train

• [03:50–04:31]
  • Leaves on tracks cause perennial train delays in the UK.
  • In a bid to tackle this—and tap into British humor—rail officials invited the public to name their new leaf-clearing vehicle.
  • Finalists included “Leaf, Fall Weapon,” “Pulp, Friction,” and “The Autumn Avenger.”
  • Winner: “Control Alt Delif”
  • Quote:
    "Few train delay announcements cause more fuming among Britain's commuters who wonder aloud just how a nation of ample rainfall and deciduous trees came to design a rail system so vulnerable to fall foliage." — Vicki Barker [03:50]

6. Oktoberfest Begins in Munich

• [04:31–04:57]
  • Munich launches Oktoberfest, billed as the "largest folk festival in the world.”
  • Runs through October 5th.
  • Highlights: family-friendly rides, exhibits, pretzels "in several variations," and—naturally—beer.

Memorable Quotes

• On Pentagon press rules:
  “It’s not just that speech that is pleasing is protected. It's to protect dissent and to protect...reporting that people in power might not want to be public.”
  — David Folkenflick [01:10]
• On British rail delays:
  “...how a nation of ample rainfall and deciduous trees came to design a rail system so vulnerable to fall foliage.”
  — Vicki Barker [03:53]

Important Segments & Timestamps

• [00:18] Pentagon restricts reporters, raising 1st Amendment issues
• [01:22] Federal judge halts USDA’s SNAP data order
• [02:21] President Trump’s $100,000 skilled worker visa fee
• [03:14] Dutch anti-immigration protest turns violent
• [03:50] Brits name a train “Control Alt Delif” in public contest
• [04:31] Oktoberfest in Munich kicks off