NPR News Now – September 20, 2025, 5AM EDT

Host: Windsor Johnston
Episode Theme: A concise update of the latest U.S. news developments, from immigration policy shifts and CDC vaccine guidance reversals to press freedom changes, LGBTQ+ passport policies, notable obituaries, and climate legislation.

Key News Highlights & Insights

1. Major Fee Hike for H1B Visas (00:20–01:21)

• Summary:
  President Trump’s administration announced a new $100,000 fee per year for each H1B visa holder, intended to overhaul the high-skilled foreign worker program and protect American jobs.

• Key Points:

  • The new fee increases hiring costs for American companies seeking foreign workers.
  • Trump’s stated goal: Use the fee to ensure firms hire foreign talent “only if they truly cannot find Americans to do the job.”
  • The current H1B fee structure is only a few hundred dollars per visa.
  • This order is expected to generate billions for the U.S. Treasury.

• Notable Quote:

  • President Trump (reported by Adrienne Florido):

    “This will incentivize companies to pursue foreign workers only if they truly cannot find Americans to do the job.” [00:41]

2. CDC Vaccine Policy Reversal Sparks Confusion (01:21–02:08)

• Summary:
  Amidst confusion, the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel reversed a key vote on whether federal programs should pay for a combined vaccine shot for children under four.

• Key Points:

  • Initial committee recommendation: Not to use a single combination shot for measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox for kids under four.
  • Contradictory allowance: Federal Vaccines for Children program could still pay for it, despite the recommendation.
  • Reversal: The committee clarified the program will no longer pay for the combined shot for younger children.
  • The panel also voted to restrict access to COVID-19 shots for adults 65+.

• Notable Quote:

  • Rob Stein:

    “Today, the committee acknowledged that was contradictory and reversed itself on the coverage part. So now the federal program won’t pay for the combined shot for the younger kids.” [01:40]

3. Pentagon Drastically Tightens Press Access (02:08–03:13)

• Summary:
  The Department of Defense issued new guidelines requiring journalists to only report information officially released and to sign a pledge restricting information gathering.

• Key Points:

  • Journalists must agree not to gather or report any unauthorized information, including unclassified info.
  • Noncompliance will result in loss of press credentials.
  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized public control over the Pentagon, not the press.

• Notable Quote:

  • Pete Hegseth (via Quill Lawrence):

    “The press does not run the Pentagon, the people do ... The press is no longer allowed to roam the halls of a secure facility, wear a badge and follow the rules, cross or go home.” [02:32]

4. White House Seeks Supreme Court Ruling on Transgender Passport Policy (03:13–03:55)

• Summary:
  The Biden administration is asking the Supreme Court to permit enforcement of a controversial passport rule for transgender and nonbinary Americans.

• Key Points:

  • The rule: Applicants must use the sex listed on their birth certificate (male or female), with no other options.
  • Plaintiffs contend the rule is discriminatory.

5. Grammy-Winning Songwriter Brett James Dies in Plane Crash (03:55–04:37)

• Summary:
  Songwriter Brett James, known for work with top country and pop artists, died at 57 in a North Carolina plane crash.

• Key Points:

  • Notable collaborations: Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood
  • Grammy for “Jesus Take the Wheel” (2000)
  • Wrote songs for Jessica Simpson, Backstreet Boys, Taylor Swift
  • Inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (2020)

• Notable Quote:

  • Isabella Gomez Sarmiento:

    “Brett James worked with some of the biggest names in country music ... He also wrote songs for pop artists ... Bret James was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters hall of fame in 2020.” [03:55]

6. California Extends Landmark Climate Legislation (04:37–04:57)

• Summary:
  Governor of California signs a law extending the Cap and Trade program aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through 2045.

• Key Points:

  • Cap and Trade imposes declining limits on fossil fuel emissions for major polluters.
  • Part of California’s broader efforts to address climate change.

Memorable Moments & Direct Quotes

• On new H1B visa fees:

  “This will incentivize companies to pursue foreign workers only if they truly cannot find Americans to do the job.” – President Trump (via Adrienne Florido) [00:41]

• CDC vaccine policy confusion:

  “Today, the committee acknowledged that was contradictory and reversed itself on the coverage part.” – Rob Stein [01:40]

• Pentagon’s press restrictions:

  “The press does not run the Pentagon, the people do ... cross or go home.” – Defense Sec. Pete Hegseth (via Quill Lawrence) [02:32]

• On Brett James’s legacy:

  “He also wrote songs for pop artists like Jessica Simpson, the Backstreet Boys, and Taylor Swift.” – Isabella Gomez Sarmiento [03:55]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• H1B Visa Fee Announcement: 00:20–01:21
• CDC Vaccine Panel Reversal: 01:21–02:08
• Pentagon Press Access Changes: 02:08–03:13
• Transgender Passport Policy: 03:13–03:55
• Brett James Obituary: 03:55–04:37
• California Cap and Trade Law Extended: 04:37–04:57

This episode encapsulates a snapshot of consequential changes in U.S. policy and society, highlighting heated debates over immigration, public health, press freedom, civil rights, cultural loss, and environmental legislation.