NPR News Now - September 20, 2025, 9PM EDT

Main Theme

This concise NPR News update delivers the top national and international stories in under five minutes, focusing on developments in immigration policy, vaccine recommendations, cybersecurity incidents, cultural losses, and public safety events around the globe.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Trump Adds Major Fee to H1B Visa Program

• [00:19–01:19]
• President Trump introduces a $100,000 fee to H1B visas, often used by tech companies for hiring highly skilled foreign workers.
• The change is justified by the administration and some critics as a deterrent against companies "abusing" the program to undercut American workers.
  • Maria Aspen (NPR): "Trump said in his executive order that companies use H1B visas to replace American workers with lower paid immigrants." [00:50]
• Reference to an Economic Policy Institute study indicating H1B employers often pay below-market wages.
• Large tech firms such as Amazon and Microsoft are notable users of the program.

2. CDC Changes Vaccine Recommendations

• [01:19–02:28]
• The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices no longer recommends the combined MMRV (measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox) shot for children under four.
• Raises concerns among public health officials, especially following a recent measles outbreak in Texas.
  • Dr. Catherine Wells (Director, Lubbock Public Health): “We saw the impact of what happen, large, unvaccinated populations. And in Texas, you know, vaccine's very much a choice, but we want to make sure that we have all those tools available so that parents can make choices.” [02:01]
• Impacts what vaccines providers carry, insurance coverage, and availability through programs such as Vaccines for Texas Children.

3. Major Cyber Attack Disrupts European Airports

• [02:28–03:12]
• Widespread cyber attack affects boarding and check-in systems at Brussels, Berlin, and London airports.
• Automated systems are inoperable, causing significant delays and cancellations.
  • Terry Schultz (NPR): “Brussels airport says the target of the cyber attack appears to have been a third party provider of boarding and check in systems. The attack began Friday night... rendering automated check in and boarding systems inoperable.” [02:36]
• Passengers advised to confirm flights; authorities working for rapid resolution.

4. Remembering Songwriter and Singer Sonny Curtis

• [03:12–04:18]
• Sonny Curtis, age 88, has died in Nashville from a sudden illness.
• Best known for "I Fought the Law" and “Love Is All Around” (Mary Tyler Moore Show theme).
  • Chloe Veltman (NPR): “Sonny Curtis wrote I Fought the Law in the late 1950s … It’s since been covered by many artists, including Green Day, Bruce Springsteen and the Clash.” [03:41]
  • Audio excerpt: Curtis singing "You go make it after all." [04:02]
• Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. Born to cotton farmers in Texas during the Great Depression.

5. WW2 Bomb Forces Mass Evacuation in Hong Kong

• [04:18–04:57]
• Discovery of an undetonated US-made bomb (5ft, 1,000 lbs) at a construction site prompts evacuation of thousands in a busy Hong Kong district.
• Such incidents are semi-regular; Hong Kong was heavily bombed during Japanese occupation.
  • Jeanine Herbst (NPR): “Bombs from World War II are found from time to time in Hong Kong. The city was occupied by Japanese forces during the war when it became Japan's base for military and shipping.” [04:39]
• Police safely defused the device overnight.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On H1B Visa Controversy:

  "Trump said in his executive order that companies use H1B visas to replace American workers with lower paid immigrants."
  — Maria Aspen, [00:50]

• On Vaccine Choice:

  “We saw the impact of what happen, large, unvaccinated populations… we want to make sure that we have all those tools available so that parents can make those choices.”
  — Dr. Catherine Wells, [02:01]

• On Airport Cyber Attack:

  “Brussels airport says the target of the cyber attack appears to have been a third party provider… rendering automated check in and boarding systems inoperable.”
  — Terry Schultz, [02:36]

• On Sonny Curtis’ Legacy:

  “Sonny Curtis wrote I Fought the Law in the late 1950s … It’s since been covered by many artists, including Green Day, Bruce Springsteen and the Clash.”
  — Chloe Veltman, [03:41]
  (Curtis singing) “You go make it after all.” [04:02]

• On WW2 Bomb Discovery:

  “Bombs from World War II are found from time to time in Hong Kong. The city was occupied by Japanese forces during the war when it became Japan's base for military and shipping.”
  — Jeanine Herbst, [04:39]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:19] – H1B visa fee announcement and context
• [01:19] – CDC vaccine recommendation change and implications
• [02:28] – Cyber attack at European airports
• [03:12] – Obituary for Sonny Curtis
• [04:18] – WW2 bomb evacuation in Hong Kong

This episode provides a whirlwind tour of significant developments in policy, health, security, culture, and global safety—all delivered in NPR’s trademark succinct, factual style.