NPR News Now – September 21, 2025 10PM EDT

Host: Jeanine Hurst | Duration: 5 minutes
Episode Theme: This episode delivers a concise summary of significant global and national news for September 21, 2025. Topics span a high-profile memorial for Charlie Kirk in Arizona, international recognition of Palestinian statehood, changes to U.S. food insecurity research policy, scrutiny of health trends, and weekend box office updates.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Memorial for Charlie Kirk (00:21–01:17)

• Event Overview: Tens of thousands attended a stadium gathering in Arizona commemorating Charlie Kirk, a prominent right-wing activist assassinated earlier in the month.
• Atmosphere: As reported by Tamara Keith, the event mixed elements of memorial, Christian revival, and political rally, with dramatic stage presentations.
• Notable Attendees: President Trump spoke, framing Kirk's death as martyrdom for the conservative cause.
  • Quote (Trump, via Tamara Keith):

    "Kirk was murdered by a radicalized, cold blooded monster." (00:43)

  • Quote (Jordan Marie Smith):

    "On that terrible day, September 10, 2025, our greatest evangelist for American liberty became immortal. He's a martyr now for American freedom." (00:48)

• Emotional Moment: Kirk’s widow, Erica, publicly forgave his murderer, emphasizing forgiveness and resilience.

2. International Recognition of Palestine (01:17–02:14)

• Developments: Canada, the UK, and Australia have formally recognized Palestine as a state, even amid U.S. opposition.
• Rationale:
  • Quote (UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, via Jordan Marie Smith):

    "Today we join over 150 countries who recognize a Palestinian state. Also, a pledge to the Palestinian and Israeli people that there can be a better future." (01:37)

• Global Context: France and Portugal plan to follow suit. The U.S. (under President Trump) disagrees, and Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu remains opposed.
  • Netanyahu’s stance (summary):

    “There will be no Palestinian state west of the Jordan.” (01:53)

3. End of U.S. Food Insecurity Survey (02:14–03:11)

• Policy Change: The annual food insecurity survey, vital since the Clinton era for understanding hunger trends, will be discontinued by the Trump administration.
• Justification (Trump Administration):
  • Argues the survey is “redundant, costly, politicized and extraneous…fear monger[ing].”
• Expert Response:
  • Quote (Crystal Fitzsimons, Food Research and Access):

    "The National Food Insecurity Survey is a critical, reliable data source that shows how many families in America struggle to put food on the table." (02:50)

• Implications: Experts warn this may hinder anti-hunger efforts. The final report, using 2024 data, will be released in October.

4. Health Trend: Topical Magnesium for Sleep (03:11–04:08)

• Claim: Social media influencers popularize magnesium lotion as a sleep aid.
• Scientific Consensus: Limited evidence supports such claims.
  • Quote (John Winkleman, Harvard sleep specialist):

    "I'm a great believer in scientific evidence, and if somebody is making a claim that something works, I'm going to say prove it." (03:51)

• Expert Advice: Winkleman sees little risk in using magnesium lotion, but stresses its unproven effectiveness.

5. Box Office Highlights (04:08–04:57)

• Top Films:
  • Demon Infinity Castle: Top spot, $17 million; highest-grossing anime in North America.
  • Hymn (Jordan Peele-produced, football-themed horror): $13 million opening; poor reviews.
  • The Conjuring: Last Rights: $13 million in its third weekend; highest-grossing film in its franchise globally.
  • The Long Walk & Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale: Both tied at $6 million.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump (condemning Kirk’s assassin):

  "Kirk was murdered by a radicalized, cold blooded monster." – Reported by Tamara Keith, (00:43)

• Jordan Marie Smith (on Kirk as a martyr):

  "On that terrible day, September 10, 2025, our greatest evangelist for American liberty became immortal. He's a martyr now for American freedom." (00:48)

• UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer (on Palestine recognition):

  "Today we join over 150 countries who recognize a Palestinian state. Also, a pledge to the Palestinian and Israeli people that there can be a better future." (01:37)

• Crystal Fitzsimons (on ending the food insecurity survey):

  "The National Food Insecurity Survey is a critical, reliable data source that shows how many families in America struggle to put food on the table." (02:50)

• Dr. John Winkleman (on magnesium for sleep):

  "I'm a great believer in scientific evidence, and if somebody is making a claim that something works, I'm going to say prove it." (03:51)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Charlie Kirk Memorial – 00:21–01:17
• Palestine State Recognition – 01:17–02:14
• Ending Food Insecurity Survey – 02:14–03:11
• Magnesium Health Trend – 03:11–04:08
• Box Office Update – 04:08–04:57

Tone: The episode maintains NPR’s characteristic balance of calm, factual reporting and direct quotations. The news is presented with clarity and without sensationalism or editorializing.