NPR News: 09-21-2025 6AM EDT

Summary

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NPR News Now – September 21, 2025, 6AM EDT

Host: Windsor Johnston
Duration: ~5 minutes

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Episode Overview

This NPR News Now edition covers the following major stories:

• Security at the memorial service for activist Charlie Kirk in Arizona
• Developments surrounding Tropical Storm Gabrielle
• California's new law against mask-wearing by law enforcement
• A leadership change in the U.S. Attorney’s office for Eastern Virginia
• The rush in electric vehicle (EV) sales due to ending tax credits
• Clarification on a new H1B visa fee policy

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Heightened Security at Charlie Kirk Memorial

[00:18–01:45]

• Thousands are expected at the memorial service for conservative activist Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium, Arizona.
• Security is notably increased, especially after an arrest on Friday.
• Sergeant Brian Hoskins:

  "Our officers and personnel are very well prepared. We're always going to be vigilant and ready to go." [00:42]

• A man named Joshua Runkles was arrested for impersonating law enforcement and bringing a weapon into the stadium.
• Wayne Shutske (KJZZ):
  • Runkles, reportedly a private security contractor for an event guest, failed to coordinate with event hosts or the Secret Service.
  • He was released on bond and the investigation is ongoing.
• President Trump and other officials are scheduled to attend the service.

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2. Tropical Storm Gabrielle Approaches Bermuda

[01:45–02:40]

• Gabrielle, with sustained winds of 65 mph, is strengthening and could become a hurricane by night.
• Forecasts indicate the storm will pass east of Bermuda and not make direct landfall.
• David Roff (National Weather Service):

  "It doesn't take that much wind to produce rip currents, so there's always a possibility in addition to the swell coming out from the storm of rip currents, too." [02:16]

• The storm could generate dangerous swells for Bermuda and the U.S. East Coast north of North Carolina.
• Gabrielle is the seventh named storm of the season.

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3. California Bans Mask-Wearing by Law Enforcement

[02:40–03:21]

• Governor Gavin Newsom enacts a law stopping most law enforcement officers from covering their faces while on duty, targeting masked immigration agents.
• Governor Gavin Newsom:

  "We're not North Korea, Mr. President, or not the Soviet Union, it's just the United States of America." [02:56]

• The law, a reaction to what Newsom calls “authoritarian behavior” from the Trump administration, will likely face court challenges.
• Effective January.

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4. New U.S. Attorney Nominated for Eastern Virginia

[03:21–03:54]

• President Trump names Lindsey Halligan, a senior White House aide, as the new top prosecutor for Eastern District of Virginia.
• This follows the resignation of Eric Siebert, who stepped down after pressure from the White House, and with links to a mortgage fraud investigation involving the New York attorney general.

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5. Surge in Electric Vehicle Sales Ahead of Tax Credit Expiry

[03:54–04:32]

• Electric vehicle sales increased sharply, with new EV sales up by nearly 18% and used EV sales up by nearly 60% year-on-year (August).
• Buyers are rushing to secure a federal tax credit ($7,500 new/$4,000 used) before it expires on September 30.
• Camila Domonosky:
  • Shoppers only need a binding contract by deadline; delivery can be later.
  • The sales increase is seen as a response to the Republican tax-and-spending package that ended the credit, which may cause a sales slump starting next month.

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6. White House Clarifies H1B Visa Fee Policy

[04:32–04:56]

• Confusion arose after a new $100,000 fee was announced for H1B visa applicants.
• The White House confirms: Only new applicants are affected, not current visa holders.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Sergeant Brian Hoskins:

  "Our officers and personnel are very well prepared. We're always going to be vigilant and ready to go." [00:42]

• David Roff (National Weather Service):

  "It doesn't take that much wind to produce rip currents, so there's always a possibility in addition to the swell coming out from the storm of rip currents, too." [02:16]

• Governor Gavin Newsom:

  "We're not North Korea, Mr. President, or not the Soviet Union, it's just the United States of America." [02:56]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:18 – Security at Charlie Kirk Memorial
• 01:45 – Update on Tropical Storm Gabrielle
• 02:40 – California’s new law on mask-wearing for law enforcement
• 03:21 – U.S. Attorney reshuffle in Eastern Virginia
• 03:54 – Surge in EV sales before tax credit ends
• 04:32 – H1B visa fee clarification

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For listeners seeking a snapshot of major political, weather, and policy stories in the U.S., this episode delivers concise and up-to-the-minute reporting in NPR’s signature straightforward, informative tone.

Transcript

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[Windsor Johnston]

In Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Security is expected to be tight at today's memorial service for conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Arizona as thousands of people come to page tribute. Glendale police Sergeant Brian Hoskins says officers will be out in force around State Farm Stadium where the service is taking place.

[Glendale Police Sergeant Brian Hoskins]

Our officers and personnel are very well prepared. We're always going to be vigilant and ready to go.

[Windsor Johnston]

The heightened security follows the arrest of a man on Friday at the stadium. Authorities say he was armed and falsely claimed to be law enforcement. Wayne Shutske from member station KJZZ reports. The organization hosting the memorial says the man was part of their private security team.

[Wayne Shutske]

The Arizona Department of Public Safety says 42 year old Joshua Runkles was arrested after law enforcement observed him acting suspiciously near the stadium. The venue is scheduled to host President Trump and other officials during Kirk's memorial service. A department spokesman said Runkles faces one felony charge for impersonating a law enforcement officer and a misdemeanor for carrying a weapon into a prohibited place. In a post on social media, a spokesman for Turning Point usa, the group Kirk founded, says Runkles was performing advanced security for a guest attending the event but did not properly coordinate with the host group or US Secret Service. Runkels has been released on bond and an investigation is ongoing. For NPR News, I'm Wayne Chutsky in Phoenix.

[Windsor Johnston]

Tropical Storm Gabrielle is gaining strength and it could become a Hurricane by tonight. NPR's Eva Pukach reports. The storm has sustained winds of about 65 miles per hour and is moving toward Bermuda.

[Eva Pukach]

Gabrielle is forecast to pass east of Bermuda Sunday evening into Monday. David Roff, a forecaster of the National Weather Service, says while Bermuda is not forecast to have a direct hit from Gabrielle, the storm could create swells and life threatening surf conditions.

[David Roff]

It doesn't take that much wind to produce rip currents, so there's always a possibility in addition to the swell coming out from the storm of rip currents, too.

[Eva Pukach]

Swells could also reach the east coast of the U.S. north of North Carolina in the coming days. Gabrielle is the seventh named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which ends November 30th. Eva Pukach, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed legislation that bans most law enforcement officers from covering their faces while conducting official business. Newsom says it's necessary pushback against what he calls authoritarian behavior from the Trump administration.

[California Governor Gavin Newsom]

We're Not North Korea, Mr. President, or not the Soviet Union, it's just the United States of America.

[Windsor Johnston]

The law mainly targets immigration agents who wear masks while detaining immigrants. It's likely to be challenged in court before it's set to take effect in January. This is NPR News in Washington. President Trump has nominated senior White House aide Lindsey Halligan as the top federal prosecutor for the Eastern District of Virginia. She'll replace Eric Siebert, who stepped down on Friday shortly after Trump called for his remote removal. Siebert had been pressured by the White House to bring charges in a mortgage fraud investigation involving the New York attorney general. Sales of electric vehicles have risen sharply in the last few months, one reason many shoppers are trying to take advantage of a hefty federal tax credit that ends on September 30th. NPR's Camila Dominoski reports.

[Camila Dominoski]

In August, compared to last year, new EV sales were up nearly 18% and used EVs up nearly 60%, according to Cox Automotive, shoppers can get a credit worth up to $7,500 or four grand, on a used car, but only if a binding contract is signed by September 30. The vehicle itself can be delivered later. The Republican tax and spending package this summer ended the tax credit, causing a scramble. Higher sales now and an expected slump starting next month means it'll take a while before companies can properly gauge the demand for battery powered cars. Camila Domonosky, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

The White House is clarifying a new immigration policy. It includes a $100,000 fee on H1B visas for high skilled tech workers that sparked confusion over whether current visa holders would have to pay. The White House now says the fee will apply only to new applicants. I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News, in Washington.

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