NPR News Now: September 21, 2025, 9AM EDT

Brief Overview:
This five-minute NPR News Now episode, hosted by Windsor Johnston, provides an update on major national and international developments: security at a high-profile memorial in Arizona, changes to CDC vaccine guidance, a cyber attack disrupting European airports, federal threats over transit safety funding, and a new appointment to a top federal prosecutor post. The episode features on-the-ground reporting, analysis, and key perspectives, maintaining an urgent and fact-focused tone.

1. Security at Charlie Kirk Memorial in Arizona

• [00:16–01:25]
• Security is extremely tight for the memorial of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Glendale, Arizona.
• Glendale Police Sergeant Brian Hosk emphasizes readiness:
  • "Our officers and personnel are very well prepared. We're always going to be vigilant and ready to go." (00:37)
• High-profile attendees include President Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and top Republican leaders.
• Reporter Steve Futterman describes the scene at State Farm Stadium:
  • Large crowds, heavy traffic, and lines out the door:
    • "The streets are pretty jammed. You see long lines of vehicles waiting to get inside. Some people have parked their cars maybe a quarter half mile away and are walking to the stadium." (01:02)
  • Estimated attendance of 60,000–70,000 people, with overflow planned for a nearby arena.

2. CDC Vaccine Policy Changes

• [01:25–02:25]
• An influential CDC advisory panel, handpicked by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., met recently and is shifting vaccine policy:
  • The panel is critical of COVID vaccines, urging people to consult their doctors before getting vaccinated.
  • Panel member Retsef Levy prioritized transparency about risks:
    • "Do we have a culture of safety? This has to do with acknowledging what the risks are and be truthful to parents and patients about what are the risks." (01:58)
  • While known side effects (fever, body aches, rare heart risks for young men) remain, the panel controversially voted to add theoretical risks—not yet proven—to official consumer information.

3. Cyber Attack Disrupts European Airports

• [02:25–03:13]
• Major European airports experience delays due to a cyber attack on Collins Aerospace's check-in and boarding software.
• Key impacted airports: Heathrow (London), Brandenburg (Berlin), Brussels, Dublin, Cork.
• Terry Schultz reports staff had to revert to manual, paper-based processes, causing cancellations especially at Brussels, where half of Sunday flights were called off.
• No claims of responsibility and no timeline for resolution.

4. Trump Administration Threatens Transit Funding over Crime Concerns

• [03:13–04:22]
• Federal officials warn Boston (MBTA) and Chicago (CTA) transit agencies they may lose funding unless crime is addressed.
• Letters from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy urge action and demand crime reduction plans.
• Skepticism about the threat's validity:
  • Jim Alawisi, former Massachusetts transportation head:
    • "The day to day operations of the Table, or CTA are not funded at all by the federal government. So the threat of pulling that money is nonexistent because it doesn't exist." (03:55)
• Part of a broader effort to increase federal oversight of major urban transit hubs.

5. New Federal Prosecutor Nominee for Eastern Virginia

• [04:22–04:55]
• President Trump nominates Lindsey Halligan, a senior White House aide, as top federal prosecutor for the Eastern District of Virginia.
• She replaces Eric Siebert, who recently resigned after pressure from the White House regarding unresolved mortgage fraud cases.
• The appointment follows Trump's vocal calls for Siebert's removal.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On security prep:
  • Sgt. Brian Hosk: "We're always going to be vigilant and ready to go." (00:37)
• On crowd size at the Kirk memorial:
  • Steve Futterman: "They expect between 60 to 70,000 people to fit inside the stadium." (01:14)
• On transparency in vaccine guidance:
  • Retsef Levy: "Be truthful to parents and patients about what are the risks." (01:58)
• On federal transit funding threat:
  • Jim Alawisi: "The threat of pulling that money is nonexistent because it doesn't exist." (03:55)

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