NPR News: 09-22-2025 10PM EDT

Summary

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NPR News Now – September 22, 2025, 10PM EDT

Host: Rylan Barton (NPR News Anchor)
Date: September 23, 2025
Length: ~5 minutes

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Overview

In this five-minute news update, NPR delivers concise coverage of the day's most significant events: a new FDA warning about Tylenol use in pregnancy, a Supreme Court order impacting the Federal Trade Commission, the future of Turning Point USA following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, international developments in Moldova, a major US shrimp recall, and NASA’s historic astronaut class. The segment blends breaking news, political developments, and scientific progress, presented in NPR’s signature straightforward, neutral tone.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. FDA Advisory on Tylenol Use in Pregnancy

[00:19-00:56]

• President Trump announced that the FDA will notify doctors: pregnant women should not take Tylenol due to what he claims is an increased risk of autism in babies.
• The manufacturer of Tylenol issued a statement defending the drug’s safety for expectant mothers.
• At the White House, Trump emphasized his belief in the link, despite scientific consensus.
• FDA Representative clarified the guidance:

  "They are strongly recommending that women limit Tylenol use during pregnancy unless medically necessary. That's for instance, in cases of extremely high fever..."
  – FDA Representative [00:40]

• NPR Anchor notes this fits a pattern of the administration questioning established science, from vaccines to abortion pills.
• Current CDC data: autism affects 1 in 31 US children, with rising diagnoses attributed to better awareness.

2. Supreme Court Action on the FTC’s Structure

[00:56-02:12]

• The Supreme Court issued an emergency order letting President Trump fire the last Democratic commissioner of the FTC.
• Nina Totenberg reports it's a temporary action—the full case will be heard in December, but signals a likely overturn of a nearly century-old precedent limiting presidential removal power over independent agencies.
• Historical context: The precedent dates to 1935, reaffirmed many times, mandating bipartisan commissions.
• Quote:

  “…the court's current six member conservative majority appears poised to overturn a precedent that for 90 years has ensured that federal agencies are run by multi member and bipartisan boards.”
  – Nina Totenberg [01:58]

3. Turning Point USA After Charlie Kirk

[02:12-03:07]

• After Charlie Kirk's assassination, NPR’s Elena Moore explores succession at Turning Point USA.
• Spokesman Andrew Colvitt stresses that Kirk’s varied roles are irreplaceable:

  “I think that would be the worst way to analyze this situation.”
  – Andrew Colvitt [02:32]

• The focus, per Colvitt, is on what Kirk would have wanted, with his wife Erica Kirk becoming the CEO.
• Kirk’s podcast continues, hosted by various conservative leaders, including Vice President J.D. Vance.

4. Stock Market Close

[03:07-03:13]

• The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 66 points at 46,381.

5. Moldova Raids Linked to Russia

[03:13-03:52]

• Moldovan authorities conducted 250 raids, detaining dozens in an effort to disrupt a Russia-backed plan for riots ahead of parliamentary elections.
• The election is seen as a pivotal decision regarding EU alignment versus closer Russian ties.

6. Nationwide Shrimp Recall for Radioactive Contamination

[03:52-04:36]

• The FDA expanded a recall of cooked, frozen shrimp imported from Indonesia due to potential radioactive isotope contamination.
• No reported illnesses, but consumers are advised not to eat the shrimp and to dispose of or return it for refunds.
• Nearly 157,000 additional pounds recalled, sold at retailers like Kroger in over 30 states.
• Quote:

  “…FDA says the risk appears to be small. No illnesses have been reported, but the FDA says consumers should not eat the shrimp and either dispose of or return the product for a refund.”
  – Joe Snyder [04:12]

7. NASA’s New Astronaut Class

[04:36-04:57]

• NASA introduced 10 new astronauts, selected from over 8,000 applicants, to train for upcoming moon and Mars missions.
• Notably, for the first time, there are more women than men.
• The recruits will undergo two years of training before being eligible for flight.

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Notable Quotes

• “They are strongly recommending that women limit Tylenol use during pregnancy unless medically necessary.”
  — FDA Representative [00:40]

• “…the court's current six member conservative majority appears poised to overturn a precedent that for 90 years has ensured that federal agencies are run by multi member and bipartisan boards.”
  — Nina Totenberg [01:58]

• “I think that would be the worst way to analyze this situation.”
  — Andrew Colvitt, Turning Point USA [02:32]

• “…the FDA says consumers should not eat the shrimp and either dispose of or return the product for a refund.”
  — Joe Snyder [04:12]

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Segment Timestamps

• Tylenol, Autism Risk, FDA Guidance: 00:19 – 00:56
• Supreme Court & FTC Ruling: 00:56 – 02:12
• Turning Point USA Post-Kirk: 02:12 – 03:07
• Stock Market Update: 03:07 – 03:13
• Moldova Russian Influence Raids: 03:13 – 03:52
• Shrimp Recall: 03:52 – 04:36
• NASA Astronaut Class: 04:36 – 04:57

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Summary

This episode of NPR News Now captures a snapshot of major U.S. and international developments: shifting regulatory stances on medicine, a potentially landmark Supreme Court case, conservative politics post-Charlie Kirk, global election intrigue, food safety concerns, and gender progress in space exploration. Each topic is covered with NPR’s hallmark brevity and clarity, offering listeners a clear, well-attributed roundup of crucial news at the close of September 22, 2025.

Transcript

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[NPR News Anchor]

In Washington, I'm Rylan Barton. President Trump announced the Food and Drug Administration will notify doctors that pregnant women should not take Tylenol, saying it increases the risk of autism in babies. The maker of Tylenol released a statement defending the over the counter drug as safe for expectant mothers. But speaking at the White House today, Trump says he's convinced the link exists.

[FDA Representative]

For this reason, they are strongly recommending that women limit Tylenol use during pregnancy unless medically necessary. That's for instance, in cases of extremely high fever that you feel you can't.

[NPR News Anchor]

Tough it out that this is the administration's latest move questioning the science of commonly used medications. From vaccines to abortion pills, autism affects 1 in 31 children in the U.S. according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Researchers have attributed an increase in diagnosed autism cases to greater awareness of the disorder. In an emergency order today, the Supreme Court allowed President Trump to fire the last remaining Democratic member of the Federal Trade Commission. NPR's Nina Totenberg reports.

[Nina Totenberg]

The court's action today is technically temporary since the justices said they will hear arguments in the case in December. But every indication is that the conservative court majority will use the case to reverse a major Supreme Court precedent dating back nearly a century. In 1935, the court ruled unanimously that Congress acted within its authority in declaring that a commissioner could only be fired for misconduct, not for a policy disagreement. Although that ruling was reaffirmed multiple times, the court's current six member conservative majority appears poised to overturn a precedent that for 90 years has ensured that federal agencies are run by multi member and bipartisan boards. Nina Totenberg, NPR News, Washington.

[NPR News Anchor]

Charlie Kirk founded Turning point USA in 2012 when he was just 18 years old. After his assassination, NPR's Elena Moore reports on what might be next for the conservative organization.

[Elena Moore]

Charlie Kirk was part political activist, part media personality. It's a job no single person can take over, says Turning Point spokesman Andrew Colvitt.

[Andrew Colvitt]

I think that would be the worst way to analyze this situation.

[Elena Moore]

So he says Kirk's team is stepping up.

[Andrew Colvitt]

The right way to analyze this situation is to say, what can I do? And I will tell you, it's a total refrain in the office right now. It's like, what would Charlie have wanted in this moment?

[Elena Moore]

Last week, Erica Kirk, his widow became the new CEO of the organization. She's pledged to continue turning points on on campus events and keep airing Kirk's popular podcast, which since his death has been hosted by a slew of prominent right wing leaders along with Vice President J.D. vance. Elena Moore, NPR News, Phoenix, Arizona.

[NPR News Anchor]

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 66 points today to 46,381. From Washington, this is NPR. Authorities in the eastern European nation of Moldova have conducted 250 raids and detained dozens of people as part of an investigation into an alleged Russian Russia backed plan to incite mass riots. The raids targeted more than 100 people. Moldovans are set to elect a new 101 seat legislature later this week. Many view the election as a choice between European Union membership or closer ties with Russia. More packaged shrimp sold in grocery stores across the country are being recalled because of potential radioactive contamination. NPR's Joe Snyder reports.

[Joe Snyder]

This new recall follows a safety alert issued by the Food and Drug Administration last month and as part of an ongoing investigation of potential contamination of cooked and frozen shrimp imported from an Indonesian company. The FDA says the risk appears to be small. No illnesses have been reported, but the FDA says consumers should not eat the shrimp and either dispose of or return the product for a refund. The recall by Seattle based Aquastar Corporation involves nearly 157,000 additional pounds of shrimp because of possible contamination by a radioactive isotope. The products were sold between June 12 and September 17 at Kroger and other grocery stores in more than 30 states. Trial Snyder, NPR News.

[NPR News Anchor]

NASA introduced its new astronauts today to help explore the moon and possibly Mars. The group of 10 scientists, engineers and test pilots were chosen from more than 8,000 applicants. There were more women than men in a NASA astronaut class for the first time. The group will undergo two years of training before becoming eligible for space flight. This is npr.

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