NPR News Now — September 22, 2025, 11PM EDT

Host: Shea Stevens (Washington, D.C.)
Length: ~5 minutes
Main Theme: Key late-night headlines and developing stories from the U.S. and around the world, focusing on politics, media, court cases, global cyberattacks, and earthquake news.

Episode Overview

In this concise newscast, NPR covers several major stories shaping the news cycle, including the Trump administration’s controversial statements on Tylenol and autism, the return of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel following a highly politicized suspension, the trial for last year’s attempted assassination of Donald Trump, an emergency Supreme Court order affecting the FTC, a major ransomware attack hitting European airports, and a noteworthy earthquake in the Bay Area.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump Administration Links Acetaminophen to Autism

• Reporting: Yuki Noguchi (00:19–01:20)
• President Trump publicly cautioned pregnant women against using Tylenol, asserting a link between acetaminophen and autism.
  • Quote — President Donald Trump (00:41):
    "So taking Tylenol is not good. I'll say it, it's not good."
• The administration plans to direct the FDA to update warning labels, discouraging acetaminophen use during pregnancy and promoting folinic acid to treat autism, despite lack of scientific support.
• Medical groups and autism advocates strongly criticize the move as "potentially dangerous," arguing that research is far from conclusive.
  • Insight: NPR emphasizes that fever reduction during pregnancy is itself important for fetal health, complicating the administration’s recommendations.

2. Jimmy Kimmel Returning to Air Following Suspension

• Reporting: Anastasia Siolkas (01:20–02:13)
• ABC lifts Jimmy Kimmel's suspension; he is set to return to TV tomorrow night.
• Context:
  • Disney (ABC’s parent) states production was paused "to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country."
  • Kimmel was suspended under pressure from the Trump administration after he criticized conservative responses to the assassination of political activist (and Trump ally) Charles Kirk.
• Quote — Disney Statement (01:31):
  "We made the decision to suspend production on the show to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country."
• Critics called the suspension "an attack on free speech." Kimmel is reinstated after "thoughtful conversations."
• Memorable Moment: The intersection of political pressure, free speech, and corporate decision-making is spotlighted in this segment.

3. Ryan Ruth Assassination Attempt Trial Update

• Reporting: Greg Allen (02:13–03:05)
• The defense rests in the trial of Ryan Ruth, accused of the attempted assassination of Donald Trump during a golf outing.
  • Ruth, acting as his own attorney, called only three witnesses, compared to 38 for the prosecution.
  • Key defense testimony from a former Marine sniper indicated the rifle found at the scene malfunctioned when tested later—but prosecution attributes this to forensic acid damage.
  • Quote — Former Marine Sniper (02:53):
    (When asked if the rifle could hit a target 375 yards away)
    "Depending on the skill of the shooter. Yes."
• Insight: The brief defense versus the lengthy prosecution case and technical discussion about the weapon's capability.

4. Supreme Court: Presidential Power Over FTC

• Reporting: Shea Stevens (03:05–03:56)
• The U.S. Supreme Court issues an emergency order allowing President Trump to fire Rebecca Slaughter, last Democratic member of the FTC.
  • At issue: a century-old rule protecting regulatory agency heads from dismissal without cause.
  • The Court will hear full arguments in December.

5. Ransomware Attack Disrupts European Airports

• Reporting: Terry Schultz (03:56–04:40)
• Cyberattack creates ongoing chaos at major European airports, especially Brussels.
  • Automated check-in and boarding systems are down; staff use laptops, iPads, and even handwritten boarding passes.
  • Heathrow and Berlin also affected.
  • Attack traced to Collins Aerospace, Iowa-based provider of airport systems.
• Law enforcement and EU cybersecurity agency are investigating.
• Memorable Detail:
  "Airport officials have been using laptops and iPads to check in passengers, sometimes with handwritten boarding passes." (04:17)

6. San Francisco Bay Area Earthquake

• Reporting: Shea Stevens (04:40–04:58)
• Magnitude 4.3 earthquake felt widely; no injuries or major damage.
• Epicenter southeast of Berkeley, felt as far south as Salinas.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• President Trump on Tylenol (00:41):
  "So taking Tylenol is not good. I'll say it, it's not good."

• Disney Statement on Kimmel Suspension (01:31):
  "We made the decision to suspend production on the show to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country."

• Former Marine Sniper on Rifle Efficacy (02:53):
  "Depending on the skill of the shooter. Yes."

• Terry Schultz on Brussels Airport (04:17):
  "Airport officials have been using laptops and iPads to check in passengers, sometimes with handwritten boarding passes."

Timestamps for Segments

| Time | Segment Description | |---------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | 00:19 | News begins; Tylenol-autism statements by administration | | 00:37 | President Trump warns about Tylenol | | 00:49 | Medical community's response, FDA action, folinic acid | | 01:20 | Jimmy Kimmel suspension and reinstatement | | 01:31 | Disney/ABC statement and context | | 02:13 | Ryan Ruth trial update | | 02:28 | Defense witness details, rifle malfunction, cross-exam | | 03:05 | Supreme Court FTC ruling, upcoming arguments | | 03:56 | European airport ransomware attack update | | 04:40 | San Francisco Bay area earthquake details |

Tone and Style

Factual, brisk, and urgent. The segment delivers only essential details but retains the gravity and complexity of each issue, ensuring listeners are well-informed on the top stories of the hour.