NPR News Now – Episode Summary

Date: September 23, 2025
Host: Shea Stevens
Duration: 5 minutes
Theme: Rapid-fire coverage of top national and international news in the early hours, spotlighting US political developments, late-night TV controversies, rail project funding, synagogue security amid rising antisemitism, and international responses to the war in Gaza.

Major News Highlights & Insights

Supreme Court Allows President Trump to Fire Last Democratic FTC Member

[00:15–01:17]

• The US Supreme Court issued an emergency order allowing President Trump to remove the last remaining Democratic member of the Federal Trade Commission.
  • The decision is temporary; oral arguments are scheduled for December.
  • Nina Totenberg, NPR: The conservative majority seems likely to overturn a precedent set in 1935, which protected bipartisan commissions from firings due to policy disagreements.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “...every indication is that the conservative court majority will use the case to reverse a major Supreme Court precedent dating back nearly a century.” – Nina Totenberg (00:41)

Trump Administration Rejects Bribery Allegations Against Border Czar Tom Homan

[01:17–01:53]

• Reports have emerged alleging that Tom Homan, the administration’s border czar, accepted $50,000 in bribes from undercover FBI agents (2024).
• White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt forcefully denies the allegations:
  • Key Response:
    • “Mr. Homan never took the $50,000 that you’re referring to, so you should get your facts straight, number one. Number two, this was another example of the weaponization of the Biden Department of Justice against one of President Trump’s strongest and most vocal supporters.” – Caroline Levitt (01:35)
• The administration closed the FBI investigation, claiming a lack of credible evidence.

Jimmy Kimmel Live Returns After Suspension Over Controversial Comments

[01:53–03:02]

• ABC’s "Jimmy Kimmel Live" returns less than a week after an indefinite suspension. The pause followed on-air comments about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
  • Fellow hosts (Seth Meyers, Stephen Colbert) celebrate Kimmel’s return:
    • “Our friend Jimmy Kimmel will be back.” – Seth Meyers/Stephen Colbert (02:19)
    • “Our long national late nightmare is over.” – Seth Meyers/Stephen Colbert (02:30)
  • Disney (ABC parent): Suspension was aimed at de-escalating tensions but reversed after five days.
  • Sinclair Broadcast Group (ABC affiliates in 30 markets) will not air the show until contract talks resolve.

US Rail Project Funding Prioritizes Demographic Growth

[03:02–03:46]

• Trump administration announces a new $5 billion fund for rail projects.
  • $2.4 billion reallocated from California’s canceled high-speed rail.
  • Focus: Preference for regions with high birth and marriage rates, not solely on safety.

Heightened Synagogue Security Amid Rising Antisemitism

[03:46–04:28]

• With the onset of Jewish High Holidays, synagogues nationwide are on edge. Recent violence — from Boulder, CO, incidents to killings outside a DC Jewish museum — raises concerns.
  • Julie Platt, Jewish Federation of North America (quoting from Capitol Hill security briefing):
    • “What we had once done in an abundance of caution has become a deadly serious effort to ensure that no hater who wants to cause harm will succeed in turning a holiday into a tragedy.” (04:05)
  • Many US cities have increased police patrols and synagogues have added private security.

International: France Officially Recognizes Palestinian State, Calls Gaza War Unjustifiable

[04:28–04:54]

• French President Emmanuel Macron, at the UN General Assembly:
  • Declares there is no justification for the ongoing war in Gaza.
  • Announces France joins other Western nations in formally recognizing Palestinian statehood.
  • US did not attend the summit; President Trump set to address the UN the next day.

Additional Segments

• Market Update:
  • US futures flat in afterhours; Asia-Pacific shares mixed, Tokyo up 1%. (03:02)

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “...the conservative court majority will use the case to reverse a major Supreme Court precedent dating back nearly a century.” – Nina Totenberg, regarding the FTC ruling (00:41)
• “Mr. Homan never took the $50,000 that you’re referring to, so you should get your facts straight, number one. Number two, this was another example of the weaponization of the Biden Department of Justice...” – Caroline Levitt (01:35)
• “What we had once done in an abundance of caution has become a deadly serious effort...” – Julie Platt, security concerns for Jewish High Holidays (04:05)
• “Our long national late nightmare is over.” – Seth Meyers/Stephen Colbert, on Jimmy Kimmel Live’s return (02:30)

Timestamps: Key Segments

• [00:15] – Supreme Court/FTC emergency order
• [01:17] – Trump administration rebuffs Tom Homan bribery allegations
• [01:53] – Jimmy Kimmel Live’s suspension and return
• [03:02] – US & Asia market update; announcement of rail project funding
• [03:46] – Increased synagogue security amid rise in antisemitic violence
• [04:28] – Macron recognizes Palestine at the UN; US to speak next day

Episode Tone

• Neutral, brisk, and urgent—NPR’s hallmark news delivery
• Underlying tension over judicial and political controversies, with moments of wry media banter

For those who missed the episode, this concise but information-rich summary delivers all the critical updates and underscores the most compelling moments and soundbites, true to the original NPR reporting style.