NPR News Now – September 23, 2025, 8PM EDT

Host: Ryland Barton
Date: September 23, 2025
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This concise news update delivers the latest national and international stories in five minutes, covering President Trump’s new position on Russia and Ukraine, a U.S. congressional delegation’s visit to China, rising lot rents in manufactured home communities, the Federal Reserve’s rate cut strategy, a gold mine disaster in Colombia, and Elon Musk’s proposal to address Houston flooding with tunnels.

Key News Stories and Discussion Points

1. U.S. – Russia – Ukraine: Trump’s Shift in Stance (00:00–01:15)

• Main Points:

  • President Trump refers to Russia as a "paper tiger" and expresses belief that Ukraine, with European support, can reclaim all its territory.
  • Trump shared these views after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the UN General Assembly.
  • Zelensky voices optimism about U.S. support and expects concrete American action, emphasizing Moscow’s attention to U.S. actions.
  • Zelensky criticizes Russia’s absence at the UN and blames President Putin for prolonging the war in Ukraine.

• Notable Quotes:

  • President Trump (via Michelle Kellerman): "Russia's economy is in big trouble and Ukraine could win back its territory, in its original form." (00:32)
  • Ukrainian President Zelensky: "We expect America's actions to push Russia toward peace. Moscow fears America and always pays attention to it." (01:02)
  • Michelle Kellerman: "[Zelensky] blasted Russian President Vladimir Putin for not coming to the United Nations and accused the Russian leader of prolonging the largest war in Europe since World War II." (01:02)

2. U.S.–China Relations: Congressional Delegation Visits Beijing (01:15–02:12)

• Main Points:

  • The first bipartisan House delegation to China since 2019 aims to foster engagement and advocate for Boeing sales.
  • Representative Adam Smith stresses the need for improved military dialogue to avoid dangerous near-misses between U.S. and Chinese forces.
  • Meetings are held with Premier Li Qiang and Defense Minister Dong Jun.
  • Boeing sales have dropped due to political tension, but negotiations for a new deal are "in their final stages."
  • A Trump-Xi summit is expected next month in South Korea.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Rep. Adam Smith: "More dialogue is needed because right now the two countries are essentially talking past each other." (01:30)
  • Anthony Kuhn: "Boeing's sales to China have tanked amid the tensions, but US Ambassador to Beijing David Perdue said negotiations for a major deal are in their final stages." (01:46)

3. U.S. Domestic: Manufactured Home Lot Rents Soar (02:12–03:05)

• Main Points:

  • Lot rents for manufactured homes are increasing faster than inflation, leading to affordability challenges.
  • Personal story of Daniel Clearwater, a retiree in Florida, whose lot rent increased dramatically from $450 (2010) to $840.
  • Median lot rents have risen 45% in a decade, often outpacing single-family home rental increases.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Daniel Clearwater: "Was like $450, and that was back in 2010. Well, now here we are and we are actually paying. I just paid the bill. $840 for the lot rent." (02:37)
  • Gabriela Paul: "This is part of a national trend. Census data show that median lot rents have jumped 45% in the last decade." (02:51)

4. Economy: Federal Reserve Cautious on Rate Cuts (03:05–03:43)

• Main Points:

  • Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell signals caution in further interest rate cuts, warning rapid cuts could undermine employment and price stability objectives.
  • This follows the Fed’s first rate cut of the year, amid calls from Trump and other officials for more aggressive easing.
  • U.S. market update: S&P 500 down 0.6%.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Ryland Barton: "Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is signaling caution when it comes to cutting interest rates in the future." (03:05)
  • Summary of Powell’s stance: "Cutting too quickly could undermine the Fed's goals of maximizing employment and stable [prices]." (03:21)

5. International: Colombian Gold Mine Collapse (03:43–04:08)

• Main Points:
  • At least 20 miners are trapped in Colombia after a main shaft collapse at a gold mine.
  • National Mining Agency leads rescue operations, working to provide food and water to those trapped.

6. Infrastructure: Elon Musk Proposes Houston Flood Tunnels (04:08–04:46)

• Main Points:

  • Elon Musk’s Boring Company pitches two flood relief tunnels to Houston politicians for $760 million.
  • Proposal was floated ahead of formal bidding; Musk claims tunnels are cost-effective.
  • Local experts question effectiveness, noting tunnels would carry less water than alternatives.
  • No contractor has been chosen; discussions are ongoing.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Lauren McGockey: "Reps with Musk's tunneling firm, the Boring Company, said they could install two narrow tunnels for $760 million." (04:08)
  • Engineer Larry Dunbar: "Is it really more cost effective than building one large tunnel that can carry more than five times the amount of flow?" (04:38)

Memorable Moments and Tone

• The tone is brisk and objective, characteristic of NPR’s news briefs.
• Memorable quote from Zelensky about the importance of U.S. involvement highlights Ukraine’s reliance on American diplomacy.
• The personal testimony of Daniel Clearwater about the rent hike adds a poignant, human element to the economic story.

Key Timestamps

• 00:00: Trump calls Russia a "paper tiger"; meeting with Zelensky.
• 01:15: U.S. bipartisan delegation’s visit to China.
• 02:12: Manufactured home lot rent increases.
• 03:05: Fed’s caution on further rate cuts.
• 03:43: Colombian gold mine collapse.
• 04:08: Elon Musk's Houston flood tunnel proposal.

Overall, this news round-up spotlights shifting geopolitics, economic anxieties, and infrastructure innovation, serving as a snapshot of the day’s pressing headlines.