NPR News Now: 09-24-2025 10AM EDT

Host: Korva Coleman
Date: September 24, 2025
Episode Overview:
This fast-paced five-minute newscast covers breaking national and international news, including a shooting at an ICE facility in Dallas, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s UN address, the ongoing Israeli military operation in Gaza City, a major business move by Alibaba in artificial intelligence, Jimmy Kimmel’s return to late-night television after suspension, the viral spread of graphic violence online, and severe weather in Oklahoma.

Major News Stories & Discussion Points

1. Shooting at ICE Facility in Dallas

[00:19–00:40]

• Incident: Shooting occurred at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Dallas.
• Details:
  • Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons spoke about the unfolding situation, crediting local support and confirming the shooter’s death by suicide.
    • Quote:

      “We had great support from locals on the ground that are helping us look for the active shooter. Like I said right before, I just walked on set. WAG got word that the shooter is down from a self inflicted gunshot wound.”
      —Todd Lyons, [00:31]

  • Dallas police confirmed two people were hospitalized; one victim died at the scene.
  • A police media briefing was scheduled for later in the hour.

2. Zelenskyy Addresses the UN

[00:40–01:18]

• Speaker: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
• Focus:
  • Urged the international community for increased support against Russia’s invasion.
  • Particularly highlighted the abduction of Ukrainian children by Russia.
    • Quote:

      “Russia abducted thousands of Ukrainian children and we have brought some of them back. And I thank everyone who's helped, but how long will it take to bring all of them home?”
      —Volodymyr Zelenskyy, [01:03]

  • Zelenskyy had met with President Trump the previous day.

3. Ongoing Israeli Military Offensive in Gaza

[01:18–02:17]

• Report by: Carrie Khan (NPR, Tel Aviv)
• Key Points:
  • Over 50 deaths in Gaza reported over the past 24 hours.
  • A deadly Israeli airstrike near a market killed at least 22 people, including nine children and six women.
  • Israel has ordered almost a million residents to evacuate Gaza City; many lack means or safe destinations.
  • UN Commission of Inquiry accused Israel of seeking permanent control over Gaza and criticized policy shifts in the West Bank.
  • Israeli Response: Israel dismissed the UN report as “politically driven and backwards,” counter-claiming Hamas’s intent to eliminate Israel.

4. Alibaba’s Major AI Investment

[02:17–03:12]

• Report by: Scott Horsley (NPR, Washington)
• Headline: Alibaba announces a $50 billion+ investment in artificial intelligence, partnering with Nvidia.
• Stock Market Reaction: Alibaba shares surged; Dow opened up nearly 40 points.
• Federal Reserve Update: Chair Jerome Powell stated the Fed will be “cautious” with further rate cuts after the year’s first reduction, citing concerns about job market softness and persistent inflation.
  • Powell’s remarks delivered to a business group in Rhode Island.
    • Quote:

      “The Fed is trying to guard against a softening job market while also battling stubborn inflation.”
      —Scott Horsley summarizing Powell, [02:32]

• Upcoming: Commerce Department inflation update due later in the week.

5. Media & Technology: Jimmy Kimmel, Viral Violence

[03:12–04:38]

• Jimmy Kimmel Returns:
  • Resumed his show after a brief suspension stemming from critical comments about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
  • Kimmel clarified he did not intend to make light of the tragedy and defended the importance of free speech, thanking Republican supporters.
• Spread of Graphic Footage Online:
  • Charlie Kirk’s shooting was live-streamed, and videos quickly went viral.
  • Report by: Shannon Bond (NPR)
    • Discussed the unprecedented speed and reach of graphic content on social media—much of it seen involuntarily due to autoplay features.
    • Expert Insight: Roxanne Cohen Silver, psychology professor (UC Irvine), notes people now must be “vigilant about avoiding these images” and that repeated exposure is mentally harmful.
      • Quote:

        “There's no question seeing graphic imagery, especially repeatedly, is not good for us.”
        —Roxanne Cohen Silver (via Shannon Bond), [04:30]

6. Severe Weather in Oklahoma

[04:38–04:58]

• Incident: Straight-line winds damaged parts of Sallisaw, southeast of Tulsa.
• Impact: Hospital roof torn off; no injuries reported.

Notable Quotes

• Todd Lyons (ICE):
  “We had great support from locals on the ground... WAG got word that the shooter is down from a self inflicted gunshot wound.” [00:31]

• Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Ukraine):
  “Russia abducted thousands of Ukrainian children... but how long will it take to bring all of them home?” [01:03]

• Scott Horsley (summarizing Powell):
  “The Fed is trying to guard against a softening job market while also battling stubborn inflation.” [02:32]

• Roxanne Cohen Silver (UC Irvine):
  “There's no question seeing graphic imagery, especially repeatedly, is not good for us.” [04:30]

Segment Timestamps

• 00:19 - Dallas ICE Facility Shooting
• 00:40 - Zelenskyy’s UN Address
• 01:18 - Israeli Military Offensive in Gaza
• 02:17 - Alibaba AI Expansion & Stock Market
• 03:12 - Jimmy Kimmel’s Return to Air; Viral Video Spread
• 04:38 - Severe Weather in Oklahoma

In summary:
This newscast punctuated a turbulent morning with coverage of violent incidents and humanitarian crises at both domestic and international levels, explored major technological investment and economic indicators, examined the societal impact of viral traumatic media, and included a brief update on severe weather—all in NPR’s concise, matter-of-fact style.