NPR News Now: September 27, 2025, 8AM EDT

Overview

This fast-paced episode of NPR News Now offers a concise roundup of major national and global events as of the morning of September 27, 2025. The episode covers developments in broadcasting, public sentiment on crime and law enforcement, humanitarian issues in Gaza, global diplomatic tensions, an earthquake in China, and new research on fertility trends.

Key News Highlights

1. “Jimmy Kimmel Live” Returns to Major ABC Affiliates

Segment: 00:18 – 01:15

• Situation: Two major TV affiliate groups, Sinclair and Nexstar, reversed their decisions and aired Jimmy Kimmel Live after initially refusing following ABC's earlier suspension.
• Background: The show had been pulled from Sinclair and Nexstar stations due to Kimmel's controversial remarks (Sept. 15 broadcast) surrounding the suspect in Charlie Kirk's assassination.
• Reinstatement: ABC restored the show after a week-long suspension, despite public pressure from the FCC for harsher repercussions.
• Public Reaction: Both affiliate groups attributed their decision to wide feedback—viewers, advertisers, and community leaders pressured Sinclair, while Disney's discussions with Nexstar led to their reversal.
• Quote:
  • “Sinclair says its decision to restore Jimmy Kimmel's show is the result of receiving feedback from viewers, advertisers and community leaders.” – Chloe Veltman (00:35)
• Notable Moment: Disney was criticized for “caving in” to Federal Communications Commission pressure, sparking widespread public backlash.

2. American Opinions on Crime and National Guard Deployment

Segment: 01:15 – 02:15

• Poll Findings: A new NPR/Ipsos poll reveals Americans are worried about crime but largely unsupportive of President Trump’s use of the National Guard for city policing.
• Perception vs. Reality: Although crime is statistically down post-pandemic, 7 in 10 respondents still think crime levels are unacceptable.
• Partisan Divide:
  • 8 in 10 Republicans support Trump’s approach; an equal proportion of Democrats oppose it.
• Expert Insight:
  • “While the American public largely agrees that crime has increased in the US and in major cities, they don't broadly support the actions taken in the name of stopping crime, like calling in the National Guard.” – Mallory Newell (01:47)

3. Doctors Without Borders Suspends Work in Gaza City

Segment: 02:15 – 03:01

• Medical Withdrawal: Doctors Without Borders halts its Gaza City operations, citing “unacceptable danger” for staff as Israeli attacks intensify.
• Situation on the Ground:
  • Ongoing proximity strikes and advancing tanks create severe risks for both staff and patients.
• Personal Testimony:
  • “The relentless offensive by the Israeli troops have made it impossible to ensure certain security guarantees to our staff and our patients... Tanks were coming within less than 1 km from the health facilities. And this is a red line for us.” – Jose Mas, Doctors Without Borders (02:30)
• Exponential Risk: The risk of “collateral damage multiplies exponentially” with ground offensives.

4. Global Political Tensions

Segment: 03:01 – 03:36

• At the UN: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s need to “finish the job” against Hamas, prompting a walkout by delegates at the UN General Assembly.
• US-Colombia Diplomatic Strain: The Trump administration announced it would revoke Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s visa after he urged US soldiers to disobey Trump’s orders during a pro-Palestinian rally. The US State Department labeled Petro’s remarks “reckless and incendiary.”

5. Earthquake in Northwest China

Segment: 03:36 – 03:56

• Event: An early-morning earthquake in Gansu province caused significant property damage but no fatalities.
• Impact:
  • 7,800 people relocated.
  • 17 homes destroyed, more than 3,500 buildings damaged.
  • 11 people hospitalized.

6. Trends in Egg Freezing for Fertility

Segment: 03:56 – 04:53

• Rising Numbers: Egg freezing has increased fourfold over the past decade, topping 16,000 procedures annually.
• Study Findings: Despite this, the majority do not return to use their frozen eggs; only 6% thawed eggs for fertilization within five to seven years.
• Expert Perspective:
  • “It was lower than I was expecting. And the people that did come back tended to be older at the time they froze their eggs.” – Dr. Lindsey Croner, UCLA (04:24)
• Interpretation: Many consider egg freezing a long-term backup rather than a primary fertility strategy, as younger women continue to try other methods first.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On affiliate TV decisions:
  • “Sinclair says its decision to restore Jimmy Kimmel's show is the result of receiving feedback from viewers, advertisers and community leaders.” – Chloe Veltman (00:35)
• On crime perceptions:
  • “While the American public largely agrees that crime has increased in the US and in major cities, they don't broadly support the actions taken in the name of stopping crime, like calling in the National Guard.” – Mallory Newell (01:47)
• On Gaza operations:
  • “Tanks were coming within less than 1 km from the health facilities. And this is a red line for us...it is certain that the risk of becoming collateral damage multiplies exponentially once ground offensive is taking place.” – Jose Mas, Doctors Without Borders (02:30)
• On fertility study:
  • “It was lower than I was expecting. And the people that did come back tended to be older at the time they froze their eggs.” – Dr. Lindsey Croner (04:24)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:18] – Major affiliates restore Jimmy Kimmel Live
• [01:15] – NPR/Ipsos poll: crime and National Guard deployment
• [02:15] – Doctors Without Borders suspends Gaza operations
• [03:01] – UN walkout & US-Colombia diplomatic conflict
• [03:36] – Earthquake in China
• [04:05] – Study on egg freezing trends

For listeners seeking a rapid but comprehensive snapshot of today’s top stories, this episode of NPR News Now delivers the essentials with insights from on-the-ground experts and statistical polling, maintaining NPR’s clear, balanced reporting style.