WSJ What’s News: The Manhunt Continues for Charlie Kirk’s Shooter

Date: September 11, 2025
Host: Alex Osola
Podcast: The Wall Street Journal – What’s News

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the nationwide manhunt for the person who fatally shot conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah. Alongside this breaking news, the hosts cover critical updates on U.S. inflation, labor market pressures facing the Federal Reserve, a major mining megadeal driven by copper demand, shifts in the U.S. housing market triggered by mortgage rates, and high-profile political and legal developments in Brazil. The tone is urgent and direct, reflecting a day shaped by fast-moving events at the intersection of politics, business, and markets.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Breaking News: The Charlie Kirk Shooting and Manhunt

[00:33–03:52]

• Current Situation:

  • Authorities are intensively searching for the shooter of Charlie Kirk, who was killed the day before in Orem, Utah.
  • The Utah Department of Public Safety postponed a scheduled briefing due to ongoing rapid developments.
  • The FBI has released images of a person of interest and is offering a $100,000 reward for information.
  • A high-powered rifle suspected to have been used was found discarded in a wooded area; the FBI laboratory will analyze the weapon.
  • Investigators collected forensic evidence—footwear impressions, palm print, and forearm imprints.
  • Ammunition inside the rifle had engravings referencing transgender and antifascist ideology.

• On the Ground Atmosphere:

  • Jim Carlton, WSJ reporter in Orem, describes the search as “exhaustive” with a heavy law enforcement presence:

    "It’s like a needle in the haystack." (02:30)

  • The mood locally is surreal and emotional, as a McDonald's manager and nearby onlookers recount the trauma.

    “The woman started bawling. She says, 'We witnessed the shooting… we’re trying to go back to normal, but it’s just impossible.'” (Jim Carlton, 02:57)

  • Classes at Utah Valley University are canceled through Monday, and the community is deeply shaken.

• Political Response:

  • President Trump’s team has raised security in response; Trump blamed the “radical left” and promised action, leading to pushback from Democrats over the rhetoric.

2. Economic Update: Inflation, Fed Dilemma, and Labor Market

[03:57–07:03]

• Inflation & Jobs Data:

  • August consumer prices up 2.9% year-on-year, highest since the start of 2025 but within forecasters’ expectations.
  • Core inflation (excluding food/energy) rose 3.1%—also as expected.
  • Unemployment claims rose to 263,000, a jump from last week and the highest since October 2021.

• Fed’s Policy Challenge:

  • Matt Grossman, WSJ economics reporter, highlights the central dilemma:

    “The numbers really show the dilemma that the Fed is up against because on the one hand, inflation’s well above the Fed’s 2% target. On the other hand, the labor market’s weakening.” (Matt Grossman, 06:00)

  • Market consensus is for a small rate cut at the upcoming Fed meeting, but the extent is debated.
  • Stocks surged on signs of an imminent rate cut, with the Dow crossing 46,000 for the first time.

3. Corporate News: Paramount-Skydance Cash Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery

[07:03–08:06]

• An exclusive reveals that Paramount Skydance is preparing a majority-cash bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, potentially triggering regulatory and antitrust scrutiny, especially due to the deal’s scale encompassing cable and movie studio assets.

4. U.S. Housing Market: Lower Mortgage Rates

[08:37–10:34]

• Mortgage Rates Drop:

  • The 30-year fixed rate fell to 6.35%—an 11-month low, down from over 6% in January.

• Impact on Buyers:

  • Nicole Friedman, WSJ reporter, explains:

    “Any news is good news when it comes to lower mortgage rates because it just means that buyers can afford more home price for the same monthly payment. But that doesn’t mean affordability is good.” (Nicole Friedman, 09:05)

  • Home prices have jumped 50% since 2019.
  • Economic uncertainty and job market jitters are curbing buyers’ confidence and willingness to take on large investments.

• Market Rebound?

  • For a true rebound, rates would need to drop below 6%. Current drop may not be enough to significantly alter demand:

    “The housing market did not notably rebound [last year with similar rates].” (Nicole Friedman, 10:11)

5. International Politics: Bolsonaro Convicted in Brazil

[10:38–11:38]

• Brazil’s Supreme Court finds former president Jair Bolsonaro guilty of plotting a coup to overturn the 2022 election.
• The outcome challenges U.S. and Trump administration interests, heightening political and trade tensions in Latin America.

6. Mega Mining Deal and Copper Demand

[11:38–13:03]

• Major Merger:

  • Anglo American and Teck Resources’ $53 billion merger marks the biggest mining deal in a decade, betting on rising copper demand.

• Drivers of Demand:

  • Ed Ballard, WSJ newsletter editor:

    “It’s partly artificial intelligence. That’s a new driver… Each AI data center… uses hundreds, perhaps thousands of tons of copper.” (Ed Ballard, 11:38)

  • Increased defense spending worldwide is also a factor.
  • The deal is likely to spur further M&A activity, as “there just aren’t that many really high quality copper mines.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Local Trauma in Orem:

  “She actually saw Charlie Kirk get killed and kind of die in front of her, she thinks. And I keep hearing that time and time again.”
  — Jim Carlton [02:57]

• On the Fed’s Dilemma:

  “The numbers really show the dilemma that the Fed is up against because on the one hand, inflation’s well above the Fed’s 2% target. On the other hand, the labor market’s weakening.”
  — Matt Grossman [06:00]

• On Housing Affordability:

  “It’s still a very unaffordable time to buy a home. Home prices have climbed more than 50% since 2019.”
  — Nicole Friedman [09:05]

• On New Copper Demand:

  “Each AI data center that’s being built… uses hundreds, perhaps thousands of tons of copper in some cases, and that all has to be dug out of the ground.”
  — Ed Ballard [11:38]

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Charlie Kirk Manhunt and Community Impact: 00:33–03:52
• Political Fallout and President Trump Response: 03:57–04:40
• U.S. Economic Update (Inflation, Jobs, Fed): 04:43–07:03
• Stock Market Reaction: 07:03
• Paramount-Skydance Bid for Warner Bros: 07:54
• U.S. Housing Market Trends: 08:37–10:34
• Brazil’s Bolsonaro Conviction: 10:38–11:38
• Anglo American–Teck Copper Mega Deal: 11:38–13:03

Summary

This episode of WSJ What’s News delivers urgent reporting on a national manhunt in Utah and its shockwaves through a tight-knit community, the high-stakes debate over U.S. economic policy as the Fed prepares for a likely rate cut, seismic news in both the media and mining sectors, and fresh uncertainty in global politics. The mix of raw on-the-ground emotion, clear economic analysis, and timely business scoops offers an up-to-the-minute look at the day’s critical events through the Wall Street Journal’s authoritative lens.