NPR News: 09-16-2025 10PM EDT

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Why are Utah prosecutors seeking the death penalty for the man accused of killing activist Charlie Kirk?

Giles Snyder 0:00

Live from MPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. Prosecutors in Utah say they will be seeking the death penalty for the twenty two year old man being held in the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, County Attorney

Unknown 0:14

Jeff Gray. I do not take this decision lightly. And it is a decision I have made independently. As county attorney, based solely on the available evidence and circumstances and nature of the crime.

Giles Snyder 0:29

Prosecutors unveiled seven charges filed against Tyler Robinson today. They include aggravated murder, a capital crime in Utah. Robinson had his first court appearance late today. He appeared virtually from a county jail where he will remain without bail. Charging documents show that a note was left under Robinson's keyboard saying he planned to kill Kirk and that he'd been planning the killing for about a week. A Senate Judiciary Subcommittee held a hearing today about children, artificial intelligence, and the harms of AI chat bots. Among those who testify were parents of two kids who died by suicide after extended interactions with AI chatbots.

What concerns were raised at the Senate Judiciary hearing about AI chatbots and teen suicides?

Giles Snyder 1:06

Here's NPR's retrue Chatterjee.

Ritu Chatterjee 1:08

Megan Garcia is a lawyer and a mother of three boys. Last year, her oldest son, Sewell Setzer the third, died by suicide after a prolonged virtual relationship with the chatbot on character AI. Garcia says the chatbot groomed and sexually exploited Sewell.

Unknown 1:25

When Sewell confided suicidal thoughts, the chatbot never said, I'm not human, I'm AI. You need to talk to a human and get help. The platform had no mechanisms to protect Seoul. Or to

Ritu Chatterjee 1:36

notify an adult. Garcia has filed a lawsuit against character technology, which developed character AI. Tech companies did not testify at the hearing despite lawmakers' invitations. Read the Chatterji NPR News.

Giles Snyder 1:50

President Trump has again extended the deadline for a nationwide TikTok ban, the fourth since he took office in January for his second term. Chef Brumpfield reports this latest extension comes as the US and China are nearing a deal for the popular social video app.

Kevin O'Leary 2:06

An executive order from the White House delayed the deadline for a TikTok ban until mid December. It came just a day after the US said it had a framework for a deal with China to sell the company to American buyers. Speaking at the White House, Trump said the deal was near.

Unknown 2:22

I had parents calling me up. They don't want it for themselves, they want it for their kids.

How is the Trump administration handling the ongoing TikTok ban and potential sale to U.S. buyers?

Unknown 2:26

They say if I don't get it done, they're in big trouble with their kids.

Kevin O'Leary 2:30

Trump says he expects to finalize the deal with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Friday. Jeff Brumfield, NPR News.

Giles Snyder 2:37

President Trump is overseas in the United Kingdom. He arrived there this evening for a state visit. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are staying the night at the US ambassadors home. The two day visit officially gets underway tomorrow. When Trump will be greeted by King Charles at Windsor Castle. And from Washington. You're listening to NPR News. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on social media today that Gaza is burning. Israel has launched its long threatened ground offensive in Gaza City. The military says ground troops began moving deeper into the city today, and that the number of soldiers involved would rise in the coming days. Israel has pledged to seize control of the entire city. UN human rights experts accuse Israel of carrying out a genocide.

Giles Snyder 3:25

A group of off duty park rangers, the Resistance Rangers, says the Trump administration has flagged a photograph of an enslaved man with scars on his back for removal from display in a national park. And PR's Frank Lankfit as were on the Trump administration's campaign.

Frank Langfitt 3:39

The eighteen sixty-three photo shows scars on the back of an enslaved man named Peter Gordon, who was wounded by his masters. The takedown notice comes after the government told staff to flag content that might inappropriately disparage Americans or perpetuate what it calls a false reconstruction of the nation's history. Alan Spears oversees cultural resources at the National Parks Conservation Association.