NPR News: 09-16-2025 11PM EDT

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NPR News Now 4 min 4 speakers 5 chapters transcribed 29 days ago

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What did lawmakers confront FBI Director Cash Patel about in the Senate hearing?

Shea Stephens 0:01

Live from MPR News in Washington, I'm Shay Stevens. A Senate hearing turned into a shouting match today as lawmakers grilled FBI Director Cash Patel. As NPR's Ryan Lucas reports, Patel defended his record as head of the nation's top law enforcement agency.

Ryan Lucas 0:19

Over the more than four hour hearing, Democrats accused Patel of politicizing the Bureau and pressed him on his firing of FBI agents, including some of the most senior and lauded agents at the Bureau. Hier's New Jersey Democrat Cory Booker.

Cory Booker 0:32

I believe you're failing failing as a leader. А не юр фалір доз харіс іплікації. For the safety and security of Americans and our families.

Ryan Lucas 0:41

Patel, with the support of Republicans on the committee, defended his leadership. He said that the FBI has helped bring down violent crime since he's been in charge, and Patel denied that anyone has been fired from the FBI for improper reasons.

Why is Tyler Robinson charged with aggravated murder of activist Charlie Kirk?

Ryan Lucas 0:55

Ryan Lucas, NPR News, Washington.

Shea Stephens 0:58

Twenty-two-year-old Tyler Robinson is now charged with aggravated murder and other counts stemming from the assassination of activist Charlie Kirk. Authorities are s seeking the death penalty in the case, as NPR's Bobby Allen reports.

Unknown 1:11

Prosecutors say Robinson targeted Charlie Kirk over his political views. Utah City Attorney Jeff Gray says Robinson shot and killed Kirk from a roof of a campus building a hundred and sixty yards away from where Kirk was speaking before a crowd of some three thousand at Utah Valley University. Charlie Kirk was murdered while engaging. In one of our most sacred and cherished American rights. Grace says Robinson had started to lean more left wing and became more pro-gay and trans rights oriented in recent months. Robinson was romantically involved with his roommate, a man transitioning to a woman. Officials say a note that he left for the roommate before the shooting read I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I'm going to take it.

How does Moderna’s updated COVID‑19 vaccine improve protection against current variants?

Unknown 1:53

Bobby Allen, MPR News.

Shea Stephens 1:55

Moderna says that new data show that its updated COVID nineteen vaccine should provide strong protection against current variants of the virus. NPR's Rob Stein has details.

Angela Perryman 2:06

Moderna says the company's new COVID vaccine safely produces an eightfold increase in neutralizing antibodies to the virus in people ages 12 through 64 at high risk for severe complications and adults aged 65 and older, and that the latest centers for disease control and prevention data show that the vaccine's a good match to the strains now circulating. The announcement comes as the CDC is deciding who should get. the shot. The Food and Drug Administration has already narrowed eligibility for the COVID vaccines. CEC advisors meeting this week could affirm those restrictions or expand or narrow eligibility. Rob Stein in Pure News.

Shea Stephens 2:47

The FDA is notifying online services to stop selling knockoffs of popular drugs like Wigovi.

What is the significance of President Trump’s second state visit to the United Kingdom?

Shea Stephens 2:52

Dozens of companies are being told to cease making false and misleading statements about their products. This is NPR. President Trump is on his second state visit to the United Kingdom, becoming the first US leader with that distinction. Trump is set to meet with King Charles and Prime Minister Keir Starmer during his stay. Which comes amid trade tensions. Thousands of Palestinians began streaming out of Gaza City today as Israeli forces began a major ground defensive. The military operation is being called the largest. Since the war in Gaza began nearly two years ago. Meanwhile, Israel has rejected the finding of independent experts commissioned by the UN Human Rights Council. That the situation in Gaza amounts to genocide.

How did Robert Redford’s legacy shape the Sundance Film Festival and independent cinema?

Shea Stephens 3:40

Hollywood is mourning the death of Robert Redford. The eighty nine year old actor and director was the founder of the Sundance Film Festival. NPR's Mandelite Del Barco. has this remembrance.

Mandalit Del Barco 3:53

Robert Redford was once Hollywood's handsome golden boy, starring in films like The Way We Were, All the President's Men, and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. I can't swim. Redford also became an Oscar-winning director, an environmentalist, and in 1978 he created what would become the Sundance Film Festival.