NPR News: 09-16-2025 4AM EDT

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NPR News Now 4 min 4 speakers 7 chapters transcribed 1 month ago

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Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.

What is the main topic discussed in this episode?

Shea Stephens 0:01

Live from MPR News in Washington, I'm Shay Stevens.

Why is former prosecutor Maureen Comey suing the Justice Department?

Shea Stephens 0:06

Former US prosecutor Maureen Comey is suing the Justice Department. As NPR's Carrie Johnson reports, Comey says the DOJ illegally fired her without cause.

Carrie Johnson 0:15

Maureen Comey spent nearly ten years in the U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan leading the prosecutions against music mogul Sean Diddy Combs and the late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. The new lawsuit says Comey received outstanding performance evaluations and had been put in charge of a major public corruption case only hours before she was let go in July. Comey says she thinks she was fired because she's the daughter of former FBI director Jim Comey, a vocal critic of President Trump. The US attorney in New York told her the decision came from Washington. Trump ally Laura Loomer had pressured the administration to dismiss Maureen Comey. She's asking for reinstatement to her job and back pay. The DOJ declined comment.

Carrie Johnson 0:59

Carrie Johnson, NPR News, Washington.

Shea Stephens 1:01

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in Qatar in wake of the Israeli attack on Hamas leaders there.

What diplomatic actions is Secretary Marco Rubio taking after the Gaza conflict?

Shea Stephens 1:07

Rubio met with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on Monday in Jerusalem. where he called for a diplomatic end to the war in Gaza. That Yahoo says Hamas must first surrender and release all remaining hostages. The Trump administration has carried out another deadly strike in international waters of the Caribbean. In both incidents, a boat allegedly heading to the US was carrying drugs from Venezuela. Families of the children injured in last month's school shooting in Minneapolis are calling for new restrictions on firearms. More from MP from Minnesota Public Radio's Dana Ferguson.

Dana Ferguson 1:41

Parents of children who survived the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church filled a state senate working group meeting. Carla Maldonado said she and her husband ran toward the church when they heard gunshots ring out.

How are recent drug‑trafficking strikes and a Minneapolis school shooting influencing U.S. policy?

Dana Ferguson 1:53

Their two children survived the shooting. Maldonado asked legislators to pass restrictions on assault style weapons.

Unknown 1:59

Do not wait for another child to die. Do not wait for another mother to be sitting here again telling you their story. Of fear, sorrow and grief. Because the mothers we will keep coming.

Dana Ferguson 2:14

Lawmakers could be called into a special session to take up this proposal and others. For NPR News, I'm Dana Ferguson in St. Paul.

Shea Stephens 2:22

Fans of Charlie Kirk continue to celebrate the conservative activist life days after he was shot to death at a college in Utah. At a Capitol Hill vigil, House Speaker Mike Johnson remembered Kirk as a key member of the Republican Party.

Mike Johnson 2:36

This has been a very difficult week in America.

What are the reactions to Charlie Kirk’s death and the upcoming trial of his alleged killer?

Mike Johnson 2:39

There's a a wide range of emotions that have been felt. by the American people and frankly by leaders in the nation's capital.

Shea Stephens 2:48

Twenty two year old Tyler Robinson, the man accused of murdering Charlie Kirk, could appear in court as soon as today. Robinson surrendered to authorities a day after the killing. This is NPR. President Trump says he's sending National Guard troops and federal officers to Memphis to help police there deal with violent crime. Some Tennessee officials are welcoming the move as part of a larger law enforcement surge. Trump says the effort will be similar to the crackdown on Washington DC. He says he plans to do the same in several U.S. cities. And that Chicago is likely next. The C D C's vaccine advisory committee is getting five new members ahead of the group's meeting this week.

Why is the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee being reshaped and what changes are expected?

Shea Stephens 3:30

As NPR's Ping Wong reports. They are replacements for the panel that was fired in June.

Ping Huang 3:35

The new members include a pediatric cardiologist associated with a group that discouraged people from getting COVID vaccines and an epidemiologist who has claimed that the government overstated COVID's harms. They add to the seven members appointed by Kennedy in June, after he fired the previous members, which he said he did to restore public trust. The committee meets on Thursday and Friday in Atlanta. They're expected to vote on policy changes to COVID vaccines, along with routine childhood vaccines for hepatitis B and for measles and chickenpox.