NPR News Now - NPR News: 09-12-2025 3AM EDT

Episode Date: September 12, 2025

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On the TED Radio Hour podcast, psychologist and teen expert Lisa DeMore says that despite all the scary statistics about kids and their mental health... Are kids okay? Yeah. And in some ways, actually, I would say many ways, so much better than we ever were. How teens are coping with today's stressors and how adults can better support them. Listen on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shay Stevens. Authorities have released surveillance footage of the suspect who's wanted for the murder of Charlie Cook at Utah Valley University. A video shows a man jumping from the roof of a building on campus and fleeing into a nearby wooded area. Still images show an individual wearing black pants, a baseball cap with a triangle on it, a black t-shirt bearing the U.S. flag and sneakers.

As NPR's Jeff Brumfield reports, there's been an outpouring of grief and anger over Kirk's death. Throughout the conservative movement, commentators and influencers are mourning Kirk's death, like conservative podcaster Benny Johnson. Charlie Kirk is an American martyr. He is a Christian martyr. He died for his faith and his country. Many also angrily blamed Democrats in the political left for his death, even as the shooter's identity and motive remain unknown. Nicole Hemmer is a historian at Vanderbilt University. She says more may be to come following Kirk's assassination. I think it expands people's capacity for imagining violent revenge. American politics has centered what she calls a violent season. Jeff Brumfield, NPR News.

Investigators are still seeking a motive for Wednesday school shooting at a school in Evergreen, Colorado, west of Denver. A 16-year-old student shot two peers and later died of a self-inflicted wound. Jackie Kelly is a spokesperson for the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. Based on some of the information that we're seeing, about this suspect is that there's some, he was radicalized by some extreme, extremist network. Kelly says investigators are searching the suspect's phone, social media accounts, locker and other belongings for clues. More states are taking steps to make it easier for residents to get the latest COVID-19 vaccines. From member station KJZZ and Phoenix,

Wayne Shutsky reports on Arizona's effort to ensure that the shots are available there. Last month, the FDA approved a new round of COVID vaccines for limited populations, including older adults. That led to concerns that other groups like healthy children could have trouble obtaining vaccines. In an executive order, Governor Katie Hobbs directs Arizona's health department to issue a standing order that will function as a prescription, which will allow health care providers to administer the vaccines in line with guidance from health organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics. Hobbs also ordered the health department to ensure COVID vaccines are broadly available in the state. Arizona is the latest state with a Democratic

governor to circumvent the FDA's guidance following California, New York, and others. For NPR news, I'm Wayne Shutsky in Phoenix. The senior director of music programming at the Kennedy Center has been fired. Kevin Struthers worked at the Performing Arts Center for three decades. He was dismissed along with Malk Alasky, who was the last remaining member of the Center's social impact team, which coordinated free shows for the Millennium Stage. This is NPR. In an emergency meeting Thursday, the UN Security Council condemned the attack that killed six people in Cotter this week. The statement did not mention Israel, which said the attack was aimed at Hamas leaders who were in Doha to discuss a U.S. proposal for ceasefire in Gaza.

Gader is accusing Israel of violating another country's sovereignty and threatening peace in the region. The Supreme Court in Brazil has sentenced former President Jaya Bolsonaro, to 27 years and three months in prison for trying to stage a coup after losing his re-election bid in 2022. As Julia Canero reports from Rio, Bolsonaro is the first former president in Brazilian history to be punished for trying to overthrow the government. This lengthy prison term for Jaiy Bolsonaro follows a momentous trial that has gripped Brazil. The divisive far-right leader was convicted on all five charges,

including attempting a coup, violently abolishing the rule, of law and leading a criminal organization. Votes to convict were four to one in the panel made up of five Supreme Court justices. The seven other defendants were also found guilty. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the court had unjustly ruled to imprison Bolsonaro, and the United States would, quote, respond accordingly to this witch hunt. For NPR news, I'm Julia Carnero in Rio de Janeiro. Higher calls for groceries, autos, and gasoline help push inflation up 2.9% in August when compared to the same time a year ago. The news comes as the Trump administration pressures the Federal Reserve Board to lower its short-term interest rate.

This is NPR News.