NPR News Now - NPR News: 09-13-2025 12PM EDT

Episode Date: September 13, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Rahm. Tensions are high after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist close to President Trump. Tony Gonzalez reports from member station WPLN in Nashville. An assistant dean at Middle Tennessee State University posted, quote, hate bigots hate, zero sympathy about Kirk's death and was fired. The university president said the post undermined the university's credibility. At Cumberland University outside Nashville, a professor and staff member were fired over what administrators called their inappropriate posts. The school also canceled the talk by journalist Matthew Dowd, who was fired by MSNBC over his commentary. And in Nashville, two emergency workers are on leave over social posts about Kirk.

In some cases, prominent Republicans have drawn attention to the posts and applied pressure. For NPR News, I'm Tony Gonzalez in Nashville. Authorities say a 22-year-old Utah man will. be formally charged with Kirk's death next week. National Guard troops remain in Washington, D.C. for now, but federal control over the city's police force has expired. NPR's Jennifer Ludden reports both supporters and critics of the move hope it will have lasting change. In a southeast D.C. neighborhood with a history of high crime, 32-year-old Michael Jackson says it's seemed more peaceful during the federal surge, and he thinks that may last.

Because of Donald Trump, I think if he feel like doing it. it again. I think he can do it again if he wants it. In a gentrifying neighborhood closer to downtown, 69-year-old Abigail Friedman says she's felt less safe and more aware of D.C.'s limited home rule. Those of us who live here have got to be more conscious about defending our rights. As the crime emergency declaration ended, a congressional committee took up measures to exert more control over the district. Jennifer Lutton, NPR News, Washington. has announced plans to beef up its defense of Europe's eastern flank after several Russian drones crossed into Polish airspace this week.

Poland brought down the drones with the help of NATO allies. NATO Secretary-General Mark Roots said NATO must respond. It was reckless, it was unacceptable. These are Russian drones, and it is extremely serious what happened last Wednesday. So obviously, we would not be sitting here like this if then NATO would not immediately come into action and defend every inch of territory. This other territory is exactly what we have done.

Root says NATO is still assessing the possible intent behind the Russian incursion. Poland said it was deliberate to test NATO, which Moscow denies. President Trump is urging NATO countries to stop buying oil from Russia and to place tariffs on China of at least 50% for its purchases. In a social media post today, Trump said he believes such actions would end Russia's war against Ukraine. This is NPR News. The Missouri Senate yesterday approved a new congressional map backed by President Trump that could help Republicans win an additional seat in the U.S. House in next year's midterm elections.

Republican Governor Mike Kehoe is expected to sign the measure into law. Opponents immediately announced plans to a referendum that would put the new map to a statewide vote. The Trump administration wants to end a requirement for some of the largest climate-pollut. industries to report their greenhouse gas emissions. As NPR's Jeff Brady reports, environmental groups say their proposal violates the law. The Environmental Protection Agency's Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program requires companies that emit the most climate pollution to detail those emissions publicly. The companies include power plants and steel mills. The EPA also plans to suspend reporting for oil and gas facilities. The agency says this will save companies up to

$2.4 billion in compliance costs over 10 years. Greenhouse gases from humans burning fossil fuels are heating the climate and causing more extreme weather, wildfires, and flooding. David Doniger with the Natural Resources Defense Council says the proposal is illegal, which means the final regulation, but almost certainly be challenged in court. Jeff Brady, NPR News. The United Auto Workers Union says it's reached agreement with GE Aerospace on a new contract. More than 600 workers at plants in Ohio and Kentucky went on strike last month when their contract expired, the union says members will vote next week on whether to ratify the proposed agreement. I'm Nora Rahm. NPR News in Washington.