NPR News Now - NPR News: 09-13-2025 1PM EDT

Episode Date: September 13, 2025

NPR News: 09-13-2025 1PM EDTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

I'm Peter Sagle. NPR is very serious, mostly. It treats newsmakers with all due respect, almost all the time. It brings you the most important information about the issues that really matter, usually, and it never asks famous people about things they don't know anything about, except once in a while. Join us for the great exception. Listen to Wait Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me, the news quiz from NPR. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Rahm. The widow of slain Republican activist Charlie Cook says his work will continue. Erica Cook spoke last night on Fox News from the Turning Point USA headquarters in Phoenix, the organization he found it. She said evildoers were responsible for his death. They killed Charlie because he preached a message of patriotism, faith, and of God's merciful love. They should all know this. If you thought that my husband's mission was powerful before, you have no idea. You have no idea what you just have unleashed across this entire country. Authorities believe the suspected gunmen captured in connection with his assassination

acted alone. But they're still sifting through evidence and conducting interviews to learn as much as they can about why he did it. His name is Tyler Robinson. He's 22 years old from Washington, Utah. Kristen Schwerman is a neighbor. She said this about Robinson. He was a smart kid, quiet. He, I, you know, I used to see him out doing yard work all the time when he was younger. He had a full-ride scholarship, I guess. Shwerman worked at the local elementary school where Robinson and his brothers went. She said, it was a shock that it was him, but I so feel sorry for his mother and his dad because that's not how they raised him. Authorities have not said what might have motivated Robinson to allegedly kill Kirk.

Ryan Lucas NPR News, Washington. Robinson is being held without bail in a county jail on suspicion of several charges, including aggravated murder. It's expected he'll be formally charged next week. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is headed for Israel for two days, less than a week after the bombing of Hamas political leaders in Doha Carter. The attack, which killed at least six people, puts the United States in a difficult position,

between two of its closest Middle East allies. NPR's Carrie Khan reports from Tel Aviv. Rubio will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as well as with families of hostages still held in Gaza. According to the State Department, he will, quote, convey America's priorities in the Israel-Hamas conflict and broader issues concerning Middle Eastern security.

The meeting comes as Israel launches its takeover of Gaza City displacing tens of thousands of residents On Saturday, it leveled another high-rise. This is the 13th tower leveled in a little over a week, according to Gaza's civil defense. Israel says the towers are infiltrated by Hamas fighters. Qatar's premier says it's unclear if Doha will continue its mediation efforts. This weekend, it holds an emergency summit to discuss a regional response to the Israeli attack. Kerry Kahn, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

This is NPR News in Washington. More than 100,000 demonstrators packed the streets of London today for a march organized by anti-immigration activists. A smaller counter-protest was also held. More than 1,000 police officers were there to keep the two groups apart. Maine is among the latest states to expand access to COVID-19 vaccines amid federal roadblocks. The state's governor has ordered all qualified health professionals to administer the updated vaccine. from Maine Public Radio, Patty White reports. Maine is one of 16 states where pharmacists are only allowed to administer vaccines

that are recommended by the U.S. CDC's Vaccine Advisory Committee. Otherwise, a prescription is needed. Under the standing order, Mainers no longer need a prescription for the COVID vaccine. Matt Wellington of the Maine Public Health Association welcomes the move. I think it is unfortunate that states are having to take this on themselves, but I'm really happy that we have the leadership here in Maine to do it. Maine's Bureau of Insurance has also notified insurers of state-regulated health plans that they must cover the cost of the COVID vaccine.

For NPR News, I'm Patty White in Portland, Maine. The California legislature is meeting today as it wraps up for the year. Lawmakers are to consider whether to extend the state's cap and trade program, which allows major greenhouse gas emitters to buy emission allowances from the state. The money pays for affordable housing and programs to mitigate the effects of climate change. It's seen as a crucial tool to counter the Trump administration's environmental cuts. I'm Nora Rahm. NPR News in Washington.