NPR News Now - NPR News: 09-13-2025 5PM EDT

Episode Date: September 13, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dan Ronan. Authorities believe the suspected gunman captured in connection with Charlie Kirk's assassination acted alone, but they're still sifting through evidence in conducting interviews to learn as much as they can. NPR's Ryan Lucas reports. 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, 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. President Trump is calling on NATO member states to collectively thwart Russian oil imports. In opposed to social media, Trump argued such moves could quickly force an end to Russia's war in Ukraine. From Moscow, NPR's Charles Mainz has details. Trump called for a collective NATO ban on Russian oil, arguing some member states continued purchase of Russian crude was undermining NATO's bargaining power over Moscow. NATO member Turkey is the third largest buyer of Russian oil after China and India. Trump also called on alliance members to impose steep tariffs on China up to 100 percent so long as Beijing's purchases of Russian petroleum continue to help fund the war.

It comes just days after an incursion by Russian drones into Poland's airspace, an incident that alarmed most NATO members, but Trump dismissed as possibly an accident. It also comes as Trump-led peace efforts have stalled, with the Kremlin on Friday saying U.S.-backed negotiations between Russia and Ukraine were now on pause. Charles Mainz, MPR News, Moscow. Vaccines are starting to become available, but due to rule changes this year, they're not as easy for everyone to get. NPR's Ping Wong has the story of what it's going to take to get the case in Georgia. Kathleen Ethier is traveling to California next week, a state in the middle of a COVID surge, and she has a spouse who survived cancer. I shouldn't be bringing COVID into the house. ETHier is under 65 years old, so she doesn't automatically qualify for a COVID

booster since the FDA approved it with restrictions last month. She couldn't get a prescription from her primary care provider who retired. Another doctor suggested the CVS Minute Clinic. Ethier went twice, but it was randomly closed. Then she got an online appointment and went back a third time to get the shot. All well that ended well. Still, it took a lot to get it. I had time and insurance, a car, like the ability to go back multiple times.

Ethier worries that the kinds of barriers she encountered will discourage others from getting the vaccine. Ping Huang and PR News. from Washington, you're listening to NPR News. Federal Reserve policy makers next Wednesday will meet where they are to consider cutting interest rates to spur the U.S. economy. It's expected the central bank's benchmark rate will be cut by quarter of a point to lower the cost of borrowing and boost the nation's sagging job market. Meanwhile, Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook claimed on a 2021 mortgage document that a condominium she purchased was a vacation home and not her. her primary residence. Multiple media outlets are reporting that could undermine claims from a Trump-appointed official that Cook committed mortgage fraud and should be dismissed from the Fed. The automaker Stalantus is canceling plans to build an all-electric pickup truck, but it says it will move forward with plans for a plug-in hybrid version. As NPR's Kamala and Dadoski reports, that means that automakers are retooling their EV imports. Stalantis says that is demand for full-size battery electric pickup

is slowing in North America, the company is axing plans for an all-electric ram. But they're moving forward with a range extended truck. An electric motor turns the wheels, delivering instant torque, while a gas-powered generator extends the vehicle's range. The idea is you can plug in or fuel up and drive and tow either way. Hefty federal tax credits for EV buyers are ending very soon. Deals need to be inked by the end of this month to qualify. That's expected to be a blow.

to demand for EVs, while demand for hybrids is projected to grow. Camila Dominovsky, NPR News. The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards are tomorrow night in Los Angeles. I'm Dan Ronan, NPR News in Washington.