NPR News Now - NPR News: 09-17-2025 12AM EDT

Episode Date: September 17, 2025

NPR News: 09-17-2025 12AM EDTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shay Stevens. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for the man who's charged with murdering conservative activist Charlie Kirk. KU.E.R.'s Martha Harris reports on the suspect's court appearance on Tuesday. Tyler Robinson appeared virtually from the Utah County Jail. He is being held there without bail. Robinson sat silently in front of a white wall except when he said his name. In the brief hearing, a Utah judge read, Robinson the seven charges against him. Robinson nodded as the judge talked to him but did not show much emotion. He has been charged with aggravated murder. Prosecutors have filed their intent to seek

the death penalty. The judge said a defense lawyer will be appointed to represent Robinson because of his financial circumstances. The judge also approved a protective order from Charlie Kirk's widow, Erica Kirk. This prohibits Robinson from contacting her. For NPR news, I'm Martha Harris in Provo, Utah. in New York has dismissed terrorism charges against the man who's accused of killing health insurance executive Brian Thompson. 27-year-old Luigi Mangione still faces several other state and federal counts, including second-degree murder charges. He's accused of attacking Thompson outside of a Manhattan high-rise last December. No trial date has yet been announced. Health officials in Wisconsin say they continue recommending annual COVID shots for anyone who's six months and older.

Sarah Lear of Wisconsin Public Radio. has the story. Wisconsin's recommendation stands in contrast to recent FDA action. That agency recommended the new COVID vaccine only for Americans 65 and older, or those with certain medical conditions. Dr. Wyand Westergard is an infectious disease specialist with the state health department. In the past several months, leaders at federal agencies have made policy decisions and issued recommendations that aren't supported by or directly contradict scientific consensus. Multiple states, including Wisconsin, have now issued standing orders for the new COVID vaccine. The goal of those orders is to ensure that people over six months old can get the vaccine without a prescription.

For NPR news, I'm Sarah Lear and Madison. Researchers say people with rheumatoid arthritis can now be treated with a device that reduces inflammation. More from NPR's John Hamilton. The surgically implanted device made by Set Point Medical was approved this summer by the Food and Drug Administration. It uses pulses of electricity delivered to the vagus nerve to activate the body's own system for reducing inflammation. Lynn Milam was a patient in the clinical trial that led to the device's approval. Three weeks in, my elbow pain was completely gone. My hands didn't hurt anymore.

The swelling started going away. The device is placed through a small incision in the neck and delivers electrical pulses for about a minute each day. It is approved for people with rheumatoid arthritis that hasn't responded to drugs. treatment. John Hamilton. This is NPR. Senate Democrats grilled FBI director Cash Patel on his leadership. Patel rejected questions during the Senate hearing and defended his record. The Jersey Democrat Cory Booker said he prayed that Patel would, in his words, step up and defend his oath and do a much better job of defending the nation. Patel called Booker's comment a rant and false information. The Georgia Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from the full

Colton County District Attorney, Bonnie Willis sought to challenge her removal from the election interference case against Donald Trump and several co-defendants. An appeals court ruled that she could not oversee the case because of an appearance of impropriety stemming from a romantic ties to a special prosecutor who she hired. That ruling is being upheld by Georgia's highest court. Fans are mourning the death of Robert Redford. The veteran actor, director, and producer died Tuesday at the age of 89. Here's Redford speaking in 2002 after receiving a lifetime achievement award for creating the Sundance Film Festival.

I've spent most of my life just focused on the road ahead. I've not looking back. But now tonight I'm seeing in the rearview mirror that there's something I've not thought about called history. And what moves me tonight is that I'm being joined by colleagues and peers to reflect on that history. Redford's dozens of film credits include all. the president's men, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and ordinary people, which earned him an Oscar for Best Director. U.S. Futures are flat in after-hours trading on Wall Street. This is NPR. This message comes from Wise, the app for using money around the globe. When you manage your money with Wise, you'll always get the mid-market exchange rate with no

hidden fees. Join millions of customers and visit Wise.com. Tease and Cs apply.