NPR News Now - NPR News: 09-18-2025 6PM EDT

Episode Date: September 18, 2025

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It's fall, so maybe you're figuring out your Halloween costume or where to get a pumpkin spice latte. And if you want to know what buzzy movies and TV shows to check out this fall, we've got you covered. Listen to Pop Culture Happy Hour in the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. The Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to allow President Trump to remove Federal Reserve Board member Lisa Cook immediately. The NPR's Nina Totenberg has more. The administration's unusually aggressive stance in the High Court is a clear signal that it's willing to fight hard

to try to get control of the Federal Reserve Board, which for 114 years has remained independent under the federal law that created the central bank. The Supreme Court's conservative majority in other cases involving independent agencies has signaled a clear willingness to let the president fire members of those independent agencies at will. But at the same time, the court has said, in an unsigned opinion,

that the Federal Reserve Board is different and likely protected from presidential interference. Nina Totenberg, NPR News, Washington. The CDC vaccine panel reconstituted by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Has changed the guidelines on a combined shot protecting against measles and chickenpox. The panel voted 8 to 3 a short time ago to remove the recommendation for kids under four years old. Following the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Turning Point USA has named his wife Erica Kirk as the group's next leader. Here's in Pierre's Elena Moore.

In a video just days after her husband's death, Erica Kirk told supporters that she'd continue his movement. You have no idea the fire that you have ignited within this wife. The cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry. Turning Point has played a key role in mobilizing young conservatives at high schools and colleges across the country. Since Charlie Kirk's death, the Maga World has questioned what the future of the group may look like, with some saying no single person can fill his shoes.

And while that leadership appears to still be taking shape, Erica Kirk will be a key part of it. Elena Moore, NPR News. After blocking a Gaza resolution at the U.N. today, the U.S. reportedly trying to revive cease fire talks. Those talks collapsed after Israel attacked Hamas' senior leaders in Qatar last week. One of the Hamas leaders targeted speaking publicly about it for the first time in Pierre Zaya Betrari reports. Gazi Hamad told El Jazeera that he was with other Hamas political leaders in a meeting in Qatar's capital of Doha, reviewing the latest U.S. proposal to end the war in Gaza when they heard the sound of explosions. He says 12 missiles were fired in rapid succession and that

they escaped with their lives, offering the first detailed account by Hamas of the attack. Qatar says at least six people were killed in the Israeli bombardment, but no Hamas leaders were among them. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will continue to go after Hamas wherever they are. Qatar, which had been a mediator between Israel and Hamas, says the attack on its capital last week is proof that Netanyahu is trying to thwart peace efforts. Ayobotrawi, NPR News, Dubai. And from Washington, you're listening to NPR News.

President Trump is due back at the White House this evening. He received the royal treatment during his state visit to the UK and held talks today with British Prime Minister Kier Starrmer. The two signed a technology agreement discussed the wars in Ukraine and Gaza and dismissed questions about the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's ties to Trump and to Starrmer's former ambassador to the U.S. The Senate has confirmed dozens of President Trump's nominees for executive branch jobs and ambassadorships. In a vote late today, senators confirmed 48 in one vote after Senate Republicans changed the rules

to avoid Democratic delays, allowing Trump's choices to be convinced. confirmed in groups. Federal Trade Commission has filed a lawsuit against Ticketmaster and its parent company, Live Nation. MPR. Cizabella Gomez-Armiento reports that the FTC is accusing the company of participating in illegal resale tactics. The lawsuit alleges that Ticketmaster willingly misleads consumers about ticket prices and cooperates with scalpers to mark up resale prices, all at the expense of artists and music fans. Seven states joined the FTC's legal complaint. The FTC is accused. using Ticketmaster of listing tickets at deceptively low prices that increase by 30% or more during

checkout due to extra fees. The lawsuit also argues that Ticketmaster allows Scalper's to bypass security measures and exceed ticket limits. The scalpers then sell tickets to fans on the secondary market at significantly higher prices, which are also subject to Ticketmaster service fees. Ticketmaster and Live Nation did not respond to NPR's requests for comment. Isabella Gomez-Armiento, NPR News. And I'm Jail Snyder. This is NPR News from Washington.