NPR News Now - NPR News: 09-20-2025 11AM EDT

Episode Date: September 20, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Rahm. The Pentagon is implementing new guidelines that were required journalists to agree to report only approved and officially released information. NPR's Quill Lawrence has more. Two U.S. officials who are not authorized to speak publicly confirmed to NPR that the Pentagon will drastically change how journalists have covered the largest department in the U.S. government for decades. Going forward, journalists must sign a pledge not to gather any information,

including unclassified reports, that hasn't been authorized for release. The Pentagon says those who fail to obey the new policy will lose their press credentials. On social media, defense secretary Pete Higseff posted that, quote, the press does not run the Pentagon the people do. He wrote, The press is no longer allowed to roam the halls of a secure facility, wear a badge and follow the rules, or go home. Quill Lawrence, NPR News.

A memorial will be held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona tomorrow, for conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot to death last week. President Trump is scheduled to attend. The assassination of Kirk and how people react it revealed deep divisions in the country. Comedian Jimmy Kimmel was pulled off his show. NPR's Ron Elving has more. A large portion of the country is enraged about the killing of Charlie Kirk,

another about the cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel. And a third group is wondering why these two events are tearing the country apart. There are millions of Americans who don't live to Oregon. you on social media. They don't want to be at odds with their neighbors, but polls show the national mood in the wake of recent events is plummeting. NPR's Ron Elving. President Trump says he's fired the top federal prosecutor in Northern Virginia. Eric Seabird had told colleagues he planned to resign. He'd been investigating some of Trump's perceived political enemies, including New York Attorney General Tish James and former FBI director Jim Comey. But Seabird expressed doubt that

criminal charges should be filed. Russia is denying charges and again violated NATO airspace. This time with several fighter jets accused of flying over the skies of NATO member state, Estonia. NPR's Charles Mainz reports from Moscow. Russia's defense ministries said three-mig fighter jets were on a scheduled flight from northwest Russia to the ex-glave of Kaliningrad on the Baltic Sea and never deviated from their dedicated flight path. NATO tells a different story. It says Alliance fighter jets scramble to insuffalo.

intercept the Russian planes after they entered Estonian's airspace for a full 12 minutes and what Estonian authorities called an unprecedentedly brazen incursion. The incident comes just a week after NATO fighter jets fired on more than 20 Russian drones spotted over the skies of member state Poland. Russia denied intentionally targeting that NATO member. The Western governments suggest Russia was likely out to probe NATO's Eastern defenses. Charles Mainz, NPR News, Moscow. You're listening to NPR News in Washington. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said today

Russia launched a major drone and missile attack against Ukraine overnight, damaging infrastructure and residential buildings. At least three people were killed and dozens more were wounded. Zelensky said every strike is not a military necessity, but a deliberate strategy by Russia to terrorize civilians. Tensions over an immigration blitz in Chicago boiled over at a federal facility near the city yesterday. Richard Mitchell from member station WBEZ reports federal officers fired tear gas and pepperballs and protesters.

The feds say Chicago area immigration arrests have totaled around 550 since the operation began less than two weeks ago. Reverend David Black leads a Southside Presbyterian congregation. He joined protesters at a suburban immigration and customs enforcement facility. What ICE is doing in Chicago and throughout the country is utterly abhorrent. Jesus, he came into the world to stand in the way of evil, to put his body in the way of evil. Black was among protesters hit with pepper balls and spray. At least two people were arrested during a morning protest and four more later in the day. For NPR News, I'm Chip Mitchell in Chicago. For those who like it hot, spicy hot, New York City is holding its 12th annual hot sauce expo today,

with tastings and bottles available for purchase for purchase. The stage of Doom will feature extreme eating competitions, including the chicken wings of death challenge and the spicy pizza of Doom. I'm Nora Rahm. NPR News in Washington.