NPR News Now - NPR News: 09-20-2025 4PM EDT

Episode Date: September 20, 2025

NPR News: 09-20-2025 4PM EDTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Rahm. The International Rescue Committee says it has suspended all its aid programs in Gaza City, that the Israeli offensive there has made it too dangerous. Bob Kitchin is the group's head of emergencies, he says until now they have delivered vital aid. Across Gaza, we're distributing about 90,000 litres of clean water every day. We're screening malnourished kids. and giving them ready to use therapeutic feeding to help them stay alive.

And we're helping children and women who've faced such obvious but such life-changing trauma. In Gaza City specifically, we've been doing all of those three things up until recently. He said there are still half a million people in Gaza City who are trying desperately to cling to their lives. For the third time this month, the U.S. military has destroyed a boat, the White House says, was smuggling drugs from South. America. Three people were killed. NPR's Quill Lawrence reports. President Trump announced on social media that he had ordered a deadly strike on what he called a vessel affiliated with a

designated terrorist organization conducting narco-trafficking. Trump added in all caps, stop selling fentanyl, narcotics, and illegal drugs in America. U.S. Southern Command referred all questions about the attack to the White House. In the two previous lethal strikes this month, the boats had left from Venezuela, a country where a small amount of mostly cocaine transits to the U.S. The vast majority of fentanyl comes from Mexico. The White House has not provided detailed briefings to Congress on the subject, and some lawmakers from both sides of the aisle say these strikes amount to execution without trial. Quill Lawrence NPR News. The Pentagon is imposing new rules for reporters covering the military. Journalists must sign a pledge not to gather information,

including unclassified documents that has not been authorized for release. It says those who don't comply will lose their press credentials. Tensions over an immigration blitz in Chicago boiled over at a federal facility near the city yesterday. Chip Mitchell from member station WBEZ reports from Chicago. The feds say Chicago area immigration arrests have totaled around 500,000. 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. This is NPR News. California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law today that prohibits most law enforcement officers from covering their faces while conducting official business. It makes exceptions for undercover agents, medical masks, and the state police. This is in response to federal immigration raids in Los Angeles. But it's not clear how or whether the state can enforce the on federal agents. President Trump has said the masks are needed for the safety of immigration

agents, who he says face increased harassment in public. Thousands of people are flocking to a small town in West Virginia to celebrate a mythical creature called Mothman. NPR's Bill Chapel is there. In the 1960s, two young couples saw an eerie sight on a dirt road in Point Pleasant. Here's Steve Ward, a local historian. Now, this thing was roughly humanoid, 6-7-4. foot tall, red glowing eyes, and about a 10-foot wingspan. Newspapers called it The Mothman, and a legend was born. It spawned a movie and this annual festival, which is helping the local economy fly. Denny Bellamy is the county tourism director.

Our main street was a ghost town, but it is filled with gift shops now and a waiting list to get on Main Street. He expects more than 20,000 visitors over the weekend. Bill Chapel, NPR News. A bit farther north, New York City is holding its 12th annual Hot Sauce Expo today, with tastings and whole bottles for sale. The stage of Doom is featuring extreme eating competitions, such as the Chicken Wings of Death Challenge and the spicy pizza of Doom.

I'm Nora Rahm. NPR News in Washington.