NPR News Now - NPR News: 09-21-2025 2AM EDT

Episode Date: September 21, 2025

NPR News: 09-21-2025 2AM EDTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

With a major shift in our politics underway in this country, 1A is drilling down on what's at stake for you and our democracy. In our weekly series, If You Can Keep It, we put these changes into focus and answer your questions about the impact of the Trump administration on the U.S. Join us every Monday for If You Can Keep It on the 1A podcast from NPR and WAMU. Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a series of bills into law Saturday that were aimed at reigning in aggressive immigration enforcement in the state. From member station KQED in San Francisco, one Carlos Laro reports. The bills include a ban on law enforcement officers wearing masks on duty and a requirement that they identify themselves, with some exceptions. You're going to go out and you're going to do enforcement, provide an ID.

Tell us what's agency you represent. Provide us basic information that all local law enforcement is required to provide. Schools will not be prohibited from allowing immigration agents onto school grounds, and they'd have to notify campus communities when agents are on scene. Lastly, immigration enforcement agents would be barred from entering certain areas of education or health facilities without a judicial warrant or court order. Most of the five new laws take effect immediately,

except for the mask ban, which takes effect in January. For NPR News, I'm Juan Carlos Lata in San Francisco. A government shutdown is looking at least. Even more likely after Senate Republicans and Democrats blocked each other's budget bills on Friday, the new fiscal year begins in October 1st and a stopgap spending bill must be in place before then to keep the federal government working. At this moment, a shut down as the default scenario for the end of this month. The House has passed a stopgap spending measure and gone on recess until October. The Senate tried to match that measure yesterday, but it needed 60 votes,

which meant it needed some Democrats to go along. Some did, but most stood firm against this bill, which they say will be a disaster for people on Obamacare or Medicaid, excuse me, or relying on rural hospitals. That's NPR's Ron Elving. Israeli airstrikes across Gaza's city are continuing as the Israeli military forces residents out of the area of the city is home to about one million people. Gaza health officials say at least 34 Palestinians were killed this weekend from airstrikes. As NPR's Anas Baba reports, the situation is deteriorating rapidly for civilians who are unable to get out of Gaza City. Food is scarce, he says, and families are running out of water. In the heart of Gaza City, thirst is now spreading faster than the fear of bombs.

The municipality says 75% of central water wells have been destroyed or damaged by Israel, leaving hundreds of thousands with little or no access to clean water. Families still trapped north of the city have been unable to evacuate or forced to walk as far as 15 miles to reach the south. Evacuating is expensive as much as $6,000 to secure a vehicle out and detain to stay. Some have even returned home after failing to find a safe place in the southern Gaza. That is what Al Jammala family did. After failing to find safety, they returned to their home early Saturday.

Hours later, an Israeliirstrike killed all nine members according to Gaza's civil defense. Anasbaba, NPR News, Gaza City. And you're listening to NPR News. Puerto Rican music superstar bad bunny closed out a series of shows Saturday night with a final concert in San Juan. The event has attracted music lovers and injected millions of dollars into the island's economy. Kavan Antonio Hidari reports from San Juan. More than 500,000 fans of the reggaeton star have attended the 30 concert series on the island. It closes this weekend with an extra show, time to coincide with the anniversary of Hurricane

Maria, which made landfall on September 20th, 2007. 17 and devastated the island and its power grid. A U.S. territory, Puerto Rico's economy and pride, have received a substantial boost from the concert series. Bad Bunny, born Benito Martinez-Ocasio, decided to skip the United States in his world tour, which kicks off in November in protest of the Trump administration's immigration raids. For NPR News, I'm Kevan Antonio Haydari in San Juan. Anna Hall won her first major track title and style on Saturday.

she became just the second American to ever win the world, Heptathlon. She beat Ireland's Kate O'Connor in the seven-part event by 174 points. The Heptathlon is an endurance competition with participants running the 100-meter hurdles, throwing a javelin and competing in the long jump, among other events. WNB star, NBA star, Caitlin Clark, was fined $200 by the league for using social media to criticize referees. After Indiana's game two win, over Atlanta in the first run of the playoffs, Clark tweeted that, quote, The refs can't stop us. Indiana opens their best of five semifinal series against Las Vegas on Sunday.

I'm Dale Wilman. NPR News. 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. T's and Cs apply.