by Suzanne Nuyen

September 11, 2025

Good morning. Researchers say that the technology used to detect gravitational waves has become precise enough to allow them to verify a key idea about black hole growth originally put forth by Stephen Hawking. Here's the news we're following today:

Charlie Kirk, a Trump ally and right-wing activist, has died at 31 after being shot while speaking at Utah Valley University. President Trump announced his death and praised his political impact, condemning the left and the media for "demonizing" those they disagree with. Authorities, however, have not released any information about the shooter or their motive. Kirk launched Turning Point USA, an organization for young conservatives, at the age of 18. Federal and state authorities are searching for the shooter. Police released two people taken into custody after the shooting yesterday.

Charlie Kirk, wearing a navy blue box check suit and a red and white dotted tie, seen in the Oval Office on May 28.

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

🎧 "It's impossible to overstate the importance of Kirk to an entire generation of young conservatives," NPR's Stephen Fowler tells Up First. Fowler describes him as an "influencer, grassroots organizer … and all-around avatar for politically active online and offline Gen Z Americans." Turning Point USA has grown into an integral part of the Republican party, and Fowler says it has a "big seat at the table" when it comes to shaping discussions about policy. Kirk was killed on the first of 15 planned "American Comeback Tour" events at college campuses. Kirk was hosting one of his signature events, where he would host big outdoor debates to face off against people who were ideologically and morally opposed to his views, which were often provocative and inflammatory.

Today marks 24 years since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. Nearly a quarter-century later, the men accused of planning the attacks have still not faced trial. Many lawyers involved in the case doubt they ever will. The defendants, including alleged ringleader Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, were tortured in secret CIA prisons, resulting in unresolved legal fights over what evidence is admissible. Thousands of 9/11 family members wait for a resolution as the case remains in limbo and the defendants are held at the U.S. military prison in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. Brett Eagleson and Elizabeth Miller both lost their fathers in the attack. Though they are bound by their loss, they're split on how they want to resolve the case.

➡️ New York City officials announced last month that they identified the remains of three more victims who died during the attacks at the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan. But 40% of the victims are still unidentified today. Take a look inside the lab that's working to identify remaining victims.

Polish and NATO officials say they're awaiting the results of a military assessment to decide on a response after Poland said NATO shot down several Russian attack drones that violated Polish airspace during attacks on neighboring Ukraine. It was the first time in the history of NATO that alliance fighter jets engaged enemy targets in allied airspace. Polish authorities say they found the wreckage of at least nine Shahed-style attack drones, which Russia uses in its attacks. A spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office in Lublin, a city near the border with Ukraine, says that all of the drones found so far were unarmed so-called “dummy” drones, which are used by Russia to fool Ukrainian air defenses.
🎧 NPR's Rob Schmitz says the mood in Poland is tense. He describes a lot of history and a fair amount of bad blood between Poland and Russia that continues to this day. In recent years, Stein says Russia has launched a variety of hybrid attacks on Poland, including weaponizing migrants and busing them to the Belarus-Polish border. Poland has spent a billion dollars on building a new fence on that border and spends nearly 5% of its GDP on its military — more than any other NATO member.

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Photo illustration by Joe Raedle/Getty Image

Cold and flu season is upon us once again, and this year, there's a lot of confusion around who can and can't get the updated COVID-19 vaccine. The Trump administration claims that at this point in the pandemic, existing immunity removes the need for continued boosters. The new vaccines have only been approved for people 65 or older and young people who have other health issues that would make getting COVID especially risky. An advisory group for the CDC is expected to meet later this month and will issue formal recommendations for how the COVID vaccine can be prescribed. Here's what you need to know in the meantime:

💉 The number of people testing positive for COVID and showing up to the ER for treatment rose steadily throughout July and August, but has now started to drop.
💉 People age 65 and older are the group driving deaths and hospitalizations from COVID.
💉 An estimated 30-60% of Americans have a preexisting condition, including obesity, asthma and diabetes, that could be complicated by COVID, based on the FDA's previous parameters. It's unclear whether the CDC advisory board will ratify these conditions.
💉 You could get a prescription for a COVID vaccine, but the pharmacist would still have to accept the prescription for you to get the booster.

Hear more answers to your COVID vaccine questions on this episode of Consider This from NPR.

A graphic of a woman sitting cross-legged, holding her head as she stares down at her laptop in shock.

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For many college freshmen, it can be overwhelming to be financially self responsible. You are finally managing your own budget, but you may have thousands of dollars in student loans. Financial educator Yanely Espinal says it's crucial to set some rules and systems to set yourself up for success. On NPR's Life Kit, she shares her advice for making sure you have enough money to spend at school without graduating with more debt than you need.

💰The general rule of thumb for student loans is that your total debt when you graduate should not be more than your expected annual salary at your first job out of school.
💰 Opening up about money with your new college friends can make you feel less alone or ashamed about your situation — and even generate creative financial solutions.
💰Before opening a credit card, shop around for the best interest rates and rewards. Try not to put things on your card that you can't pay off in full by the due date.
💰 Create a written roommate agreement outlining financial obligations for shared costs.
💰 Apply to scholarships, even once you're in college.
💰 If you can, start making payments toward the interest on your loans while you're still in school.
💰 Consider getting a job near campus.

Get more money tips from Life Advice here. Subscribe to the Life Kit newsletter for expert advice on love, money, relationships and more.

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A little boy holds his hands in front of him and looks off into the distance as he stands in front of a woman in a black shirt and jeans.

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New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced plans this week to remove income eligibility requirements from her state's child care assistance program, making universal child care free for all families. (via KUNM)

A Martian rock sample collected by the Perseverance rover could show potential signs of ancient life, according to NASA, which published its recent findings in the journal Nature.

Sabrina Carpenter's newest album, Man's Best Friend, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, and all 12 of its songs are on the Hot 100's top 40.

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