Monday, September 22, 2025 • 3 min read

Wake up with The Yodel

by Natasha Frost with Anthony Rivas

Good morning. It’s the first day of fall, and that means sensational seasonal produce. I’m amped for sweet potatoes and antioxidant-rich Swiss chard. Now, on to the news.

Need to know

A large cowd of people raise their hands in praise.

Ross D. Franklin/AP

Tens of thousands of people attended an Arizona memorial service for Charlie Kirk yesterday, where President Trump called the conservative activist a “martyr” and speakers vowed to continue his mission.

A national spotlight: Erika Kirk, the activist’s widow, who was named CEO of his organization, used her address to press for forgiveness. “I forgive him because it is what Christ did. The answer to hate is not hate,” she said. [BBC News]
Other takeaways: While many other speakers focused on Kirk’s faith and legacy, Trump took a political tack. “He did not hate his opponents, he wanted the best for them,” he said, adding, “I hate my opponents, and I don’t want the best for them.” [The Hill]
What’s next: During his speech, Trump teased an announcement about the cause of autism. He is expected to link the condition with the use of Tylenol, or acetaminophen, during pregnancy — a claim experts dispute. [CNN]

In case you missed it

A sign hangs from the Eiffel tower where a dove is between a Palestinian flag and an Israeli flag.

The Eiffel Tower on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. | Christophe Ena/AP

Recognizing a Palestinian state

Australia, Britain, Canada and Portugal said they’d recognize a Palestinian state, ahead of a summit today in which France and other nations are expected to follow suit. The U.S. and Israel will boycott the summit. [Reuters]

Trump’s H-1B announcement

Trump’s plan to impose a one-off $100,000 fee for H-1B visas for skilled workers set off panic and frantic travel for some, before he clarified it would apply only to new applicants. The move might affect the tech and medical industries the most. [NBC News/BBC News]

Hurricane Gabrielle’s path

Gabrielle became a Category 1 hurricane yesterday and is expected to strengthen. Forecasters say it’ll pass east of Bermuda before turning north-northeast, potentially causing dangerous currents along the East Coast this week. See maps. [CBS News]

Sunday Night Football recap

The Chiefs defeated the Giants 22-9 in a game during which both teams played poorly. One highlight: the heated exchange between Chiefs coach Andy Reid and tight end Travis Kelce, who was recently fined for making “obscene gestures.” [Yahoo Sports/Hollywood Reporter]

A box office record

Dark fantasy anime Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle became the highest-grossing anime movie ever, earning the No. 1 spot in the domestic box office in its second weekend in U.S. theaters and bringing in a total of $665 million worldwide. [Entertainment Weekly]

What’s happening today

Hulu

Now streaming

Into the Void, an eight-episode docuseries about heavy metal’s most compelling artists, is on Hulu. Look out for guest appearances from Sharon Osbourne and more. [People]

On TV

Reba McEntire, Snoop Dogg, Michael Bublé and Niall Horan return to coach Season 28 of The Voice, premiering at 8 p.m. ET on NBC. What to expect this season? A new rule gives host Carson Daly more power. [NBC]

On Monday Night Football

The Lions play the Ravens at 8:15 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN. “It’ll be fun,” Lions QB Jared Goff said about the game, which will feature two of the league’s most entertaining offenses.[AP]

On the field

The Brewers, who clinched their third straight NL Central title yesterday despite losing to the Cardinals, face the Padres at 9:40 p.m. ET on the MLB app. [USA Today]

And don't forget to...

Read your daily horoscope. Play the crossword. Check the forecast in your area.

Today in history

In 1994, Friends, a show about six young people living in New York City that went on to become one of the biggest sitcoms ever, premiered on NBC. “I could already tell this was going to be big,” star Matthew Perry, who died in 2023, wrote in his memoir. “I knew it from the start.” [Yahoo Entertainment]

Illustration: Yahoo News; photo: Jon Ragel /NBC /Courtesy Everett Collection

Feel-good moment

Two pictures. First of a girafe stands between a man and a woman showing off an engagement ring; and, second of the man on one knee proposing while a girafe looks on.

Lila Batiari and Zachary Gladnick

When Zachary Gladnick popped the question to his girlfriend, veterinarian Lila Batiari, he called in a favor from a very tall friend: Mazi the giraffe, who he included at the proposal site. “My heart was racing,” Batiari said. (She said yes!) [People]

Before you go, your daily advice

To boost your vitamin D as the days get shorter and darker, experts suggest adjusting your diet and taking an afternoon walk. [Real Simple]

The Yodel team

The Yodel is written by Natasha Frost and edited by Anthony Rivas. Today’s edition was copyedited by Doreen Bentley.

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