Charlie Kirk suspect stays silent, US-Venezuela clash escalates: Unbiased Updates, Sept. 15, 2025
Tyler Robinson, the suspect accused of killing Charlie Kirk, has refused to cooperate with investigators. However, authorities said they’re piecing together a clearer picture from forensic evidence, friends and family.
Plus, the U.S. Navy intercepted a Venezuelan fishing boat. Washington, D.C., claimed it was a routine anti-drug operation, but Caracas is calling it a provocation.
And Russian drones have now breached airspace over Romania just days after similar activity near Poland. NATO officials have warned Moscow’s strikes are creeping dangerously close to allied territory.
These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, Sept. 15, 2025.
Suspect not cooperating in Charlie Kirk assassination investigation
The investigation into the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk is zeroing in, but so far, there’s no clear motive.
Authorities say 22-year-old Tyler Robinson remains uncooperative in custody as law enforcement combs through his home and digital footprint.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox confirmed on Sunday that the suspect’s own family helped identify him and urged him to turn himself in.
“The suspect has not been cooperating so far. And so we’re getting all of this information from family members again, people around the suspect and then the forensic information that we have,” Cox said. “Which is confirming everything and more than what we were able to share in that initial press conference.”
New witness video shows the moment chaos broke out at Utah Valley University when Kirk was gunned down as thousands watched during an outdoor debate last week.
Investigators say Robinson had recently become more political and made comments critical of Kirk, calling him “full of hate.”
The governor said bullet casings were engraved with obscure online references, pointing to radicalization in the darker corners of the internet.
We’re also learning more about his personal life:
“He does come from a conservative family, but his ideology was very different than his family. And so that’s part of it,” Cox said. “We do know that the roommate that we had originally talked about, we can confirm that that roommate is a boyfriend who is transitioning from male to female. So we know that piece. I will say that that person has been very cooperative.”
Meanwhile, in Manhattan, New York, mourners gathered for a vigil for Kirk late on Sunday, organized by the Republican club. It was one of several events across the country.
Supporters carried American flags, sang the National Anthem, and vowed to carry on his legacy through activism.
According to Fox News, Kirk’s funeral will be on Sunday in Glendale, Arizona.
Formal charges against Tyler Robinson are expected on Tuesday. He remains held without bail in Utah.
FBI Director Patel faces congressional hearings on Kirk case
FBI director Kash Patel is now facing criticism regarding how he handled Charlie Kirk’s assassination. This week, he will be in the hot seat before Congress.
Patel is set to testify on Tuesday and Wednesday before the Senate and House Judiciary Committees, where lawmakers are expected to press him on the bureau’s response to Kirk’s shooting.
Criticism began when Patel prematurely announced on social media that the “subject” was in custody. The post came just hours after Kirk’s assassination on Wednesday, and was an assertion that turned out to be false.
According to NBC News, federal and local officials raised deeper concerns behind the scenes including Patel’s whereabouts the night of the shooting, and what one former official described as “grandstanding” in the hours after the arrest.
Now, questions are growing not just about Patel’s judgment but whether he can steady the FBI as it faces internal turmoil and growing political pressure.
Venezuela accuses US Navy of illegal seizure of fishing boat
There are new tensions in the Caribbean as Venezuela accuses the U.S. of a hostile seizure. Venezuela’s foreign minister claims Americans from a U.S. Navy destroyer illegally boarded a tuna fishing vessel with nine crewmen, calling it a “provocation.”
He displayed photos he claims show U.S. sailors on the vessel and the USS Jason Dunham.
But a U.S. official told ABC News that the boarding was part of a drug search, based on a tip.
A coast guard team embedded on the destroyer inspected the boat, found no contraband and insisted it only took minutes, not eight hours.
The official also said the vessel was in international waters.
The clash comes amid a string of incidents. Earlier this month, the Pentagon said Venezuelan fighter jets flew dangerously close to the same U.S. warship.
Also, recently, President Trump announced a strike on a drug boat from Venezuela. He said the move killed 11 narco-terrorists from the gang Tren de Aragua.
Caracas calls that a lie.
In response, Venezuela is launching large-scale militia training. Video shows armed volunteers, some senior citizens, handling rifles and even heavy artillery.
The country’s defense minister says the exercises are about “preparing to defend peace” against any U.S. incursion.
Maduro is set to speak later on Monday.
Meanwhile, Reuters is reporting five U.S. F-35 stealth jets have landed in Puerto Rico as part of a deployment of ten ordered by Trump to target drug cartels.
The Pentagon won’t confirm details, but says no “force posture change” is being announced.
Romania, Poland scramble jets as Russian drone breaches
Romania has condemned what it calls “irresponsible actions” by Russia after one of the Kremlin’s drones violated its airspace during an attack on Ukraine. Romania and Poland, both NATO allies, scrambled fighter jets over the weekend in response to waves of Russian drone and missile attacks.
NATO has been strengthening its defenses amid escalating concerns over repeated Russian incursions near allied borders.
Poland said its airspace was not violated during Saturday’s assault, but remains on high alert after shooting down Russian drones that did breach Polish territory last week.
The Polish prime minister said their forces are now at the highest state of readiness.
Meanwhile, Trump has been pressuring NATO allies, issuing an ultimatum Saturday. The U.S. will impose major sanctions on Russia, he said, but only if NATO countries join in and stop buying Russian oil.
“Look, Europe is … they’re my friends. But they’re buying oil from Russia. So we can’t be expected to be the only ones that are, you know, full, full bore. Europe is buying oil from Russia. I don’t want them to buy oil. And the sanctions that are putting, that they’re putting on, are not tough enough. And I’m willing to do sanctions, but they’re going to have to toughen up their sanctions commensurate with what I’m doing.”
— President Donald Trump
Trump argued that coordinated action could finally turn the tide in Ukraine.
Hochul endorses Zohran Mamdani for New York City mayor
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is endorsing progressive Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani in the race for New York City mayor, stating she needs to ensure the next mayor won’t “surrender one inch” to Trump.
In a New York Times op-ed, Hochul said her top concern was affordability, and Mamdani shares that priority.
But she also made it clear: police must have every resource they need to keep streets and subways safe. She also urged Mamdani to treat the fight against antisemitism as urgent.
Hochul admitted they don’t agree on everything but said he has the courage and optimism to lead the city.
Right now, Mamdani is leading the polls — ahead of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, incumbent Mayor Eric Adams and Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa.
And Trump has taken notice. He called Mamdani a “Communist” and “Radical left lunatic,” warning that if Mamdani wins, he will come begging the federal government for money.
Emmys 2025: Records, returns and a bittersweet farewell
The 2025 Emmy Awards are now history, and Seth Rogen’s “The Studio” took home the gold, with a total of 13 wins, including best comedy series. That sets a new record for a comedy and for a first-year show. Not bad for a freshman.
On the drama side, “The Pitt” won best drama, giving Noah Wyle his first Emmy win. It was a full circle moment after five nominations for “ER” back in the 1990s.
Netflix’s “Adolescence” also attracted attention, winning six awards, including best limited series. Its 15-year-old breakout star, Owen Cooper, became the youngest Emmy winner ever in a supporting role.
It was a bittersweet night for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” Just months before its CBS cancellation, Colbert finally won Outstanding Talk Series.
He received a standing ovation as the crowd chanted his name.
More from Straight Arrow News:
Americans think local government is boring. Social media could fix that.
The axle-chomping pothole growing deeper and wider in a busy intersection. The overflowing recycling bins still awaiting a truck to empty them, days or weeks behind schedule. Closed swimming pools. Battles over which library books to stock in the school around the corner.
These are local issues, regularly discussed and decided in open-door meetings held in city halls and school buildings across America.
But who’s paying attention?
About one in 12 Americans reported they have attended a public meeting in the past year, according to the National Conference on Citizenship. In other words: 11 out of 12 Americans don’t attend those meetings.
That leaves a lot of people in the dark when it comes to understanding what’s happening in their own communities. Full story publishes at 11 am ET only on SAN.com >
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
