Podcast Summary: Apple News Today

Episode: "The shutdown deadline is looming. Here’s what could happen."

Host: Shumita Basu
Date: September 29, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Shumita Basu explores the urgent developments around the impending federal government shutdown, including the political maneuvering in Congress and possible consequences for Americans. Additional segments cover a tragic church shooting in Michigan, rising autism diagnoses and the surrounding controversy, and a rowdy Ryder Cup finish. The episode draws on reporting from Politico, the LA Times, and interviews with officials, reporters, and people directly affected by recent events.

Looming Federal Government Shutdown

Political Standoff in Congress

• A government shutdown is imminent if a spending bill isn't passed before the midnight deadline. The House-passed bill would fund the government until November 21 but requires Democratic support (00:05).
• Both parties accuse each other of obstruction:
  • Senate Majority Leader John Thune (01:03):

    “Deal totally up to the Democrats. The ball is in their court. There is a bill sitting at the desk in the Senate right now. We could pick it up today and pass it.”

  • Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on negotiations with Trump (01:22):

    “We need a serious negotiation. Now, if the president at this meeting is going to rant and just yell at Democrats... we won’t get anything done. But my hope is it’ll be a serious negotiation.”

Sticking Point: ACA Subsidies

• Democrats demand the extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies, which are set to expire at the end of the year (01:36).

• Sophia Kai, Politico White House Reporter (01:47):

  “They matter because Democrats and some Republicans, frankly... want to make sure that millions of people’s insurance bills don’t increase. And that’s what will happen if there’s not an extension.”

  • More than 20 million people could see health premiums skyrocket (02:07).

New Element: Potential Permanent Layoffs

• The Trump administration is reportedly planning to use the shutdown as grounds for mass federal workforce cuts, not just temporary furloughs.
• Sophia Kai explains directives from OMB Director Russ Vought (02:56):

  “They’re permanent firings of federal employees who in Russ Vogt’s view... don’t contribute to President Trump’s priorities... Now we’re talking about mass layoffs that go beyond what Elon Musk did previously.”

Essential Services and Economic Impact

• Past shutdowns preserved core services—military, air safety, Medicare, and mail—but put other services at risk (03:21).
• U.S. Travel Association: Possible losses of $1 billion weekly for the travel industry (03:21).

Outcome Hinges on White House-Congress Meeting (04:02)

• Decision rests with Trump and congressional leaders.
• Sophia Kai (04:02):

  “If Trump wants to cut a deal, then Republicans will cut that deal... Whether or not they'll come out with a solution is really up in the air... probably a 50-50 chance of government shutting down.”

Michigan Church Shooting

What Happened

• Gunman crashes into and attacks church in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan: 4 dead, 8 wounded (04:35).
• Shooter—identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford, a local military veteran—was killed after a police confrontation.

Community Response

• Police Chief William Renee on heroes inside the church (05:28):

  “Not only the first responders, but the people who were inside that church... They were shielding the children... Just extreme courage, brave. That’s the type of community that we are.”

• Paula, survivor and Sunday school teacher, on faith after the tragedy (06:19):

  “It’s just devastating... But it’s not shaking my faith. I don’t know what happened and I don’t know why and probably never will.”

• Brian Taylor, churchgoer, on escaping (06:44, 06:56):

  “As soon as I saw the door open with the shooter... I tried to drive away. And that’s when he shot at us.”
  “...even though we really shouldn’t have to, that should not be something that you, that you have to be afraid of when we go to worship.”

National Context

• Attack is part of a troubling trend: multiple attacks at religious institutions across the U.S. this year (07:07).
• President Trump calls this "yet another targeted attack on Christians" (07:07), though motive not confirmed.

Autism Diagnoses on the Rise

Unpacking the Trend and Controversy

• Recent Trump administration statements have linked Tylenol use in pregnancy and autism—a claim dismissed by scientists as unfounded (07:45).
• Corinne Purtil, LA Times Health and Science Reporter, on expanding diagnosis (08:19, 08:39):

  “When autism first entered the psychiatry profession’s diagnostic bible in 1980... very narrow range of criteria.”
  “It took what had been four different neurodevelopmental disorders and all put them together into a single diagnosis.”

  • Only about 25% of cases are now classified as “profound autism”—challenging misinformation that most are severe (09:04).

Better Screening and Broader Criteria

• Introduction of universal pediatric screening and increased awareness among health professionals and schools (09:20).
• Recent CDC data: For the first time, diagnoses among children of color surpassed those among white children (09:50).
  • Purtil (09:50):

    “What we are seeing here is that children of color... are accurately recognizing now that they have autistic traits and are in need of more specialized support.”

Official Responses

• National Institutes of Health has granted $50 million for autism research (10:23), a move praised by scientists.
• Internal administration communications advised a nuanced approach regarding Tylenol claims (11:02).
  • Purtil (11:02):

    “If you have a question about how to treat pain or fever during pregnancy, talk to your doctor.”

Brief Headlines & Ryder Cup Recap

Political Developments

• NYC Mayor Eric Adams ends re-election bid amid scandals and a failed campaign (11:27).
• Oregon sues Trump administration to block deployment of National Guard troops to Portland (summary at 11:27).

Ryder Cup Highlights (12:47)

• Team Europe wins at Bethpage State Park, NY, in a volatile atmosphere (12:47).
• Notable incident: Team Europe’s Rory McIlroy’s wife struck with a beer amid rowdy American fans.
  • Rory McIlroy (13:16):

    “I don’t think we should ever accept that in golf. I think golf should be held to a higher standard than what was seen out there this week.”

Memorable Quotes

• John Thune (Senate Majority Leader): “Deal totally up to the Democrats. The ball is in their court.” (01:03)
• Chuck Schumer (Democratic Minority Leader): “We need a serious negotiation. Now, if the president... is going to rant... we won’t get anything done.” (01:22)
• Sophia Kai (Politico reporter): “Permanent firings... mass layoffs that go beyond what Elon Musk did previously.” (02:56)
• Police Chief William Renee: “They were shielding the children... Just extreme courage, brave.” (05:28)
• Paula, churchgoer: “It’s just devastating... But it’s not shaking my faith.” (06:19)
• Rory McIlroy (Team Europe golfer): “I don’t think we should ever accept that in golf. I think golf should be held to a higher standard...” (13:16)

Key Timestamps

• [00:05] Federal shutdown deadline context and partisan gridlock
• [01:36] ACA subsidy extension as a Democratic demand
• [02:56] Plans for permanent layoffs of federal employees
• [03:21] What services remain in shutdown; economic impact
• [04:35] Michigan church shooting: what happened, community response
• [08:19] Autism diagnosis criteria and trends
• [09:50] CDC report: shifting autism diagnosis demographics
• [12:47] Ryder Cup—fan trouble and Team Europe’s win

This episode captures the tension and stakes of the looming shutdown, tragic events in Michigan, evolving understandings of autism, and sports headlines—grounded by expert voices and those directly affected.