Podcast Summary: Here's the Scoop (NBC News)

Episode: Americans Feel the Shutdown Squeeze; Olympian Red Gerard Marks 100 Days Until Milan Olympics

Date: October 29, 2025
Host: Yasmin Vesugian
Main Guests: Melanie Zanona (NBC News Capitol Hill Correspondent), Red Gerard (Olympic Snowboarder)

Overview

This episode of "Here's the Scoop" tackles the persistent federal government shutdown, now in its 29th day, focusing on the very real impacts felt by ordinary Americans—including potential lapses in SNAP (food stamp) benefits, rising health insurance premiums, and federal worker hardships. The episode then makes a lively pivot to mark 100 days until the 2026 Winter Olympics, featuring an energetic interview with Olympic snowboarder Red Gerard about his preparation, mindset, and hopes for Milan.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Federal Shutdown: The Squeeze Tightens

Segment Timestamps: 01:12–09:33

• SNAP Benefits at Risk:

  • On November 1st, unless Congress intervenes, 40 million low-income Americans risk losing their food assistance.

    "Without congressional action, 40 million low income Americans could go without enough to eat."
    — Yasmin Vesugian (01:20)

  • Recipients are already anxious—some food banks are turning away first-time federal worker applicants as states begin pausing new signups.

    "Some of them were trying to get on benefits for the first time ever, but were already being denied because some of these states were already pausing, even last week new signups."
    — Melanie Zanona (02:41)

  • This pain isn't ideological—rural, red, and blue states alike stand to lose vital support.

• Controversy Over Emergency Funds:

  • There's a $5–6 billion SNAP contingency fund meant for disasters; Republicans resist tapping it, arguing the shutdown is "manufactured" and Democrats should end it by negotiating.

    "The USDA is arguing that this is not an emergency, this is a manufactured crisis and that Democrats could solve it immediately by reopening the government."
    — Melanie Zanona (04:30)

  • Legal battles are underway; 25 state attorneys general are suing for continued benefits.

• Health Care Fears: Open Enrollment Uncertainty

  • Obamacare premium subsidies, enhanced during COVID, are expiring. With open enrollment starting Nov 1st, Americans could see dramatic premium hikes—double, triple, or even quadruple in some cases.

    "Already there is some window shopping going on. People are experiencing sticker shock."
    — Melanie Zanona (06:36)

  • Democrats are stalling for a deal that restores subsidies to avoid mass coverage losses.

• Federal Worker Hardship: Could TSA & Air Traffic Staff Force a Resolution?

  • Air travel slowdowns contributed to the end of the 2019 shutdown. Again, TSA and air traffic controllers are about to miss more paychecks—this could be a turning point, especially if Thanksgiving travel melts down.

    "I ultimately do think that travel is one of those things that could be the straw that breaks the camel's back, especially if it is still going on during Thanksgiving..."
    — Melanie Zanona (08:14)

• Stalemate & Lack of Urgency:

  • The Capitol feels eerily quiet; negotiations are stalled, with Congress focusing more on how to pay select federal workers than on reopening.

    "There's just no sense of urgency right now. And in fact, they're not even talking about trying to reopen the government..."
    — Melanie Zanona (09:02)

2. Olympic Hopes: Red Gerard Preps for Milan

Segment Timestamps: 11:03–18:31

• Looking Back: Winning Gold at 17

  • Red recalls his surprise and naiveté at the 2018 Games: he was so young, he didn’t fully grasp the Olympics’ scope.

    "When I was 17 going there, I really didn’t...know how big...the Olympics were necessarily even, and I definitely didn't know how big it was."
    — Red Gerard (12:17)

• Learning from Setbacks: Missing the Podium in 2022

  • Red finished fourth in Beijing, despite a strong run; discusses the subjectivity of judged sports and making peace with results.

    "I do think it was a really good run. I think it probably should have been on the podium, but ... that's what we signed up for, and you kind of got to be good with it at the end."
    — Red Gerard (13:36)

• Training & Mindset

  • Red describes his summer regimen as "average"—gym three times a week, healthy eating; in winter, actual snowboarding is the best prep.

    "For snowboarding during the winter, the best thing you can do, or at least from my perspective, is just go snowboarding."
    — Red Gerard (15:01)

  • He’s not superstitious; his pre-run ritual is a simple mantra to himself.

    "Right before I drop in for a contest run, I just, like, bend down, touch my board, and say a couple words, and then just kind of go."
    — Red Gerard (15:32)

• Family & Support

  • Red is one of eight siblings. His sister, Tiegan, is behind the popular food blog Half Baked Harvest. His family plans to attend Milan en masse.

    "Yeah. Oh, there's gonna be, like, 30 of them. It'll be insane."
    — Red Gerard (16:06)

  • On family at the Olympics:

    "I always think of it like they're there on vacation and I'm just a part of their vacation at some point."
    — Red Gerard (16:24)

• Goals and Experience for 2026

  • Red wants not just medals, but to absorb the Olympic atmosphere—a chance he missed as a teen champ and then amid pandemic restrictions.

    "More than that, I would love to, you know, go there and kind of get that Olympic experience that I don't really think I've had."
    — Red Gerard (16:48)

3. News Headlines & Quick Updates

Segment Timestamps: 18:39–21:48

• Federal Reserve Cuts Rates:

  • Another quarter-point drop in interest rates; layoffs continue, inflation remains high, but Wall Street and Nvidia hit record highs.
  • Next Fed rate call: December 10th.

• Trump–South Korea Trade Deal:

  • Trump finalizes a trade pact with South Korea: $350 billion investment, mutual tariffs holding at 15%, auto tariffs lowered.

• Hurricane Melissa:

  • Devastating Jamaica and Cuba, with the storm now headed for the Bahamas. Massive power outages and concerns for children’s welfare.

• Changing Broadway Traditions:

  • Broadway to swap cast-change paper slips for QR codes, ending an era for theater enthusiasts and understudies.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "SNAP benefits are going to be one of the things that runs out. So they're continuing to hold on to certain pain points."
  — Melanie Zanona (05:49)

• "The Capitol feels strange...there's barely anyone here. The House is out of session. They’re taking votes sometimes to reopen the government. And even when they do, those are failing..."
  — Melanie Zanona (08:58)

• "When I got there, I was...I mean, I just kind of treated it the same as I treated all the other..."
  — Red Gerard, on competing at 17 (12:26)

• "I always think of it like they're there on vacation and I'm just a part of their vacation at some point."
  — Red Gerard, on his large family attending the Olympics (16:24)

Episode Structure & Flow

• Opening (01:12–01:53): Immediate focus on the shutdown’s impact, skipping long introductions and ads.
• Shutdown Deep Dive (01:53–09:33): Interview with Capitol Hill correspondent, touching on food security, bureaucracy, and political gamesmanship.
• Olympic Segment (11:03–18:31): Uplifting switch to sports, highlighting Red Gerard’s story, training, and family support.
• Fast Headlines (18:39–21:48): Quick roundup of the day's remaining key stories—economics, international affairs, weather, and arts.

Final Thoughts

This episode delivers essential context and on-the-ground emotion about the government shutdown, highlighting real-life consequences and political inertia. The Red Gerard segment brings warmth, showing a grounded Olympian focused on personal growth as much as podiums. The episode balances urgency, expertise, and relatability throughout.

For listeners:
If you want a comprehensive, human-focused breakdown of the shutdown—and a taste of Olympic spirit—this episode is for you.