NPR News Now: September 26, 2025, 6PM EDT

Host: Ryland Barton

Duration: 5 Minutes

Overview

This episode presents concise updates on the day’s most pressing national stories, including developments in federal indictments against former FBI Director James Comey, the deployment of federal agencies to address crime in Memphis, stricter commercial license requirements for non-citizen drivers, ongoing government funding negotiations, and the passing of activist Assata Shakur in Cuba. The tone is factual, urgent, and impartial, with direct quotes from key figures.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Indictment of Former FBI Director James Comey

• Context: President Trump’s newly appointed prosecutor in Virginia indicted Comey on charges of allegedly lying to Congress five years ago, following Trump’s demand for prosecution.
• Trump’s Response: Trump frames the indictments as “justice” rather than revenge and indicates more indictments against political opponents are expected.
  • Quote: “It’s about justice, really. It’s not revenge. It’s about justice.” — Donald Trump [00:52]
  • Quote: “They are sick, radical left people and they can’t get away with it. And Comey, Comey was one of the people. He wasn’t the biggest, but he’s a dirty cop.” — Donald Trump [00:52]
• Comey’s Stance: Maintains his innocence and expresses readiness to prove it at trial.
  • Quote: “Comey says he is innocent and he looks forward to proving it at trial.” — Tamara Keith [01:11]

2. Federal Agencies Mobilize to Address Crime in Memphis

• Action: Starting Monday, 13 federal agencies, including the FBI and National Guard, will join Memphis police.
• Concerns: Community leaders debate increased safety against the optics of a military-like presence.
• Governor Bill Lee’s Approach: Emphasizes caution and flexibility.
  • Quote: “The operation itself will develop as the need is understood. On the ground.” — Bill Lee [01:48]
• Recent Crime Data: Despite a 25-year low in crime recently, officials want lasting reductions.
• Details: 300+ state troopers, $100M for crime-fighting tech; troops to be unarmed and not empowered to arrest unless requested.
  • Quote: “Troops he says will be unarmed unless local law enforcement requests otherwise and will have no power to make arrests.” — Christopher Blank [02:13]

3. Tightening CDL Requirements for Non-Citizens

• Policy Change: Transportation Department limits commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) for non-citizens after fatal accidents attributed to ineligible drivers.
• Eligibility: Only three visa classes now qualify for CDLs nationwide.
• Federal Pressure: Threat of $160 million funding cut to California for non-compliance.
  • Quote: “Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also threatened to revoke $160 million in federal funding from California unless it complies.” — Joel Rose [02:52]
• State Response: Governor Newsom’s office defends California’s lower fatal crash rates.
  • Quote: “A spokesperson for Governor Gavin Newsom defended the state safety record, saying commercial driver’s license holders from California have a fatal crash rate almost 40% below the national average.” — Joel Rose [03:04]

4. Government Funding & Health Care Stalemate

• Senate Leader Statement: Senate Majority Leader John Thune rejects Democrats’ push for increased health care funding, specifically on Medicaid restoration.
  • Quote: “Senate Majority Leader John Thune is rejecting Democratic demands to boost funding for health care, calling them unserious, but he says a government shutdown is still avoidable.” — Ryland Barton [03:12]

5. NFL Headquarters Shooting & CTE

• Incident: Autopsy of Shane Tamura, suspect in the NFL HQ killings, reveals low-stage CTE.
• Background: Tamura’s suicide note asked for his brain to be studied; he’d played football from youth through high school.
• Expert Perspective: CTE in players with similar history is not surprising.
  • Quote: “If you start at six and you… play through high school, no researcher who’s paying attention to this is now surprised to find somebody who played that long having CTE.” — Chris Nowinski, Concussion Legacy Foundation [04:14]

6. Death of Assata Shakur

• Announcement: Black liberation activist and fugitive Assata Shakur dies in Cuba, where she was granted asylum after escaping U.S. prison in 1979.
• Diplomatic Note: Her case remained a thorny issue in U.S.-Cuba relations.
  • Quote: “Her case had long been a thorny issue in the fraught relations between the US and Cuba.” — Ryland Barton [04:48]

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• “It’s about justice, really. It’s not revenge. It’s about justice.” — Donald Trump [00:52]
• “The operation itself will develop as the need is understood. On the ground.” — Bill Lee [01:48]
• “A spokesperson for Governor Gavin Newsom defended the state safety record, saying commercial driver’s license holders from California have a fatal crash rate almost 40% below the national average.” — Joel Rose [03:04]
• “If you start at six and you… play through high school, no researcher who’s paying attention to this is now surprised to find somebody who played that long having CTE.” — Chris Nowinski [04:14]

Noteworthy Moments by Timestamp

• [00:18–01:11]: Trump reacts to Comey indictment; Comey responds.
• [01:18–02:20]: Announcement and breakdown of Memphis federal agency surge.
• [02:20–03:12]: Introduction and implications of stricter CDL rules.
• [03:12–03:43]: Congressional standoff over health care funding.
• [03:43–04:30]: Details of Shane Tamura’s CTE diagnosis and legacy issues for the NFL.
• [04:30–04:56]: Death of Assata Shakur and its international implications.