NPR News: 09-27-2025 10PM EDT

Summary

---

NPR News Now: September 27, 2025, 10PM EDT

Overview

This brief, five-minute NPR News update covers the top national and international headlines as of late September 27, 2025. Major stories include impending U.S. government shutdown negotiations, public opinion on President Trump’s law enforcement policies, the escalation of diplomatic tensions over Iran’s nuclear program, deadly flash floods in Arizona, and controversy surrounding American comedians performing in Saudi Arabia.

---

Key Stories and Insights

1. Government Shutdown Looms: High-Level Meeting Scheduled

[00:19–01:19]

• Announcement: President Trump is set to meet on Monday with congressional leaders from both parties, ahead of a possible government shutdown.
• Key Players: Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries will attend.
• Central Issues: Democrats demand stopgap legislation, particularly to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies expiring at year’s end and to address rising healthcare costs.
• Democratic Leaders’ Position:
  • "We are resolute in avoiding a shutdown while also addressing the rising health care prices." (Joint statement from Schumer and Jeffries, paraphrased at [00:55])
• Reporting: Claudia Grisales summarizes both parties’ goals to reach a bipartisan agreement, reflecting the urgency and political stakes.

---

2. Americans Concerned About Crime, Split on National Guard Deployment

[01:19–02:20]

• NPR/Ipsos Poll Findings:
  • 70% of Americans say crime in cities is unacceptably high, despite actual rates being down from pandemic-era highs.
• Public Perception vs. Reality:
  • “While the American public largely agrees that crime has increased...they don't broadly support the actions taken...like calling in the National Guard.”
    — Mallory Newell, Ipsos VP ([01:52])
• Partisan Divide:
  • 80% of Republicans support the National Guard deployment.
  • Nearly the same proportion of Democrats oppose it.
• Reporting: Debbie Elliott highlights the disconnect between crime statistics, public fear, and support for aggressive law enforcement tactics.

---

3. Iran Recalls European Ambassadors Amid Renewed Sanctions

[02:20–03:12]

• Breaking News:
  • Iran pulled its ambassadors from Britain, France, and Germany, protesting their move to reinstate UN sanctions over Iran's nuclear activities.
• Background:
  • The sanctions are to resume after Iran failed to comply with terms of the 2015 nuclear deal (from which the U.S. withdrew in 2018 under Trump).
  • Sanctions: Embargo on conventional arms, global asset freeze, and travel bans on Iranian officials.
• International Diplomacy:
  • China and Russia's proposal for a moratorium extension didn’t secure support.
• Reporting: Terry Schultz sets the stage for heightened nuclear tension and forthcoming sanctions: "The Iranian regime called the decision to restore UN Security Council sanctions against Tehran irresponsible." ([02:31])

---

4. Deadly Flash Flooding in Arizona

[03:12–04:05]

• Casualty Report:
  • Three dead in Globe, Arizona, with residents taking refuge on rooftops.
  • Another fatality near Phoenix.
• Emergency Measures:
  • Globe officials declare a state of emergency: historic downtown unsafe, buildings compromised, hazardous materials—including hundreds of propane tanks and cars—swept away.
• Reporting: This coverage underscores the scale of destruction and urgent local response.

---

5. U.S. Comedians Face Backlash for Saudi Arabia Festival Participation

[04:05–04:46]

• Festival Details: Riyadh Comedy Festival, featuring a roster of A-list American comedians.
• Industry Controversy:
  • Comedian Mark Maron calls out colleagues performing in Saudi Arabia, referencing the country's human rights issues and "alleged involvement in the September 11 attacks." ([04:05])
  • "In a video on his Instagram channel, Mark Maron took aim at colleagues who signed up to perform at the festival..." ([04:05])
• Who Declined and Why:
  • Shane Gillis and Stavros Halkies declined invitations.
  • Chris DiStefano and Tim Dillon agreed to perform for "the high fees they were offered," but Dillon's invitation was revoked over his comments on Saudi slavery ([04:24]).
• Reporting: Chloe Veltman details the humor world’s ethical rift over participating in events sponsored by regimes with controversial records.

---

6. Market Update

[04:46–04:57]

• Wall Street Close:
  • Dow Jones up 299 points at close of trading.

---

Notable Quotes

• “We are resolute in avoiding a shutdown while also addressing the rising health care prices.”
  — Joint statement by Schumer and Jeffries ([00:55]), relayed by Claudia Grisales

• “While the American public largely agrees that crime has increased in the US and in major cities, they don't broadly support the actions taken in the name of stopping crime, like calling in the National Guard.”
  — Mallory Newell, Ipsos VP ([01:52]), as reported by Debbie Elliott

• “The Iranian regime called the decision to restore UN Security Council sanctions against Tehran irresponsible.”
  — Terry Schultz, summarizing the Iranian response ([02:31])

• “In a video on his Instagram channel, Mark Maron took aim at colleagues who signed up to perform at the festival, referencing, among other things, Saudi officials alleged involvement in the September 11 attacks.”
  — Chloe Veltman ([04:05])

---

Timeline of Major Segments

| Timestamp | Topic | Reporter | |-----------|------------------------------------------------|--------------------| | 00:19 | Government shutdown talks & ACA subsidies | Jeanine Herbst, Claudia Grisales | | 01:19 | Crime perceptions & National Guard poll | Debbie Elliott | | 02:20 | Iran nuclear sanctions dispute | Terry Schultz | | 03:12 | Arizona flash floods & emergency | Jeanine Herbst | | 04:05 | U.S. comedians at Saudi festival controversy | Chloe Veltman | | 04:46 | Wall Street Market Update | Jeanine Herbst |

---

This summary delivers a concise yet comprehensive overview of the episode, providing essential information for listeners and non-listeners alike.

Transcript

[Capital One Announcer]

This message comes from Capital One with the Venture X card. Earn unlimited double miles on everything you buy, plus get premium benefits at a collection of hotels when booking through Capital One Travel. What's in your wallet? Terms apply [e-mail] live from NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

In Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. President Trump is scheduled to meet on Monday with top congressional leaders from both parties this a day before the government is set to shut down without a bipartisan deal in place.

[Claudia Grisales]

Claudia Grisales reports after President Trump canceled a meeting with Democratic leaders last week, he's now agreed to a new meeting. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries are set to visit with the president. Democrats have said they need stopgap legislation to address Affordable Care act subsidies that are set to expire by year's end. Schumer and Jeffries said in a joint statement they are resolute in avoiding a shutdown while also addressing the rising health care prices. Both said they want to negotiate a bipartisan spending agreement that meets the needs of the American people. Claudia Grizales, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

A new NPR Ipsos law enforcement poll shows Americans are concerned about crime but don't broadly support President Trump's deployment of the national guard to police U.S. cities. Debbie Elliott reports.

[Debbie Elliott]

The poll shows that seven in 10Americans say the level of crime and violence in American cities is at an unacceptable level. Crime is down significantly from pandemic era highs. But Ipsos Vice President Mallory Newell says public perception is still that crime rates are up.

While the American public largely agrees that crime has increased in the US and in major cities, they don't broadly support the actions taken in the name of stopping crime, like calling in the National Guard.

But Newell says there's a significant partisan divide, with about 8 in 10 Republicans supporting Trump's crime fighting tactics and almost the same number of Democrats opposing. Debbie Elliott, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Iran recalled its ambassadors to Britain, France and Germany over their moves to reinstate international sanctions over the regime's nuclear pursuits. Terry Schultz has more.

[Terry Schultz]

The Iranian regime called the decision to restore UN Security Council sanctions against Tehran irresponsible. A month ago, Britain, France and Germany warned Iran snapback sanctions would apply if Tehran did not take steps to halt its nuclear program, including the resumption of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, part of the 2015 deal under which Iran agreed to curtail its advancement. President Trump pulled the US out of that agreement in 2018. China and Russia proposed an extension of the moratorium, but it failed to get support. The sanctions include an embargo on conventional weapons, a global asset freeze and travel bans on Iranian officials. For NPR News, I'm Terry Schultz.

[Jeanine Herbst]

And those sanctions are due to take effect this weekend. This is NPR News. At least three people are dead in flash flooding in the small town of Globe, Arizona, that forced many people to climb on the roofs of their homes for safety. Another person was found dead near a vehicle in floodwaters in suburban Phoenix last night. Globe officials declared a state of emergency, saying the downtown historic area is unsafe with compromised buildings and hazardous materials from a thousand propane tanks that washed downstream in the flooding along with several cars. Dave Chappelle, Aziz Asari and Kevin Hart and others are getting blowback from fellow comedians for appearing at a comedy festival that's going on right now in Saudi Arabia. And Pierre's Chloe Veldman reports. The Riyadh Comedy Festival's Rooster includes dozens of a list American performers.

[Chloe Veltman]

In a video on his Instagram channel, Mark Maron took aim at colleagues who signed up to perform at the festival, referencing, among other things, Saudi officials alleged involvement in the September 11 attacks.

[Capital One Announcer]

From the folks that brought you nine.

[Comedy Festival Promoter]

11.

[Capital One Announcer]

Two weeks of laughter in the desert. Don't miss it.

[Chloe Veltman]

Shane Gillis and Stavros Halkies both declined invitations to appear at the event, but others, including Chris DiStefano and Tim Dillon, said they agreed to perform because of the high fees they were offered. However, Dylan says his invitation was recently revoked by the organisers for comments the comedian made on his podcast about slavery in Saudi Arabia. Chloe Veltman, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Wall street ended the day higher on Friday with the Dow gaining 299 points. I'm Jeanine Herbst, NPR News, in Washington.

[Boll and Branch Announcer]

Support for NPR and the following message come from Boll and Branch. Turn your bed into a sanctuary this fall with their buttery, breathable bedding. Enjoy 15% off your first set of sheets at B O L L and Branch.com with code. NPR exclusions apply.