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.