NPR News Now — September 27, 2025, 5PM EDT

Summary of Episode Highlights

Overview

This NPR News Now episode provides a concise roundup of major news stories from the U.S. and around the world, covering political tensions in Portland, humanitarian crises in Gaza, severe weather updates in the Atlantic, challenges faced by students with disabilities, and an unusual whiskey heist. The episode features reporting from NPR correspondents and member stations.

Key Discussions & Insights

1. Federal Troop Deployment to Portland

(00:18 – 01:20)

• Announcement: President Trump declared he will send federal troops to Portland, Oregon, to "protect ICE facilities from protesters."
• Context: Protests outside the Portland ICE facility, especially intense in June, prompted this response.
• Local Response:
  • Mayor Keith Wilson at a press conference urged, “We have no tolerance for anyone in Portland who uses this difficult moment to hurt others or our home.” (00:58, various interviewees)
  • He characterized the deployment as “a big show.” (00:50, Joanie Odenland reporting)
• Uncertainties: Unknown number of troops or agency specifics; at least one protest planned for Sunday outside the ICE facility.

2. Doctors Without Borders Halts Gaza City Operations

(01:20 – 02:26)

• Situation: Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières, MSF) suspended all operations in Gaza City due to Israeli forces surrounding its medical facilities.
• Impact:
  • 28 health centers have shut down or limited service this month, including the only pediatric hospital.
  • Hundreds of thousands now left with scant access to healthcare.
• On the Ground:
  • “Here in Gaza City, the sound of sirens and Israeli artillery is nearly constant.” (01:40, Anas Baba)
  • MSF staff unable to guarantee basic care for critical patients.
• Call to Action: Urgent appeals for safe access for humanitarian workers amid ongoing Israeli ground offensives.

3. Developing Atlantic Storms and Weather Updates

(02:26 – 03:21)

• Incoming Storm:
  • Possible formation of Tropical Storm Imelda by the end of the weekend.
  • National Hurricane Center: Potential for storm surge, heavy rain, gusty winds along the southeast U.S. coast next week.
• Local Advice:
  • South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster warns, “Hope for the best and prepare for the worst. The time to prepare is now and not when the wind's blowing and the rain is falling down and things are getting shoved around.” (02:41, Governor McMaster)
• Context: Coincides with the anniversary of Hurricane Helene, which heavily impacted the Carolinas.
• Current Storms: Hurricane Humberto rapidly intensified, becoming the third major hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season.

4. Disproportionate School Suspensions for Disabled Students

(03:21 – 04:14)

• Issue: K-12 students with disabilities continue to be suspended at higher rates than non-disabled peers.
• Personal Story:
  • Shanae (pseudonym), has a 13-year-old son with ADHD, frustrated by frequent suspensions for disability-driven behaviors.
  • “Why is he getting in trouble for what ADHD looks like? ... I don't want him to get even further behind.” (03:57 & 03:59, Shanae)
• School Perspective:
  • Strict discipline policies justified as necessary for maintaining focused classrooms.
• Consequences: Suspensions result in significant missed instructional time.

5. $1 Million Whiskey Heist in Washington State

(04:14 – 04:56)

• Incident: Thieves stole $1 million in craft whiskey (12,000 bottles) from Westland Distillery.
• Details:
  • Included the highly sought-after 10th anniversary Garyanna bottles.
  • Theft occurred July 31; thieves used fraudulent paperwork to claim the shipment, which was bound for New Jersey but never arrived.
• Notability:
  • Garyanna whiskey is award-winning and typically sells out.
  • Theft of this scale is rare in the U.S.
• Response: Additional security measures implemented for remaining stock.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “We have no tolerance for anyone in Portland who uses this difficult moment to hurt others or our home.”
  — Mayor Keith Wilson, Portland (00:58)

• “Here in Gaza City, the sound of sirens and Israeli artillery is nearly constant.”
  — Anas Baba, reporting from Gaza City (01:40)

• “Hope for the best and prepare for the worst. The time to prepare is now and not when the wind's blowing and the rain is falling...”
  — Governor Henry McMaster, South Carolina (02:41)

• “Why is he getting in trouble for what ADHD looks like? ... I don't want him to get even further behind.”
  — Shanae, mother of suspended student (03:57 – 03:59)

Timestamps Overview

• 00:18: Portland protests, federal troop deployment
• 01:20: Doctors Without Borders suspends Gaza operations
• 02:26: Tropical storm updates and state preparations
• 03:21: School suspensions among disabled students
• 04:14: $1 million whiskey theft in Washington state

End of Summary: News stories presented by Jeanine Herbst and NPR correspondents.