NPR News: 09-28-2025 10AM EDT

Summary

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NPR News Now – Episode Summary

Episode: NPR News: 09-28-2025 10AM EDT
Host: Giles Snyder
Date: September 28, 2025
Duration: 5 minutes

Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers a concise update on the day’s most pressing national and international news stories. Major topics include President Trump’s decision regarding troop deployments in Portland, key congressional meetings to avoid a government shutdown, the aftermath of a major attack in Kyiv, Moldova’s pivotal elections, Colorado’s wildfire settlement, and global storm updates.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Portland Responds to Trump’s Troop Deployment Plans

[00:19–01:13]

• President Trump has announced plans to send federal troops to Portland, Oregon, citing the need to protect immigration facilities from protesters.
• Portland Mayor Keith Wilson and Governor Tina Kotak contest the necessity and effectiveness of this move, warning that it would only increase tensions.
  • Quote: Mayor Wilson: "Portland is not a military target." (Summarized, not direct)
• This action places Portland among other Democratic-led cities facing federal deployments.

2. High-Stakes Congressional Meeting Ahead of Shutdown Deadline

[01:13–01:57]

• President Trump is set to meet with top congressional leaders—John Thune, Chuck Schumer, Mike Johnson, and Hakeem Jeffries—one day before the government funding deadline.
• The discussion will focus on passing stopgap legislation to maintain Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies and prevent a government shutdown.
• Quote (joint statement):
  • Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries: "They are resolute in avoiding a shutdown while also addressing the rising health care prices...they want to negotiate a bipartisan spending agreement that, quote, meets the needs of the American people." [01:40]

3. Russia Attacks Kyiv; Multiple Civilian Targets Hit

[01:57–02:35]

• Russia launched hundreds of drones and missiles at Ukraine, with Kyiv sustaining significant damage to homes, infrastructure, a medical center, and a kindergarten.
• Casualties include four dead and at least ten wounded.

4. Moldova Holds Crucial Parliamentary Elections

[02:35–03:15]

• Moldova’s elections are seen as a referendum on President Maya Sandu’s pro-EU trajectory versus a return to Russian influence.
• Sandu accuses Russia of interference, supported by independent investigations and recent police actions.
  • Quote: Charles Maynes: "[Sandu] has accused Russia of carrying out a massive influence campaign... backed by multiple independent media investigations." [02:38]
• Kremlin denies involvement, suggesting Sandu's party is deflecting from dissatisfaction with pro-EU reforms.

5. Colorado Wildfire Settlement Announced

[03:15–04:08]

• Xcel Energy agrees to settle all claims related to the 2021 Marshall Fire, the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history, paying $640 million.
• Lawsuits alleged downed power lines contributed to a fire that destroyed over 1,000 homes and caused $2 billion in damages.
• Xcel maintains no wrongdoing, stating their equipment was not at fault.
  • Quote: "Xcel is not omitting any fault or wrongdoing in the settlement. It maintains its equipment did not cause or contribute to the Marshall Fire." [03:51]

6. Storms Threaten US Southeast and Asia

[04:08–04:59]

• A tropical depression in the Atlantic may soon become Tropical Storm Imelda, with hurricane status possible.
• Southeast US states, particularly the Carolinas, are preparing for severe weather impacts.
  • Quote: Daniel Flasis, emergency management specialist: "Even though this has not formed yet, we are treating it as if we're expecting some kind of impact." [04:15]
• In Asia, Vietnam suspends airports and evacuates thousands as a major typhoon approaches, marking the second week in a row of severe storms.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Portland troop deployment:
  • Claudia Gorsales: "The number of necessary troops is zero." [00:30]
• On government shutdown negotiations:
  • Joint Congressional Leaders: “Want to negotiate a bipartisan spending agreement that, quote, meets the needs of the American people.” [01:50]
• On Moldova election interference:
  • Charles Maynes: "It's a charge backed by multiple independent media investigations.” [02:41]
• Emergency management approach:
  • Daniel Flasis: “We are treating it as if we're expecting some kind of impact.” [04:15]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Portland Troop Deployment Response: 00:19–01:13
• Government Shutdown & ACA Subsidies: 01:13–01:57
• Russian Attack on Kyiv: 01:57–02:35
• Moldovan Election & Russian Influence: 02:35–03:15
• Colorado Wildfire Settlement: 03:15–04:08
• Storms Impacting U.S. and Asia: 04:08–04:59

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This episode delivers critical updates on fast-moving stories, providing listeners with a rapid yet comprehensive sense of how political, environmental, and global issues are evolving at the start of a pivotal week.

Transcript

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[Giles Snyder]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. Portland, Oregon, Mayor Keith Wilson is responding to President Trump's announcement that he's planning to send troops to his city.

[Claudia Gorsales]

President Trump has directed all necessary troops to Portland, Oregon. The number of necessary troops is zero.

[Giles Snyder]

On social media this weekend, Trump said troops are necessary, though, to protect immigration facilities from protesters. His announcement makes Portland the latest Democratic led city to face a troop deployment. But Mayor Wilson says Portland is not a military target. He spoke at a news conference with Governor Tina Kotak. They say the troops would only inflame tensions. President Trump is scheduled to meet tomorrow with top congressional leaders from both parties. The meeting will take place one day before the deadline to fund government operations or face a partial shutdown. As NPR's Claudia Gorsales reports, after President.

[Claudia Gorsales]

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 Jeffrey 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, quote, meets the needs of the American people. Claudia Griselis, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

Ukrainian officials say Russia launched hundreds of drones and missiles overnight. The capital city of Kyiv is reported to have borne the brunt of the attack. The mayor says the strikes targeted residential buildings, civilian infrastructure, a medical facility and a kindergarten. Authorities say four people were killed in Kyiv and at least 10 others wounded. The small former Soviet Republic of Moldova is holding closely watched parliamentary elections today. The vote is seen as the latest test of whether the country's current government continues on a pro Western path or returns to Russia's orbit. As NPR's Charles Maynes reports.

[Charles Maynes]

At stake are parliamentary seats that determine whether President Maya Sandu can continue to advance Moldova's bid for European Union membership by the end of the decade. Sandu has accused Russia of carrying out a massive influence campaign in a bid to sway the results in a country of just 2.4 million people. It's a charge backed by multiple independent media investigations. Earlier in the week, Moldovan police also arrested more than 70 people in raids tied to alleged Russian backed efforts to foment unrest. The Kremlin denies interfering in the vote and argues Sandu's government is stoking anti Russian sentiment to mask voter dissatisfaction over pro EU reforms in one of Europe's poorest countries. Charles Mainz, NPR News, Moscow.

[Giles Snyder]

And you're listening to NPR News. A large electric utility has agreed to settle claims over the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history. The the Mountain West News Bureau's Rachel Cohen reports.

[Rachel Cohen]

Xcel Energy says it reached an agreement to settle all the claims over the 2021 Marshall Fire. The development comes the same week a trial was set to begin. Xcel says it agreed to pay about $640 million. Two telecommunications companies have also agreed to contribute to the settlement. In the lawsuit, more than 4,000 homeowners, businesses and insurers alleged that power lines played a role in the late December blaze. Four years ago, it burned more than 6,000 acres and destroyed 1,000 homes. Top $2 billion. Xcel is not omitting any fault or wrongdoing in the settlement. It maintains its equipment did not cause or contribute to the Marshall Fire.

[Giles Snyder]

For NPR News, I'm Rachel Cohen in Charleston, South Carolina. Emergency management specialist Daniel Flasis is keeping tabs on a tropical depression that could strengthen into Tropical Storm Imelda later today and potentially a hurricane by Tuesday. Even though this has not formed yet, we are treating it as if we're expecting some kind of impact. Tropical storm watches are up along the Southeast coast with the Carolinas preparing for potential impact. The storm currently dumping heavy rain over portions of eastern Cuba and the Bahamas. Vietnam has suspended operations at four coastal airports and evacuated thousands of people. An intensifying typhoon forecast to make landfall today. Heavy rain began drenching the region last night. This storm the second major storm to threaten Asia over the past week. I'm Giles Snyder, NPR News.

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