NPR News: 09-28-2025 10PM EDT

Summary

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NPR News Now – Episode Summary

Podcast: NPR News Now
Episode: 09-28-2025 10PM EDT
Air Date: September 29, 2025
Host: Jeanine Herbst

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Episode Overview

This episode delivers the latest national news highlights in a concise five-minute update. Major stories include a deadly attack on a Michigan church, looming threats of a government shutdown, Missouri’s contentious new congressional map, the passing of a historic Tuskegee Airman, and a large nationwide food recall.

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Key News Highlights and Insights

Michigan Church Shooting and Aftermath

• [00:20 – 01:24]
  • Authorities in Grand Blanc, Michigan, have recovered bodies from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, following a violent attack that claimed five lives, including the shooter.
  • Alex McLennan (WDET): “Thomas Jacob Sanford, a 40 year old military veteran, crashed his truck into the church before opening fire on the Mormon congregation and setting the building ablaze.” (00:44)
  • The FBI is investigating the incident as a targeted act of violence.
  • No motive has been announced. Subsequent bomb threats have further unsettled the community.
  • Reuben Coleman (FBI): “This act of violence has no place in our state or anywhere else in our country.” (01:07)

Government Shutdown Looms as Deadline Nears

• [01:24 – 02:17]
  • Top congressional leaders are set to meet with President Trump ahead of the September 30th deadline to fund the government and avoid a partial shutdown.
  • Republicans seek a stopgap bill through November 21st, while Democrats press for negotiations, especially concerning soon-to-expire Affordable Care Act tax credits.
  • Senate Majority Leader John Thune (via Leon Butler, Jr.): “Keep the government open. And let’s have a conversation about those premium tax credits. I’m certainly open to that.” (02:04)

Missouri Revises Congressional Map

• [02:17 – 03:04]
  • Missouri has drawn new congressional maps aiming to bolster the Republican majority for the midterm elections.
  • The redistricting splits the district of Democrat Emanuel Cleaver, potentially giving Republicans control of seven out of eight seats.
  • Rachel Lippman (St. Louis Public Radio): “The bill signing was closed to the media. The map already faces multiple legal challenges... Opponents are gathering signatures to force a statewide vote.” (02:33)
  • Voter approval may ultimately decide the fate of the new districts.

Mixed Asian Markets Update

• [03:04 – 03:32]
  • Japan’s Nikkei index fell nearly 0.8%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose by 1.1%.

Legacy of Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. George Hardee

• [03:32 – 04:18]
  • Lt. Col. George Hardee, the last Tuskegee Airman to fly combat missions in Europe during WWII, has died at 100.
  • Hardee completed 21 WWII missions and 45 missions in the Korean War, overcoming adversity both in combat and confronting racism.
  • Leon Butler, Jr. (Tuskegee Airmen Inc.): “He would tell young people, say, hey, serve your country. This is your country, too. I’m going to do my best to serve my country. And they sure did.” (04:01)
  • Hardee received several honors, including the Congressional Gold Medal.

Nationwide Corn Dog and Sausage Recall

• [04:18 – 04:58]
  • Nearly 60 million pounds of corn dogs and “sausage on a stick” products are recalled due to possible wood contamination.
  • The recall includes State Fair corn dogs and Jimmy Dean pancake-and-sausage sticks from Hillshire Brands (Tyson Foods).
  • Five injuries have been reported; products were widely distributed to retailers, schools, and the Defense Department.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Reuben Coleman, FBI ([01:07]):
  “This act of violence has no place in our state or anywhere else in our country.”
• Leon Butler, Jr., Tuskegee Airmen Inc. ([04:01]):
  “He would tell young people, say, hey, serve your country. This is your country, too. I’m going to do my best to serve my country. And they sure did.”
• Senate Majority Leader John Thune ([02:04], via Leon Butler, Jr.):
  “Keep the government open. And let’s have a conversation about those premium tax credits. I’m certainly open to that.”

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Michigan Church Attack: [00:20 – 01:24]
• Gov’t Shutdown Deadline: [01:24 – 02:17]
• Missouri Redistricting: [02:17 – 03:04]
• Asian Markets Update: [03:04 – 03:32]
• Tuskegee Airman Obituary: [03:32 – 04:18]
• Food Recall: [04:18 – 04:58]

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Transcript

[NPR Sponsor Announcer]

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[Jeanine Herbst]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. Authorities in Michigan say they've recovered bodies from the burned out remains of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Grand Blanc, Grand Blank, rather, about an hour north of Detroit. As Alex McLennan of member station WDET reports, that brings the death toll up to five, including the shooter, after an attack on the church this morning.

[Alex McLennan]

Law officials say Thomas Jacob Sanford, a 40 year old military veteran, crashed his truck into the church before opening fire on the Mormon congregation and setting the building ablaze. Police neutralized Sanford shortly after in a church parking lot. FBI acting Special Agent in Charge Reuben Coleman says the attack is being investigated as a targeted act of violence.

[NPR Sponsor Announcer]

This act of violence has no place in our state or anywhere else in our country.

[Alex McLennan]

No motive for the attack has been given. Michigan police say they've responded to a number of bomb threats in the community following the Grand Blank attack. For NPR news, I'm Alex McLennan in Detroit.

[Jeanine Herbst]

The top four congressional leaders are heading to the White House tomorrow to meet with President Trump just one day before a September 30th deadline to fund the government or face a partial shutdown. As NPR's Barbara Sprunt reports, this comes after Trump canceled an earlier meeting with Democratic leaders.

[Barbara Sprunt]

Republicans want to pass a stopgap spending bill to fund the government through November 21st. Democrats want to negotiate in order to provide the necessary votes to put it over the finish line, specifically on the issue of a set of expanded tax cuts from the Affordable Care Act. Those are set to expire at the end of the year. Senate Majority Leader John Thune told NBC's Meet the Press there's time to address that after the government is funded.

[Leon Butler, Jr.]

Keep the government open. And let's have a conversation about those premium tax credits. I'm certainly open to that.

[Barbara Sprunt]

The Senate will attempt to pass the stopgap bill Monday evening. Barbara Sprent, NPR News, Washington.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Missouri has joined Texas in redrawing its congressional maps to protect the Republican majority in the midterm elections. As St. Louis Public Radio's Rachel Lippman reports, Republican Governor Mike Kehoe signed the bill today.

[Rachel Lippman]

The new map breaks up the Kansas City area district of Democrat Emanuel Cleaver into three that could give the GOP a chance to win seven of Missouri's eight seats, up from the six it currently holds. The bill signing was close to the media. The map already faces multiple legal challenges, and there is a possibility it never takes effect. Opponents are already gathering signatures to force a statewide vote. If they are successful, voters would have to approve the new districts. For NPR News, I'm Rachel Lippman in St. Louis.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Asian markets are trading in mixed territory at this hour. The Nikkei, the main market in Japan, down nearly 8/10 of a percent The Hang Seng in Hong Kong, up 1.1%. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. The last surviving member of the Tuskegee Airmen to fly combat missions during World War II in Europe has died at the age of 100. NPR Chandelys Duster has more about his life and legacy.

[Chandelys Duster]

Lt. Col. George Hardee was born in Philadelphia in June 1925. At 19 years old, he was commissioned a second lieutenant and became the youngest Red Tail fighter with the Tuskegee airmen. He completed 21 missions during World War II and flew 45 combat missions during the Korean War. Leon Butler, Jr. National president of Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated, says Hardy was not only an inspiration because of his military career, but how he overcame racial prejudice.

[Leon Butler, Jr.]

He would tell young people, say, hey, serve your country. This is your country, too. I'm going to do my best to serve my country. And they sure did.

[Chandelys Duster]

Hardy received numerous honors for his military service, including the Congressional Gold Medal. Shondalyse Duster, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Nearly 60 million pounds of corn dogs and other sausage on a stick products have been recalled because pieces of wood might be in the batter. The USDA says the recall covers some state fair corn dogs on a stick and Jimmy Dean pancakes and sausages on a stick, both from Texas based Hillshire Brands, which is a subsidiary of Tyson Foods. Five people have been injured. The products were sold online and also to retailers around the country and to school districts and Defense Department facilities. I'm Jeanine Herbst, and you're listening to NPR News from Washington.

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