NPR News Now: September 28, 2025, 1PM EDT

Host: Nora Ramm, NPR News
Episode Overview:
This five-minute news update covers critical national and international headlines: looming threats of a U.S. government shutdown, legal fallout from a new Tylenol-autism allegation, violence at an ICE field office and a Michigan church, a Russian attack on Ukraine, a deadly stampede in India, and a tribute to the last Tuskegee Airman to fly WWII missions.

Major Discussion Points & Insights

1. Looming U.S. Government Shutdown

[00:16] – [01:12]

• Congressional leaders, set to meet with President Trump, are negotiating ways to avoid a partial government shutdown as the fiscal year draws to a close without new appropriations.
• Main sticking point: Republican demands for a short-term spending bill vs. Democratic insistence on reversing GOP cuts to health care.
• Notable Quote:

  "We've got to address this Republican health care crisis. Think about this, the largest cut to Medicaid in American history, a potential $536 billion cut to Medicare."
  — Hakeem Jeffries, House Democratic Leader ([00:47])

• Additional context: Jeffries warns that failing to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits could dramatically raise costs for over 20 million Americans.

2. Tylenol, Autism, and Mounting Lawsuits

[01:12] – [02:07]

• Trump administration's mention of a possible link between Tylenol and autism has triggered a surge in litigation against manufacturer Kenvu.
• Lawyers for plaintiffs hope the administration’s statement could sway the court, despite a 2023 ruling disqualifying their experts for allegedly misinterpreting data.
• Expert Insight: Outside legal analysts express skepticism, reiterating a lack of new data and the crucial need to prove "causation" in such cases.

3. Shooting at Dallas ICE Office

[02:07] – [03:02]

• ICE confirms the identities of three detainees recently shot at its Dallas field office:
  • Norlin Guzman Fuentes (El Salvador), killed
  • Miguel Garcia Hernandez (Mexico), hospitalized
  • Jose Bordones Molina (Venezuela), condition unclear
• Identity of shooter: Joshua Yan, 29, who fired from a nearby building before taking his own life.
• Authorities state Yan intended to target ICE agents; motives are under investigation.

4. Shooting at Michigan Mormon Church

[03:02] – [03:24]

• Gun violence erupted 50 miles north of Detroit at a Mormon church.
• Police confirm multiple victims but have not released details.
• Authorities stress there is no ongoing public threat.

5. Major Russian Attack on Kyiv

[03:24] – [03:39]

• Ukrainian officials report a ‘major’ combined drone and missile assault:
  • At least four killed (including a 12-year-old girl), dozens wounded
  • One of the most sustained attacks on the capital since the war began

6. Deadly Stampede in Southern India

[03:39] – [04:06]

• Death toll from a massive stampede rises to at least 39 with dozens hospitalized.
• Event drew tens of thousands for a speech by Vijay, celebrity-turned-politician, during an election campaign.
• Vijay expressed heartbreak over the tragedy.

7. Death of Lt. Col. George Hardy, Tuskegee Airman

[04:06] – [04:51]

• Lt. Col. George Hardy, last surviving WWII combat pilot of the Tuskegee Airmen, dies at 100.
• Hardy’s legacy: 21 missions in WWII, 45 in Korea; awarded Congressional Gold Medal.
• Notable Quote:

  "He would tell young people, hey, serve your country. This is your country, too. I'm going to do my best to serve my country. And they sure did."
  — Leon Butler, Jr., President, Tuskegee Airmen Inc. ([04:35])

• Remembrance highlighted both his military valor and his efforts to overcome racial prejudice.

Memorable Quotes

• Hakeem Jeffries:

  "We've got to address this Republican health care crisis... more than 20 million Americans are going to experience dramatically increased premiums, copays and deductibles in an environment where the cost of living in America is already too high."
  ([00:47])

• Leon Butler, Jr.:

  "This is your country, too. I'm going to do my best to serve my country. And they sure did."
  ([04:35])

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Start Time | |----------------------------------------------|-----------:| | Federal budget & health care negotiations | 00:16 | | Hakeem Jeffries interview, ACA stakes | 00:47 | | Tylenol lawsuit developments | 01:12 | | Dallas ICE office shooting updates | 02:07 | | Michigan church shooting | 03:02 | | Russian attack on Kyiv | 03:24 | | Stampede in India | 03:39 | | Tribute to Lt. Col. George Hardy | 04:06 |

This concise newscast delivers critical updates and impactful voices from American politics, courts, public safety, and world affairs, along with a moving remembrance of a WWII hero.