NPR News: 09-28-2025 2PM EDT

Summary4 min read

Host: Nora Raum
Date: September 28, 2025

Episode Overview

This concise newscast delivers an update on major national and international events, including high-stakes U.S. government negotiations to avoid a shutdown, record beef prices and agricultural policy, a deadly attack on a church in Michigan, pivotal elections in Moldova, a looming typhoon in Vietnam, controversy over a star-studded comedy festival in Saudi Arabia, and news from the New York City mayoral race.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Looming U.S. Government Shutdown

[00:16–01:02]

Negotiations: Top congressional leaders from both parties are set to meet with President Trump at the White House, aiming to avert a partial government shutdown before the Tuesday night deadline.
Key Figures:
- Senate Majority Leader Thune
- Senate Minority Leader Schumer
- House Speaker Johnson
- House Minority Leader Jeffries
Major Sticking Point:
- Democrats are demanding an extension of Obamacare subsidies as a condition for passing any funding bill.
"Democrats say they won't vote for a funding bill unless Obamacare subsidies, which allow millions of people to buy health insurance, are extended."
— Mara Liasson ([00:49])

2. Record Beef Prices & Government Response

[01:02–01:53]

Current Situation: Beef prices are at an all-time high, creating uncertainty and tough choices for cattle farmers.
USDA Response:
- Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rawlins discussed a forthcoming plan aimed at rebuilding the cattle industry; details to be released in October.
Farmers’ Perspective:
- Some producers are wary of government intervention.
"I don't think any beef producers really want the government to throw money at these high prices and lack of cattle."
— Deb Thummel, Missouri cattle farmer ([01:42])

3. Deadly Attack at Michigan Church

[01:59–02:33]

Incident:
- A man rammed his vehicle into a Mormon church, opened fire (killing one, wounding nine), and set the church on fire.
- The gunman was shot and killed by police; investigation ongoing regarding motive and possible victims.
"The church was set on fire. Officials suspect that more victims may be found. There's no word yet on a motive or if the gunman had a connection to the church."
— Nora Raum ([02:12])

4. Moldova’s High-Stakes Election

[02:33–03:12]

Context: Moldova is holding parliamentary elections viewed as pivotal for the country’s geopolitical future.
Key Issues:
- President Maia Sandu seeks to continue Moldova’s move toward EU membership, but accuses Russia of attempting to sway the election via influence campaigns.
- Over 70 people have been arrested in connection to alleged Russia-backed unrest; the Kremlin denies interference.
"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."
— Charles Maynes ([02:40])

5. Typhoon Forces Evacuations in Vietnam

[03:12–03:48]

Situation:
- Thousands have fled their homes as a powerful typhoon brings the threat of floods and landslides to central and northern Vietnam.

6. Saudi Comedy Festival Controversy

[03:48–04:28]

Backdrop:
- A-list U.S. comedians (Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart, Chris Distefano, Tim Dillon, among others) are performing at the Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia.
Criticism:
- Fellow comedians criticize participants due to Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and allegations related to the 9/11 attacks.
- Comedian Marc Maron publicly mocks festival participants.
  
  "From the folks that brought you nine, 11, two weeks of laughter in the desert. Don't miss it."
  — Marc Maron ([04:00])
Boycotts & Bans:
- Shane Gillis and Stavros Halkias declined invitations; Tim Dillon states his invitation was revoked following comments on his podcast about slavery in Saudi Arabia.

7. New York City Mayoral Race Update

[04:28–04:55]

Developments:
- NYC Mayor Eric Adams, originally running for re-election as an independent, has abandoned his campaign amid poor polling and insufficient fundraising.
- He recently declared, "New Yorkers don't surrender," but now concedes.

Notable Quotes & Moments

On government shutdown negotiations:

"Democrats say they won't vote for a funding bill unless Obamacare subsidies...are extended."
— Mara Liasson ([00:49])
On government market intervention:

"I don't think any beef producers really want the government to throw money at these high prices..."
— Deb Thummel ([01:42])
On the Michigan church attack:

"The church was set on fire. Officials suspect more victims may be found..."
— Nora Raum ([02:12])
On Moldova’s election and Russian influence:

"Sandu has accused Russia of carrying out a massive influence campaign in a bid to sway the results..."
— Charles Maynes ([02:40])
On the Saudi comedy festival:

"From the folks that brought you nine, 11, two weeks of laughter in the desert. Don't miss it."
— Marc Maron ([04:00])

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Segment | Start | End | |-------------------------------------------|---------|---------| | Government Shutdown Negotiations | 00:16 | 01:02 | | Beef Prices & USDA Response | 01:02 | 01:53 | | Michigan Church Attack | 01:59 | 02:33 | | Moldova Elections | 02:33 | 03:12 | | Vietnam Typhoon Evacuation | 03:12 | 03:48 | | Saudi Comedy Festival Controversy | 03:48 | 04:28 | | NYC Mayoral Race Update | 04:28 | 04:55 |

This five-minute newscast provides a rapid but comprehensive sweep across urgent political, social, and cultural developments, capturing the ongoing challenges and stories driving headlines in the U.S. and around the world.

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Transcript15 lines

[00:00]
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[00:17]
Nora Ramm
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Ramm. Top congressional leaders from both parties are to meet with President Trump at the White House tomorrow. They have until Tuesday night to reach an agreement and to avoid a partial government shutdown. NPR's Mara Liasson has more.
[00:33]
Mara Liasson
Well, the top leaders of Congress are going to the White House tomorrow. The big four congressional leaders, Senate Majority Leader Thune, Senator, Senate Minority Leader Schumer, House Speaker Johnson and House Minority Leader Jeffries. They're all going to be talking about a shutdown, but they don't have a lot of time. There's a Sept. 30 deadline to approve legislation or face a partial government shutdown. Democrats say they won't vote for a funding bill unless Obamacare subsidies, which allow millions of people to buy health insurance, are extended.
[01:03]
Nora Ramm
NPR's Mara Liasson. Beef prices are at an all time high. The U.S. department of Agriculture says it will release a plan to rebuild the cattle industry for members stationed KXZV in Maryville, Missouri. Gavin McGough has more.
[01:18]
Gavin McGough
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rawlins discussed the forthcoming plan in Kansas City, leading to speculation amongst cattle farmers. High beef prices present farmers with a tough choice over hold back heifers and grow their herd or hope the consumers continue to pay top dollar. Deb Thummel raises Black Angus on her family farm in Northwest Missouri. She says despite the uncertainty, she doesn't.
[01:42]
Deb Thummel
Think any beef producers really want the government to throw money at these high prices and lack of cattle.
[01:54]
Gavin McGough
The USDA says it will release its plan in October. For NPR news, I'm Gavin McGough.
[02:00]
Nora Ramm
Police in Michigan say a man rammed a vehicle into a Mormon church today and opened fire. One person was killed, at least nine others wounded. The gunman was shot dead by police. The church was set on fire. Officials suspect that more victims may be found. There's no word yet on a motive if the gunman had a connection to the church. The small former Soviet Republic of Moldova is holding closely watched elections today. It's seen as the latest test of whether the country's current government continues on a pro Western path to or returns to Russia's orbit. NPR's Charles mainnes reports.
[02:34]
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 Maynes, NPR News, Moscow.
[03:13]
Nora Ramm
This is NPR News. Thousands of people have been forced from their homes in central and northern Vietnam as a powerful typhoon approaches. It's expected to bring strong winds, heavy rain and storm surges, which may trigger flash floods and landslides. Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart and others are getting blowback from fellow comedians for appearing at a comedy festival that's going on now in Saudi Arabia. As NPR's Chloe Veltman reports, the Rihad Comedy Festival's roster includes dozens of a list American performers.
[03:48]
Chloe Veltman
In a video on his Instagram channel, Marc 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.
[04:00]
Marc Maron
From the folks that brought you nine, 11, two weeks of laughter in the desert. Don't miss it.
[04:08]
Chloe Veltman
Shane Gillis and Stavros Halas both declined invitations to appear at the event, but others, including Chris Stano and Tim Dylan, said they agreed to perform because of the high fees they were offered. However, Dylan says his invitation was recently revoked by the organizers for comments the comedian made on his podcast about slavery in Saudi Arabia. Chloe Veltman, NPR News.
[04:29]
Nora Ramm
New York City Mayor Eric Adams today dropped his attempt to stay in office. The one term Democrat was running as an independent. Polls indicated he was far behind the Democratic nominee, Zoran Mamdani and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, and was struggling to raise money for his campaign. For days, Adams had insisted he was staying in the race, saying New Yorkers don't surrender. I'm Nora Raum, NPR News.
[04:56]
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