NPR News: 09-28-2025 3PM EDT

Summary

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NPR News Now – Summary

Episode: NPR News: 09-28-2025 3PM EDT
Date: September 28, 2025
Host: Nora Ramm, NPR

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Overview

This fast-paced five-minute NPR News Now episode delivers key headlines and updates from across the U.S. and the world, focusing on breaking news, political shifts, government actions, ongoing conflicts, and unique cultural events.

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Key News Stories & Insights

1. Michigan Church Shooting and Arson

(00:20–01:08)

• Incident: At least one person is dead and nine injured after a shooting and fire during a church service in Grand Blanc, Michigan.

• Details:

  • The suspect drove through the front doors and opened fire on congregants.
  • The Church of Latter Day Saints was then set on fire, worsening the tragedy.
  • Hundreds were present; authorities fear more casualties due to fire.

  Notable Quotes:

  • William Renyi (Grand Blanc Chief of Police):

    "He drove his vehicle through the front doors of the church. He then exited his vehicle, firing several rounds at individuals within a church." (00:49)

  • Brett Dahlberg (reporter):

    "He expects there will be more victims who are unable to escape the fire." (01:00)

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2. NYC Mayoral Race Upset: Eric Adams Withdraws

(01:08–02:09)

• Announcement: Mayor Eric Adams announces withdrawal from re-election campaign, citing federal investigations.

• Effect: Shakes up the race, making newcomer Zoran Mamdani the frontrunner, now facing former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa.

• Background:

  • Justice Department previously charged Adams with bribery and campaign finance offenses (later dropped).
  • Cuomo, who resigned as governor amid a scandal, is positioning himself as a moderate.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Eric Adams (in social media video):

    "Although this is the end of my reelection campaign, it is not the end of my public service." (01:31)

  • Brian Mann (reporter):

    "With Adams out, Zoran Mamdani... faces a tighter contest against former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo." (01:39)

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3. President Trump Orders Troops to Portland ICE Sites

(02:09–03:05)

• Action: President Trump has ordered troops to protect ICE facilities in Portland, Oregon, authorizing "full force."

• Context:

  • Trump referred to Portland as "war ravaged," a claim disputed by local officials.
  • Continuous federal troop deployments, especially in Democratic-led cities, have raised alarms from legal experts.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Kat Lansdorf (reporter):

    "Trump called Portland, Oregon, quote, war ravaged, which is not the reality on the ground." (02:26) "Legal experts worry that these continued threats and deployments are normalizing troops on US streets and challenge long-standing laws..." (02:51)

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4. Government Shutdown Looms, White House Meetings Set

(03:05–03:37)

• Issue: Congressional leaders to meet with President Trump as government funding deadline approaches (Tuesday night).
• International: Separate White House meeting set with Israeli PM Netanyahu to discuss possible end to Gaza conflict amid growing international recognition of Palestinian statehood.

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5. 25th Anniversary of Mifepristone Approval

(03:37–04:37)

• Background: Mifepristone—a key abortion and miscarriage management drug—was approved 25 years ago after extended FDA review due to political controversy.

• Current Context:

  • Still faces legal and regulatory challenges from the Trump administration.
  • Reproductive rights advocates cite overwhelming evidence of safety.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Selena Simmons Duffin (reporter):

    "The pill is used in combination with another medication, misoprostol, which causes uterine cramping... its safety and efficacy has been proven in more than 100 studies according to the FDA." (03:52–04:37)

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6. Fat Bear Week: Alaska’s Quirky Contest

(04:37–04:58)

• Event: Katmai National Park’s "Fat Bear Week" competition highlights brown bears' pre-hibernation weight gain.
• Details: Voting online through Tuesday; the event celebrates wildlife ahead of winter.

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Timestamps for Major Stories

• 00:20 — Michigan church shooting and fire
• 01:08 — Eric Adams exits NYC mayoral race
• 02:09 — Trump orders federal troops to Portland
• 03:05 — Congress, Trump meetings on government funding; Trump-Netanyahu meeting on Gaza
• 03:52 — Mifepristone FDA approval anniversary
• 04:37 — Fat Bear Week nearing conclusion

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Tone & Delivery

The episode remains urgent and factual, delivering concise yet detailed news for listeners seeking the latest headlines. Interview clips, official statements, and reporter analysis provide context, while the tone is objective and responsive to developing events.

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End of summary.

Transcript

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[Nora Ramm]

In Washington, I'm Nora Ramm. Police in Michigan say at least one person is dead, nine others injured after a shooting during a church service this morning. The church is also set on fire. Brett Dahlberg with member station Michigan Public Reports.

[Brett Dahlberg]

Authorities say they believe the suspect also started the fire that engulfed the Church of Latter Day Saints in Grand Blanc, about 50 miles outside of Detroit. William Renyi is the Grand Blanc township chief of police. He described a chaotic scene that unfolded during the worship service.

[William Renyi]

He drove his vehicle through the front doors of the church. He then exited his vehicle, firing several rounds at individuals within a church.

[Brett Dahlberg]

Reny says there were hundreds of people at the service and he expects there will be more victims who are unable to escape the fire. For NPR News, I'm Brett Dahlberg.

[Nora Ramm]

Mayor Eric Adams says he's withdrawing from the New York City mayor's race. The move announced on social media today shakes up a race that has been dominated by newcomer Zoran Mandani. NPR's Brian Mann has more.

[Brian Mann]

In a video posted on social media, Adam said he's dropping out after facing what he described as UNF investigations that made it difficult for him to raise money and campaign.

[Eric Adams]

Although this is the end of my reelection campaign, it is not the end of my public service.

[Brian Mann]

Last year, the US Justice Department charged Adams with bribery and campaign finance offenses, later dropped by the DOJ under President Trump. With Adams out, Zoran Mamdani, a Democratic socialist who's led in the polls, faces a tighter contest against former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo stepped down as governor in 2021 following a sexual misconduct scandal. In this race, Cuomo has sought to portray Mamdani as too far to the left. Republican Curtis Sliwa rounds out the three way race. Brian Mann, NPR News, New York.

[Nora Ramm]

President Trump says he's ordered troops to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities in Portland, Oregon, and that he's authorized the use of full force. NPR's Kat Lansdorf reports. It's the latest instance of Trump threatening to deploy the military to a US City.

[Kat Lansdorf]

In a social media post Saturday, Trump called Portland, Oregon, quote, war ravaged, which is not the reality on the ground. Local officials in Oregon dispute Trump's claims that the city is unsafe or in need of troops and have been urging residents to remain peaceful. Trump has been making these kinds of threats against a variety of cities, all democratically led for months now, including Washington, D.C. where Trump has federal control. And more than 2,000 National Guard troops have been stationed for more than a month. Legal experts worry that these continued threats and deployments are normalizing troops on US Streets and challenge long standing laws that limit the role of America's military domestically. Kat Lansdorf, NPR News, Washington.

[Nora Ramm]

Congressional leaders from both parties are expected at the White House tomorrow to meet with President Trump. Unless Congress acts, the government will run out of money Tuesday night. This is NPR News. President Trump is also meeting at the White House tomorrow with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. They're to discuss a possible framework to end Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza. International pressure is mounting to end the war. Several Western allies have recognized a Palestinian state over Israeli objections. The medication mifepristone was approved on this day 25 years ago. NPR's Selena Simmons Duffin reports. The food and drug review process was longer and more thorough than usual because of political opposition.

[Selena Simmons Duffin]

Mifepristone works by blocking progesterone, a hormone that's necessary for a pregnancy to continue in medication, abortion and miscarriage management. The pill is used in combination with another medication, misoprostol, which causes uterine cramping. Mifepristone was approved and in use in Europe for years before it became available in the US the there are continued legal efforts to curb access, and the Trump administration may try to do so through regulation. But reproductive rights advocates point out the safety and efficacy of the medication has been proven in more than 100 studies, according to the FDA. Over the decades that it's been available, it's been used by nearly 6 million women. Selena Simmons Duffin, NPR News.

[Nora Ramm]

Fat bear Week is almost over. The annual competition features the brown bears at Katmai national park in Alaska to celebrate their success and get fat before winter hibernation. Voting is [e-mail] until Tuesday night. Only one bear will be the champion. I'm Nora Ramm, NPR News, in Washington.

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