NPR News Now – 09-28-2025 4AM EDT

Host: Dale Willman
Date: September 28, 2025
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This morning's NPR News Now episode delivers concise updates on major national and international headlines. The coverage touches on a deadly shooting in North Carolina, political tensions over federal troops in Portland, catastrophic flooding in Arizona, escalating U.S.-Colombia relations, a deadly Russian attack in Ukraine, inequitable suspension rates for students with disabilities, and college football highlights.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Shooting at Southport, North Carolina Riverside Bar (00:13–00:47)

• Incident Details:
  • Three people killed, eight injured after a man fired on a riverside bar from a boat then fled by water.
  • Coast Guard detained a man ~30 minutes later, but his involvement remains unclear.
  • No motive released by police as of the broadcast.
• No quotes given, but straightforward reporting by Dale Willman.

2. Oregon Pushback Against Federal Troop Deployment in Portland (00:47–01:34)

• Federal Announcement:
  • President Trump announced via social media the deployment of troops to "protect war-ravaged Portland" and ICE facilities, threatening further expansions to more cities.
• Local Response (Reporter: Matt Bloom):
  • Oregon officials: Recent protests/arrests outside Portland’s ICE facility don't warrant a federal response.
  • Mayor Keith Wilson (01:17):

    "President Trump has directed all necessary troops to Portland, Oregon. The number of necessary troops is zero." (01:17–01:24)

  • State Governor: Legal action will be taken if troops are deployed, referencing earlier deployment to Los Angeles.

3. Deadly Arizona Flooding & Local Impact (01:34–02:08)

• Situation:
  • At least four dead, two missing after intense flooding.
  • Globe, Arizona declared a state of emergency; 1,000 propane tanks washed away, creating major hazards.
• On-the-Ground Perspective:
  • Paul Kempton, Local Business Owner (01:57):

    "It's about 3 inches full of mud and water about halfway up the wall and all the equipment has been under." (01:57–02:04)

  • Reporter (reacting): "Oh my goodness." (02:04)
  • Kempton: "So just it looks like a complete loss." (02:05–02:08)

4. U.S.-Colombia Diplomatic Rift (02:08–03:13)

• Backdrop:
  • U.S. revoked Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s visa after he told U.S. troops to disobey President Trump at a New York rally.
  • President Petro: Publicly mocked the visa revocation; escalated criticism of Trump’s support for Israel.
• Key Quote (by John Otis):

  "On social media, Petro told Trump, do not surround yourself with the perpetrators of genocide." (02:25–03:13)

• Context: Years of alliance between the two nations strained by disagreements over tariffs and recent U.S. airstrikes.

5. Russian Attack on Kyiv, Ukraine (03:13–03:49)

• Update:
  • Major overnight drone and missile attack; four killed, at least 10 wounded.
  • Civilian targets included residential buildings, medical facilities, and a kindergarten; over 20 locations hit.

6. Disproportionate Suspension of Students with Disabilities (03:49–04:28)

• Story Focus:
  • Nationwide, students with disabilities suspended far more than non-disabled peers.
  • Personal lens: Shanae, mother of a 13-year-old with ADHD, discusses the impact of frequent suspensions on her son’s education.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Shanae (on her son’s suspensions):

    "Why is he getting in trouble for what ADHD looks like?" (04:03–04:06)
    "I don't want him to get even further behind." (04:12–04:14)

  • School official insists strict discipline is required for academic focus.
  • Reporter: Dylan Piers McCoy (WFYI), reporting from Indianapolis.

7. College Football Roundup (04:28–04:57)

• Highlights:
  • Texas A&M narrowly beats Auburn 16-10; Lavon Moss rushes for a career-high 139 yards.
  • Tennessee beats Mississippi State 41-34 in overtime.
  • Georgia Tech tops Wake Forest 30-29 in overtime.
  • Eastern Kentucky defeats Nichols 27-7; Caden Smith scores on an interception return.

Memorable Quotes

• Mayor Keith Wilson (Portland):

  "The number of necessary troops is zero." (01:17–01:24)

• Paul Kempton (Arizona flood victim):

  "So just it looks like a complete loss." (02:05–02:08)

• President Gustavo Petro (Colombia):

  "Do not surround yourself with the perpetrators of genocide." (02:25–03:13, paraphrased from social media)

• Shanae (Mother of suspended student):

  "Why is he getting in trouble for what ADHD looks like?" (04:03–04:06)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:13] Southport, NC shooting details
• [00:47] Portland federal troops controversy
• [01:17] Portland mayor/official response
• [01:34] Arizona flooding and business owner's account
• [02:08] U.S.-Colombia diplomatic tensions
• [03:13] Russian strikes on Kyiv, Ukraine
• [03:49] Suspensions of students with disabilities
• [04:28] College football roundup

This summary captures the key stories and voices from today's concise, fast-paced NPR News Now broadcast, highlighting the main issues, emotional moments, and significant quotes central to understanding the day’s headlines.