NPR News: 09-28-2025 4PM EDT

Summary

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NPR News Now — September 28, 2025, 4PM EDT

Host: Nora Ram
Episode Theme:
A succinct update on major national and international events, with a focus this hour on breaking news from Michigan, U.S. government shutdown negotiations, the war in Gaza, a looming typhoon in Vietnam, the passing of a renowned chronicler of Shanghai’s architecture, and a significant political development in New York City’s mayoral race.

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Key News Stories & Discussion Points

1. Church Shooting and Fire in Michigan

[00:16–01:15]

• Incident Overview:
  A tragic attack at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Grand Blank, Michigan, where a gunman drove his vehicle into the church, opened fire on congregants, and set the building alight.
• Casualties:
  At least one civilian killed; the suspect (an unidentified 40-year-old man) was shot dead by responding police.
• Damage:
  Fire consumed much of the church; authorities are searching damaged areas.
• Community Reaction:
  • Scott Bennett, Grand Blank Township supervisor:

    "This kind of violence doesn't happen in our community and we are heartbroken that it came to Grand Blank Township." [01:00]

• Reporter: Steve Carmody, NPR Michigan correspondent.

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2. Impending Federal Government Shutdown

[01:15–01:57]

• Deadline:
  The fiscal year ends Tuesday night; Congress has yet to pass funding bills to avoid a partial shutdown.
• White House & Congressional Talks:
  President Trump to meet with congressional leaders, including Democrats Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries.
• Speaker Mike Johnson’s Position:
  • On CNN, he expressed the President’s urgency and frustration:

    "He wants to bring in the leaders to come in and act like leaders and do the right thing for the American people. And it's fine to have partisan debates and squabbles, but you don't hold the people hostage for their services to allow yourself political cover. And that's what Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries are doing right now." [01:44]

• Sticking Point:
  Democrats are demanding an extension for health care subsidies benefiting middle and low-income families.

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3. Gaza Conflict: Heavy Casualties and Market Strike

[01:57–03:12]

• Rising Death Toll:
  Gaza health officials report more than 66,000 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire since the war began nearly two years ago.
• Recent Strikes:
  • An Israeli airstrike on a crowded market killed at least 19 people and injured over 70; casualties included women and children.
  • Israel claimed the strike targeted a Hamas militant involved in a previous incident linked to the rescue of Israeli hostages.
• Ongoing Displacement:
  Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced to south Gaza; the south is also under regular bombardment.
• Reporter: Anas Baba, NPR Gaza correspondent.

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4. Vietnam Braces for Powerful Typhoon

[03:12–03:49]

• Evacuations & Preparations:
  Thousands evacuated in central and northern Vietnam as a severe typhoon approaches, bringing winds, heavy rains, and possible flash floods and landslides. Airport closures reported.
• Regional Impact:
  The typhoon previously struck the central Philippines, leaving at least 10 dead.

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5. Remembering Tess Johnston: Chronicler of Shanghai Architecture

[03:49–04:30]

• Obituary:
  Tess Johnston, notable for her work documenting and preserving the colonial-era architecture of Shanghai, died this month in Washington, D.C.
• Legacy:
  • Johnston partnered with photographer Er Dongchang to publish over two dozen books, educating new generations on architecture nearly lost to modern development.
  • She described Shanghai’s architectural diversity as unique and enchanting:

    “Where else in the world would you find such a variety of buildings? Maybe New York City. And it was just enchanting, really enchanting.” — Tess Johnston [04:07]

  • Expressed gratitude for witnessing Shanghai’s architectural history.
• Reporter: Frank Langford, NPR Washington correspondent.

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6. New York City Mayoral Race Update

[04:30–04:55]

• Eric Adams Withdraws:
  Mayor Eric Adams, running as an independent after being a Democrat, exits the race amid lagging poll numbers.
• Current Field:
  • Democratic nominee: Zoran Mandani
  • Former Governor Andrew Cuomo (independent), left office after a sexual misconduct scandal
  • Republican Curtis Sliwa
• Significance:
  Race now narrows to a three-way contest as Adams concedes.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “This kind of violence doesn't happen in our community and we are heartbroken that it came to Grand Blank Township.”
  — Scott Bennett, Grand Blank Township supervisor [01:00]

• “He wants to bring in the leaders to come in and act like leaders and do the right thing for the American people...”
  — House Speaker Mike Johnson [01:39]

• “Where else in the world would you find such a variety of buildings? Maybe New York City. And it was just enchanting, really enchanting.”
  — Tess Johnston, on Shanghai’s architecture [04:07]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Michigan church shooting & fire: [00:16–01:15]
• Government shutdown negotiations: [01:15–01:57]
• Gaza war updates and market strike: [01:57–03:12]
• Vietnam typhoon warning: [03:12–03:49]
• Tess Johnston remembrance: [03:49–04:30]
• New York mayoral campaign shakeup: [04:30–04:55]

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Summary prepared for NPR News Now listeners and readers seeking a concise yet thorough account of the hour’s major news stories.

Transcript

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[Nora Ram]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Nora Ram. Authorities in Michigan say at least one person was killed when a gunman opened fire on a church this morning, which was also set on fire during the attack. The suspect was shot dead by police member station Mission Public. Steve Carmody reports.

[Steve Carmody]

Police say an unidentified 40 year old man rammed his vehicle into the front doors of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Grand blank, Michigan, about 60 miles north of Detroit. The man then allegedly opened fire on people attending the morning church service. Police believe he also started a fire that burned much of the church. Officials say responding officers engaged the gunman, killing him. Scott Bennett is the Grand Blank Township supervisor.

[Mike Johnson]

This kind of violence doesn't happen in our community and we are heartbroken that.

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It came to Grand Blank Township.

[Steve Carmody]

Authorities are searching a part of the church heavily damaged by fire. For NPR News, I'm Steve Carmody in Flint, Michigan.

[Nora Ram]

The deadline is fast approaching to avoid a partial government shutdown and the fiscal year ends Tuesday night and Congress has not approved the regular bills to pay for government programs. President Trump is to meet tomorrow with congressional leaders, including Democrats, Senator Chuck Schumer and Congressman Hakeem Jeffries. House Speaker Mike Johnson told CNN the president doesn't want the government to shut down.

[Mike Johnson]

I'm telling you where his head is. He wants to bring in the leaders to come in and act like leaders and do the right thing for the American people. And it's fine to have partisan debates and squabbles, but you don't hold the people hostage for their services to allow yourself political cover. And that's what Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries are doing right now.

[Nora Ram]

The Democrats want a provision to extend health care subsidies for middle and low income families that are now slated to expire this year. Gaza health officials say more than 66,000 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire after nearly two years of war. At least 19 people were killed in an Israeli strike on a crowded outdoor market over the weekend. Israel says it was targeting a wanted Hamas militant. NPR's Anas Baba reports.

[Anas Baba]

Israel launched a raid in central Gaza last year and rescued four Israeli hostages. The operation also killed at least 276 Palestinians and wounded nearly 700, according to Gaza health officials. It was one of Israel's most lethal attacks of the war. This weekend, an Israeli airstrike hit a busy market, killing 19 people, including women and children, and wounding at least 70 others. Galva Health officials say Israel says the target was a Hamas militant allegedly involved in killing an Israeli soldier during last year. Hostages rescue. In recent weeks, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been displaced to south Gaza, where Israel says it's safer. But that area has also been bombed almost daily. And that's Baba, NPR News, Gaza City.

[Nora Ram]

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. Some airports are closed. The typhoon hit the central Philippines last week. At least 10 people died. Retired U.S. foreign Service officer Tess Johnston died this month in Washington, D.C. johnston had a second career documenting the colonial architecture of Shanghai. NPR's Frank Langfit reports.

[Frank Langford]

Johnson roamed the streets and back alleys, cataloging French style villas and neoclassical buildings that gave Shanghai its cosmopolitan face. It was a race against the wrecking ball as China's boom fueled the mass demolition of colonial architecture in favor of modern high rises. As she told me in 2016, where.

[Tess Johnston]

Else in the world would you find such a variety of buildings? Maybe New York City. And it was just enchanting, really enchanting.

[Frank Langford]

With Chinese photographer Er Dongchang, Johnston published more than two dozen books introducing a new generation to an architectural heritage that had largely been forgotten. As she put it, I'm grateful I could be here and see it as it was. Frank Langford, NPR News, Washington.

[Nora Ram]

New York City Mayor Eric Adams today abandoned his effort to win another term. The one time Democrat was running as an independent. He'd been running behind Zoran Mandani, the winner of the Democratic primary, and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who stepped down as governor after a sexual misconduct scandal. It's now a three way race with Republican Curtis Sliwa. I'm Nora Ramm, NPR News, in Washington.

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