Summary4 min read

NPR News Now – 09-28-2025 5AM EDT

Host: Giles Snyder
Episode Date: September 28, 2025

Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now episode offers a rapid rundown of overnight and breaking national and international headlines. The main themes covered are escalating federal intervention in Democratic-led U.S. cities, international security concerns over Russian aggression, looming government shutdown in Washington, gun violence in North Carolina, and the anniversary of the abortion medication mifepristone’s approval.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Federal Troops in Portland, Oregon

[00:11–00:41]

Context: President Trump announced intentions to send federal troops to Portland.
State Pushback:
- Oregon Governor Tina Kotek denounced the move, calling it “an abuse of power and misuse of federal troops.”
- Quote – Gov. Kotek (00:31):
  
  “There is no direction, there is no threat to national security, and there is no need for military troops in our major city.”
Reasoning from D.C.: Trump claimed on social media that Portland is "war ravaged" and troops are necessary to protect immigration facilities (which have been protest sites).
Noted Uncertainty: No clear timeline or specifics about which units might be deployed.

2. Protests in Chicago over Trump Administration's Immigration Agenda

[01:11–01:46]

Report from WBEZ’s Summer Van Benton:
- Hundreds marched in downtown Chicago Saturday.
- Protesters ranged "from babies in strollers to elders in wheelchairs," with broad public participation.
- Cars honked in support; some passersby spontaneously turned marchers.
Organizers’ Perspective (Hussam Meraja, US Palestinian Community Network/Chicago Coalition):
- Trump is “punishing” progressive cities for their policies and working-class roots.
- Quote – Hussam Meraja (01:35):
  
  “The precedent that he’s setting is that you’re gonna make progress and you’re gonna have these progressive mayors and progressive cities that come from like unions and working class people, then we’re gonna punish you.”
Demands: Protesters want state and local officials to enact protections against federal overreach.

3. Russian Attacks on Ukraine and NATO's Baltic Response

[01:56–03:09]

Ukraine Under Fire:
- Russia launched "hundreds of drones and missiles overnight."
- Kyiv was hardest hit: “strikes targeted residential, civilian infrastructure, a medical facility and a kindergarten.”
- 4 people killed, at least 10 wounded.
NATO Reacts to Drone Intrusions:
- NATO is increasing military presence in the Baltic Sea after several days of drones spotted, particularly in Denmark.
- Terry Schultz reports, ongoing drone sightings since Monday.
- NATO Statement (Col. Martin O'Donnell): More intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance resources and “at least one air defense frigate” added.
- Primary concern: defending infrastructure, especially undersea cables, from Russian interference.
- Russia denies involvement with the drones.

4. Looming U.S. Government Shutdown

[03:09–03:52]

Urgency: One day left before the government faces a partial shutdown due to stalled funding negotiations.
Action: Top congressional Democrats announced a White House meeting (set for tomorrow) — President Trump to meet with Republican and Democratic leaders.
Democrats’ Stand: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer urge Republicans to negotiate a bipartisan spending plan.

5. Mass Shooting in Southport, North Carolina

[03:52–04:07]

Incident: Mass shooting at a waterfront bar on the Cape Fear River. Shots fired from a boat.
Casualties: 3 dead, 8 wounded.
Update: A suspect is in custody.

6. Mifepristone: 25 Years Since FDA Approval

[04:07–04:51]

Background: Mifepristone, used for medication abortion and miscarriage management, was approved 25 years ago today (September 28, 2000).
FDA Review: The process was unusually long and rigorous due to political contention.
Drug Facts:
- Works by blocking progesterone; paired with misoprostol.
- Was available in Europe before the U.S.
- Used by nearly 6 million women in the U.S.
Ongoing Debate: Legal challenges and new regulatory threats anticipated from the Trump administration.
Advocates’ Position:
- Quote – Selena Simmons Duffin (Reporter, 04:30):
  
  “The safety and efficacy of the medication has been proven in more than 100 studies, according to the FDA.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek (00:31):

“There is no direction, there is no threat to national security, and there is no need for military troops in our major city.”
Hussam Meraja, Chicago Protest Organizer (01:35):

“The precedent that he’s setting is that you’re gonna make progress and you’re gonna have these progressive mayors and progressive cities that come from like unions and working class people, then we’re gonna punish you.”
Selena Simmons Duffin (04:30):

“The safety and efficacy of the medication has been proven in more than 100 studies, according to the FDA.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

Oregon Pushes Back on Trump, Troop Deployment: 00:11–00:41
Chicago Immigration Protests: 01:11–01:46
Russian Attacks & NATO Response: 01:56–03:09
Government Shutdown Deadline Looms: 03:09–03:52
Mass Shooting in North Carolina: 03:52–04:07
Mifepristone FDA Anniversary & Legal Debate: 04:07–04:51

For listeners and readers:
This NPR News Now update provides a concise overview of significant domestic and international news developments with verifiable reports, direct quotes, and real-time context, true to NPR's signature direct and objective tone.

Loading summary

Transcript13 lines

[00:00]
Capital One Advertiser
This message comes from Capital One with the Capital One Saver card. Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining and entertainment. Capital One what's in your wallet? Terms apply.
[00:11]
Giles Snyder
Details@capitalone.com Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. Top officials in Oregon are pushing back against President Trump's announcement that he will send troops to Portland. Oregon Governor Tina Kotak has calling any deployment an abuse of power and a misuse of federal troops.
[00:31]
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek
There is no direction, there is no threat to national security, and there is no need for military troops in our major city.
[00:41]
Giles Snyder
On social media this weekend, Trump called Portland war ravaged and said troops were necessary to protect immigration facilities, which have been the focus of protesters. Saturday's announcement is Trump's latest threat to deploy troops to a Democratic led city. A timeline for a deployment and which troops would be sent is not clear. Hundreds of people marched in downtown Chicago Saturday demanding that Illinois officials stand up against the Trump administration's immigration agenda. From member station wbez, Summer Van Benton reports.
[01:12]
Summer Van Benton
No jump, no jumps. Protesters ranged from babies in strollers to elders in wheelchairs. Cars honked in support, some walking by, even joined the march. Organizer Hussam Meraja, with the US Palestinian Community Network and a co chair for the Chicago Coalition against the Trump Agenda, says the Trump administration is targeting blue cities who are making progressive change.
[01:36]
Capital One Advertiser
The precedent that he's setting is that you're gonna make progress and you're gonna have these progressive mayors and progressive cities that come from like unions and working class people, then we're gonna punish you.
[01:47]
Summer Van Benton
Protesters are demanding officials enact laws and policies to stop federal agencies from harming residents. For NPR News, I'm Summer Van Benton in Chicago.
[01:56]
Giles Snyder
Ukrainian officials say Russia launched hundreds of drones and missiles overnight. The capital city of Kyiv is reported to have borne the brunt of the attack. The mayor says the strikes targeted residential, civilian infrastructure, a medical facility and a kindergarten. Authorities say four people were killed in Kyiv and at least 10 others wounded. NATO is sending military reinforcements to the Baltic Sea in light of several days of drone intrusions over the Nordic countries, especially Denmark. From Copenhagen, Terry Schultz reports the sightings of mysterious airborne objects has been ongoing since Monday.
[02:32]
Terry Schultz
A NATO military official says the alliance has been in constant contact with the Danish government about the daily appearances of drones in its airspace, including over military locations. Colonel Martin o' Donnell says NATO has therefore decided to step up as a vigilance in the region by sending more resources to the Baltic sentry operation set up in January primarily to counter the cutting of undersea cables by ships linked to Moscow. O' Donnell says the additional assets include multiple intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms and at least one air defense frigate. On Tuesday, Russia denied it was responsible for the drones. For NPR News, I'm Terry Schultz in Copenhagen.
[03:10]
Giles Snyder
And you're listening to. With Tuesday's deadline to fund government operations or face a partial shutdown looming, top congressional Democrats released a joint statement last night confirming a White House meeting has been set for tomorrow. President Trump is to meet with top Republicans and Democrats. With just one day before the deadline to approve legislation, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer are calling on Republicans to negotiate a bipartisan spending plan. A mass shooting last night in Southport, North Carolina, left three people dead and eight others injured. Shots were fired from a boat on the Cape Fear river into a waterfront bar. The city says police have a suspect in custody. The medication mifepristone, was approved on this day in 2000. NPR's Selena Simons Duffin reports that the food and drug review process was longer and more thorough than usual because of political opposition.
[04:07]
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 U.S. 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.
[04:52]
Giles Snyder
This is NPR.
[04:54]
Mint Mobile Advertiser
This message comes from Mint Mobile. From the gas pump to the grocery store, inflation is everywhere. So Mint Mobile is offering premium wireless starting at just $15 a month. To get your new phone plan for just $15, go to mintmobile.com.