NPR News: 09-28-2025 5PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now – Summary

Episode: NPR News: 09-28-2025 5PM EDT
Host: Jeanine Herbst
Date: September 28, 2025
Duration: 5 minutes
Theme: A concise roundup of top national and international news stories, covering major developments in politics, public safety, global affairs, the economy, and the entertainment industry.

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Key Stories and Discussions

1. Michigan Church Shooting ([00:16]–[01:16])

• Incident Overview:
  A tragic shooting occurred at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan.
• Details of the Attack:
  • A 40-year-old suspect drove his vehicle into the church and opened fire on worshippers, also allegedly starting a fire.
  • At least two people were killed, and over six were injured.
  • The gunman was killed after a confrontation with two law enforcement officers.
• Ongoing Investigation:
  • No motive released.
  • Suspect’s relationship to local law enforcement is unknown.

Quote – Police Response
“They met the suspect and they engaged in gunf with that particular individual, neutralizing that suspect.”
– William Rennie, Grand Blanc Police Chief [01:00]

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2. Eric Adams Withdraws from NYC Mayoral Race ([01:16]–[02:16])

• Announcement:
  New York City Mayor Eric Adams exits mayoral race, citing struggles stemming from investigations that impeded his campaign fundraising and activities.
• Adams’ Statement:
  Emphasized commitment to public service despite ending his campaign.
• Political Landscape:
  • Adam’s withdrawal shakes up the race, leading to a tighter contest between Zoran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist, and former Governor Andrew Cuomo.
  • Cuomo, previously resigned amid scandal, positions himself as a centrist alternative.
  • Republican Curtis Sliwa remains a contender, making it a three-way race.
• Background:
  Adams previously faced federal charges of bribery and campaign finance offenses, later dropped.

Quote – Adams on Withdrawal
“Although this is the end of my re election campaign, it is not the end of my public service.”
– Eric Adams [01:38]

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3. U.S.–Middle East Ceasefire Negotiations ([02:16]–[03:11])

• Upcoming Summit:
  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu scheduled to meet with President Trump at the White House.
• Ceasefire Proposal:
  • U.S. is mediating a new ceasefire proposal in the Gaza conflict.
  • Plan reportedly includes Hamas releasing all hostages at the start of a ceasefire, with a multinational peacekeeping force gradually replacing Israeli troops in Gaza.
• Mixed Reactions:
  • Hamas claims it hasn’t received an official offer but has been informed by mediators.
  • Hamas reports loss of contact with two Israeli hostages in Gaza City due to bombardment.

Quote – Trump on Negotiations
“We have a real chance for greatness in the Middle East. All are on board for something special.”
– President Donald Trump [Paraphrased by Daniel Estrin, 02:23]

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4. Record-High Beef Prices and USDA Response ([03:11]–[04:12])

• Economic Update:
  Beef prices reach all-time highs, challenging cattle farmers nationwide.
• Government Action:
  • The Department of Agriculture (USDA) plans to unveil measures to revitalize the cattle industry in October.
  • Farmers weigh holding back heifers to rebuild herds or continuing to sell at high prices.
• Producer Sentiment:
  Farmer Deb Thummel voices skepticism about direct government intervention.

Quote – Farmer’s Perspective
“Think any beef producers really want want the government to throw money at these high prices and lack of cattle.”
– Deb Thummel [03:54]

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5. Weekend Box Office Highlights ([04:12]–[04:55])

• Top Performer:
  Warner Brothers’ "One Battle After Another" debuted at number one, earning $22 million.
  • Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.
  • Star-studded cast includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Teyana Taylor, and Sean Penn.
  • Described as a contemporary American epic.
• Second Place:
  "Gabby’s Dollhouse, The Movie" from Universal Pictures/Dreamworks Animation made $13 million.
  • Based on the popular children’s series.
  • Had a production budget of $32 million.

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Notable Quotes

• “They met the suspect and they engaged in gunf with that particular individual, neutralizing that suspect.”
  – William Rennie [01:00]
• “Although this is the end of my re election campaign, it is not the end of my public service.”
  – Eric Adams [01:38]
• “Think any beef producers really want want the government to throw money at these high prices and lack of cattle.”
  – Deb Thummel [03:54]

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Important Timestamps

• [00:16] Michigan church shooting update
• [01:16] Eric Adams exits NYC mayoral race
• [02:16] Netanyahu–Trump White House summit preview
• [03:11] USDA tackles high beef prices
• [04:12] Box office results and film highlights

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Summary

This episode of NPR News Now delivered a brisk, punchy summary of the day's most critical stories, emphasizing urgent updates on a Michigan church shooting, major political shakeups in New York City, high-stakes international diplomacy in the Middle East, economic pressure on cattle farmers, and fresh movie industry milestones. The reporting balanced rapid detail with direct quotes, letting listeners quickly grasp both breaking facts and the stakes involved.

Transcript

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[Jeanine Herbst]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. In Michigan, authorities are searching for additional victims in a burned church where a gunman opened fire, killing at least two people and injuring more than a half dozen worshippers this morning about 60 miles north of Detroit. The gunman was also killed. Michigan Public's Steve Carmody has more.

[Steve Carmody]

The Sunday worship service at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, was underway when an unidentified 40 year old man allegedly drove his vehicle through the front doors of the church. Authorities say he then started shooting and he may also have started a fire in the church. Grand Blank Police Chief William Rennie says the attack ended when two law enforcement officers arrived at the church.

[William Rennie]

They met the suspect and they engaged in gunf with that particular individual, neutralizing that suspect.

[Steve Carmody]

Authorities are not releasing a motive for the attack on the church or whether the suspect was known to local law enforcement. For NPR News, I'm Steve Carmody.

[Jeanine Herbst]

In Flint, Michigan, Mayor Eric Adams says he's dropping out of the New York City mayor's race, shaking up a race that's been dominated by newcomer Zoran Mamdani. NPR's Brian Mann has more.

[Brian Mann]

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

[Eric Adams]

Although this is the end of my re election 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 whose lead 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.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is preparing to meet President Trump at the White House tomorrow. NPR's Daniel Estrin has more.

[Daniel Estrin]

President Trump said on social media, we have a real chance for greatness in the Middle East. All are on board for something special. Vice President J.D. vance said the U.S. was negotiating with Arab and Israeli leaders over the ceasefire plan. A person briefed on the plan not authorized to speak publicly, told NPR Trump is proposing that Hamas release all hostages at the start of a Gaza ceasefire and that a multinational Arab and Muslim peacekeeping force gradually replace Israeli troops in Gaza. A Hamas official told NPR Hamas was not given an official offer but was being briefed by mediators on the details. Hamas says its lost contact with two Israeli hostages in Gaza City due to Israeli bombardment. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Jeanine Herbst]

You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Beef prices are at an all time high. The Department of Agriculture says it will release a plan to rebuild the cattle industry. Gavin Magoff from member station KXCV has more.

[Gavin Magoff]

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, hold back heifers and grow their herd or hope that 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.

[Deb Thummel]

Think any beef producers really want want the government to throw money at these high prices and lack of cattle.

[Gavin Magoff]

The USDA says it will release its plan in October. For NPR News, I'm Gavin Magoff.

[Jeanine Herbst]

At the weekend BOX office Warner Brothers, one battle after another, took the top spot, debuting with $22 million in ticket sales. Paul Thomas Anderson's widely acclaimed American epic of rebellion and resistance cost a reported $130 million to produce. The film, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Teyana Taylor and Sean Penn, has been hailed as a film brimming with many of the political conflicts of today. In second place, Gabby's Dollhouse, the movie. The Universal Pictures release produced by Dreamworks animation, took in $13 million for the G rated film based on the long running series. It cost $32 million to produce. I'm Jeanine Herbst, NPR News.

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