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Jeanine Herbst
News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. The death toll in the shooting at a church in Michigan this morning has risen to at least four. Authorities are calling it an attack of targeted violence. Police say the gunman, identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford, drove a pickup truck through the front door of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Grand Blank about an hour north of Detroit, then opened fire on people inside before setting the building on fire, allegedly with some kind of accelerant. Hundreds of people were inside at the time the church was destroyed, and authorities are still working to clear the scene and say the death toll may rise. Grand Blank Police Chief William Rennie says there heroes in the church today.
William Rennie
I'd also like to acknowledge the heroism of not only the first responders, but the people who were inside that church at the time. They were shielding the children who are also present within the church, moving them to safety.
Jeanine Herbst
The gunman is dead after a shootout with police. There's no word on a motive. President Trump's political retribution efforts are escalating. NPR's Mara Liasson reports. Trump says former FBI Director James Comey won't be the last of his opponents to be indicted.
Mara Liasson
President Trump promised to use the Department of Justice to go after his political enemies, and he's doing it. In addition to Comey, he's instructed his attorney general to prosecute other Democrats who investigated him, including California Democratic Senator Adam Schiff and the attorney general of New York, Letitia James. The New York Times is reporting that Fani Willis has received a subpoena. Willis is the Fulton County, Georgia, district attorney who charged Trump with trying to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia. Legal experts say although the Comey case is weak and may not end with a conviction, his indictment sends a message to Trump's other adversaries that he can bankrupt them and ruin their careers. Mara Liasson, NPR News.
Jeanine Herbst
Wall street investors will be closely eyeing the latest jobs report out later this week. But as NPR's Rafael Nam reports, a possible government shutdown could delay the release of that data.
Rafael Nam
Over the past several months, the US has been creating a lot fewer jobs than economists had expected. That has led to concerns that the economy may be weaker than many investors had anticipated. So investors are keenly waiting for the latest employment numbers for September due out on Friday. There is a potential wrinkle, however. There could be a government shutdown this week unless Republicans and Democrats can clinch a short term spending deal. A shutdown would delay the release of fall data by the government, including the jobs numbers, meaning investors may have to wait a little bit longer. Rafael nam, NPR News.
Jeanine Herbst
U.S. futures contracts are trading higher at this hour. Dow futures up about 1/10 of a percent. You're listening to NPR News. Officials in Mississippi are worried about the state's babies. Mississippi recently declared a public health crisis around infant mortality. NPR's Katie O' Ridd has more from Mississippi.
Katie O'Ridd
One significant factor in the crisis here, lack of insurance. The state has not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care act the way other states have. Obstetrician lakeisha Richardson says without insurance, her patients often get to hurt when it's too late.
Lakeisha Richardson
They're showing up with severe preeclampsia and they're not stable for transfer. But also they're showing up in in ways or things with preterm labor or complicated medical diagnosis that we could have prevented.
Katie O'Ridd
Richardson is part of a public health team working to reduce infant deaths throughout the state. Katie Riddle, NPR News.
Jeanine Herbst
The Mississippi Delta 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, 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. The G rated film based on the long running series cost $32 million to produce. I'm Jeanine Herbst and you're listening to NPR News from Washington.
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Host: Jeanine Herbst
Date: September 29, 2025
Duration: 5 minutes
This episode of NPR News Now delivers a succinct roundup of major U.S. news stories. The key topics include a tragic mass shooting at a Michigan church, President Trump’s escalating political prosecutions, the potential delay in crucial economic data due to a looming government shutdown, Mississippi’s infant mortality crisis, and the latest in U.S. box office rankings.
Reported by Jeanine Herbst with on-the-ground comment from Grand Blank Police Chief William Rennie
Timestamps: 00:20–01:21
Event Details:
Heroism During Crisis:
"I'd also like to acknowledge the heroism of not only the first responders, but the people who were inside that church at the time. They were shielding the children who are also present within the church, moving them to safety."
— William Rennie, Grand Blank Police Chief (01:01)
Reporting by Mara Liasson
Timestamps: 01:21–02:20
Escalating Political Prosecutions:
"President Trump promised to use the Department of Justice to go after his political enemies, and he's doing it."
— Mara Liasson (01:38)
"[Comey's] indictment sends a message to Trump's other adversaries that he can bankrupt them and ruin their careers."
— Mara Liasson (02:09)
Reporting by Rafael Nam
Timestamps: 02:20–03:09
Economic Jitters:
"A shutdown would delay the release of fall data by the government, including the jobs numbers, meaning investors may have to wait a little bit longer."
— Rafael Nam (02:52)
Market Snapshot:
Reporting by Katie O’Ridd
Timestamps: 03:32–04:05
Public Health Alert:
"They're showing up with severe preeclampsia and they're not stable for transfer. But also they're showing up in in ways or things with preterm labor or complicated medical diagnosis that we could have prevented."
— Lakeisha Richardson, Obstetrician (03:47)
Response Efforts:
Reported by Jeanine Herbst
Timestamps: 04:05–04:58
Debuts and Rankings:
Cultural Relevance:
Heroism in Michigan Church:
"They were shielding the children who are also present within the church, moving them to safety."
— William Rennie, Grand Blank Police Chief (01:01)
About Political Retaliation:
"[Trump’s] indictment sends a message to Trump's other adversaries that he can bankrupt them and ruin their careers."
— Mara Liasson (02:09)
Infant Mortality in Mississippi:
"They're showing up with severe preeclampsia and they're not stable for transfer..."
— Lakeisha Richardson (03:47)
This episode provides a concise yet impactful snapshot of national events, touching on crisis, conflict, and cultural moments, all within NPR’s signature fact-driven reporting style.