NPR News: 09-29-2025 1AM EDT

Summary

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NPR News Now – September 29, 2025, 1AM EDT

Host: Dale Willman
Duration: 5 minutes
Main Theme: Top news updates across the U.S. and the globe, covering major breaking stories in public safety, politics, weather, economics, and sports.

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Major News Stories and Key Points

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1. Michigan Church Attack

• Timestamps: [00:18]–[01:16]

• Summary:

  • A 40-year-old man, Thomas Jaco Sanford, attacked the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan.
    • Sanford drove his truck into the church's entrance, opened fire, and set the building on fire.
    • Four people and the gunman died; authorities are still searching the burned church for additional victims.
    • The FBI is investigating, treating the attack as targeted violence.
    • Police and community members are celebrated for their bravery, particularly in protecting children.

• Notable Quote:

  "They were shielding the children who were also present within the church, moving them to safety. Just hundreds of people just practicing their faith."
  — Grand Blanc Township Police Chief William Renney (reported by Gavin Maguff) [00:50]

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2. North Carolina Bar Shooting and Vigil

• Timestamps: [01:16]–[01:51]

• Summary:

  • Southport Baptist Church held a vigil for victims of a Saturday night shooting at a waterfront bar.
    • The attack resulted in three deaths and five injuries.
    • A suspect is in custody.
    • Community and first responders, including Chaplain CeCe McDonald, stressed the tragedy could have been worse and called for continued prayers.

• Notable Quote:

  "Was fortunate because this could have been way worse than what it was. But God showed up when we needed God. And yes, we've lost some loved ones and we need to remember them in prayer. But God has us."
  — CeCe McDonald, Brunswick County Sheriff's Department [01:35]

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3. Tropical Storm Imelda

• Timestamps: [01:51]–[02:50]
• Summary:
  • Tropical Storm Imelda is approaching the southeastern U.S., already impacting the Bahamas with heavy rain and up to a 3-foot storm surge.
    • Imelda may strengthen into a hurricane early in the week.
    • Coastal Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas are preparing for possible flooding and dangerous shore conditions.
    • South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency.
    • Wind risk is reducing, but hazards like rip currents remain likely.

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4. Missouri Political Redistricting

• Timestamps: [02:50]–[03:53]
• Summary:
  • Missouri’s governor has signed a redistricting measure that could flip a U.S. House seat from Democrat to Republican during the next midterm elections.
    • This change is part of former President Trump's broader plan to maintain the GOP’s majority.
    • Opponents are seeking a statewide referendum on the new map.

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5. Gaza War Casualties and Peace Pressure

• Timestamps: [03:53]–[04:10]
• Summary:
  • Gaza health officials update the death toll in the Israel-Hamas war to more than 66,000—surpassing U.S. combat deaths in the Vietnam War.
    • Israeli PM Netanyahu is set to meet with President Trump to discuss a possible peace plan amid growing international calls to end the conflict.

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6. Record U.S. Beef Prices and Cattle Industry Response

• Timestamps: [04:10]–[04:34]

• Summary:

  • Beef prices in the U.S. are at an all-time high.
    • The USDA will release a plan to help rebuild the cattle industry amid challenges.
    • Farmers are facing difficult decisions on herd management due to market uncertainty.
    • Some, like Missouri farmer Deb Thummel, are skeptical about government intervention.

• Notable Quote:

  "Think any beef producers really want the government to throw money at these high prices and lack of lack of cattle."
  — Deb Thummel, Missouri cattle farmer [04:17]

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7. WNBA Semifinals: Indiana Fever vs. Las Vegas Aces

• Timestamps: [04:34]–[04:58]
• Summary:
  • All-Star center Aaliyah Boston led the Indiana Fever with 24 points and 14 rebounds to defeat the Las Vegas Aces, 90–83.
    • The win tied the semifinals series at 2-2.
    • Decisive Game Five will be played Tuesday in Las Vegas, with the winner moving on to the finals against Phoenix.

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Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Police Rescues During Michigan Church Attack:

  "They were shielding the children... moving them to safety." — Chief Renney [00:50]

• Community Resilience After North Carolina Shooting:

  "God showed up when we needed God... we need to remember them in prayer." — CeCe McDonald [01:35]

• Farmers’ Skepticism on Government Aid:

  "Don't think any beef producers really want the government to throw money at these high prices..." — Deb Thummel [04:17]

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Key Timestamps

• Michigan Church Attack: [00:18–01:16]
• North Carolina Shooting & Vigil: [01:16–01:51]
• Tropical Storm Imelda: [01:51–02:50]
• Missouri Redistricting: [02:50–03:53]
• Gaza War Death Toll & Peace Efforts: [03:53–04:10]
• Beef Prices & Industry Outlook: [04:10–04:34]
• WNBA Semifinals Recap: [04:34–04:58]

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This fast-paced NPR News Now episode delivered concise, up-to-date coverage of national tragedies, political maneuvering, global conflict, economic challenges, and sports, with voices from law enforcement, faith leaders, farmers, and journalists contextualizing the headlines of September 29, 2025.

Transcript

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[Dale Willman]

Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. Authorities have so far not released a motive for an attack on a Michigan church Sunday that left four people and the gunman dead. Michigan Public's Steve Carmody reports.

[Steve Carmody]

Police say 40 year old Thomas Jaco Sanford drove his truck through the entrance of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, about 60 miles north of Detroit. He then allegedly started shooting and deliberately set the church on fire. Grand Blank Township Police Chief William Renney praised the bravery of the people inside the church during the attack.

[Gavin Maguff]

They were shielding the children who were also present within the church, moving them to safety. Just hundreds of people just practicing their faith.

[Steve Carmody]

Sanford died after exchanging gunfire with police. Authorities are sifting through the burned out church looking for additional victims. The FBI is investigating the incident as an act of targeted violence. For NPR News, I'm Steve Carmody in Flint, Michigan.

[Dale Willman]

In North Carolina, members of the Southport Baptist Church opened their doors Sunday evening for a vigil honoring those affected by Saturday night shooting. The incident at a waterfront bar killed three people and injured five others. CeCe McDonald is a chaplain with the Brunswick County Sheriff's Department. She was one of the first responders on the scene and says the community.

[CeCe McDonald]

Was fortunate because this could have been way worse than what it was. But God showed up when we needed God. And yes, we've lost some loved ones and we need to remember them in prayer. But God has us.

[Dale Willman]

Police have a suspect in custody. Parts of the southeastern US Are preparing for the effects of a tropical storm this week. As NPR's Joe Hernandez reports, the storm is already producing rain and possibly flooding in the Bahamas.

[Joe Hernandez]

Tropical Storm Imelda is tracking across the Caribbean. In the Bahamas, forecasters say the storm is dropping heavy rains and could produce as much as a three foot storm surge. The National Hurricane center says Imelda could strengthen into a hurricane by Monday or Tuesday. Coastal areas of Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas are preparing for harsh conditions early this week, including rain and possible flooding. A large swath of flood Florida's eastern coastline was under a tropical storm watch Sunday, and South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster issued a state of emergency. Forecasters say the risk of strong wind impacts this week is dropping, but Imelda could still produce dangerous conditions along the shore including rip currents. Joe Hernandez, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

Missouri's governor has signed a measure that could flip one of that state's U.S. house seats from Democrat to Republican. That's when next year's midterm elections come up. The mid decade redistricting is part of President Trump's plan to keep the slim majority now held by the gop. Opponents of that plan are trying to get a referendum in Missouri for a statewide vote on that new map. You're listening to NPR News. Gaza health officials say the death toll in the Israel Hamas war has now reached more than 66,000. That's almost 8,000 more than the American death toll during the Viet War. Israel's prime minister, meanwhile, is expected to meet with President Trump on Monday to discuss a possible peace plan for the region. Netanyahu is facing growing international pressure to bring the fighting to an end. Beef prices are at an all time high now. The Department of Agriculture says it will release a plan to rebuild the cattle industry. Gavin Maguff from member station KXCV has more.

[Gavin Maguff]

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.

[CeCe McDonald]

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

[Gavin Maguff]

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

[Dale Willman]

All Star CENTER Aaliyah Boston finished with 24 points and 14 rebounds as the Indiana Fever beat the Las Vegas Aces Sunday, 90 83. That win helped the Fever avoid elimination from the WNBI semifinals. The best of five series is now tied 22 with game five on Tuesday in Las Vegas. The winner faces Phoenix in the finals. I'm Dale Wilman, NPR News.

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