NPR News Now: September 29, 2025, 5AM EDT

Host: Dave Mattingly
Duration: 5 minutes
Theme: Top headlines in U.S. news with breaking reports from Michigan, Oregon, the Pentagon, the White House, the economy, and New York.

1. Michigan Church Attack

[00:18 - 01:32]

• Summary: Authorities in Michigan responded to a violent attack at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, where a gunman rammed his pickup, opened fire, and set fire to the building.
• Key Details:
  • Attacker Identified: Thomas Jacob Sanford, a 40-year-old former U.S. Marine from Burton, Michigan.
  • Casualties: At least 4 dead, 8 injured; police shot and killed the gunman.
  • Ongoing Investigation: Authorities are searching the ruins for more victims; hundreds attended the service.
• Official Response:
  • Reuben Coleman, acting FBI special agent (Detroit):

    "This act of violence has no place...in our state or anywhere else in our country." [00:51]

  • Dave Mattingly (host):

    "The FBI is committed to continue finding out the facts and circumstances and motives behind this tragedy." [00:57]

2. Oregon Sues Over National Guard Deployment

[01:32 - 02:13]

• Summary: The state of Oregon is suing the Trump administration to stop the deployment of National Guard troops to Portland.
• Key Details:
  • Governor's Stance: Oregon Governor Tina Kotek calls the move "an abuse of federal power."
  • Legal Action: Oregon Attorney General is pursuing a temporary restraining order to block the deployment.
  • Context: President Trump claims troops are needed for security at Portland’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Governor Tina Kotek:

    "Oregon is our home. It is not a military target, and we're going to fight back to make sure that we can keep Oregon safe." [01:46-01:52]

  • Report by Tiffany Camhi, Oregon Public Broadcasting.

3. Defense Secretary’s Meeting at Quantico

[02:13 - 03:08]

• Summary: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will address U.S. military admirals and generals at Marine Base Quantico.
• Key Details:
  • Agenda: Addressing "homeland defense" and a plan to restore a “war ethos.”
  • Policy Moves: Includes raising fitness standards and cutting senior officer ranks by 20%.
  • Woke Critique: Hegseth believes the military is "too woke and focused on diversity," and has fired senior officers accordingly.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Tom Bowman (NPR):

    "Hegseth has repeatedly said the military is too woke and focused on diversity. He has fired multiple senior officers, citing these reasons or suggesting they got their jobs because of diversity." [02:50]

• Additional Note: President Trump said he plans to attend the meeting. [03:08]

4. Looming Government Shutdown and the Economy

[03:08 - 04:24]

• Summary: With a potential government shutdown looming, President Trump is resuming talks with congressional leaders to avert a closure.
• Key Details:
  • Deadline: Congress must pass a spending bill by tomorrow night.
  • Tense Negotiations: Previous meetings with Democratic leaders were canceled by the President.
  • Economic Data at Risk: An impending shutdown could delay the release of employment data for September, impacting investor decisions.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Rafael Nam (NPR):

    "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." [03:55]

5. New York Mayoral Race Update

[04:24 - 04:56]

• Summary: New York City Mayor Eric Adams ends his re-election bid as an independent amid fallout from a dismissed corruption case, citing fundraising difficulties.
• Key Details:
  • Reason: The dismissed federal corruption case made his campaign untenable.
  • No Endorsement: Adams did not endorse another candidate. Remaining contenders include Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo.
• Memorable Moment:
  • Dave Mattingly:

    "In a video released yesterday on social media, Adams acknowledged a now dismissed federal corruption case against him has left many voters wary of him. He said that's made it difficult to raise enough money to run a serious campaign." [04:33]

Host: "I'm Dave Mattingly in Washington." [04:56]

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