NPR News Now – September 29, 2025, 5PM EDT

Host: Ryland Barton
Episode Theme: Top national and international news stories, including developments in the Middle East, domestic security, business and technology, and cultural headlines.

Main Theme

This edition delivers concise updates on major news events: President Trump's newly unveiled plan for the Gaza war, National Guard deployments to U.S. cities, a deadly church shooting in Michigan, the high-profile sale of Electronic Arts, Lufthansa’s expansion and job cuts, North Korea’s nuclear position, Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl announcement, and OpenAI's parental controls for ChatGPT.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan

• [00:17–01:18]
• President Trump released a 20-point plan aimed at ending the Gaza war and promoting regional peace.
  • Key Elements:
    • All hostages to be released within 72 hours.
    • Gaza to be established as a "de-radicalized terror free zone."
    • Humanitarian aid (food, goods) to be allowed in under a new transitional authority.
    • Israel’s war aims: Gaza not run by Hamas or the Palestinian Authority.
  • Israeli PM Netanyahu’s Response: Acceptance of the plan, citing achievement of Israel’s objectives.
  • Quote:
    • Unidentified Israeli speaking on public sentiment:

      "They say two please get the hostages back and please end the war. They've had it."
      [00:59]

2. National Guard to Memphis and Portland

• [01:18–02:12]
• National Guard troops are set for Memphis, part of federal initiatives on urban crime.
  • Backing:
    • Supported by TN Governor Bill Lee (Republican).
    • Memphis Mayor Paul Young (Democrat) is cautious but has launched a public information website.
  • Role:
    • Guard to be "extra eyes and ears"—not arresting, issuing warrants, or wearing masks.
  • Quote:
    • "[National Guard] will serve as extra, quote, eyes and ears to support local police."
      [01:31]
  • Pentagon has also deployed 200 troops to Portland after Trump called it "war ravaged."
  • Insight: Memphis’s crime rate remains high but has fallen sharply recently (FBI data).

3. Michigan Church Attack

• [02:12–02:42]
• Update on a shooting and arson at a Mormon church in Grand Blank Township, Michigan:
  • Details:
    • Attacker: Thomas Jacob Sanford (from Maine).
    • Four killed after Sanford rammed his truck into the church and opened fire.
    • No additional victims found; all accounted for.
    • Motive under investigation.

4. Electronic Arts Purchased

• [02:42–03:13]
• Video game company Electronic Arts (EA) sold to a trio of private equity firms in a $55 billion deal.
  • Notable Involvement:
    • Saudi Arabia’s public investment fund.
    • Jared Kushner’s investment company.
  • Business Moves: Lufthansa to add over 230 jets but cut 4,000 admin jobs (AI-driven efficiency).
• Quote:
  > "A trio of private equity firms is buying the video game giant Electronic Arts in a deal valued at $55 billion."
  [02:42]

5. North Korea Stands Firm on Nukes

• [03:13–03:44]
• N. Korea’s Vice Foreign Minister Kim Song Gyong, speaking to the UN, says nuclear weapons are “crucial to keeping a balance of power with South Korea.”
• Position: Refusal to disarm, despite global calls.

6. Bad Bunny to Headline Super Bowl Halftime

• [03:44–04:30]
• Bad Bunny (Puerto Rican superstar) confirmed as lead act for February’s Super Bowl halftime.
• Cultural Impact:
  • Last album “De Vitid Armas Photos” celebrates Puerto Rican history.
  • Praised for lifting Latin music globally.
  • Known for political activism and vocal stances on U.S. immigration.
• Quote:

  "He has released some of the biggest songs and albums of the past decade, breaking streaming and touring records left and right."
  [03:44]

7. OpenAI ChatGPT: Teen Parental Controls

• [04:30–04:57]
• OpenAI adds parental controls to ChatGPT:
  • Trigger: Concerns after incidents of teen suicides linked to chatbot use.
  • Activation: Parents/teens mutually link accounts via email or text.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Israel’s War Weariness:

  "They say two please get the hostages back and please end the war. They've had it."
  — Unidentified Interviewee [00:59]

• On National Guard Role in Memphis:

  "[The] National Guard, deputized by U.S. marshals, will serve as extra, quote, eyes and ears to support local police. It said the Guard will not make arrests, issue warrants or wear masks."
  — Kat Lansdorf [01:31]

• On Electronic Arts Sale:

  "A trio of private equity firms is buying the video game giant Electronic Arts in a deal valued at $55 billion. EA is the company behind popular games like Madden NFL and The Sims."
  — Scott Horsley [02:42]

• On Bad Bunny’s Cultural Rise:

  "He has released some of the biggest songs and albums of the past decade, breaking streaming and touring records left and right."
  — Isabella Gomez Sarmiento [03:44]

Timestamps For Important Segments

• Trump’s Plan on Gaza War: [00:17–01:18]
• National Guard Deployments: [01:18–02:12]
• Michigan Church Shooting: [02:12–02:42]
• EA Private Sale/Lufthansa News: [02:42–03:13]
• North Korea Nuclear Statement: [03:13–03:44]
• Bad Bunny Super Bowl Announcement: [03:44–04:30]
• OpenAI Parental Controls: [04:30–04:57]

Tone & Style

The episode delivers fast-paced, fact-driven updates with the direct professionalism typical of NPR, blending concise summaries with brief primary-source quotations.

This summary provides a full briefing on the day's most important stories as presented by NPR News at 5PM EDT, September 29, 2025.