NPR News Now: 09-30-2025 7PM EDT

Date: September 30, 2025
Host: Ryland Barton

Overview

This episode provides a rapid-fire update on the top news stories of the day, focusing on the impending federal government shutdown, legal action by federal employee unions, a major funding agreement between the Trump administration and Harvard, global headlines including a deadly earthquake in the Philippines, and updates from arts and culture, like the Broadway adaptation of "Schmigadoon" and the return of "Reading Rainbow."

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Imminent Federal Government Shutdown

[00:00–02:18]

• Stalemate in Congress:
  With just five hours before a potential federal government shutdown, leaders in Congress have failed to reach an agreement.

  • Democrats are pushing for increased health care funding.
  • Efforts to pass a short-term funding measure have failed repeatedly.

• Republican Position:

  • Senate GOP Leader John Thune stresses that negotiations cannot occur "in the context of a hostage situation."

    “We're happy to sit down with them and talk about the concerns they have… But you got to do that. You can't do that in the context of a hostage situation.”
    — John Thune ([00:39])

• Democratic Perspective:

  • Senator Ron Wyden criticizes Republican unwillingness to negotiate.

    “We want to work with people. We've been trying to work with people… but we got to be met halfway.”
    — Ron Wyden ([01:00])

• Trump Administration Messaging:

  • The Department of Housing and Urban Development website blames Democrats for the shutdown, claiming "the radical left are going to shut down the government and inflict massive pain on the American people."
  • Federal employee unions are suing over White House threats to fire workers in non-priority programs during the shutdown.

• Union Lawsuit:

  • The lawsuit, representing 800,000 federal employees, argues the administration's threats are "an unlawful abuse of power designed to punish workers and pressure Congress."
    — Reported by Andrea Hsu ([01:34])

2. Trump Administration & Harvard Reach Tentative Funding Deal

[02:18–03:08]

• Details of the Agreement:
  President Trump announced a deal in principle with Harvard regarding over $1 billion in federal funding.

  • Harvard reportedly agrees to pay $500 million and fund trade schools.
  • In exchange, federal research funding will be reactivated and "their sins are forgiven."

• Notable Exchange:

  “I guess we reached a deal with Harvard. See all you have to do is paper it, right, Linda?”
  — President Trump, to Education Secretary Linda McMahon ([02:33])

• Harvard's Response:

  • No public comment from Harvard officials yet.

3. Market Update

[03:08]

• S&P 500 closed up 27 points to 6,688.

4. Deadly Earthquake in the Philippines

[03:08–03:47]

• Magnitude 6.9 Earthquake:
  • Offshore quake causes collapse of homes and buildings; at least 20 people dead, with most fatalities in the city of Bo.
  • Power outages and nighttime chaos; death toll expected to rise.

5. Culture Highlights

[03:47–04:29]

• ‘Schmigadoon’ on Broadway:

  • The musical satirizing 1940s–50s Broadway, with music by Cinco Paul, is set for a limited run starting in April.
  • Still no cast announced.
    — Reported by Jeff London ([03:47])

• ‘Reading Rainbow’ Return:

  • The beloved children's TV series is back after nearly two decades, now on the Kid Zuko YouTube channel.
    • Celebrity appearances by Adam Devine, John Legend, and Chrissy Teigen.
    • Michael Threets will take over hosting duties.
    • Co-produced by Buffalo Toronto Public Media.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• John Thune on Shutdown Talks:

  “You can't do that in the context of a hostage situation.” ([00:39])

• Sen. Ron Wyden on Compromise:

  "We want to work with people. We've been trying to work with people. We understand the consequences… but we got to be met halfway." ([01:00])

• Federal Union Lawsuit Statement:

  "...an unlawful abuse of power designed to punish workers and pressure Congress." ([01:34], via Andrea Hsu)

• Trump on Harvard Deal:

  “I guess we reached a deal with Harvard. See all you have to do is paper it, right, Linda?” ([02:33])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:00] – Federal Government Shutdown Countdown and Congressional Stalemate
• [00:39] – John Thune’s Statement on Negotiations
• [01:00] – Ron Wyden’s Response
• [01:34] – Federal Employee Unions Sue Trump Administration
• [02:26] – Trump Announces Harvard Funding Deal
• [03:08] – U.S. Markets Close Up; S&P 500 Update
• [03:08] – Deadly Earthquake in the Philippines
• [03:47] – ‘Schmigadoon’ Broadway Announcement and Background
• [04:29] – ‘Reading Rainbow’ Relaunch Details

Summary

This concise five-minute news update covers significant political tension over a looming federal shutdown, legal action by federal employee unions, a high-stakes federal funding deal with Harvard, and a deadly natural disaster in the Philippines. On the cultural side, listeners hear about the Broadway debut of "Schmigadoon" and the nostalgic return of "Reading Rainbow," now reinvented for a new generation. The episode balances high-stakes national policy with human interest and arts news, remaining true to NPR's clear, composed journalistic style.