NPR News Now – October 1, 2025, 12AM EDT

Host: Shea Stevens
Podcast: NPR News Now
Date: October 1, 2025
Episode Description: The latest news in five minutes. Updated hourly.

Episode Overview

This rapid-fire NPR News Now episode centers on a government shutdown, political standoffs over budget negotiations, the impact on federal workers, a controversial deepfake video posted by President Trump, a federal law enforcement intervention in Memphis, judicial concerns in Nevada, turkey farmers using laser technology against avian flu in Minnesota, and a tragic school collapse in the Philippines.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Federal Government Shutdown and Blame Game

• For the first time since 2019, the federal government has run out of money to operate all federal agencies.
• The primary conflict is over the refusal to endorse a stopgap funding bill.

Notable Quotes:

• [00:35] John Thune (Senate Republican Leader):
  “We didn't ask Democrats to swallow any new Republican policies. We didn't add partisan riders. We simply asked Democrats to extend existing funding levels to allow the Senate to continue the bipartisan appropriations work that we started.”

• [00:57] Chuck Schumer (Senate Democratic Leader):
  “So now two times Republicans have failed to get enough votes to avoid a shutdown. They've got to sit down and negotiate with Democrats to come to a bill that both parties can support.”

• Schumer also notes that Democrats insist on restoring Affordable Care Act subsidies, which are set to expire.

2. President Trump’s Deepfake Video Controversy

• President Trump shared another racist, deepfake video targeting House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, depicting him in a sombrero with AI-generated images of Trump playing mariachi music.
• Another video showed AI-altered depictions of Jeffries and Chuck Schumer appearing to attack their own party, stoking outrage.

3. Federal Employee Unions Sue the Trump Administration

• In response to the shutdown, federal employee unions representing over 800,000 workers have sued, citing a threatening White House memo.

Summary (Andrea Hsu, correspondent, 01:49):

• The White House Office of Management and Budget directed agencies to consider layoffs in non-priority programs.
• The unions argue this is an abuse of power designed to intimidate workers and Congress.
• The lawsuit seeks to invalidate the memo and related actions.

4. Federal Intervention in Memphis, Tennessee

• A coordinated federal intervention sends officers from more than a dozen agencies to Memphis to combat violent crime.

On the Ground:

• [02:57] Ronnie Davis, Memphis resident:
  “Need all the government agencies that we can get down here because the problem is coming overwhelming.”

• While some locals like Davis support the intervention due to endemic gun violence, others protest, fearing federal overreach.

5. Judicial Shake-Up in Nevada

• A U.S. District Judge, David Campbell, ruled that federal prosecutor Segald Chahda’s authority expired.
• The judge wants Chahda’s subordinates to take over ongoing cases and clarify her continued involvement within a week.

6. Minnesota Turkey Growers Combat Avian Influenza With Lasers

• The Minnesota legislature provides $400,000 over two years to help turkey producers purchase infrared laser projectors to repel migratory waterfowl.
• This innovation helps prevent avian influenza in turkey flocks.

Notable Quotes:

• [04:24] Matt Herdering, turkey grower:
  “It terrifies us. It's one of those things where every spring and every fall, we live in fear.”
• Herdering has successfully used the lasers since last year.

7. School Collapse in the Philippines

• A tragic rescue effort unfolds in the central Philippines (East Java town of Sidarj) after a school collapse.
• At least 60 are dead, with over 100 injured, most of them teenage students.

Notable & Memorable Moments

• Political blame exchange during the government shutdown ([00:35–01:09])
• AI deepfake controversy and its intersection with racism and misinformation ([01:09])
• Federal union lawsuit in direct opposition to administrative layoffs ([01:49])
• Direct resident perspective on Memphis federal task force ([02:57])
• Innovative technology for animal health—lasers protecting Minnesota turkey farms ([03:53])
• Philippines tragedy highlighting international news ([04:38])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Government Shutdown & Political Statements: [00:18–01:09]
• Trump Deepfake Video & Affordable Care Act Dispute: [01:09–01:49]
• Federal Employee Lawsuit: [01:49–02:32]
• Federal Intervention in Memphis: [02:32–03:11]
• Nevada Judicial News: [03:11–03:53]
• Minnesota Lasers vs. Avian Flu: [03:53–04:38]
• Philippines School Collapse: [04:38–04:56]

Summary:
This concise episode delivers the latest on the federal shutdown and its fallout, escalating partisan disputes, the legal fight for federal employees’ rights, technological advances in food safety, and urgent international news, along with firsthand voices reflecting the impact of national decisions on local realities.