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

Host: Shea Stevens

Episode Overview

This concise five-minute news update covers breaking national and international headlines, focusing on the U.S. government shutdown, an incident involving ICE agents in New York, hurricanes affecting the Atlantic, a key federal court ruling on immigrant protesters, political turmoil in Madagascar, and a deadly earthquake in the Philippines.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Government Shutdown (00:19 – 01:21)

• Shutdown Triggered: The U.S. government officially shut down after Congress failed to pass last-minute funding proposals before midnight.
• White House Reaction: President Trump frames the shutdown as an opportunity for cuts rather than a crisis.
  • Quote - President Trump (00:54):

    "But a lot of good can come down from shutdowns. We can get rid of a lot of things that we didn't want and they they'd be Democrat things, but they want open borders. They want men playing in women's sports. They want transgender for everybody. They never stop."

• Media & Political Strategies: The White House looped old video clips of congressional Democrats warning against shutdowns, calling out political hypocrisy.
• Potential Consequences: The White House is threatening mass federal employee firings. Democrats urge negotiations, especially over health care.
• Essential Services Continue: Inspections (food, health), Social Security, veterans' benefits, Medicare and Medicaid persist, though some provider payments may face delays.

2. ICE Agents Incident in Manhattan (01:21 – 02:32)

• Event Details: In a widely shared video, masked federal ICE agents forcefully evicted civilians and journalists from an elevator inside a Manhattan immigration court. One journalist required a stretcher.
• Political Reaction:
  • Governor Kathy Hochul (01:47):

    "...the abuse of law-abiding immigrants and the reporters telling their stories must end."

• Federal Response: DHS claimed agents acted after being "swarmed by agitators and members of the press."
• Public Outcry: The event spotlighted tensions around immigration enforcement and treatment of the press.

3. Atlantic Hurricanes – Humberto & Imelda (02:32 – 03:09)

• Storm Impacts: Even without direct U.S. landfall, powerful hurricane-driven waves caused unoccupied homes to collapse on North Carolina's Outer Banks.
  • Quote – Giles Snyder (02:44):

    "Powerful waves kicked up by Hurricanes Umberto and Umbelda have caused multiple unoccupied homes on North Carolina's Outer Banks to collapse..."

• Storm Status:
  • Humberto: Heavy rains over Bermuda, expected to avoid the island.
  • Imelda: Considered more threatening by officials, described as "no passing squall."
• Context: Ongoing threats to privately owned coastal properties from storms.

4. Federal Judge Blocks Deportations of Palestinian Supporters (03:09 – 03:58)

• Court Ruling: U.S. District Judge William Young declared that the Trump administration acted illegally in arresting and seeking to deport immigrant protesters supporting Palestinians, citing constitutional protections of ideology.
• Accusations Against Officials: The judge specifically called out Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for wrongly using their powers.

5. Madagascar Government Dissolved Amid Protests (03:58 – 04:38)

• Escalating Unrest: President Andre Rajoelina dissolved the government after days of violent protests—with 22 killed and many more injured.
• Protester Demands: Calls for Rajoelina himself to resign, as well as an end to water/power outages and government corruption.
• Presidential Response: No resignation offered; administration remains temporarily while pledging dialogue with youth.
• Unrest Scope: Looting and violent clashes documented across the country.

6. Deadly Earthquake in the Philippines (04:38 – 04:57)

• Magnitude 6.9 Quake: Struck the central Philippine province, causing at least 31 deaths and widespread injury.
• Aftermath: Many residents fled their homes in darkness as power was cut.

Notable Quotes

• President Donald Trump (00:54):

  "But a lot of good can come down from shutdowns. We can get rid of a lot of things that we didn't want and they they'd be Democrat things, but they want open borders. They want men playing in women's sports. They want transgender for everybody. They never stop."

• Governor Kathy Hochul (cited by Brian Mann, 01:47):

  "The abuse of law abiding immigrants and the reporters telling their stories must end."

• Giles Snyder (02:44):

  "Powerful waves kicked up by Hurricanes Umberto and Umbelda have caused multiple unoccupied homes on North Carolina's Outer Banks to collapse..."

Timestamps for Major Segments

• U.S. Government Shutdown & Political Fallout: 00:19 – 01:21
• ICE Agents & Manhattan Incident: 01:21 – 02:32
• Atlantic Hurricanes Impact: 02:32 – 03:09
• Judge Blocks Deportations of Protesters: 03:09 – 03:58
• Madagascar Political Crisis: 03:58 – 04:38
• Philippines Earthquake: 04:38 – 04:57

This NPR News Now episode delivers urgent updates on U.S. political conflict, immigration and civil liberties, severe weather developments, global unrest, and a deadly natural disaster, all in a brisk, informative style reflecting NPR’s trademark tone: factual, direct, and clear.