NPR News Now — October 1, 2025, 1PM EDT

Host: Kristen Wright
Date: October 1, 2025
Episode Theme:
A concise summary of the biggest national and global news stories, focusing on the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, the Supreme Court case involving Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, President Trump's plan for Gaza, new prescription drug policies, and infrastructure funding freezes.

1. U.S. Government Shutdown Continues

• Status Update:
  • The federal government remains shut down due to Congressional deadlock.
  • Both the Senate and House failed to pass stopgap funding bills despite repeated attempts.
• Key Quotes:
  • Mike Johnson (House Speaker) [00:45]:

    "The reason we put a simple seven week extension of government funding is to allow for all that debate. The month of October is going to be very important for us to determine all these things and to have a bipartisan discussion and deliberation over that. But we have to have the lights on in the building to do it."

  • Chuck Schumer (Democratic Leader) [01:06]:

    "Donald Trump and Republicans have barreled us into a shutdown because they refuse to protect Americans health care."

• Impact:
  • Many government functions are halted, including key economic data releases.
  • The September jobs report will be delayed, affecting business and policy decisions.
• Economic Insight:
  • Scott Horsley (NPR Correspondent) [01:23]:

    "Forecasters at Deutsche bank estimate that if the shutdown drags on, it could shave about 0.2% off GDP for each week the government remains shuttered. One casualty that shutdown is the September jobs report, which was supposed to be released on Friday."

2. Supreme Court: Lisa Cook’s Position Pending

• Case Background:
  • The Supreme Court allows Lisa Cook to remain on the Federal Reserve Board while it prepares to hear arguments in January.
  • President Trump has accused Cook of mortgage fraud and seeks her removal, while Cook denies all wrongdoing and disputes the president’s authority to fire her.
• Quote:
  • Kristen Wright [01:55]:

    "She denies doing anything illegal and isn’t charged with a crime. Cook also maintains the president lacks the power to fire her."

3. President Trump Announces Gaza Peace Plan

• Plan Details:
  • 20-point plan to end the war, free hostages, and ensure no Israeli occupation or Palestinian displacement outside Gaza.
  • The plan lacks a clear vision for Palestinian self-governance post-conflict.
• Reactions from Gaza:
  • Anas Bhabha (NPR Correspondent) [02:32]:

    "There were no celebrations here after Trump announced his plan for ending Israel's war that's killed tens of thousands Palestinians."

  • Abu Adham Arafati (Gaza resident):
    Expresses that the proposal serves Israeli interests and makes many demands of Palestinians, with broad local skepticism.
  • Regional actors like Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt signal willingness to engage in negotiations.
• Quote:
  • Anas Bhabha [02:32]:

    "Other NPR spoke to in Gaza echoed that sentiment. Arafati say no external powers should rule over the Palestinians, but that Hamas should have no ruling governance after its deadly attack on Israel two years ago."

4. New Federal Prescription Drug Website: Trump Rx

• Policy Announcement:
  • President Trump launches "Trump Rx," a federal government-operated website for direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical sales at discounted rates, starting with Pfizer drugs.
  • The initiative is framed as a step to lower U.S. drug prices to match other developed countries and includes Medicaid discounts and price parity commitments from Pfizer for newly released drugs.
• Key Quotes:
  • Chuck Schumer [03:36]:

    "President Trump announced a deal with Pfizer to sell its drugs directly to consumers. The medicines will be available through a website operated by the federal government called Trump Rx."

  • Kristen Wright [03:46]:

    "The United States is done subsidizing the health care of the rest of the world. It's a big—this is—I can't tell you how big this is."

  • Sidney Lupkin (NPR Reporter) [03:53]:

    "The deal also includes discounts for Medicaid and a pledge from Pfizer to sell new drugs at the same price in the US and other developed countries. Trump says similar deals with other drug makers are in the works."

5. Federal Infrastructure Funding Freeze

• Details:
  • Billions in federal funding for a new Hudson River rail tunnel and a major New York City subway project are suspended.
  • White House says funding is on hold pending review over "unconstitutional DEI principles."
• Quote:
  • Kristen Wright [04:16]:

    "White House Budget director Russell Vogt posted on X. The funding is frozen to make sure it's not based on, quote, unconstitutional DEI principles."

6. And Finally: Fat Bear Week Champion Announced

• Winner:
  • "Chunk" the bear, weighing 1,200 pounds, wins Fat Bear Week despite a broken jaw.
  • The annual contest highlights brown bear hibernation preparation in Alaska.
• Notable Fact:
  • Chunk managed to eat enough salmon despite injury, showcasing bear resilience and adaptability.

Most Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• [00:45] Mike Johnson: "But we have to have the lights on in the building to do it."
• [01:06] Chuck Schumer: "Donald Trump and Republicans have barreled us into a shutdown because they refuse to protect Americans health care."
• [02:32] Anas Bhabha: "There were no celebrations here after Trump announced his plan for ending Israel's war that's killed tens of thousands Palestinians."
• [03:46] Kristen Wright: "The United States is done subsidizing the health care of the rest of the world. It's a big—this is—I can't tell you how big this is."

Episode Flow by Timestamp

• 00:25: Government shutdown update; reactions from legislative leaders.
• 01:23: Economic fallout and impact on jobs report.
• 01:55: Supreme Court/Lisa Cook news.
• 02:19: Trump’s Gaza plan; Palestinian and regional responses.
• 03:19: Prescription drug policy — Trump Rx website.
• 04:16: Infrastructure funding freezes.
• 04:50: Fat Bear Week results.

For listeners wanting the essentials:
This episode covers high-stakes national political gridlock, dramatic shifts in federal economic policy, the intersection of U.S. politics and Middle East peace efforts, drug price reforms, and a lighter story about Alaska’s hungriest bear. Policy changes, shutdown impacts, and global affairs dominate this brisk news update.