NPR News Now — October 1, 2025, 3AM EDT

Host: NPR News Anchor (Shea Stevens)
Duration: 5 minutes
Main Theme:
A concise roundup of significant news events in U.S. politics, healthcare, the military, international relations, and natural disasters.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. U.S. Federal Government Shutdown

[00:18 - 01:30]

• Government Status: The U.S. federal government has run out of funding; select agencies (military, Social Security) remain operational.
• Partisan Blame Game:
  • Senate Majority Leader John Thune (Republican) blames Democrats:
    “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.” (John Thune, 00:37)
  • Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer responds:
    “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.” (Chuck Schumer, 00:58)
• Sticking Point: Democrats are insisting on restoring health care subsidies that expire at the end of the year.
• Political Messaging Controversy:
  • The Trump administration is directing agencies to blame Democrats for the shutdown.
  • Ethics Concerns: NPR’s Stephen Fowler reports this may violate federal ethics laws, especially after a HUD website banner blames the “radical left.”
    “Legal experts say that message and a banner on the Housing and Urban Development website that blames the radical left for the shutdown, could violate ethics laws.” (Stephen Fowler, 01:30)

2. Abortion Services Halted in Wisconsin

[01:58 - 02:52]

• Planned Parenthood's Move:
  • Organization pausing all abortion services in Wisconsin starting October 1.
  • This is a response to a new federal law (from Trump-era tax and spending law) affecting Medicaid reimbursements for organizations that provide abortions.
• Financial Impact: Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin gets nearly two-thirds of its budget from Medicaid, prompting the suspension to avoid losing millions in federal funding.
• Official Statement:
  • Nicole Safar, Planned Parenthood:
    “We are trying to navigate an incredibly challenging political environment that President Trump has created and Republicans in Congress have created.” (Nicole Safar, 02:42)
• Alternatives: Patients seeking abortions will be referred to out-of-state and independent clinics.

3. Trump Administration’s Drug Pricing Deal

[03:02 - 03:14]

• Deal with Pfizer: President Trump announces a plan to lower drug costs for Medicare recipients and direct-to-consumer prescriptions.
• New Government Website: The plan includes launching a government-run website, “TrumpRx,” to facilitate access.

4. U.S. Military Policy Overhaul

[03:14 - 03:52]

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s Announcements:
  • The Pentagon will no longer tolerate beards, excess body weight, or “woke ideology” among service members.
  • Women must meet male physical standards for combat roles or be excluded.
  • No more religious or medical exemptions for troops.
  • Motivation: Hegseth says these measures are meant to fix what he calls “decades of decay.”
• Quote:
  • Notable for its stark language and policy implications.

5. International Affairs: Colombia and the U.S.

[03:53 - 04:16]

• Diplomatic Protest: Colombia’s foreign minister, Rosa Villa Vincenzio, has renounced her U.S. visa after the U.S. revoked Colombia’s president’s visa due to participation in a pro-Palestinian protest.

6. Earthquake in the Philippines

[04:16 - 04:55]

• Magnitude 6.9 Earthquake: Struck offshore from Bogo, Cebu province.
• Impact:
  • Dozens killed; many more injured.
  • Major power outages.
  • Rescue operations hindered by landslides and damage.
• Local Challenges: The region is still recovering from a storm days earlier that left dozens dead and resulted in mass evacuations.
  • “Rescue workers are now struggling to reach those in need and including residents in a mountain village badly damaged by a landslide.” (Michael Sullivan, 04:33)
• Reporter: Michael Sullivan from Chiang Rai.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Bipartisan Stalemate:

  • “We simply asked Democrats to extend existing funding levels…” (Thune, 00:37)
  • “They've got to sit down and negotiate with Democrats to come to a bill that both parties can support.” (Schumer, 00:58)

• Ethics in Government Messaging:

  • “Legal experts say that message and a banner ... could violate ethics laws.” (Fowler, 01:30)

• Healthcare Policy Impact:

  • “We are trying to navigate an incredibly challenging political environment that President Trump has created and Republicans in Congress have created.” (Safar, 02:42)

• Military Policy Shifts:

  • Hegseth’s stated mission to fix “decades of decay” by enforcing stricter standards within the armed forces.

• Philippines Earthquake Aftermath:

  • “Rescue workers are now struggling to reach those in need…” (Sullivan, 04:33)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:18] — Government Shutdown Coverage
• [00:37-01:10] — Senate Leader Statements
• [01:30] — Ethics Concerns over Shutdown Messaging
• [01:58-02:52] — Planned Parenthood Halts Abortions in Wisconsin
• [03:02] — Trump Drug Pricing Deal with Pfizer
• [03:14] — Defense Secretary Outlines New Military Standards
• [03:53] — Colombia-U.S. Diplomatic Row
• [04:16] — Philippines Earthquake and Recovery Efforts

Summary:
The episode delivers a rapid-fire overview of major U.S. policy standoffs, a significant shift in reproductive health services, the latest in military culture wars, international diplomatic tensions, and urgent disaster updates from the Philippines—all in NPR’s clear, succinct style. The running theme is political confrontation: in Congress, through federal agencies, and in the administration’s policies, shaping not just government operations but also healthcare, military, and foreign affairs.