NPR News Now – October 3, 2025, 12PM EDT

Host: Windsor Johnston
Length: 5 minutes
Theme: Top U.S. and international news highlights with a focus on the government shutdown, infrastructure funding battles, Middle East diplomacy, airport security, Second Amendment challenges, WNBA Finals, and market updates.

Main Stories and Key Discussion Points

1. Government Shutdown: Senate Impasse and Political Clash

• [00:19] Windsor Johnston: Reports that the Senate remains deadlocked over a short-term funding bill as the U.S. government shutdown enters its third day.
• Speaker Mike Johnson criticizes Senate Democrats:
  • Quote (00:36):

    "The Democrats who are voting against it in the Senate right now, every single one of them have given impassioned speeches about how you must pass continue resolutions... Well, suddenly they've changed their tune."

  • Speaker Johnson accuses Democrats of hypocrisy for delaying the continuing resolution (CR), despite their past opposition to government shutdowns.
• Policy contention:
  • Democrats demand the stopgap bill extend Obamacare federal health care subsidies.
  • Republicans argue the healthcare issue is better addressed in future negotiations.
• Next steps:
  • Senate to vote within the hour on competing reopening plans, both of which have repeatedly failed.

2. Infrastructure Funding Withheld from Democratic Cities

• [01:26] Joel Rose (Washington):
  • The Trump administration withholds $2 billion from Chicago infrastructure projects, citing the need to review "race-based contracting."
  • Further withholding: $18 billion already paused for New York's major transit projects, apparently targeting cities with Democratic leadership.
  • Political strategy: White House attempting to blame Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for the shutdown.
    • Quote (01:49):

      Schumer called the tactics "stupid and counterproductive."

• Insight: The funding holdup is part of broader partisan wrangling during the shutdown, escalating tensions with urban leaders.

3. U.S. Ultimatum on Middle East Peace

• [02:01] Windsor Johnston:
  • President Trump issues ultimatum to Hamas:
    • Quote (paraphrased):

      "Sign the US brokered peace plan by 6pm Sunday or face consequences like no one has ever seen before."

    • Trump, via social post, warns of severe repercussions if Hamas rejects the peace deal accepted by Israel.

4. Drone Scare Shuts Down Munich Airport

• [02:31] Rob Schmitz (Berlin):
  • Munich Airport suspended flights after drone sightings, grounding at least 17 flights and diverting 15.
  • Impact: 3,000 passengers affected, airport reopened at 5am local time.
  • Regional pattern:
    • Similar drone-related shutdowns at Danish airports last week.
    • Denmark responds with a ban on civil drones during a major summit and discusses a "drone wall" defense initiative.
  • Security concerns: European airspace on alert after incursions by Russian drones into NATO territory.

5. Supreme Court to Weigh Hawaii Gun Law

• [03:12] Windsor Johnston:
  • US Supreme Court to hear challenge on Hawaii’s policy restricting carrying guns:
    • Hawaii bans guns on private property unless explicitly allowed by the owner.
    • Guns also banned from beaches, parks, bars, and restaurants serving alcohol.
  • Administration's stance: Trump administration urges review, claims the law conflicts with a landmark 2022 decision on public carry rights.

6. WNBA Finals Preview – Record Breaking Year

• [04:00] Becky Sullivan:
  • Las Vegas Aces and Phoenix Mercury face off in the WNBA Finals (now a best-of-seven format).
  • Team highlights:
    • Aces: Seeking third straight title, rebounding after a slow season start with a 16-game win streak.
    • Star center A’ja Wilson named MVP for a record fourth time.
    • Mercury: All-stars Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally hope for their first title since 2014.
  • Quote (04:37):

    "That's one of the ways the league is trying to cash in on the dramatic increase in attendance and ratings over the past two years."

• Insight: The format change reflects surging WNBA popularity and record audience engagement.

7. Market Update

• [04:40] Windsor Johnston:
  • Stocks trading higher:
    • Dow Jones up 377 points
    • NASDAQ up 42 points
    • S&P 500 up $25

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Speaker Mike Johnson on Senate Democrats (00:36):

  "Well, suddenly they've changed their tune."

• White House Budget Director Russ Vogt's official reason for withholding Chicago funding (01:32):

  "to ensure funding is not flowing via race-based contracting."

• Senator Chuck Schumer on federal funding tactics (01:49):

  "Stupid and counterproductive."

• Trump’s social post to Hamas (02:01):

  "All hell will break out if Hamas refuses the deal."

• Becky Sullivan on WNBA growth (04:37):

  "That's one of the ways the league is trying to cash in on the dramatic increase in attendance and ratings over the past two years."

Timestamps: Key Segments

• 00:19 — Government Shutdown Developments & Speaker Johnson Remarks
• 01:26 — Infrastructure Funding Withholding & Democratic City Impacts
• 02:01 — U.S. Middle East Peace Ultimatum
• 02:31 — Drone Incident at Munich Airport & European Security Responses
• 03:12 — Supreme Court to Hear Hawaii Gun Law Challenge
• 04:00 — WNBA Finals Preview and League Milestones
• 04:40 — Financial Market Update

Summary prepared for listeners seeking the latest U.S. and international news highlights from NPR.