NPR News Now – October 5, 2025, 12PM EDT

Podcast: NPR News Now
Host: NPR, Nora Ramm
Date: October 5, 2025
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This concise NPR News Now update summarizes major national and international headlines, focusing on unrest in Chicago, a legal halt of National Guard deployment in Portland, a preview of a consequential Supreme Court term, deadly attacks in Ukraine, catastrophic flooding in Nepal, pop culture and sports news.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Chicago Protest After Shooting Involving Federal Personnel

• Tension erupts in Chicago: Protesters confronted federal agents following a shooting involving federal personnel.

• Firsthand account: Chicago Alderman Byron Sigjo Lopez demands investigation, criticizing the authorities for escalating violence rather than ensuring safety.

  • Quote:

    "They are escalating violence. They are escalating violence in the city. This is not making anyone safer."
    — Byron Sigjo Lopez [00:35]

• Response: Authorities are urging calm as investigations commence while public anger mounts.

2. Federal Judge Blocks National Guard Deployment to Portland

• Legal development:
  • A federal judge temporarily blocks the Trump administration's move to deploy the National Guard to Portland, Oregon.
  • The court rejected the government's claim that recent protests outside an ICE facility constituted a rebellion.
• Deployment on hold:
  • State and local officials' objections considered; the order remains pending litigation.
  • The Supreme Court's new term, opening tomorrow, is set to weigh presidential powers, including recent Trump policies.
• Supreme Court cases previewed:
  • NPR's Nina Totenberg highlights previous rulings on firing agency directors, race-based detention, tariffs, and citizenship provisions reverting to the docket.

    • Quote:

      "While the justices have allowed Trump to fire independent agency directors and to carry out race based detention policies, those rulings were temporary and many are now returning to the court for full evaluation."
      — Nina Totenberg [01:32]

    • Key ongoing cases:

      • Tariff authorities: Did Trump exceed authority using a 1970s statute?
      • Citizenship provisions: Did Trump overstep by issuing an executive order affecting citizenship rights?

3. Russia’s Deadly Attack on Ukraine

• Large-scale strike:
  • Russian drones and missiles killed at least 5 people, injured over a dozen, mostly in far western Ukraine near Poland.
  • Lviv's mayor states there were “no military targets” where attacks caused fires and power outages.
  • In Zaporizhzhia, civilian sites were hit.
• Journalist casualties:
  • A French photojournalist was killed in the east; a Ukrainian photographer was badly injured.
• Quote:

  "The Russian attacks also caused a fire at an industrial park in the western region of Lviv, as well as power cuts in some districts."
  — Joanna Kakisis [02:35]

4. Severe Flooding in Nepal

• Disaster toll:
  • Floods and landslides swept away villages since Friday, killing at least 44 people.
  • Infrastructure damaged; main roads closed.
  • Helicopters are assisting due to road closures; severe rainfall warning issued.
  • Notable point: Monsoon season typically ends mid-September, underscoring the unusual timing and severity.

5. Culture: Bad Bunny’s SNL Premiere and Super Bowl Halftime Show

• Saturday Night Live host:
  • Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny hosted the SNL season premiere, discussing his upcoming Super Bowl halftime show.
• Monologue highlights:
  • Addressed criticism of his Spanish-language music, humorously saying,

    "I'm very happy and I think everyone is happy, even Fox News."
    — Bad Bunny [04:08]

• Super Bowl tease:
  • Halftime show to be performed in Spanish; encourages audience to “learn in four months.”
  • Noted for outspoken criticism of Trump’s immigration policy and skipping the US mainland for his world tour due to safety concerns for fans.

6. Sports: Women’s Basketball

• WNBA Finals update:
  • Game 2 set for tonight.
  • Las Vegas Aces lead the best-of-seven after defeating the Phoenix Mercury in Game 1.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Byron Sigjo Lopez on Chicago unrest:

  "They are escalating violence. They are escalating violence in the city. This is not making anyone safer."
  [00:35]

• Nina Totenberg forecasting the Supreme Court term:

  "While the justices have allowed Trump to fire independent agency directors and to carry out race based detention policies, those rulings were temporary and many are now returning to the court for full evaluation."
  [01:32]

• Joanna Kakisis on Ukraine:

  "The Russian attacks also caused a fire at an industrial park in the western region of Lviv, as well as power cuts in some districts."
  [02:35]

• Bad Bunny’s SNL monologue:

  "I'm very happy and I think everyone is happy, even Fox News."
  [04:08]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Chicago protest aftermath: 00:19–00:47
• Portland National Guard/court orders/Supreme Court preview: 00:47–02:19
• Ukraine attacks: 02:19–03:13
• Nepal flooding crisis: 03:13–03:59
• Bad Bunny SNL and Super Bowl: 03:59–04:45
• WNBA Finals update: 04:45–04:57

This NPR News Now episode briskly covers a packed news cycle, providing crucial updates across politics, international affairs, culture, and sports—delivering a comprehensive overview relevant to listeners wanting the latest headlines in under five minutes.