NPR News Now: October 7, 2025, 10PM EDT

Main Theme:
A concise roundup of top U.S. and global news headlines, covering the ongoing government shutdown, potential use of the Insurrection Act, shifting oil markets, Rite Aid’s closure, CDC COVID-19 guidance, the wine grape surplus crisis, and the first supermoon of the year.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Government Shutdown and Political Tensions

[00:18–01:28]

• The government shutdown remains unresolved as a Republican-backed funding bill failed in the Senate.

• Democrats urge Congress to extend soon-to-expire health insurance subsidies.

• President Trump signals willingness to work with Democrats on healthcare—but only if they vote to reopen the government first.

• National Guard troops remain deployed in Chicago, pending legal action from Illinois.

• Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker accuses Trump of creating "chaos" to justify invoking the Insurrection Act, which allows the President to use U.S. military forces domestically.

  • Memorable Quote:
    • President Trump:
      "Well, I do it if it was necessary. So far it hasn't been necessary. But we have an Insurrection act for a reason. If I had to enact it, I didn't. I do that. If people were being killed and courts were holding us up or governors or mayors were holding us up, sure I do that. I mean, I want to make sure that people aren't killed. We have to make sure that our cities are safe." [01:07–01:28]

2. Changes in Global Oil Markets

[01:28–02:20]

• OPEC++ (expanding OPEC’s usual membership) is continuing to increase oil production, with their 8th production boost in a row.

• This move lowers crude prices, benefiting U.S. drivers but hurting less competitive U.S. producers.

• Saudi Arabia and Russia may be seeking to grab greater market share amid oversupply.

  • Notable Quote:
    • NPR’s Camila Domonosky:
      "Many analysts say the world doesn't need that oil. It's already on track for oversupply when the price of oil comes down. It's good for US Drivers...but it's bad for US Oil producers who can't produce oil as cheaply as Saudi Arabia." [01:43–02:04]

3. Rite Aid Closure – End of an Era

[02:20–03:12]

• Rite Aid has shut down all its locations permanently.

• Customers are being advised via the company website on prescription transfers.

• Industry-wide, pharmacy chains are struggling with evolving prescription payment structures and fierce retail competition.

• The company’s two bankruptcy filings in two years were exacerbated by opioid litigation.

• A restructuring attempt failed after new funding deals fell through.

  • Notable Quote:
    • NPR’s Alina Selyukh:
      "Rite Aid was once one of America's biggest drugstore chains...Its debt ballooned in part because of expensive lawsuits alleging that Rite Aid illegally filled opioid prescriptions." [02:30–02:53]

4. CDC Shifts COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations

[03:12–03:37]

• The CDC no longer recommends that everyone get a COVID-19 shot; vaccination decisions are now left to individuals.
• These new recommendations were issued by a panel selected by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
• The previous universal annual booster recommendation for Americans as young as 6 months is now rescinded.

5. Wine Grape Crisis in the Northwest

[03:37–04:36]

• North American wine grape growers face plummeting sales, reduced exports, and canceled contracts, leading to much fruit going unharvested.

• Shifting consumer preferences and a global wine glut have exacerbated the crisis.

• Grower Tom Walliser weighs extreme options for the next year, including removing vines entirely.

  • Memorable Quotes:
    • Tom Walliser, grower:
      "We could totally remove everything out of here and just leave it bare. Or we could just remove the vines, leave the irrigation in and maybe the trellis system." [04:12–04:25]

6. Supermoon Sighting

[04:36–04:57]

• The year’s first supermoon is visible tonight, appearing slightly larger and brighter due to its closer proximity to Earth.
• The difference might be hard to spot without a previous reference.
• Two more supermoons are expected in November and December.

Notable Quotes & Attributions

• President Trump on the Insurrection Act:
  [01:07] "Well, I do it if it was necessary...We have to make sure that our cities are safe."

• Camila Domonosky, NPR, on OPEC++:
  [01:43] "Many analysts say the world doesn't need that oil. It's already on track for oversupply..."

• Alina Selyukh, NPR, on Rite Aid:
  [02:30] "Rite Aid was once one of America's biggest drugstore chains...Its debt ballooned in part because of expensive lawsuits..."

• Tom Walliser, grape grower:
  [04:12] "We could totally remove everything out of here and just leave it bare. Or we could just remove the vines, leave the irrigation in and maybe the trellis system."

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:18–01:28] – Government Shutdown & National Guard in Chicago
• [01:28–02:20] – OPEC++ Oil Production Increases
• [02:20–03:12] – Rite Aid Permanent Closure
• [03:12–03:37] – CDC Changes COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance
• [03:37–04:36] – Wine Grape Glut in the Northwest
• [04:36–04:57] – Tonight’s Supermoon Announcement

Summary prepared for listeners seeking a quick, comprehensive update on the most significant news stories as covered by NPR News Now at 10PM EDT on October 7, 2025.