NPR News Now: 10-06-2025 11PM EDT

Date: October 7, 2025
Host: Shea Stevens & NPR Reporting Team
Episode Overview:
This concise NPR News Now episode offers key updates on US politics amid a government shutdown, legal escalations around immigration enforcement, consumer healthcare access, international conflict resolutions, political turmoil in France, music industry milestones, and US financial market movements.

Government Shutdown Stalemate

[00:21 - 01:24]

• Fifth Senate Rejection:
  The US Senate has once again failed to pass both Democratic and Republican spending bills to end the partial government shutdown, now entering its second week.
• Health Care Tax Credits:
  Minority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasizes Democrats’ willingness to negotiate on extending health care tax credits that are set to expire at the end of the year.
  • Quote (Schumer):
    “Frankly, what should happen now is the president should lean on Speaker Johnson to...” [00:39]
  • (Reporter): “Relent on his extreme refusal to negotiate.” [00:46]
• Political Division:
  Despite three Democrats supporting the Republican bill, it failed to garner the 60 votes required.
• Speaker Critique:
  Criticism mounts on House Speaker Johnson for not engaging in negotiations.
  • Quote:
    "It's not a sustainable position for the speaker to literally shut the entire House down and not do anything to solve this crisis." [00:51]

State Lawsuits & Immigration Enforcement

[01:24 - 01:59]

• Illinois & Chicago Sue Trump Administration:
  Illinois and Chicago are seeking a federal block on President Trump's reported plans to send military personnel to Chicago under the guise of "maintaining order" amid intensified immigration enforcement.
• Governor J.B. Pritzker’s Position:
  • Quote (Pritzker):
    “They think they can fool us all into thinking that the way to get out of this crisis that they created is to give them free reign. Well, that plan will only work if we let it.” [01:41]
• Federal Response Timeline:
  The administration has until Thursday to officially respond to the lawsuits.
• Oregon Update:
  In a related move, a federal judge in Oregon prevents the deployment of National Guard troops to that state.
  • Reporter:
    “A federal judge in Oregon has barred the president from sending National Guard members to Oregon.” [01:52]

Consumer Health: Wegovy at Costco

[01:59 - 02:53]

• Discount Obesity Drug:
  Costco now offers the obesity drug Wegovy to its members for $500/month without insurance, both in-store and online.
• Insurance Caveats:
  Using insurance, copays might be even cheaper, and similar discount programs exist via Novo Nordisk's website.
• Compounded Alternatives:
  During past shortages, compounded versions became popular due to lower costs, despite lack of insurance coverage.
  • Quote (Lupkin):
    “The compounded medicines, which aren't usually covered by insurance, were available for a fraction of Wegovy's sticker price of around $1,400 a month.” [02:46]

International Affairs: Gaza Ceasefire Talks

[02:54 - 03:21]

• Talks Resume in Cairo:
  Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas are set to resume over a US-led plan for ceasefire, hostages-for-prisoners swaps, and discussions on troop withdrawals, Hamas disarmament, and future governance of Gaza.

French Political Crisis

[03:21 - 03:42]

• Prime Minister Resigns:
  French PM Sebastien Le Cornu resigns after only weeks in office, citing the highly fractured political climate. This marks France's fourth premier in less than a year.
• Political Instability:
  Ongoing partisan deadlock since President Macron dissolved the parliament and no party holds a majority.

Pop Music Milestone: Taylor Swift's New Album

[03:43 - 04:41]

• Record-Breaking Release:
  Taylor Swift’s album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” released Friday, has already sold 2.7 million copies in a single day—one of 2025’s biggest launches.
  • Streaming Milestone:
    "It was the most pre saved album in the history of Spotify." [03:58]
  • Comparison:
    Swift is now close to Adele’s all-time record of 3.4 million first-week sales.
    • Quote (Stephen Thompson):
      “That's a colossal number in the age of streaming.” [04:20]

Market Recap

[04:41 - 04:59]

• Wall Street Ends Mixed:
  • Dow Jones down 63 points
  • Nasdaq up 161 points
  • S&P 500 adds 24 points
• After-hours Trading:
  Futures are lower.

Notable Quotes and Moments

• Schumer on Negotiation Blockade:
  “Frankly, what should happen now is the president should lean on Speaker Johnson to…” – Sen. Chuck Schumer [00:39]

• Governor Pritzker on State Resistance:
  “They think they can fool us all into thinking that the way to get out of this crisis that they created is to give them free reign. Well, that plan will only work if we let it.” – Gov. J.B. Pritzker [01:41]

• On Swift’s Sales:
  “That's a colossal number in the age of streaming.” – Stephen Thompson, NPR Music [04:20]

Useful Timestamps

• US Government Shutdown & Senate Votes: 00:21 – 01:24
• Illinois Lawsuit Against Trump on Immigration: 01:24 – 01:59
• Wegovy at Costco: 01:59 – 02:53
• Gaza Ceasefire Talks: 02:54 – 03:21
• France’s Political Crisis: 03:21 – 03:42
• Taylor Swift Breaks Records: 03:43 – 04:41
• US Financial Markets Recap: 04:41 – 04:59