NPR News Now: October 6, 2025, 1PM EDT

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Date: October 6, 2025
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This concise NPR News Now episode delivers a rapid roundup of major national and international headlines. Key topics include Illinois and Chicago's lawsuit against the Trump administration's National Guard deployment, ongoing government shutdown negotiations, new CDC vaccination guidelines, political instability in France, the start of the U.S. Supreme Court term, and rescue efforts on Mount Everest after a blizzard.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Illinois & Chicago Sue Trump Administration Over National Guard Deployment

(00:25–01:31)

• Summary:
  • Illinois and Chicago have filed a lawsuit to block President Trump’s effort to federalize the Illinois National Guard and prevent the deployment of Guard members from other states to Illinois.
  • Trump’s attempt follows weeks of threats to send troops to Chicago, which he’s described as "overrun with crime."
• Key Insights:
  • Local and state officials argue Chicago does not require the National Guard and accuse Trump of abusing presidential power.
  • A federal judge in Oregon has temporarily blocked similar deployments to Portland.
• Notable Quote:
  • “They also want the administration barred from sending National Guard members from any other states, including Texas, to Illinois.” — Joe Hernandez (00:48)

2. Day Six of Government Shutdown; Senate Vote Looms

(01:31–02:14)

• Summary:
  • Senators are reconvening to vote on temporary funding as the government shutdown enters its sixth day.
  • No visible progress between Republicans and Democrats, with both sides blaming each other.
• Key Insights:
  • Health care tax credits are also at risk of expiring, but agreement remains uncertain.
  • The White House has placed a shutdown timer on its website to spotlight the blame game.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “Republicans are saying that right now the priority is to fund the government. And once that happens, then Congress can turn to these health care tax credits that are about to expire.” — Sipa Shivaram (01:44)
  • “There's this messaging war going on... The White House even has a timer on their website for how long they Democrats have shut down the government.” — Sipa Shivaram (01:52)

3. CDC Implements New Vaccination Guidelines

(02:14–03:03)

• Summary:
  • The CDC now requires “shared decision making” for COVID-19 vaccines, meaning all individuals must discuss potential risks and benefits with a healthcare provider before vaccination.
  • For toddlers, chickenpox vaccinations are now recommended as a separate shot, not combined with MMR.
• Key Insight:
  • These steps add an extra layer to vaccination procedures compared to previous guidelines.
• Notable Quote:
  • “That means for the first time this year, anyone who wants to get vaccinated has to first consult with a doctor, pharmacist or some other healthcare professional about the risks and benefits of vaccination.” — Rob Stein (02:31)

4. Political Upheaval in France: Macron Loses Fourth Prime Minister

(03:03–03:31)

• Summary:
  • French President Emmanuel Macron’s fourth prime minister in a year, Sebastien Le Cornou, resigns after less than one month on the job and only a day after naming his government.
• Key Insight:
  • Frequent turnover signals continued political instability in France.

5. U.S. Supreme Court Opens New Term with Trump-Linked Cases

(03:31–04:19)

• Summary:
  • The Supreme Court term begins, set to focus on emergency requests and cases linked to President Trump’s policies.
  • Justices decline to hear Ghislaine Maxwell’s appeal; she remains imprisoned for sex trafficking related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.
• Key Insight:
  • Trump’s influence over the court docket remains pronounced.

6. Rescue Operations on Mount Everest After Blizzard

(04:19–04:55)

• Summary:
  • Over half of 500 visitors to Mount Everest’s Tibetan side have been rescued after a severe blizzard.
  • Rescuers, including local government teams with yaks, respond as some climbers suffer hypothermia.
  • There are unconfirmed reports of casualties.
• Notable Quote:
  • “Climbers told local media that the snow collapsed their tents and and they made their way down the mountain through three feet of snow. Some suffered hypothermia.” — Anthony Kuhn (04:38)

7. Market Updates

(03:03, 04:55)

• Summary:
  • Brief financial snapshot:
    • Dow down 110–120 points
    • Nasdaq up 159 points
    • S&P up 24 points
• Key Insight:
  • Markets see mixed movement amid ongoing government and global uncertainty.

Memorable Moments & Speaker Attribution

• “Local and state leaders say there's no need for the National Guard in Chicago and that Trump is abusing his power.” — Joe Hernandez (00:58)
• “Democrats on the other side say that Republicans are the ones holding it up because they refuse to negotiate.” — Sipa Shivaram (02:09)
• “As snow began to fall over the weekend, climbers started getting off Mount Everest... Other climbers and tourists were still at base camps on the north and east sides of the mountain.” — Anthony Kuhn (04:27)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Illinois Sues Trump Administration: 00:25–01:31
• Government Shutdown Stalemate: 01:31–02:14
• New CDC Vaccination Guidance: 02:14–03:03
• Political Instability in France: 03:03–03:31
• Supreme Court Term Begins: 03:31–04:19
• Everest Rescue Operations: 04:19–04:55
• Market Updates: 03:03, 04:55

Tone and Style

The reporting is brisk, impartial, and fact-driven, with the classic urgency of NPR’s hourly news updates. Quotes from on-the-ground journalists and correspondents add clarity and gravitas to each story.