NPR News Now – October 6, 2025, 2AM EDT

Host: Dale Willman
Duration: 5 minutes

Overview

This five-minute NPR News update covers major stories from the U.S. and around the globe, including a temporary judicial block on National Guard deployment in Oregon and Illinois, restrictions faced by the Federal Reserve due to the ongoing government shutdown, escalating violence in Gaza despite ceasefire plans, plans for a major federal coal sale, Taylor Swift’s cinematic chart-topping success, and the tragic collapse of an Islamic boarding school in Indonesia.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. National Guard Deployments Blocked in Oregon & Illinois

[00:20–01:16]

• Federal Judge’s Action: On Sunday, a judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from sending any National Guard units to Oregon, after previously restricting the use of Oregon’s own Guard members in Portland.
• Federalization of Illinois Guard: The Pentagon called up at least 300 Illinois National Guard members for federal service after Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker refused to deploy them to Chicago, believing it wasn’t necessary.
• Rationale: Troops are to be deployed for 60 days to “protect facilities where, quote, violent demonstrations are occurring or could occur.” (Tom Bowman, 00:45)
• No Clear Timeline: The actual deployment date is still unknown.

Quote:
“The troops are expected to deploy sometime this week, no idea exactly when.” — Tom Bowman [00:50]

2. Impact of Government Shutdown on the Federal Reserve

[01:16–02:07]

• Economic Data Freeze: Due to the federal government shutdown, key economic data isn’t being released, leaving Federal Reserve officials without access to critical information as they navigate economic decisions.
• Fed Independence: While the Fed isn't shut down, it must now rely on non-government sources for data.
• Policy Implications: The Fed recently cut interest rates in September and will need to make another decision soon, potentially with incomplete information.
• Upcoming Remarks: Fed Chair Jerome Powell is set to deliver a prerecorded message at a community banking conference on Thursday.

Quote:
“They may be flying partly blind with only access to data from non-government sources.” — Rafael Nam [01:41]

3. Unabated Violence in Gaza

[02:07–03:16]

• U.S. Intervention Efforts: President Trump has urged Israel to halt airstrikes following Hamas’s apparent acceptance of his ceasefire plan.
• Ongoing Attacks: Despite diplomatic efforts, Israeli airstrikes continue. A bombing overnight killed 18 and injured more than 70 in Gaza City.
• Temporary Calm: For a brief time, residents felt safer after Israeli forces pulled back from city center—but this was shattered by renewed violence.
• Military Position: Israeli military claims to be targeting a Hamas militant; Gaza City remains under evacuation orders and is cut off from the south.
• Humanitarian Crisis: Displaced families continue to await a true ceasefire.

Quote:
“An airstrike like this one overnight family home without warning, killing 18 people there and injuring more than 70, according to hospital records.” — Anas Baba [02:31]

4. Federal Coal Sale

[03:16–03:50]

• Largest Sale in Over a Decade: The federal government is preparing to auction roughly 600 million tons of coal from reserves in Montana and Wyoming later this month.
• Administrative Push: President Trump reaffirms support for expanded coal mining and burning, despite a declining market.

5. Entertainment – Taylor Swift’s Cinematic Success

[03:50–04:34]

• Box Office Record: Taylor Swift’s film companion to her 12th album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” leads the box office with an estimated $33 million.
• Event Details: The three-day release included personal reflections, behind-the-scenes content, lyric videos, and premiered the music video “The Fate of Ophelia.”
• Historical Note: This marks Swift’s second film partnership with AMC; her concert film of the Eras tour remains the highest-grossing concert film ever.

Quote:
“The official release party of a Showgirl took in an estimated $33 million at the domestic box office for the three day event.” — Ava Pugach [03:52]

6. Tragedy in Indonesia – Boarding School Collapse

[04:34–04:59]

• Rising Death Toll: At least 49 dead after an Islamic boarding school collapse in East Java, Indonesia. Discovery of 35 bodies over the weekend; many victims were boys aged 12–19.
• Building Code Violations: Police report two levels were added to the structure without permits, leading to the disaster.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The troops are expected to deploy sometime this week, no idea exactly when.” — Tom Bowman [00:50]
• “They may be flying partly blind with only access to data from non-government sources.” — Rafael Nam [01:41]
• “An airstrike like this one overnight family home without warning, killing 18 people there and injuring more than 70, according to hospital records.” — Anas Baba [02:31]
• “The official release party of a Showgirl took in an estimated $33 million at the domestic box office for the three day event.” — Ava Pugach [03:52]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:20] — National Guard deployments and federal judge’s block
• [01:16] — Effects of government shutdown on Federal Reserve
• [02:07] — President Trump calls for halt in Gaza; violence continues
• [03:16] — Largest federal coal sale in a decade
• [03:50] — Taylor Swift’s box office victory
• [04:34] — Tragic boarding school collapse in Indonesia

This summary delivers a concise but rich recap of NPR News Now’s major topics from October 6, 2025, 2AM EDT—synthesizing rapid developments in U.S. political, economic, global conflict, cultural, and disaster news.