NPR News Now – October 6, 2025, 9AM EDT

Host: Korva Coleman
Duration: 5 minutes
Theme: The latest national and international news headlines, focusing on political clashes over National Guard deployment, state-level redistricting battles, media shake-ups at CBS, the ongoing government shutdown, human rights controversies involving Greta Thunberg, and the Nobel Prize in Medicine.

Main Stories and Key Discussion Points

1. Federal Judge Blocks National Guard Deployments to Oregon

[00:15 – 01:17]

• Federal Legal Action:
  A federal judge in Oregon issued a second injunction against President Trump's order to deploy National Guard troops from Oregon and California to Oregon itself.

  • This marks the second challenge from the same judge within the weekend.

• Political Fallout in Illinois:
  President Trump ordered Texas National Guard troops to deploy to Illinois.

  • Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker refused to activate the Illinois National Guard under White House pressure, calling the request an “ultimatum.”
  • According to Pritzker, Trump’s actions constitute,

    "Trump's invasion." — (Governor J.B. Pritzker, paraphrased by Araceli Gomez Aldana, [00:50])

  • Pritzker referred to the deployment of Texas troops as “madness,” and directly asked Texas Governor Greg Abbott to refuse the order.

• On-the-Ground Impact:
  U.S. Border Patrol agents—now in downtown Chicago wearing tactical gear and carrying long guns—have begun making arrests, intensifying concerns about federal overreach.

2. California Moves to Counter Texas Redistricting

[01:17 – 02:13]

• Special Election Action:
  Ballots are being mailed out to Californians to vote on Proposition 50, a ballot measure enabling state officials to redraw California’s congressional map.

• Context:

  • Texas recently redrew its map—at President Trump's request—adding five seats favorable to Republicans.
  • Governor Gavin Newsom and California Democrats want to do the same to benefit Democrats but face a procedural hurdle.

• Unique Process in California:

  • Unlike Texas, California’s independent redistricting commission prevents lawmakers from unilaterally redrawing boundaries.
  • Lawmakers must get voter approval to bypass the commission—a change to reforms enacted in 2008 and 2010.

• Quote:

  “Lawmakers have to ask voters for permission first to bypass the independent commission that voters in California approved in 2008 and 2010.” — Ashley Lopez, [01:56]

3. Major Shake-Up at CBS News

[02:13 – 03:11]

• Bari Weiss Appointed Editor-in-Chief:

  • Free Press founder Bari Weiss was named editor-in-chief of CBS’s news division following Skydance Media’s acquisition.
  • Skydance is also acquiring Weiss’s Center Right news site, known for critiquing traditional media as liberal.

• Other Notable Moves at CBS:

  • Stephen Colbert’s late night show (noted for Trump satire) has been cancelled.
  • The network recently paid Trump $16 million to settle a lawsuit over a “60 Minutes” interview.
  • A conservative former think tank chief was named ombudsman.

• Editorial Shift:

  • Bari Weiss will work alongside CBS News President Tom Zabrowski, tasked with “reshap[ing] journalistic sensibilities.”
  • She’s set to become “top executive” with broad sway over editorial direction, despite no background in broadcast or logistics.

• Quote:

  “Weiss is to have the remit to reshape journalistic sensibilities at the network of Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite.” — David Folkenflick, [02:49]

4. Government Shutdown Continues

[03:11 – 03:52]

• Political Stalemate:
  Day six of the federal government shutdown.
  • Republicans demand Democrats agree to a short-term spending bill.
  • Democrats insist Republicans restore cuts to federal health programs.
  • President Trump blames Democrats for the impasse and claims (unverified) that federal workers have begun to be laid off.

5. Greta Thunberg Deported from Israel, Allegations of Mistreatment

[03:52 – 04:28]

• Aid Convoy Detention:
  Israel deported Greta Thunberg and many activists who attempted to deliver aid to Gaza.

• Allegations of Mistreatment:

  • Swedish authorities report Thunberg, age 22, was treated poorly by Israeli officials.
  • Italian journalist Lorenzo d’Agostino, detained with Thunberg, says:

    “She was humiliated and wrapped in an Israeli flag and exhibited like a trophy. I had the feeling of being in a really barbaric place.” — Lorenzo d’Agostino, [04:07]

• Diplomatic Fallout:

  • Swedish FM Maria Stenergaard calls on Israel to ensure detainees can access legal counsel and urges respect for humanitarian needs.
  • Israel denies mistreating Thunberg.

6. Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

[04:28 – 04:54]

• Awarded To:

  • Americans Mary Brunkow and Fred Ramsdell
  • Japan’s Shimon Sakaguchi

• Research Contribution:
  Recognized for discoveries explaining the immune system’s self-protective mechanisms—why it can defend the body without attacking it.

Notable Quotes

• “Trump's invasion.” — Governor J.B. Pritzker, paraphrased by Araceli Gomez Aldana, [00:50]

• “Lawmakers have to ask voters for permission first to bypass the independent commission that voters in California approved in 2008 and 2010.” — Ashley Lopez, [01:56]

• “Weiss is to have the remit to reshape journalistic sensibilities at the network of Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite.” — David Folkenflick, [02:49]

• “She was humiliated and wrapped in an Israeli flag and exhibited like a trophy. I had the feeling of being in a really barbaric place.” — Lorenzo d’Agostino, [04:07]

Key Moments & Timestamps

• [00:15] Federal judge blocks Trump’s National Guard deployment to Oregon; Illinois Governor pushes back on federal intervention.
• [01:17] California mails ballots for a special redistricting measure lasting impact on congressional control.
• [02:13] Bari Weiss appointed CBS News editor-in-chief, signaling editorial realignment.
• [03:11] Sixth day of government shutdown; blame game escalates.
• [03:52] Israeli deportation of Greta Thunberg and subsequent diplomatic tension.
• [04:28] Nobel Prize in Medicine recognizes researchers for immune system discovery.

This summary covers the essential news updates and key quotes from NPR News Now, October 6, 2025, 9AM EDT, offering a quick yet thorough snapshot for those who missed the episode.