NPR News Now: October 7, 2025, 2PM EDT

Host: Amy Held
Date: October 7, 2025
Episode theme:
A concise roundup of the hour’s leading national and global news, including breaking stories on U.S. domestic politics, global conflict, business and technology, public health and workplace safety, and scientific achievement.

1. U.S. Politics: National Guard Deployment to Chicago

[00:25–01:31]

• Senate Judiciary Committee Sparks Heated Debate
  • Attorney General Ham Bondi sparred with Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) in an “at times combative” hearing. Bondi announced that Trump administration officials and hundreds of National Guard troops from Texas are headed to Chicago, following President Trump’s order.
  • Key Quote:
    • Senator Dick Durbin (to Bondi):

      “I wish you love Chicago as much as you hate President Trump. And currently the National Guard are on the way to Chicago. If you're not going to protect your citizens, President Trump will.” — [01:03]

• Conflict With Illinois Governor
  • Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker reiterated his opposition, arguing that the National Guard is not needed, while the administration argued deployment is necessary to "protect federal immigration officials and facilities".
  • Broader Context:
    • Similar standoffs are occurring in other Democratic-led cities like Portland, Oregon.
  • Reporting: Kat Laundsdorf, NPR News, Washington.

2. U.S. Government Shutdown: Air Travel Disruptions & Worker Pay

[01:31–02:27]

• Seventh Day of Shutdown, Worsening Impacts
  • President Trump signaled potential denial of back pay for furloughed workers.
  • Air Traffic Controller Shortages:
    • Severe staffing shortages caused major flight delays at major airports (New York, Denver, Los Angeles), with Burbank, CA experiencing over two-hour average delays due to a lack of controllers on duty. Southern California facilities had to take over.
    • “Air traffic controllers are required to work during the government shutdown, but they don't get paid until it ends.” — Joel Rose [01:48]
• Federal Aviation Administration Measures:
  • Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy acknowledged a slight uptick in sick calls, and stated the FAA would limit takeoffs and landings as needed for safety.

3. Tech & Economy: OpenAI’s Trillion-Dollar AI Power Play

[02:27–03:22]

• OpenAI’s Record Spending
  • The company reportedly spent $1 trillion on energy, data centers, GPUs, and cloud infrastructure to power AI systems.
  • Industry Concerns:
    • Goldman Sachs estimates AI-driven data centers could consume 8% of total U.S. electricity by 2030.
    • The spending vastly outpaces OpenAI’s revenue, alarming analysts.
  • Bubble Warnings:
    • “Tech analysts say the massive spending into a technology some consider overhyped is reminiscent of the dot com bubble of the early 2000s when the NASDAQ crashed 77% and led to a recession.” — Bobby Allen [02:41]
  • Reporting: Bobby Allen, NPR News

4. World Affairs: Gaza War Two-Year Mark & Fleeing Civilians

[03:22–04:00]

• Commemoration and Ongoing Conflict
  • Thousands gather in southern Israel to remember the October 2023 Hamas-led attacks that killed ~1,200 and triggered a devastating war in Gaza.
  • Israel’s subsequent offensive has killed tens of thousands and destroyed entire cities; residents flee a renewed invasion of Gaza City.
  • U.S.-led peace talks continue in Egypt.

5. Worker Safety: OSHA Considers National Heat Standard

[04:00–04:42]

• No Federal Standard Yet for Heat Safety
  • The federal government is considering a national rule to protect workers from heat, which includes rights to shade, water, and breaks.
  • Study Findings:
    • A new study finds a clear spike in workplace injuries as temperatures rise, especially above 90°F.
    • Key Quote:
      • Barak Al Ahamid, Harvard University:

        “At around 80 to 85, it starts to increase and anything above 90, it really escalates.” — [04:20]

    • About 28,000 injuries per year may be tied to heat.
  • Proposed Rule:
    • Would require employer action when heat index exceeds 80.
  • Reporting: Alejandra Barunda, NPR News

6. Science: Nobel Prize in Physics

[04:42–05:04]

• Winners Announced
  • John Clark, Michel Devoret, and Jarn Martinez (all from the University of California) won for discoveries advancing computer technology and helping develop more powerful devices.
  • Upcoming Prizes:
    • Awards will continue throughout the week, concluding with the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Senator Dick Durbin:

  “I wish you love Chicago as much as you hate President Trump. And currently the National Guard are on the way to Chicago. If you're not going to protect your citizens, President Trump will.” [01:03]

• Barak Al Ahamid (Heat Study):

  “At around 80 to 85, it starts to increase and anything above 90, it really escalates.” [04:20]

• Bobby Allen (on AI bubble risk):

  “Tech analysts say the massive spending into a technology some consider overhyped is reminiscent of the dot com bubble...” [02:41]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:25–01:31]: National Guard deployment to Chicago & political fallout
• [01:31–02:27]: Government shutdown impacts on air travel, worker pay
• [02:27–03:22]: OpenAI's trillion-dollar energy consumption & tech industry bubble risk
• [03:22–04:00]: Gaza war two-year commemoration and current violence
• [04:00–04:42]: Federal push for workplace heat safety regulation
• [04:42–05:04]: Nobel Prize in Physics awarded

Tone:
Serious, urgent, and factual—the podcast delivers critical news highlights with direct, impartial reporting and occasional sharp political exchanges, providing a snapshot of key issues shaping the day.