NPR News Now – October 7, 2025, 6PM EDT

Main Theme:
A concise roundup of major U.S. and international news headlines, including political developments, international negotiations, economic policy insights, science awards, public health warnings, and cultural updates.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Government Shutdown & Federal Worker Back Pay

[00:30]

• President Trump warns that there may not be back pay for some of the 750,000 federal workers furloughed during the ongoing government shutdown.
  • Notable reversal: Trump had previously signed a law guaranteeing back pay in his last term.
  • Quote: “Some people, quote, don't deserve to be taken care of.” (NPR News Anchor quoting President Trump, 00:30)
• Texas National Guard in Chicago:
  Texas troops have been deployed to support federal immigration enforcement at Trump’s request.
• Governors' Reactions:
  • Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker condemns the move as an "invasion," demanding Texas to withdraw.
  • Texas Gov. Greg Abbott supports Trump and touts the Texas Guard as "elite and ever ready."
• Federal Authority Questioned:
  • The President has federalized state troops, normally under governors' control, citing rebellion against federal authority.

2. Gaza Conflict & Peace Negotiations

[01:34]

• Second anniversary of Hamas’s attack on Israel.
• Peace Talks in Egypt:
  • Negotiations underway in Sharm el Sheikh, involving Israeli and Hamas representatives.
  • Aiming for a first-phase deal: Israeli troop redeployment, release of hostages and prisoners, increased aid to Gaza.
  • US Envoy Steve Witkoff will join talks the next day.
  • Qatari mediators propose a peacekeeping force in Gaza.
  • Optimism for breakthrough: “A breakthrough is likely within a week or two.” (Unnamed source close to talks, as relayed by Daniel Estrin, 02:17)

3. Federal Reserve Policy – Interest Rate Outlook

[02:30]

• Fed Governor Stephen Myron warns of economic risks if interest rates remain high.
  • Unique Stance: Myron, a Trump appointee, cast the lone vote for a "supersized" rate cut and projects two more by year-end, outpacing fellow Fed members.
  • Quote: "One reason for why my sort of...for 2025 sticks out so much from everyone else's is because I'm more sanguine on the inflation outlook than a lot of other people are." (Stephen Myron, 03:05)
  • He predicts housing costs will cool and Trump’s tariffs won’t significantly raise prices.

4. Public Health Alert – Listeria in Meal Kits

[03:24]

• USDA Warning: HelloFresh meal kits may contain listeria-contaminated spinach.
• Affected Meals: Cheesy pulled pork, pepper pasta, unstuffed peppers with ground turkey; shipped directly to consumers.
• Recommendation: Do not eat the listed meals.

5. Nobel Prize in Physics – Quantum Research Recognition

[03:24]

• Winners: John Clark, Michel Devoret, John Martinez (University of California).
  • Recognized for demonstrating quantum tunneling on a macroscopic (chip-level) scale.
  • Quote: “We had dogs realized in any way…that this might be the basis of a Nobel Prize.” (John Clark, 04:25)
• Implications: Their work could enable advances in quantum computing, cryptography, and sensing.

6. Bob Ross Paintings Auction – Funding Public Broadcasting

[04:46]

• Auction: 30 paintings by Bob Ross to support public TV stations, following a $1.1 billion cut in public broadcasting funding by Congress.
• Cultural Note: Ross's “Joy of Painting” show saw renewed popularity during COVID lockdowns.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Trump on back pay: “Some people, quote, don't deserve to be taken care of.” (00:30)
• Blaze Gainey on National Guard: “...the president can federalize them in rare situations, a power the Trump administration argues is justified by what they call rebellion against federal authority.” (00:59)
• Daniel Estrin on Gaza talks: “A breakthrough is likely within a week or two.” (02:17)
• Stephen Myron on his Fed stance: “...I'm more sanguine on the inflation outlook than a lot of other people are.” (03:05)
• John Clark on Nobel Prize: “We had dogs realized in any way…that this might be the basis of a Nobel Prize.” (04:25)

Timeline of Important Segments

• 00:30 – President Trump’s shutdown warning & National Guard deployment
• 01:34 – Gaza conflict anniversary & new Egypt-led negotiations
• 02:30 – Fed policy views: Stephen Myron champions aggressive rate cuts
• 03:24 – Listeria warning for HelloFresh kits
• 03:52 – Nobel Prize in physics: quantum tunneling recognized
• 04:46 – Bob Ross auction to fund public broadcasting

This episode delivers a fast-paced, to-the-point update on major ongoing events, key economic developments, urgent public health recalls, scientific achievements, and a nod to cultural heritage—a snapshot of news priorities on October 7, 2025.