NPR News Now - October 7, 2025, 8PM EDT

Host: Ryland Barton

Episode Overview

This five-minute newscast covers major national and international headlines: potential changes to federal worker back pay during the government shutdown, the federal deployment of Texas National Guard troops to Chicago, the downward revision of US renewable energy growth, updates from Wall Street and Broadway labor negotiations, and the awarding of the Nobel Prize in Physics to UC researchers.

Top Stories and Discussion Points

1. Debate Over Federal Worker Back Pay During Government Shutdown

• Speaker Mike Johnson (House Speaker) hints the Trump administration might justify withholding back pay for federal workers during the ongoing government shutdown.
  • Some legal analysts question whether the 2019 law guarantees this pay (“…there are some legal analysts who say back pay may not be required under the 2019 law.” – Claudia Grisal, 00:38).
• Democratic Response:
  • Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) strongly rejects the Republican argument.
    • Notable Quote:

      "Trump doesn't get to change the rules and rob workers just because he's worried his shutdown is backfiring.”
      — Patty Murray [01:06]

• Context:
  • President Trump signed the relevant back pay law after the last lengthy shutdown in 2019.
  • Republican leaders claim urgency for Democrats to compromise.

2. Texas National Guard Deployed to Chicago

• Action:
  • President Trump federalizes the Texas National Guard under Article 1 of the US Constitution.
  • Deployment to Chicago; San Francisco and Portland deployments on hold.
• Legal Scrutiny:
  • Law Professor Jeffrey Corn (Texas Tech University):
    • Notable Quote:

      "All these statements of war zones and Portland is a war zone and Chicago is the worst city in the world. When these cases get into court, the administration lawyers have to back that up with facts. And to date, they have been unable to do that successfully."
      — Jeffrey Corn [01:52]

  • Court challenge pending—Illinois judge to reconsider a request to block the deployment Thursday.
• Context:
  • Administration cites inability to enforce US law with regular forces, but faces skepticism on legal standing.

3. IEA Downgrades US Renewable Energy Growth

• New Forecast:
  • The International Energy Agency (IEA) now projects US renewable energy development to be almost 50% lower than last year’s forecast.
• Reasons:
  • Loss of federal tax incentives, Trump administration moves to curb new wind and solar projects.
• Implications:
  • As US electricity demand rises (e.g., data centers, factories), slower growth may threaten economic prospects.
• Global Perspective:
  • Despite US slowdown, global renewables expansion remains robust, expected to overtake coal as the top source of electricity by mid-next year.
  • Notable Quote:

    “Energy analysts and executives say renewables are crucial to help meet rising US Power demand from new data centers and factories.”
    — Michael Copley [02:37]

4. Other Headlines and Noteworthy Segments

• Wall Street Update:
  • S&P 500 falls 0.4%. Recent rally has ended. [03:11]
• Toyota Recall:
  • Nearly 400,000 Tundra and Sequoia vehicles (2022-2025 models) recalled over rearview camera software issue; free dealership repairs. [03:20]
• Broadway Labor Tension:
  • Actors, stage managers, and musicians working without a contract since September.
  • Major negotiation issue: union health insurance contributions post-COVID.
  • Broadway League cautions profitability is limited—only 1 in 10 shows are successful.
  • Actors Equity authorized a strike if negotiation fails; would shut down 26 shows.
  • Notable Quote:

    “A strike would shut down 26 current Broadway shows.”
    — Jeff London [03:51]

• Nobel Prize in Physics:
  • Three UC scientists recognized for work on subatomic particles, paving the way for better cell phones, faster computers, and more sensitive MRI machines. They share a $1.2 million prize. [04:36]

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Patty Murray (on back pay):

  "Trump doesn't get to change the rules and rob workers just because he's worried his shutdown is backfiring." [01:06]

• Jeffrey Corn (on National Guard deployment):

  "...the administration lawyers have to back that up with facts. And to date, they have been unable to do that successfully." [01:52]

Timestamps of Key Segments

• 00:20: Ryland Barton opens with shutdown/back pay news.
• 01:06: Patty Murray's critique of Republican arguments.
• 01:21: National Guard deployment to Chicago.
• 01:52: Jeffrey Corn discusses legal challenges to military deployment.
• 02:17: IEA cuts US renewable energy forecast.
• 03:11: Stock market update/Toyota recall.
• 03:51: Broadway contract negotiations and possible strike.
• 04:36: Nobel Prize in Physics awarded to UC scientists.

Summary prepared for those seeking a concise yet comprehensive understanding of this episode's news coverage.