NPR News Now: 9PM EDT (October 7, 2025)

Summary

This concise, five-minute episode delivers the latest headlines across politics, law, science, and economics in the United States, focusing especially on repercussions of the government shutdown, a contentious Senate Judiciary hearing, major Supreme Court arguments, medical research breakthroughs, and significant economic developments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Nationwide Air Travel Disruptions Amid Government Shutdown

[00:19] Ryland Barton:

• The shutdown has led to a ground stop at Nashville’s airport due to acute staffing shortages.
• Delays are rippling across U.S. airports as Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy attributes disruptions to a surge in air traffic controllers calling in sick.
• The ongoing government shutdown is directly impacting critical infrastructure.

2. Contentious Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing

[00:19 & 00:51] Elena Moore:

• Attorney General Pam Bondi faces heated questioning from Democrats who allege the Department of Justice is being "weaponized" against President Trump’s political enemies.
  • Topics include James Comey’s indictment and the closing of a bribery investigation into border czar Tom Homan.
• Notably tense exchange between Rep. Adam Schiff and Bondi:
  • [01:14] Adam Schiff: “You can attack me after my time is over.”
  • [01:17] Nina Totenberg: “You’ve attacked all of us, including President Trump.”
  • [01:20] Adam Schiff: “You can attack me later. And I know you’ve got plenty of canned attacks. We’ve heard them all day.”
• Senate Republicans defend Bondi, emphasizing her alleged restoration of the DOJ’s integrity.

3. Supreme Court Debates Colorado's Ban on Conversion Therapy

[01:33] Nina Totenberg:

• The U.S. Supreme Court shows skepticism towards a Colorado law barring conversion therapy for minors.
• The case pits conservative Christian groups (arguing for free speech) against the LGBTQ community and medical authorities.
  • Supporters argue: Banning talk therapy violates the First Amendment.
  • Opponents stress: All major medical associations oppose conversion therapy due to its links to depression and suicide among minors.
• [01:45] Notable summary: "But half the states have enacted these bans, and every major medical association opposes the therapy on grounds that it leads to deep depression and suicidal thoughts in minors.”

4. Medical News: New Drug Combo for Prostate Cancer

[02:23] Yuki Noguchi:

• Addition of niriparib (already used for ovarian/breast cancer) to standard prostate cancer treatment reduces disease progression by 37%.
  • Nearly 50% risk reduction noted in patients with specific genetic markers.
  • Delayed symptom onset brings new hope for advanced prostate cancer care.
• Result from a two-and-a-half year study with 700 patients at University College London.

5. Economic & International Updates

• Stocks slightly declined after a sustained record rally.
  [03:12] Ryland Barton
• 23% drop in Canadian visits to the US (first seven months of 2025 vs. 2024) amid tense US-Canada trade negotiations.
  • Contributing factors: Trade instability & Trump’s inflammatory suggestion that Canada become the 51st state.
  • Trump claims Canadian tourism will recover after a trade deal.
• Federal grand jury indictments in Georgia:
  • Two individuals charged for online threats against an ICE agent and his wife (doxxing elements included).
  • [03:51] Emily Wu Pearson: Details social media threats, repeat bad actors, and gravity of charges.

6. Major Financial Regulatory Milestone

[04:26] Ryland Barton:

• US SEC approved the Texas Stock Exchange’s registration—the first new US stock exchange in decades (“nicknamed Y’all Street”).
  • Will operate online initially, with plans for a physical Dallas-based trading floor.
  • Texas is now positioned as the state with the nation’s second most Fortune 500 companies.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [01:14] Adam Schiff: “You can attack me after my time is over.”
• [01:17] Nina Totenberg: “You’ve attacked all of us, including President Trump.”
• [01:20] Adam Schiff: “You can attack me later. And I know you’ve got plenty of canned attacks. We’ve heard them all day.”
• [01:45] Nina Totenberg: "Every major medical association opposes the therapy on grounds that it leads to deep depression and suicidal thoughts in minors."
• [02:33] Yuki Noguchi: “It found adding the third drug reduced risk of progression by 37% overall and nearly half among those with certain specific genetic markers.”

Timeline of Major Segments

• 00:19 – Air travel delays & government shutdown impacts
• 00:51 – Attorney General Bondi's Senate hearing, Bondi-Schiff exchange
• 01:33 – Supreme Court: Colorado conversion therapy ban case
• 02:23 – Breakthrough prostate cancer drug combination study
• 03:12 – Market close, Canadian travel drop, trade tensions
• 03:51 – Georgia grand jury indicts men for threats/doxxing ICE agent
• 04:26 – Texas Stock Exchange receives regulatory approval

This summary captures the tone and clarity of the original broadcast, distilling NPR’s rapid-fire updates into a structured, accessible briefing for listeners needing a quick but thorough news rundown.