NPR News Now – October 8, 2025, 12PM EDT

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Summary prepared for those who missed the episode

Episode Overview

This brief news roundup delivers the day's key national and global headlines in under five minutes. Highlights include the criminal charges against former FBI Director James Comey, the ongoing federal government shutdown, a positive outlook for global trade, major moves by Tesla and the gold market, the announcement of the latest MacArthur Genius Fellows, and a public health warning over a potential listeria outbreak.

Main News Stories and Key Insights

1. James Comey Indicted: DOJ Weaponization Concerns

• [00:16-01:19]
  • Former FBI Director James Comey pleaded not guilty to federal charges: one count of making false statements, and one count of obstruction of a congressional proceeding.
  • Charges stem from his 2020 congressional testimony.
  • Notably, indictment came after President Trump called publicly for AG Pam Bondi to prosecute Comey and replaced the top Virginia federal prosecutor with a former personal attorney.
  • Ongoing debate about politicization of the Justice Department and targeting of Trump’s adversaries.
  • Quote:

    “That has fueled growing concerns that the Justice Department is being weaponized to target Trump's opponents.”
    — Ryan Lucas (01:13)

2. Federal Government Shutdown: Second Week Begins

• [01:19-02:10]
  • Ongoing shutdown is causing tangible disruptions—airport delays due to air traffic controllers calling out sick, even before missing a paycheck (due Oct 28).
  • Deadlock between White House and Democrats, primarily focused on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies.
  • Political standoff resembles a “game of chicken,” unsure who will yield; previous longest shutdown was 35 days in 2019.
  • Quote:

    “Right now it appears to be a game of chicken with the way out likely going to come down to who wins the messaging battle and which side feels the most pressure.”
    — Domenico Montanaro (01:45)

3. World Trade Organization Outlook & Economic News

• [02:10-03:03]
  • WTO upgraded 2025 forecast to 2.4% growth in global goods trade—over double previous estimates. AI-related goods (e.g., computer chips) are driving demand.
  • Tesla revealed new, cheaper models of Model Y and Model 3 (now both under $40,000), aiming to boost slumping sales amidst growing competition and CEO Musk backlash.
  • Gold prices have reached a record $4,000/ounce, driven by investor uncertainty.
  • Quote:

    “Tesla is trying to recharge sales, which have been hurt by increased competition and political backlash to CEO Elon Musk. And gold prices continue to sparkle.”
    — Scott Horsley (02:36)

4. MacArthur Foundation Fellows: Science & Math Awards

• [03:03-04:16]
  • 22 new MacArthur "genius" fellows, each awarded $800,000.
  • Seven awards went to science/math innovators, including:
    • Developing vaccines via viral protein manipulation (including a possible universal coronavirus vaccine).
    • Discovering over a million binary star systems and dormant black holes from large data sets.
    • Illuminating complex symbioses among plants, fungi, microbes (“reward and punish… with precision”).
    • Research into primate vision, wastewater nutrient recovery, drivers of tropical weather, and surprising links between math and physics.
  • Quote:

    “One of the recipients manipulates the surface proteins of viruses to develop more effective vaccines, including perhaps a universal coronavirus vaccine.”
    — Ari Daniel (03:35)

5. Listeria Warning Linked to Spinach in Subscription Meals

• [04:16-04:55]
  • Federal officials have warned consumers not to eat certain HelloFresh subscription meals containing spinach (e.g., "poison pulled pork, pepper pasta ready made meal, and unstuffed peppers with ground turkey").
  • Products shipped by a California company.
  • Listeria risk is especially high for pregnant women, older adults, and newborns.
  • Quote:

    “Eating products with listeria can cause serious infections in older adults, pregnant women and in newborns.”
    — Jeanine Herbst (04:47)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Weaponization of DOJ:
  “That has fueled growing concerns that the Justice Department is being weaponized to target Trump's opponents.”
  — Ryan Lucas (01:13)

• Shutdown Standoff:
  “Right now it appears to be a game of chicken with the way out likely going to come down to who wins the messaging battle and which side feels the most pressure.”
  — Domenico Montanaro (01:45)

• AI Drives Trade Recovery:
  “That's partly thanks to robust trade in computer chips and other products tied to artificial intelligence.”
  — Scott Horsley (02:25)

• MacArthur Breakthroughs:
  “One of the recipients manipulates the surface proteins of viruses to develop more effective vaccines, including perhaps a universal coronavirus vaccine.”
  — Ari Daniel (03:35)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Comey Indictment, DOJ Concerns: 00:16–01:19
• Government Shutdown Updates: 01:19–02:10
• Global Trade Forecast & Economic Roundup: 02:10–03:03
• MacArthur Fellows Science Awards: 03:30–04:16
• Listeria Public Health Alert: 04:16–04:55

Tone Note:
The coverage is fast-paced, factual, and measured—mirroring NPR’s hallmark style of concise, evenhanded reporting.

End of Summary