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

Host: Ryland Barton | Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers a concise, rapid-fire update on the day’s most significant national and international events. Major headlines include a new phase in the Israel-Hamas conflict, federal intervention in Illinois over crime, ongoing government shutdown deadlock, a drop in international students coming to the US, a Nobel Prize in chemistry, and the rescue of a local celebrity cat.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Israel and Hamas Announce First Phase of Peace Plan

[00:20] Ryland Barton

• President Trump announced that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a peace plan, marking progress just after the war in Gaza’s second anniversary.
  • Key Details:
    • Hamas will release all remaining hostages.
    • Israel will begin troop withdrawals from Gaza.
    • Trump describes this as the “first step towards a, quote, strong, durable and everlasting peace.”
• Another flotilla attempting to break Gaza’s naval blockade was intercepted.
  • 145 people, including activists, detained; last week, 450 were intercepted including Greta Thunberg.

2. National Guard Deployed to Illinois Amid Crime Concerns

[00:43] Ryland Barton

• President Trump has sent National Guard troops to Illinois, despite objections from local officials.

  • Reason: To combat “out of control crime” and protect immigration officers.
  • Trump suggests that Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson “should be jailed for opposing his actions.”

• On the ground:

  • [01:31] Mike Puente (WBEZ): Reports conflicting narratives regarding ICE arrests and protest activity.
    • Trump administration labels protesters as “rioters”; protesters object to ICE arrests.
    • Some protests at ICE facilities turned violent, with evidence of ICE agents using rubber bullets and pepper spray on crowds.

  Notable Moment:

  "ICE escalating the violence as they're shooting rubber bullets into the crowds and spraying them with pepper spray."
  — Mike Puente [01:51]

3. Eighth Day of Federal Government Shutdown

[01:57] Ryland Barton | [02:12] Sam Greenglass

• The shutdown enters its eighth day, with no visible progress on Capitol Hill.

  • The Senate has failed six times to pass short-term funding bills; both Democrat- and Republican-led measures have failed to reach the required 60 votes.
  • Sticking Points:
    • Republican bill would reopen the government.
    • Democrats demand inclusion of expiring health insurance subsidies.
  • Talks are ongoing but leadership on both sides “is not willing to budge.”

  Memorable Quote:

  "Communication—nothing, nothing, nothing changes, right?"
  — Unknown senator, excerpted by Sam Greenglass [02:39]

  "The votes are expected to continue."
  — Sam Greenglass [02:54]

4. Drop in International Students Arriving to US

[02:56] Ryland Barton

• Sharp 19% decrease in international student arrivals this August, the biggest drop compared to the previous year.
  • Attributed to heightened scrutiny of foreign students by the Trump administration.

5. Nobel Prize in Chemistry Awarded

[03:12] Ryland Barton

• Nobel awarded to three scientists for inventing molecules that trap vast amounts of gas.
  • Potential applications include carbon capture and extracting moisture from arid environments.
  • Fun comparison: Nobel committee drew a parallel to Hermione Granger’s “magical handbag” from Harry Potter.

6. Viral Cat Francine Found After Search

[03:54] Billy Shields (Richmond)

• Francine, beloved cat and Instagram sensation missing from Lowe’s Hardware in Richmond, VA, was found after a massive search using cameras and drones.

  • Cat stowed away on a freight truck, ending up in North Carolina.
  • Received a clean bill of health and is back home at the store.

  Listener Reaction:

  "I'm so happy. It's like a miracle that they found her."
  — Cassie Vestal, Lowe’s customer [04:27]

7. Market Brief

[04:40] Ryland Barton

• S&P 500 rose by 0.6% after a pause, while the Dow slipped by a single point.

Notable Quotes by Timestamp

| Time | Speaker | Quote | |--------|------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:20 | Ryland Barton | "This is the first step towards a, quote, strong, durable and everlasting peace." | | 01:51 | Mike Puente | "ICE escalating the violence as they're shooting rubber bullets into the crowds..." | | 02:39 | Unnamed Senator | "Communication—nothing, nothing, nothing changes, right?" | | 02:54 | Sam Greenglass | "The votes are expected to continue." | | 04:27 | Cassie Vestal (customer)| "I'm so happy. It's like a miracle that they found her." |

Episode Timeline

• [00:20] Israel-Hamas peace plan (hostage release, troop withdrawals)
• [00:43] National Guard in Illinois, ICE-protest clashes
• [01:57] Government shutdown update, Senate impasse
• [02:56] International student numbers drop
• [03:12] Nobel chemistry prize announcement
• [03:54] Francine the cat recovered in Richmond
• [04:40] Financial markets update

Overall Tone

Direct, urgent, and fact-focused, with brief moments of human interest. The episode captures both the seriousness of political events and lighter, community-driven news.