NPR News Now – October 8, 2025, 9AM EDT
Summary of Episode: "NPR News: 10-08-2025 9AM EDT"

Episode Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now bulletin, anchored by Korva Coleman, focuses on the ongoing federal government shutdown, legal developments involving former FBI Director James Comey, shifts in US energy policy, surging gold prices amid economic uncertainty, and the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. The episode delivers concise updates on the most pressing national and international news topics as of October 8, 2025.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Federal Government Shutdown – Day Eight

• [00:13] Korva Coleman reports that the federal government shutdown has reached its eighth day.
  • Many federal employees are furloughed, and essential workers, including air traffic controllers, are working without pay.
  • President Trump has suggested that some workers may not receive back pay, which Democrats and unions claim is illegal.
  • Air traffic control is especially strained due to pre-existing staff shortages.
• [00:50] Nick Daniels, President of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, shares the challenges faced by his members:
  • Quote: "Air traffic controllers don't start a shutdown. Air traffic controllers don't end a shutdown. Politicians are the only ones that start a shutdown and have the ability to end it. Air traffic controllers are going to show up and do everything we can. But the longer that this lasts, it's going to place a continued strain on air traffic control." (Nick Daniels, 00:50)

2. Former FBI Director James Comey Arraignment

• [01:06] Korva Coleman notes that James Comey is to be arraigned on two federal counts: making a false statement to Congress and obstructing a congressional investigation.
  • Comey maintains his innocence.
• The Justice Department faces criticism for allegedly targeting President Trump’s political adversaries.
• US Attorney General Pam Bondi defends her agency’s actions before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
• [01:46] NPR’s Ryan Lucas explains the partisan perspectives:
  • Quote: "They argue that the department was weaponized under the Biden administration to go after Trump and conservatives more broadly... They say Bondi is ending that weaponization." (Ryan Lucas, 01:46)
  • FBI reportedly analyzed phone records of multiple Republican lawmakers in 2023 as part of an investigation into Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
  • Despite concerns from legal experts, Bondi has strong Republican backing.

3. Renewable Energy Market Slowdown

• [02:18] The International Energy Agency (IEA) has reduced its 2025 growth forecast for US renewables, following Trump administration moves to limit wind and solar projects.
• [02:40] NPR’s Michael Copley explains:
  • US growth forecast for renewables is nearly 50% lower than the previous year.
  • This may hinder economic growth, as renewables are vital for meeting rising electricity demand.
  • Global renewable growth is still robust; the IEA expects renewables to surpass coal as the largest source of electricity generation by mid-2026.
  • Quote: "The agency expects power capacity from renewables to double by 2030 and for renewables to overtake coal as the world's largest source of electricity generation by the middle of next year at the latest." (Michael Copley, 02:40)

4. Trump Administration and National Guard in Illinois

• [03:13] Trump administration faces a lawsuit from Illinois officials, seeking to block the deployment of National Guard troops to the state.
  • President Trump claims the move aims to stop crime and harshly criticizes Chicago's mayor and Illinois’ governor, J.B. Pritzker.
  • Trump accuses them of not protecting ICE officers.

5. Gold Prices Hit All-Time High

• [03:52] NPR’s Maria Aspen reports that gold has surpassed $4,000 per ounce, the highest ever.
  • Investors are seeking safe havens due to concerns about President Trump’s economic policies, trade stance, and attempts to influence the Federal Reserve.
  • The US Dollar has fallen by 10% this year even as Wall Street stocks reach record highs.
  • Quote: "Now investors are looking for another safe haven, and gold is the winner. It hasn't had this good of a year in nearly half a century, since the inflation crisis of 1979." (Maria Aspen, 03:52)

6. Nobel Prize in Chemistry

• [04:39] This year’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry is awarded to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar Yaghi for their work in developing metal-organic frameworks, which may help create new materials.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Nick Daniels on the shutdown:
  "Air traffic controllers don't start a shutdown. Air traffic controllers don't end a shutdown. Politicians are the only ones that start a shutdown and have the ability to end it." (00:50)

• Ryan Lucas on justice department partisanship:
  "They argue that the department was weaponized under the Biden administration to go after Trump and conservatives more broadly… They say Bondi is ending that weaponization." (01:46)

• Michael Copley on renewables:
  "The agency expects power capacity from renewables to double by 2030 and for renewables to overtake coal as the world's largest source of electricity generation by the middle of next year at the latest." (02:40)

• Maria Aspen on gold prices:
  "Now investors are looking for another safe haven, and gold is the winner. It hasn't had this good of a year in nearly half a century, since the inflation crisis of 1979." (03:52)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Shutdown update & air traffic control strain: 00:13–01:06
• James Comey arraignment & DOJ politics: 01:06–02:18
• Renewable energy slowdown: 02:18–03:13
• Trump administration faces Illinois lawsuit: 03:13–03:52
• Gold price surge analysis: 03:52–04:39
• Nobel Prize in Chemistry announcement: 04:39–04:56

This concise but comprehensive bulletin encapsulates the top headlines of the day, illustrating the interconnectedness of US political, economic, and global scientific developments.