NPR News Now: 10-12-2025 5PM EDT

Date: October 12, 2025
Host: Jeanine Herbst

Episode Overview

This episode covers key global and domestic news stories, including the humanitarian aid situation in Gaza during the ceasefire, military pay amidst a U.S. government shutdown, shifting trends in home heating and climate implications, troubling new data on rising youth death rates in North America, and weekend box office updates.

Key Stories & Insights

1. Humanitarian Aid in Gaza Faces Uncertainty

[00:24–01:28]

• Food Program Shutdown:
  The U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) food program—established in response to the Israeli blockade and ensuing starvation—is in doubt, amid reports that its sites are being dismantled.

• Ceasefire Impact:
  With the start of a ceasefire, aid and food relief are expected through other channels, but the future of GHF remains unclear.

• Controversy and Criticism:

  • GHF was set up by the Trump administration earlier in the year.
  • UN officials condemned the food distribution system as “death traps.”
  • Israeli troops were stationed nearby and have been blamed for hundreds of Palestinian deaths as people attempted to access aid.

  Notable Quote:

  • "According to videos and eyewitness reports in Gaza, the group's sites have been dismantled and abandoned."
    —Daniel Estrin, [00:48]
  • "United Nations officials called the system death traps. Israeli troops were stationed nearby, and Gaza health officials said troops killed hundreds of Palestinians as they approached the sites to get food in recent months."
    —Daniel Estrin, [01:15]

2. U.S. Government Shutdown: Military Pay Secured Temporarily

[01:28–02:21]

• Soldiers Will Be Paid (For Now):
  Due to the ongoing government shutdown, U.S. soldiers faced a risk of missing paychecks this week. President Trump and the Pentagon have identified $8 billion in unused R&D funds to ensure military pay for the week.

• Future Uncertainty:
  The newly-found funds only cover this week’s payroll; future payments remain uncertain if a shutdown continues.

• Ongoing Political Dispute:

  • Democrats and Republicans are at an impasse on a funding bill.
  • Some propose a standalone military pay bill, while GOP leadership insists on a short-term funding bill instead.

  Notable Quote:

  • "These funds will pay US troops if the government doesn't reopen by October 15th. The reserve would likely only cover military paychecks this week, leaving future soldier pay uncertain."
    —Luke Garrett, [01:49]

3. U.S. Homes Shift from Natural Gas to Electric Heating

[02:21–03:20]

• Trend Underway:
  More U.S. homes are heating with electricity (primarily via heat pumps), while natural gas use is slipping.

• Significance:
  This shift is critical for meeting climate change goals, as gas is mainly methane—a potent greenhouse gas.

• Key Numbers:

  • 15 years ago: 1/3 of homes used electricity for heating.
  • Now: 42% use electricity; natural gas use has fallen to 47%.

• Policy Moves:
  Some state and local governments have begun banning new natural gas installations in homes to further accelerate this transition.

  Notable Quote:

  • "To avoid the most damaging consequences of a hotter climate, nearly half the known gas reserves will have to stay in the ground."
    —Jeff Brady, [03:05]

4. Youth Death Rates Rising in North America

[03:20–04:27]

• New Global Study Findings:
  The Global Burden of Disease study reports a reversal in longstanding trends: death rates among adolescents (5–19) and young adults (25–39) in North America are now increasing.

• Major Causes:

  • Ages 5–19: Gun violence, road injuries, and suicide.
  • Ages 25–39: Primarily drug overdoses.

• Mental Health as a Co-factor:
  The study also reports rising rates of depression and anxiety in youth.

• Publication:
  Findings appear in The Lancet.

  Notable Quotes:

  • "In the sort of 5 to 19 range, we're seeing death rates go up after long periods of decline, so that's very unusual."
    —Christopher Murray, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, [03:57]
  • "The main drivers are gun violence, road injuries and suicide. The other age group that saw deaths rise... is 25 to 39 year olds, driven primarily by drug overdoses."
    —Ritu Chatterjee, [04:07]

5. Box Office Update

[04:27–05:04]

• Top Movie:
  Tron Ayres debuts at number one, earning $33 million. The sci-fi film continues the franchise, starring J. Jeff Bridges, and features a plot about rival tech companies and AI.
• Production Details:
  Budgeted at $150 million.
• Second Place:
  Roofman Starting with Channing Tatum and Kirsten Dunst took second, opening to $8 million.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• "United Nations officials called the system death traps. Israeli troops were stationed nearby, and Gaza health officials said troops killed hundreds of Palestinians as they approached the sites to get food in recent months."
  —Daniel Estrin, [01:15]

• "These funds will pay US troops if the government doesn't reopen by October 15th. The reserve would likely only cover military paychecks this week, leaving future soldier pay uncertain."
  —Luke Garrett, [01:49]

• "To avoid the most damaging consequences of a hotter climate, nearly half the known gas reserves will have to stay in the ground."
  —Jeff Brady, [03:05]

• "In the sort of 5 to 19 range, we're seeing death rates go up after long periods of decline, so that's very unusual."
  —Christopher Murray, [03:57]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:24] – Gaza aid program uncertainty and ceasefire impact
• [01:28] – U.S. military pay during government shutdown
• [02:21] – U.S. home heating trends and climate change implications
• [03:20] – Rising death rates among North American youth
• [04:27] – Box office results

By condensing the latest developments into a brisk, information-rich format, this episode provides essential updates and highlights the broader implications behind today’s top news stories.