NPR News: 10-15-2025 11AM EDT

Summary

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NPR News Now – October 15, 2025, 11AM EDT

Host: Korva Coleman
Duration: 5 minutes

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Overview

This episode delivers a concise roundup of the day’s most pressing national and international headlines. Centered on the ongoing federal government shutdown, the episode also touches on legislative gridlock, military personnel issues, tensions in Gaza, a new leader for the LDS church, and weather-driven crises in Alaska.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Federal Government Shutdown and Worker Layoffs

• [00:18] Federal government shutdown enters its second week
  • President Trump is firing federal workers amid the shutdown.
  • Federal employee unions have sued, seeking a court order to halt layoffs and new reduction-in-force notices.
  • The Trump administration argues the judge lacks jurisdiction; suggests such decisions belong to federal agencies.
  • President Trump claims the shutdown is a chance to eliminate "Democrat programs."
  • Quote:
    • “President Trump continues to blame Democrats for the shutdown and says it’s an opportunity for him to end, quote, Democrat programs, those he never wanted and will probably never allow back.”
      — Andrea Hsu, [00:52]

2. Legislative Stalemate and Arizona Congressional Seat

• [01:16] House Speaker Mike Johnson’s actions during the shutdown
  • The House has passed a spending bill, but the Senate has not.
  • Speaker Johnson refuses to swear in newly elected Democratic congresswoman Adelita Grijalva of Arizona, elected three weeks earlier.
  • Grijalva criticizes the Speaker for a lack of communication and announces legal involvement.
  • Grijalva’s swearing-in is pivotal as she would cast a deciding vote on releasing the Epstein files.
  • Quote:
    • “I have not had one word from Speaker Johnson. Not one word. We sent a letter. Now our attorney general is getting involved because this is taxation without representation.”
      — Adelita Grijalva, [01:38]

3. Military Pay and National Guard Troops

• [01:50] Military pay maintained amid shutdown; Texas National Guard controversy
  • Treasury Secretary Scott Besant asserts military paychecks will be issued due to internal fiscal maneuvering.
  • Some Texas National Guard members sent home from Chicago for failing fitness standards following viral images online.
  • Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth criticizes troops for not meeting physical standards.
  • Quote:
    • “If the secretary of war can do regular hard pt, so can every member of our joint force. Frankly, it’s tiring to look out at combat formations or really any formation and see fat troops.”
      — Pete Hegseth, [02:52]

4. Gaza Ceasefire and Humanitarian Aid

• [03:14] Tensions rise in Gaza despite ceasefire
  • Israel disputes the identity of one of eight bodies returned by Hamas.
  • Israel closes Rafah crossing, further limiting relief aid to Palestinians.

5. LDS Church’s New Leadership

• [03:50] Dallin H. Oaks becomes president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
  • Succeeds the late Russell M. Nelson; background as a Utah Supreme Court justice.
  • Religious commentator Jana Reese cites Oaks’ awareness of political authoritarianism and emphasis on law and order.
  • His stance on social and political issues, including same-sex marriage, remains to be seen in this new role.
  • Quote:
    • “He could serve as a reminder of justice and law and order and precedent and a lot of things that in America people have been throwing out the window.”
      — Jana Reese, [04:08]

6. Disaster Strikes Western Alaska

• [04:31] Typhoon remnants cause destruction and displacement
  • Severe flooding leaves one dead, two missing; survivors cling to debris as homes are swept away.
  • Hundreds displaced and seeking shelter.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Federal Worker Layoffs:
  “They argue that the Trump administration has overstepped its authority in telling agencies to carry out the reductions in force, or rifs.”
  — Andrea Hsu, [00:38]

• On Military Fitness:
  “Last week, the National Guard issued a statement saying all troops had to meet height, weight and fitness standards.”
  — Andrew Schneider, [03:05]

• On LDS Church Leadership:
  “Ochs has also long been outspoken about his beliefs against same sex marriage. Reese says it’s yet to be seen if he’ll continue that trajectory as president.”
  — Ciara Hewlett, [04:19]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:18] Federal shutdown & federal worker layoffs
• [01:16] Legislative gridlock & Adelita Grijalva situation
• [01:50] Military pay during shutdown; fitness controversy in National Guard
• [03:14] Gaza ceasefire strains; Israel closes Rafah crossing
• [03:50] LDS church names Dallin H. Oaks as new president
• [04:31] Typhoon impacts in Alaska

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Summary

This episode of NPR News Now presents a snapshot of American political turmoil during a prolonged government shutdown, spotlights legal and military accountability, summarizes international strife, covers a notable leadership transition for a major religious institution, and details the devastating aftermath of a natural disaster in Alaska—all tightly woven into NPR’s signature objective, urgent tone.

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. The federal government shutdown is two weeks old. President Trump is continuing to fire federal workers. Unions representing thousands of these workers have sued, and a federal judge in San Francisco will hold a hearing on the matter today. NPR's Andrea Hsu has more.

[Andrea Hsu]

Unions representing federal employees have asked the court to halt the layoffs already underway and to stop federal agencies from issuing new layoff notices. They argue that the Trump administration has overstepped its authority in telling agencies to carry out the reductions in force, or rifs. Amid the shutdown, the Trump administration argues the court lacks jurisdiction to hear the case that such matters ought to be taken to the federal agencies set up by Congress to hear challenges to RIFs. Meanwhile, President Trump continues to blame Democrats for the shutdown and says it's an opportunity for him to end, quote, Democrat programs, those he never wanted and will probably never allow back. Andrea Hsu, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

During the shutdown, House Speaker Mike Johnson has not convened his chamber. The House has already passed a spending bill, and the Senate still cannot agree upon one. But the speaker also says during the shutdown he will not swear in the newly elected Democratic congresswoman from Arizona, Adelita Grijalva. She points out she was the winner of a special election three weeks ago.

[Adelita Grijalva]

I have not had one word from Speaker Johnson. Not one word. We sent a letter. Now our attorney general is getting involved because this is taxation without representation.

[Korva Coleman]

Grijalva supports an effort to force a vote on the release of the Epstein files, which, when sworn in, Grijalva would be the deciding vote in the House to advance the measure. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant says that members of the US Military will get their expected paychecks today. Besant says that the Defense Department is shuffling money around to issue these paychecks during the shutdown. Some Texas National Guard troops have been sent home from Chicago. They allegedly failed to meet physical fitness standards. Houston Public Media's Andrew Schneider reports. The move comes after an ABC News photo of overweight troops went viral.

[Andrew Schneider]

The Texas military department confirmed on the military news site Task and Purpose that a small group of the 200 National Guard soldiers deployed to Illinois last week had been sent home for not being in compliance with its validation process. The move followed a speech by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon last month to hundreds of military commanders.

[Pete Hegseth]

If the secretary of war can do regular hard pt, so can every member of our joint force. Frankly, it's tiring to look out at combat formations or really any formation and see fat troops.

[Andrew Schneider]

Last week, the National Guard issued a statement saying all troops had to meet height, weight and fitness standards. For NPR News, I'm Andrew Schneider in Houston.

[Korva Coleman]

This is npr. The Gaza cease fire is coming under strain. Israel says that one of the eight bodies handed over by Hamas this week is not that of a hostage. Israel has also closed the Rafah crossing into Gaza today. That will limit relief aid that's getting to Palestinians. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has a new president for its 17 million members worldwide who are also known as Mormons. From member station kuer, Ciara Hewlett reports the church has chosen Dallin Oaks to lead them.

[Ciara Hewlett]

The last president and prophet, Russell M. Nelson, died last month. His successor, Dallin H. Oaks, used to be a Utah Supreme Court justice. Columnist Jana Reese says that background could influence his leadership. She says Ochs is concerned about the rise of political authoritarianism.

[Jana Reese]

He could serve as a reminder of justice and law and order and precedent and a lot of things that in America people have been throwing out the window.

[Ciara Hewlett]

Ochs has also long been outspoken about his beliefs against same sex marriage. Reese says it's yet to be seen if he'll continue that trajectory as president. For NPR News, I'm Ciara Hewlett.

[Korva Coleman]

Conditions in parts of western Alaska remain dire. The remnants of a typhoon hit the state last weekend. One person was killed and two more are missing. Alaska officials say some people had to cling to floating debris as their homes washed away. Hundreds of people have fled their homes to shelter. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News, from Washington.

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