NPR News Now: October 15, 2025, 3PM EDT

Host: Lakshmi Singh & NPR correspondents
Summary:
This episode delivers the top U.S. and global news stories in a concise, five-minute briefing. Main topics include a federal judge blocking Trump administration layoffs during the government shutdown, Supreme Court deliberations on the Voting Rights Act, Elon Musk’s compensation case in Delaware, major labor action at Kaiser Permanente, cybersecurity concerns after a hack, and updates on Syria-Russia relations.

Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration Layoffs

[00:17]

• Overview: A federal judge in California issued a temporary order preventing the Trump administration from laying off over 4,000 federal workers during the government shutdown, labeling the move "hasty and illegal."
• Quote (Paraphrased): President Trump accuses Democrats of holding up a short-term spending bill and signals plans to fire workers during the shutdown.
• Insight: The decision provides immediate relief for federal employees and heightens tensions between the administration and Congress during ongoing funding disputes.

Supreme Court Considers Cutting Voting Rights Act Protections

[01:01]

• Overview: The Supreme Court’s conservative majority appears open to rolling back protections under the Voting Rights Act, specifically requirements for districts that enable minority voters a fair chance at electing candidates.
• Notable Exchange:
  • Justice Elena Kagan: "What would the results on the ground be?" ([01:19])
  • Janay Nelson, Legal Defense Fund: "I think the results would be pretty catastrophic. If we take Louisiana as one example, every congressional member who is black was elected from a VRA opportunity district." ([01:21])
• Potential Impact: A ruling could permit Republicans to redraw up to 19 more House districts before the next election, potentially affecting minority representation.

Delaware Supreme Court and Elon Musk’s Compensation

[01:43]

• Overview: Delaware's highest court heard Tesla’s appeal over Elon Musk’s record 2018 pay package (~$100 billion current value), previously overturned by a lower court for Musk's outsized influence.
• Details:
  • Shareholders had voted in favor, with the pay tied to challenging performance targets.
  • Jeff Wall, Tesla Attorney: "It'd be laughable if we didn't know with the benefit of hindsight that he'd done it. And 73% of stockholders said, I'll take that deal." ([02:14])
• Judicial Tone: Some justices showed sympathy for Tesla's view, noting Musk’s extensive work can't be undone.

Syria’s New President Seeks Russian Ties

[02:33]

• Overview: Syrian President Ahmed Ashara visited Moscow to meet with President Putin, signifying ongoing Russian influence after Bashar al Assad’s ousting and exile to Russia.
• Key Points:
  • No public requests for Assad’s handover yet.
  • Ashara: "Syria would honor all past deals" with Russia, seen as reassurance on bases and military presence.
  • Putin describes their talks as useful for a "new relationship."
• Implication: Signals continuity in Russian-Syrian relations and bases, even with a new Syrian leader.

Kaiser Permanente Labor Strike

[03:15]

• Overview: Over 30,000 nurses and staff across California, Oregon, and Hawaii are striking against Kaiser Permanente, demanding a 25% wage increase. Kaiser offers 21.5% over four years.
• Impact: Some surgeries rescheduled, but clinics and hospitals remain open.

Major Cybersecurity Breach of U.S. Government Tech Supplier

[04:09]

• Overview: Hackers stole source code and sensitive data from F5, a company serving many U.S. government agencies. Experts believe a nation state was behind it.
• Action: The Department of Homeland Security’s CISA issued an urgent directive to catalog F5 product use across agencies.
• Quote:
  • Nick Anderson, CISA Assistant Executive Director: "[CISA] continues to work to respond to the emergency despite the ongoing government shutdown, which he blamed on, quote, Democrat refusal to fund the government." ([04:40])
• Political Climate: Public blames both parties for the funding impasse, according to polls.

Market Update

[04:52]

• U.S. stocks are trading higher this hour.

Standout Quotes & Moments

• Janay Nelson on Voting Rights Act:
  • "I think the results would be pretty catastrophic." ([01:21])
• Jeff Wall on Musk’s pay:
  • "It'd be laughable if we didn't know with the benefit of hindsight that he'd done it." ([02:14])

Key Timestamps

• [00:17] Federal layoffs blocked
• [01:01] Supreme Court Voting Rights Act
• [01:43] Musk’s compensation case
• [02:33] Syria-Russia meeting
• [03:15] Kaiser Permanente strike
• [04:09] Cyberattack on F5
• [04:52] Stock market update

Tone:
Concise, factual, and focused on the day’s developments with direct quotes and expert analysis, reflecting NPR’s signature style.