NPR News Now – October 16, 2025, 9PM EDT

Host: Ryland Barton (NPR)
Episode Theme:
A five-minute news roundup covering major national stories, policy updates, legal rulings, scientific research, and economic trends.

Main Topics Covered

1. Education Department Layoffs Amid Shutdown

• [00:18] Ryland Barton introduces the segment:
  The Trump administration moves to lay off an additional 466 federal workers from the Department of Education, specifically targeting the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) during the government shutdown.
• [00:33] Corey Turner reports:

  • Earlier this year, OCR had 12 regional enforcement offices.

  • After March layoffs, more than half were closed, and now staffers in four of the five remaining offices have received layoff notices.

  • The union representing employees states this could leave just one regional office in Kansas City.

  • Education Department has not clarified the layoff plans.

  • Layoffs are paused due to a court ruling, but duration of the pause is uncertain.

    Notable quote:

    • “The union says if those offices have been abolished, that would leave the Office for Civil Rights with just one regional office in Kansas City.” – Corey Turner [00:53]

2. Universities Reject Politicized Funding Conditions

• [01:13] Ryland Barton:
  • Brown University rejects President Trump’s offer of favorable federal funding in exchange for supporting a politicized higher education agenda, citing concerns over academic freedom.
  • MIT previously rejected the proposal the prior week.

3. California Transportation Funding Withheld Over Language Enforcement

• [01:13] Ryland Barton:
  • The Trump administration is withholding $40 million in transportation funds from California, alleging insufficient enforcement of English proficiency for truck drivers.
• [01:45] Joel Rose reports:

  • Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy says California isn’t ensuring truckers can read signs and talk to law enforcement.

  • The Department previously warned California, Washington, and New Mexico about potential funding loss.

  • Triggered by a deadly crash this summer involving an Indian-born truck driver in Florida.

  • California counters:

    • The state enforces federal language standards.
    • California truckers have a fatal crash rate nearly 40% lower than the national average.

    Notable quote:

    • “California officials say... its commercial driver's license holders have a fatal crash rate nearly 40% lower than the national average for truckers.” – Joel Rose [02:18]

4. Delaware Supreme Court Hears Musk’s $100 Billion Pay Case

• [02:24] Ryland Barton introduces:
  • Delaware Supreme Court hears arguments regarding the validity of Elon Musk’s record-breaking pay package at Tesla after a lower court voided it.
• [02:34] Camilla Domonoski reports:

  • The lower court declared Musk had too much control over his compensation.

  • Tesla argues that shareholders approved the package, which was contingent on ambitious growth targets.

  • Jeff Wall, Tesla’s lawyer, during closing:

    Memorable quote:

    • “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.” – Jeff Wall [02:55]

  • Some justices appear sympathetic to Tesla, noting Musk can't “take back the work he did over many years.”

5. Oklahoma Reverses Mandatory Bible Curriculum

• [03:15] Ryland Barton:
  • Oklahoma’s new public schools chief, Superintendent Lyndall Field, rescinds a controversial order requiring Bible incorporation into classroom lesson plans, issued by her predecessor.
  • Field has no plans to distribute Bibles, distancing her administration from policies that sparked a civil rights lawsuit, currently pending in Oklahoma’s Supreme Court.

6. Research: Earthworms Use Earth’s Magnetic Field

• [03:53] Nate Rott:

  • New study reveals earthworms, like many animals, can detect the Earth’s magnetic field.

  • The biological mechanism remains unknown.

  • Lead author Yanni Voortman: earthworms’ simplicity makes them ideal study subjects.

    Notable quotes:

    • “Scientists have known many animals have this sixth sense for decades, but they still don't know how they do it.” – Nate Rott [03:53]
    • “If you want a sample for the earthworms I know you can go to the next fishing store, right?” – Yanni Voortman [04:26]

7. New Car Prices Hit Record Highs in U.S.

• [04:33] Ryland Barton:
  • Average new car price exceeds $50,000, per Kelly Blue Book.
  • September prices up 2.1% month-over-month and 3.6% year-over-year.
  • Despite higher prices, car sales remain robust.

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Education Department layoffs: [00:18]–[01:13]
• Universities reject White House proposal: [01:13]
• California loses transportation funding: [01:45]–[02:24]
• Musk compensation court case: [02:24]–[03:15]
• Oklahoma Bible lesson reversal: [03:15]
• Earthworm navigation research: [03:53]–[04:33]
• Car price trends: [04:33]–[04:57]

Memorable Moments

• “If you want a sample for the earthworms I know you can go to the next fishing store, right?” – Yanni Voortman [04:26]
• “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.” – Jeff Wall [02:55]

Overall Tone

The episode delivers a brisk, objective summary of policy news, legal developments, educational policy changes, scientific discoveries, and market updates—balancing hard news with a touch of curiosity and humanity in the research segment.

This summary provides a concise yet thorough overview of the latest hourly news cycle from NPR, highlighting the most impactful stories and framing them for listeners who may have missed the original broadcast.