NPR News Now — NPR News: 10-17-2025 4AM EDT

Date: October 17, 2025
Host: Shea Stevens

Episode Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now update delivers a rapid-fire briefing on the day’s top U.S. and international stories. Major headlines include high-profile indictments related to the Trump administration, business community pushback to new visa policies, military leadership changes, updates from public health and global affairs, as well as a breaking neuroscience study and the passing of an NPR legend.

Key News Highlights & Insights

1. Indictments Tied to the Trump Administration

[00:20]

• John Bolton Indicted

  • A federal grand jury indicted former National Security Adviser John Bolton on 18 counts, including allegations of storing classified data at home and sharing sensitive information with family members.
  • Bolton, a known Trump critic since his 2019 firing, is described as part of a pattern where the Trump administration has targeted perceived enemies.

• Letitia James Also Indicted

  • New York Attorney General Letitia James, recognized for leading civil fraud charges against the Trump Organization, faces mortgage fraud charges, which she denies and attributes to political retaliation.
  • Notable Quote:

    “It's nothing more than retribution. Retribution for basically doing my job. For doing my job following a two year investigation in a congressional hearing. It wasn't political. It was based on facts and the application of the evidence.”
    — Letitia James [01:05]

• James's Stance:

  • Vows a “vigorous defense,” framing the indictment as revenge for her legal actions against Trump’s business interests.

2. Business Community Sues Over H1B Visa Fees

[01:19]

• Chamber of Commerce Lawsuit
  • Reports from NPR’s Maria Aspen [01:32] reveal that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is suing the Trump administration over a newly imposed $100,000 per visa fee for skilled H1B workers.
  • The move, described as “unlawful” by business groups, has reportedly caused chaos for employers and immigrant workers.
  • It marks a rare moment of public opposition from major business organizations against Trump’s policies in 2025.
  • Other plaintiffs include healthcare staffing firms and unions.

3. U.S. Military and Global Public Health Updates

[02:19]

• Military Command Change

  • Admiral Alvin Holsey, leader of U.S. military operations in the Caribbean and head of Central Command, announces retirement less than a year into his tenure.

• Ebola Outbreak Controlled in DR Congo

  • NPR’s Jonathan Lambert [02:38] reports that, with no new Ebola cases for nearly three weeks, the outbreak appears under control.
  • Since late August:
    • 45 deaths, 64 infected
    • Over 18,000 people vaccinated
  • Quote from WHO Officials (paraphrased): Effective rollout of vaccines helped halt transmission.
  • Outbreak will be declared over after 22 more days without cases.

4. U.S. Futures & International Affairs

[03:13]

• Markets
  • U.S. futures remain flat in after-hours trading.

5. Ukraine–Russia–U.S. Developments

[03:13]

• President Zelensky in Washington
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is lobbying for Tomahawk missiles to bolster defense against ongoing Russian aggression.
  • President Trump hints at missile sales as leverage to pressure Russia into ceasefire talks.
  • Putin and Trump are set for a summit in Hungary.
  • Ukraine's ambassador [paraphrased] counters Moscow’s peace rhetoric, citing continued Russian attacks.

6. Neuroscience Study: Brain Exercise Effects

[04:00]

• Research Findings

  • 92 participants, all aged 65+, split between gaming (Solitaire, Candy Crush) and structured cognitive training (Brain HQ).

  • Those with cognitive training showed a small but meaningful increase (2.3%) in the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in key brain areas.

  • Quote:

    “It was about 2.3%, which is not huge, but it's significant.”
    — Etienne de Viller, McGill University [04:24]

  • Significance: Offsets a typical decade's decline in acetylcholine, “rolling back the clock by about a decade.”

7. Remembering Susan Stamberg

[04:44]

• NPR Founder Dies
  • NPR mourns the passing of Susan Stamberg at 87.
  • Stamberg was the first woman in the U.S. to anchor a nightly national news program; she retired only last month.

Memorable Quotes

• “It's nothing more than retribution. Retribution for basically doing my job.”
  — Letitia James [01:05]

• “It was about 2.3%, which is not huge, but it's significant.”
  — Etienne de Viller [04:24]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:20] Indictments of John Bolton & Letitia James
• [01:32] Chamber of Commerce sues over H1B visa fees
• [02:19] Admiral Holsey’s retirement announcement
• [02:38] Ebola outbreak control in DR Congo
• [03:13] Update on U.S. financial markets
• [03:13] Ukraine’s appeal for U.S. missiles; U.S.–Russia–Ukraine relations
• [04:00] Study on mental exercise and brain chemistry
• [04:44] Tribute to NPR founder Susan Stamberg

Tone & Language

The delivery maintains NPR’s characteristic concise and factual tone, quickly moving through high-stakes political drama, business impacts, scientific advancements, and institutional tributes, offering a clear, agenda-setting snapshot of the day’s biggest stories.