NPR News Now — Summary

Podcast: NPR News Now
Episode: NPR News: 10-18-2025 12PM EDT
Date: October 18, 2025
Host: Windsor Johnston (NPR)

Episode Overview

This five-minute news update covers major national and international events, including ongoing protests against the Trump administration, the release of George Santos from prison by presidential intervention, the return of a hostage’s remains following the Gaza ceasefire, a crackdown on scam operations in Southeast Asia, new research on lead exposure among human ancestors, and sports highlights from Major League Baseball.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Nationwide Demonstrations Against Trump Administration

[00:01–01:05]

• Protests are occurring across the U.S. as part of the ongoing "No Kings" movement.
• Events are unfolding in cities like Salt Lake City, Washington, D.C., New York, and Los Angeles.
• Salt Lake City Context:
  • The city’s last protest in June ended in tragedy with a deadly shooting.
  • Jamie Carter (Salt Lake Indivisible) explains the group’s decision to cancel this weekend's march in favor of a safer rally and dance party.
  • Organizers specifically request participants and volunteers to leave weapons at home.
• Scale: Over 5 million participated in June; today’s turnout expected to be even higher.
• Official Reactions: House Speaker Mike Johnson criticizes the protests as “anti American.”

Memorable Quote:

• "As the event got closer and closer, the feelings that were being brought up were to be still very raw. And that is one of the reasons we decided to cancel the march."
  — Jamie Carter, Salt Lake Indivisible [00:39]

2. Trump Pardons George Santos

[01:05–02:22]

• President Trump has released former congressman George Santos from prison.
• Background: Santos, sentenced in April to seven years, was previously hailed by DOJ officials as an example that public corruption would not be tolerated.
• DOJ highlighted Santos’s “mountain of lies, theft and fraud” and the harm to Republican donors.
• Reversal: Trump calls Santos a political ally with “the courage, conviction and intelligence to always vote Republican,” and claims he was “horribly mistreated.”
• This move aligns with Trump’s recent orders for the DOJ to investigate/prosecute political enemies.

Notable Quotes:

• DOJ (on sentencing): “A victory, saying… the former lawmaker was finally being held accountable for the mountain of lies, theft and fraud he perpetrated.” [01:38]
• Trump (via social media): “A political ally, a man with, quote, the courage, conviction and intelligence to always vote Republican. He said Santos had been horribly mistreated and set him free.” [02:03]

3. Gaza: Release of Hostage Remains One Week After Ceasefire

[02:22–02:54]

• Hamas returned the remains of Eliyahu Margalit, killed two years ago during the October 7th attack at Kibbutz Niroz.
• Status: 18 deceased hostages’ remains remain in Gaza; Israeli officials believe more could be returned, despite Hamas’s statements about logistical challenges.

Quote:

• “They believe Hamas has the ability to release additional bodies of hostages from Gaza, despite the group saying that it would need special digging equipment in order to recover the rest of the deceased hostages.”
  — NPR's Rob Schmitz [02:54]

4. Crackdown on Illegal Online Scams in Asia

[02:54–03:32]

• South Korea extradites dozens from Cambodia—most were detained in raids on scam operations.
• The suspects allegedly worked in call centers targeting victims across Asia.

5. New Research: Lead Exposure in Human Ancestors

[03:32–04:22]

• A study of preserved teeth reveals Neanderthals and related species were exposed to significant lead levels 2 million years ago.
• Genetic adaptation:
  • Allison Muotri (UC San Diego) and colleagues suggest evolutionary pressures shaped human genes for lead protection.
  • Lab tests found human gene variants offer some defense against lead, unlike those in Neanderthals.

Memorable Moment:

• “The question was why we modern humans acquired that mutation. There must be a strong selective pressure.”
  — Allison Muotri [03:55]

6. Los Angeles Dodgers Advance to World Series

[04:22–END]

• Dodgers beat the Milwaukee Brewers (5–1), sweeping the National League Championship Series and advancing to the World Series.

Notable Quotes

• “[The protest] feelings were still very raw… one of the reasons we decided to cancel the march.”
  — Jamie Carter, Salt Lake Indivisible [00:39]
• “Mountain of lies, theft and fraud he perpetrated.”
  — DOJ on George Santos [01:38]
• “Political ally… courage, conviction and intelligence to always vote Republican.”
  — President Trump, on George Santos [02:03]
• “There must be a strong selective pressure.”
  — Allison Muotri, on human evolution and lead exposure [03:55]

Timestamps for Reference

• [00:01] — Nationwide protests; Salt Lake City safety measures
• [01:05] — Scale of protests & political reactions
• [01:38] — Trump pardons George Santos, DOJ & Trump statements
• [02:22] — Remains of Israeli hostage returned by Hamas
• [02:54] — South Korea: Scam suspects extradited from Cambodia
• [03:32] — Lead exposure among ancient humans; genetic research
• [04:22] — Dodgers advance to World Series

This news roundup presents a concise but thorough picture of significant developments in U.S. politics, international events, scientific research, and sports, reflecting the urgent and rapid-fire reporting style of NPR News Now.