NPR News Now: October 18, 2025, 6PM EDT

Podcast: NPR News Now
Host: Jeanine Herbst
Date: October 18, 2025
Episode Theme:
The episode provides a concise roundup of the day's most important national news stories, including ongoing political protests, the impact of a continuing government shutdown on farmers, proposed National Guard deployments, a critical Broadway labor deal, and a historic Emmy win.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Anti-Trump Protests in Rural Virginia

• [00:01–01:01]
  • Setting: Shenandoah County, Virginia, where a quarter-mile-long "no Kings rally" was held as part of a seven-month streak of weekly protests against President Trump.
  • Protestor Sentiment:
    • Chants: "Hey, hey, ho, ho, Donald Trump." (00:16, Unnamed Protester)
    • Purpose: "The reason we are out here is to give a message that we are not his subjects." (00:28, Dr. Mark Pierce, rally organizer)
  • Concerns Raised:
    • Protestors expressed alarm about:
      • Detainment of American citizens
      • Cutting federal funding for research
      • "Apparent destruction of the federal government" (00:36, Joan Griffin, local resident)
  • Local Context:
    • Despite protests, over 70% of local voters had supported Trump in the last election.
  • Reporter: Randy Behge, WMRA.

2. Impact of Government Shutdown on American Farmers

• [01:01–02:03]
  • Ongoing Shutdown: Federal payments are stalled, causing anxiety over disaster insurance and price supports.
  • Farmers’ Worries:
    • Wheat farmers are especially vulnerable due to inflation and tariffs.
    • Delay in details about aid packages for commodity growers has made financial planning difficult for both farmers and their banks.
    • "Not just the farmers, but the banks supplying the farmers with the money to operate need some assurance that the farmers are not going to be going broke." (01:41, Byron Beaney, Northwest Grain Growers Co-Op)
  • Historical Context:
    • In 2018, $12 billion in federal aid was spent due to retaliatory tariffs from China, yet many growers remain unrecovered.
  • Reporter: Kirk Zigler, NPR.

3. Louisiana Governor Requests National Guard Deployment

• [02:03–02:56]
  • Announcement: Governor Jeff Landry (R) anticipates federal approval to deploy the National Guard to address a police shortage in cities like New Orleans and Baton Rouge.
  • Intended Use:
    • Supplement local law enforcement, especially in areas with high violent crime rates. (02:26, Gov. Landry)
  • Political Dynamics:
    • The move is contentious:
      • Democratic governors in Oregon and Illinois are resisting similar deployments.
      • New Orleans officials oppose deployment, citing a “declining crime rate.”
    • Landry pointed to the effective use of the National Guard after the New Year’s Day truck attack in the French Quarter.
  • Reporter: Brooke Thorington, WRKF.

4. Broadway Actors & Stage Managers Strike Averted

• [02:56–04:00]
  • Outcome: A tentative deal has been reached between the Actors’ Equity Association (representing 51,000+) and the Broadway League, averting a strike.
  • Main Issue: Extending the health equity fund that supports actors' health benefits.
  • Union Statement:
    • "It also makes progress toward our other priorities, including scheduling and physical therapy access." (03:23, Al Vincent Jr., Executive Director, Actors’ Equity Association)
  • Additional Negotiations: Musicians are still negotiating on pay, work rules, and health care.
  • Reporter: Chandelyse Duster, NPR.

5. David Attenborough Becomes Oldest Daytime Emmy Winner

• [04:00–end]
  • Achievement:
    • At 99, Attenborough becomes the oldest-ever Daytime Emmy recipient, surpassing Dick Van Dyke's previous record.
    • Won for his documentary Secret Lives of Orangutans, which also took home awards for directing, camera work, and music.
    • Though this is his first Daytime Emmy, Attenborough has previously won three Primetime Emmys.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dr. Mark Pierce (Rally Organizer):
  • "The reason we are out here is to give a message that we are not his subjects." (00:28)
• Joan Griffin (Protester):
  • "The fact that they are grabbing people who are even American citizens off the street, the cutting off of funding to universities and the like for research, and then I'm very disturbed by what is the apparent destruction of the federal government." (00:36)
• Byron Beaney (Northwest Grain Growers Co-Op):
  • "Not just the farmers, but the banks supplying the farmers with the money to operate need some assurance that the farmers are not going to be going broke." (01:41)
• Al Vincent Jr. (Executive Director, Actors’ Equity Association):
  • "It also makes progress toward our other priorities, including scheduling and physical therapy access." (03:23)

Key Segment Timestamps

• [00:01] – Rural VA protest against Trump, local context and quotes
• [01:01] – Impact of government shutdown on farmers, wheat industry, aid uncertainty
• [02:03] – National Guard deployment in Louisiana; political controversy and rationale
• [02:56] – Broadway labor deal: strike avoided, union priorities, musicians’ negotiations
• [04:00] – David Attenborough's historic Emmy win

Summary

This episode of NPR News Now delivers a tight five-minute update on the day's top stories: growing anti-Trump protest actions even in conservative regions, the economic strain facing farmers in the midst of a protracted government shutdown, the contested use of National Guard troops in Louisiana, labor negotiations averting a Broadway strike, and historic recognition for David Attenborough at the Daytime Emmys. The coverage reflects a tense and rapidly evolving national moment, with direct voices from affected community members and key stakeholders.