NPR News Now: 10-22-2025, 11AM EDT

Host: Korva Coleman
Date: October 22, 2025
Duration: ~5 minutes

Overview

This compact NPR News Now episode delivers a rapid-fire update on key global and national news, emphasizing the 22nd day of the U.S. federal government shutdown, severe weather impacts in Alaska, a deadly Russian attack on Ukraine, a UN court opinion on Israel, concerning cancer rates in Lebanon, and an aviation incident involving a weather balloon.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Day 22 of the U.S. Federal Government Shutdown

[00:18] Korva Coleman

• Stalemate: Continuing impasse between Democrats and Republicans over a spending bill.

• Food Assistance Impact:

  • Activists warn that starting Nov. 1, millions of Americans could lose food aid due to program funding lapses.
  • Vulnerable groups at risk include children, older adults, people with disabilities, veterans, and low-income workers.

  Quote:

  • Gina Platagnino (Food Research and Action Center), [00:40]:
    "Our children, our older adults, our people with disabilities, our veterans, our working Americans who are trying to make ends meet. And this is the difference between them having something to put on their plates, being able to pay shelter, and so many things."

2. Senator Merkley's Extended Protest Speech

[00:53] Korva Coleman

• Context: Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley delivers a prolonged speech on the Senate floor—not an official filibuster—but as protest.
• Reason: He criticizes President Trump's "growing authoritarian grip" on the U.S.
• Merkley’s Pledge: Began speaking last evening and intends to continue "as long as possible."

3. Alaska Typhoon Aftermath & Indigenous Archaeology

[01:40] Evan Erickson, KYUK (Bethel, Alaska)

• Disaster: A rare, destructive typhoon struck western Alaska October 12, flattening villages and causing extensive coastal erosion, including significant archaeological damage.
• Community Impact:
  • Warren Jones (Quinnehawk Resident), [01:46]:
    "It doesn't look like our beach no more. Looks like a bomb hit it."
  • Up to 60 feet of shoreline lost in Quinnehawk.
• Yupik Heritage at Risk:
  • The Nunakluk site, with artifacts dating to the 16th century, was significantly disturbed.
  • Rick Knecht (Archaeologist), [02:06]:
    "It's like running into a library or museum that's on fire, and we're just running out with armloads of what we can save."
  • Thousands of artifacts have been salvaged by local volunteers.

4. Major Russian Attack on Ukraine

[02:21] Korva Coleman / [02:35] Hanna Palomarenko, Kyiv

• Details:

  • Overnight missile and drone barrage by Russia, targeting both residential and key infrastructure.
  • At least six killed, dozens wounded.
  • Direct hits on energy facilities lead to emergency power outages across most Ukrainian regions as cold weather sets in.

  Quote:

  • Hanna Palomarenko, [02:35]:
    "With the onset of cold weather, Russia has increased the number of strikes on energy infrastructure, coal enterprises and oil and gas industry facilities."

5. UN Court Opinion on Israel & Gaza Aid

[03:11] Korva Coleman

• Ruling: UN's top court delivers a non-binding advisory opinion stating Israel is obliged under international humanitarian law to provide aid to Palestinians in Gaza.
• Reaction: Israel dismisses the court's action.

6. Lebanon: Surge in Cancer Rates

[03:53] Ari Daniel, Beirut

• Findings: New global cancer report (Published in The Lancet) IDs Lebanon as having the world's steepest rise in cancer cases and deaths.
• Contributing Factors:
  • Air pollution
  • Chemicals in agriculture
  • Smoking (largest factor)
• Societal Attitudes:
  • Ali Moqdad (Report Co-author), [04:14]:
    "There is no more taboo about smoking. Everybody smokes. Kids smoke in front of their parents."
• Outlook:
  • Lawmakers admit government response will be slow; Moqdad urges immediate action.

7. Weather Balloon & Jet Near-miss in California

[04:33] Korva Coleman

• Incident: Weather balloon company investigates if its equipment collided with a United Airlines jet last week.
• Aftermath: The jet landed safely in Salt Lake City after a cracked windshield; no injuries reported.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Our children, our older adults, our people with disabilities, our veterans, our working Americans... this is the difference between them having something to put on their plates, being able to pay shelter, and so many things."
  — Gina Platagnino ([00:40]), on potential food assistance cuts

• "It doesn't look like our beach no more. Looks like a bomb hit it."
  — Warren Jones, Quinnehawk Resident ([01:46]), on storm devastation

• "It's like running into a library or museum that's on fire, and we're just running out with armloads of what we can save."
  — Rick Knecht, Archaeologist ([02:06]), on salvaging Yupik artifacts

• "With the onset of cold weather, Russia has increased the number of strikes on energy infrastructure, coal enterprises and oil and gas industry facilities."
  — Hanna Palomarenko ([02:35]), on Russian strategy in Ukraine

• "There is no more taboo about smoking. Everybody smokes. Kids smoke in front of their parents."
  — Ali Moqdad, The Lancet report co-author ([04:14]), on the root of Lebanon's cancer crisis

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:18 — Federal Shutdown and Food Aid Risk
• 00:53 — Senator Merkley's Protest Speech
• 01:40–02:21 — Alaska Typhoon, Erosion, and Archaeological Damage
• 02:21–03:11 — Russian Attack on Ukraine
• 03:11 — UN Court: Israel's Gaza Aid Obligation
• 03:53 — Lebanon’s Cancer Surge
• 04:33 — Weather Balloon & United Jet

This episode condenses urgent developments across the globe, highlighting the human stakes—at the dinner table, in disaster zones, amidst conflict, and through the lens of public health and safety.