NPR News Now – October 22, 2025, 11PM EDT

Host: Shea Stevens
Duration: 5 minutes

Overview

This episode of NPR News Now offers a concise roundup of major national and international news stories for October 22, 2025. Key topics include President Trump’s sanctions on Russian oil companies, North Carolina’s controversial congressional map, recent court action regarding National Guard troop deployment, findings from Florida's school cell phone ban, deadly U.S. military action in the Caribbean, a quirky Danish study on ant-made yogurt, and promising new research on COVID-19 vaccines aiding cancer treatments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Sanctions on Russia

Timestamps: 00:19–01:09

• President Trump imposes sanctions on two Russian oil companies—the first major action of his second term against Russia.
• During a meeting with the NATO Secretary General, Trump expresses hope that sanctions will help settle the war in Ukraine but refuses to send Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.
• Trump’s reasoning: Tomahawks are complex weapon systems requiring extensive training, adding,

  "It’ll take a minimum of six months, usually a year, to learn how to use them. They’re highly complex. So the only way a Tomahawk is going to be shot is if we shot it, and we’re not going to do that."
  (President Donald Trump, 00:50)

• Ukrainian lobbying for missiles has been unsuccessful; the door appears closed for this type of military aid.

2. North Carolina Congressional Map Controversy

Timestamps: 01:09–02:05

• North Carolina Republicans approve a new congressional map aimed at increasing GOP seats, focusing on the state’s sole swing district.
• District shifts affect hundreds of thousands of voters, particularly in the eastern districts.
• Democrats, including State Representative Gloristine Brown, criticize the map for diluting Black voting power:

  "You claim that racial data was not used. You didn’t need to use racial data because every single member of this body knows about the Black population in the northeastern part of this state."
  (State Rep. Gloristine Brown, 01:44)

• While the governor cannot veto the map, legal challenges are anticipated.

3. National Guard & Federal Troops: Immigration Tensions

Timestamps: 02:05–02:31

• A federal judge extends a restraining order blocking National Guard deployment to Chicago.
• Meanwhile, federal immigration troops are being sent to San Francisco, and Portland, Oregon.
• Anticipated delays before the National Guard is deployed in other cities.

4. Florida’s Cell Phone Ban Improves Grades

Timestamps: 02:31–03:09

• A study finds that Florida’s restriction on cell phones in schools leads to higher test scores and fewer disciplinary incidents after the initial adjustment period.
• Governor DeSantis touts the policy:

  "No phones is a win win for students and teachers."
  (Reported paraphrase of Gov. Ron DeSantis, 02:54)

• Now, 30 states and D.C. have some kind of school cell phone restrictions.

5. Market Update

Timestamp: 03:09

• Dow Jones closes down 344 points.

6. U.S. Military Strikes in the Caribbean

Timestamps: 03:09–03:48

• U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hexseth reports a deadly strike on a boat carrying illegal drugs—the eighth such attack in the Caribbean this year, bringing fatalities to 34.
• President Trump justifies the ongoing military campaign as essential to fighting drug trafficking.

7. Ants Used in Traditional Yogurt-Making

Timestamps: 03:48–04:29

• Danish scientists study Bulgarian traditions of making yogurt by fermenting milk with live redwood ants.
• Microbial ecologist Veronica Senat recounts the process:

  "We added four whole ants, dropped them into the top, covered it with a cheesecloth, hiked up the mountain and buried it inside of the ant colony."
  (Veronica Senat, 03:56)

• The resulting yogurt is unique and could inspire new food innovation.

8. COVID-19 Vaccines May Aid Cancer Treatment

Timestamps: 04:29–04:57

• Preliminary research (published in Nature) finds that lung and skin cancer patients receiving COVID vaccines within 100 days of immunotherapy showed improved immune responses and longer life expectancy.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Donald Trump, on Tomahawk missiles:
  "It’ll take a minimum of six months, usually a year, to learn how to use them. They’re highly complex. So the only way a Tomahawk is going to be shot is if we shot it, and we’re not going to do that." (00:50)

• State Rep. Gloristine Brown, on racial data and redistricting:
  "You claim that racial data was not used. You didn’t need to use racial data because every single member of this body knows about the Black population in the northeastern part of this state." (01:44)

• Microbial Ecologist Veronica Senat, on ant-yogurt making:
  "We added four whole ants, dropped them into the top, covered it with a cheesecloth, hiked up the mountain and buried it inside of the ant colony." (03:56)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Sanctions on Russia & Ukraine Aid: 00:19–01:09
• NC Redistricting Debate: 01:09–02:05
• National Guard / Immigration Enforcement: 02:05–02:31
• Florida Cell Phone Ban Results: 02:31–03:09
• Stock Market Recap: 03:09
• US Military Caribbean Action: 03:09–03:48
• Traditional Ant Yogurt: 03:48–04:29
• COVID Vaccine Cancer Study: 04:29–04:57

This summary captures the essential headlines and stories featured in this fast-paced edition of NPR News Now.