NPR News Now — October 22, 2025, 9AM EDT

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This fast-paced episode covers critical national and international news headlines, highlighting the ongoing federal government shutdown, escalating political and military tensions abroad, the growing impact of AI on U.S. jobs, a Congressional investigation into a former CIA Director, preservation efforts at the White House, and Americans’ record-breaking Halloween spending habits.

1. Federal Government Shutdown and Its Local Impact

Starts at 00:16

• Status: The U.S. federal government shutdown has persisted for over three weeks due to an unresolved spending bill stalemate between Democrats and Republicans.
• Senate Action: Republican Leader John Thune plans to introduce legislation to restore pay for some federal employees, as many have missed paychecks.
• Human Stories:
  • Jenny Abamu reports from a Maryland food aid site inundated by federal workers in need.
  • Quote from a furloughed worker, Jay (01:06):
    “Kids, they eat a lot and then you try to get them stuff that's healthy as well. It's a lot on the parents.”
  • The food drive ran out of supplies halfway through, prompting organizers to double food box distribution for the week.

2. U.S. and International Diplomacy Updates

Starts at 01:24

• Trump-Putin Meeting Postponed: President Trump cancels a proposed meeting with Russian President Putin on Ukraine.
  • Quote from Trump (01:31):
    “I don't want to have a wasted meeting. I don't want to have a waste of time. So I'll see what happens.”
• Ongoing Ukraine Crisis: Russia launched fresh missile and drone attacks on Ukraine overnight, killing at least two in Kyiv.
• Middle East Diplomacy:
  • Vice President J.D. Vance meets Israeli PM Netanyahu, focusing on advancing a U.S.-brokered Gaza ceasefire.
  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to visit Israel next.

3. The AI Revolution and the Future of Jobs

Starts at 02:11

• Survey Results: 81% of CEOs anticipate AI will fundamentally alter most job roles in their organizations within five years.
• Workforce Transformation:
  • Report by Windsor Johnston details adoption of AI for roles previously managed by humans, like customer service and admin work.
  • Chris Williams, workforce strategist, describes current changes as a "new phase of disruption" (02:43):
    “I think the real question is what is value? In the past, where value was seen as like your ability to answer a question, I think that's soon going to be overtaken by AI.”
  • Williams stresses skills like critical thinking and ethical judgment as increasingly vital because AI can't replicate these (02:54).
  • Summary insight: Workers in at-risk jobs must adapt or face replacement by AI.

4. Congressional Referral and Historic Preservation

Starts at 03:11

• Criminal Referral: Rep. Jim Jordan, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, sends a referral to the Justice Department urging an investigation into former CIA Director John Brennan for alleged perjury regarding Russian election interference testimony.
• White House Renovation Controversy:
  • The National Trust for Historic Preservation urges the Trump administration to halt planned demolition of the East Wing for a new ballroom, citing concerns about harm to the White House’s historic integrity.

5. Halloween Spending and New Social Trends

Starts at 04:08

• Spending Surge: Americans are projected to spend a record $13 billion on Halloween in 2025.
  • 73% of Americans plan to celebrate—sharply rising from 50% in 2005.
• Expert Insight:
  • Jay Zagorski, Boston University economics professor, highlights the influence of social media on Halloween behavior (04:38):
    “One or two influencers start dressing up their pets and then everyone's like, oh, I need to dress up my pet, too.”
  • Nearly $1 billion anticipated for pet costumes alone, underscoring the power of online trends.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Federal Shutdown’s Toll
  Jay, furloughed worker (01:06):
  “Kids, they eat a lot and then you try to get them stuff that's healthy as well. It's a lot on the parents.”
• AI and Human Value
  Chris Williams, workforce strategist (02:43):
  “I think the real question is what is value?...that's soon going to be overtaken by AI.”
• Halloween & Social Media
  Jay Zagorski, economist (04:38):
  “One or two influencers start dressing up their pets and then everyone's like, oh, I need to dress up my pet, too.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:16 — Opening: Government shutdown, impact on federal workers
• 01:24 — International relations: U.S.-Russia diplomacy, Ukraine, Israel-Gaza
• 02:11 — The impact of AI on jobs
• 03:11 — Justice Department referral, White House preservation
• 04:08 — Halloween spending trends and social media influence

This NPR News Now digest delivers a concise, but comprehensive view of current events and cultural trends, blending hard-hitting policy news with insights into emerging societal behaviors.