NPR News: 10-23-2025 6AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now – October 23, 2025, 6AM EDT

Host: Korva Coleman
Episode Theme: A brief but wide-ranging update on significant political, economic, and cultural developments in the U.S. and globally as of October 23, 2025.

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Main Episode Overview

This episode delivers headline news focused on the ongoing federal government shutdown, political maneuvering in Congress, international sanctions and military actions, a contentious New York City mayoral race, and notable business and cultural highlights. Each segment succinctly captures the pressing issues of the hour, providing listeners with up-to-date information on topics affecting Americans at home and abroad.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ongoing Federal Government Shutdown

[00:00 – 01:03]

• Senator Jeff Merkley’s Marathon Speech:

  • The 23rd day of the federal shutdown is marked by Oregon Democrat Jeff Merkley’s extended Senate speech (over 22 hours), the fourth-longest in Senate history.
  • Merkley used the opportunity to voice strong criticism of the Trump administration, calling it the “biggest threat to our republic since the Civil War.”

    “We are in the most perilous moment, the biggest threat to our republic since the Civil War.” — Sen. Jeff Merkley [00:29]

  • Republican John Barrasso criticized Merkley for keeping staff working overnight during the shutdown, emphasizing concerns about staff well-being amid unpaid work.

• Stalemate in Congress:

  • Despite Merkley's efforts, the Senate failed to pass a funding measure for the twelfth time.
  • Merkley’s speech was punctuated by a moment of levity:

    "Merkley chugged a Gatorade. Then the Senate failed to advance a funding measure for the 12th time." — Sam Greenglass [00:55]

2. Impact of Shutdown on Food Assistance

[01:03 – 01:46]

• Impending Loss of Food Aid:
  • States warn that millions will lose access to food assistance in about a week if the shutdown persists.
  • Heather Williams of Houston candidly describes her family’s dire choices:

    "We'd have to choose between paying our rent or getting food. We'd have to choose between paying our car insurance and getting food." — Heather Williams [01:15]

  • Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has appealed to the Agriculture Department for emergency funding.

3. U.S. Foreign Policy Developments

[01:46 – 02:22]

• Sanctions on Russian Oil Companies:

  • President Trump announced unprecedented sanctions against two major Russian oil firms, the first such move this term, stating they are intended to help settle the war in Ukraine.
  • Trump, however, also refused Ukraine's longstanding request for long-range 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." — President Trump [02:02]

  • Ukrainians are reportedly disappointed, seeing the decision as closing the door on their request.

• US Military Actions in Central America:

  • The administration announced recent attacks on two boats in the eastern Pacific (alleged drug traffickers), resulting in five additional deaths.
  • No evidence has yet been provided, but these attacks are part of a pattern—with about 40 deaths attributed to US attacks in the region this year.

4. NYC Mayoral Debate: Palestinian Rights and Antisemitism

[03:15 – 03:56]

• Candidate Zoran Mamdani Under Scrutiny:

  • Mamdani, likely to be the city’s first Muslim mayor, faced criticism from more than 700 rabbis for his stances on Israel and Gaza.
  • On stage, Mamdani reaffirmed his commitment to protecting and celebrating New York’s Jewish community:

    "I will be the mayor who doesn't just protect Jewish New Yorkers, but also celebrates and cherishes them." — Zoran Mamdani [03:30]

  • Rival Andrew Cuomo sharply challenged Mamdani, referencing slogans and growing fears:

    "You're the savior of the Jewish people. You won't denounce, globalize the intifada, which means kill Jews. There's unprecedented fear in New York." — Andrew Cuomo [03:38]

• Political Endorsements:

  • Despite controversy, Mamdani has received endorsements from some local Jewish leaders.

5. Business & Pop Culture Updates

[03:56 – End]

• NYC Mayoral Contest Update:

  • Republican candidate Curtis Sliwat is still in the mayoral race.

• Tesla’s Financial Performance:

  • Tesla reported a sharp 37% decrease in net income for the third quarter, despite strong vehicle deliveries—a third consecutive quarterly profit drop.

• Super Bowl Halftime Performer Controversy:

  • NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed Bad Bunny as the halftime act, dismissing backlash against having a Spanish-speaking, Puerto Rican artist.

    "The NFL always gets criticism for its choice of super bowl artists. He says it's hard to avoid when hundreds of millions of people are watching." — Roger Goodell (paraphrased) [approx. 04:50]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "We are in the most perilous moment, the biggest threat to our republic since the Civil War."
  — Sen. Jeff Merkley [00:29]

• "We'd have to choose between paying our rent or getting food. We'd have to choose between paying our car insurance and getting food."
  — Heather Williams [01:15]

• "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 Trump [02:02]

• "I will be the mayor who doesn't just protect Jewish New Yorkers, but also celebrates and cherishes them."
  — Zoran Mamdani [03:30]

• "You're the savior of the Jewish people. You won't denounce, globalize the intifada, which means kill Jews. There's unprecedented fear in New York."
  — Andrew Cuomo [03:38]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Federal Government Shutdown & Senate Drama: [00:00 – 01:03]
• Food Assistance Crisis: [01:03 – 01:46]
• Russia/Ukraine Sanctions & US Military Actions: [01:46 – 02:22]
• NYC Mayoral Debate on Palestinian Rights/Antisemitism: [03:15 – 03:56]
• Tesla/Business & Super Bowl Performer: [03:56 – end]

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This episode of NPR News Now delivers a rapid-fire yet comprehensive update on urgent legislative impasses, food insecurity, U.S. foreign policy acts, sharp debate in America’s largest city, and cultural flashpoints—capturing the tumultuous mood and key battles shaping October 2025.

Transcript

[A]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. This is the 23rd day of the federal government shutdown. It comes as Oregon Democrat Jeff Merkley completed one of the longest floor speeches in the history of the U.S. senate. Yesterday he criticized the Trump administration. NPR's Sam Greenglass reports the speech lasted for more than 22 hours.

[B]

Senator Merkley did not break the record set earlier this year by fellow Democrat Cory Booker, but the Senate Press Gallery says the remarks are the fourth longest in Senate history.

[C]

We are in the most perilous moment, the biggest threat to our republic since the Civil War.

[B]

The stunt comes as lawmakers are at an impasse on ending the government shutdown. Republican Senator John Barrasso chastised Merkley for keeping staff overnight as they go without pay.

[C]

I come to the floor today to ask a simple question. What did Democrats actually accomplish after the speech?

[B]

Merkley chugged a Gatorade. Then the Senate failed to advance a funding measure for the 12th time. Sam Greenglass, NPR News, Washington.

[A]

Several states are warning the federal government shutdown means that millions of Americans across the country are going to lose food assistance. That cutoff comes in a little more than a week. Heather Williams lives in Houston and says her family's choices are dire. We'd have to choose between paying our rent or getting food. We'd have to choose between paying our car insurance and getting food. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has written the Agriculture Department to plead for stopgap funding to millions of American children rely on the food assistance. President Trump is imposing sanctions on two major Russian oil companies. NPR's Mara Liasson reports. This is the first time this term Trump has acted against Russia instead of making a threat.

[D]

At a meeting with the secretary general of NATO, Trump said the new sanctions on Russia were tremendous and that he hoped they would help settle the war with Ukraine. But in a move that will disappoint the Ukrainian government, Trump also ruled out sending that country long range Tomahawk missiles.

[C]

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.

[D]

Ukraine has been lobbying the White House to provide Tomahawks, but Trump seems to have closed that door for good. Mara Liasson, NPR News, the White House.

[A]

The Trump administration has also announced two more US Attacks on boats in the Central American region that killed five people. This time the attacks were in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The defense secretary says the US Attacked two boats in two days in international waters. He alleges the boats were carrying illegal drugs. Previous attacks by the US have happened in the Caribbean Sea. President Trump and his administration claim all the attacks were related to drug trafficking, but have provided no evidence. About 40 people have been killed in the U.S. attacks. You're listening to NPR. New York City's mayoral candidates met last night for their final debate. A key topic was leading candidate Zoran Mamdani's longtime support for Palestinian rights. NPR's Brian Mann reports that position has drawn criticism from many Jewish leaders.

[E]

More than 700 rabbis across the US have signed a letter accusing Zoran Mamdani of denying Israel's legitimacy and accusing the Jewish state of genocide during the war in Gaza. On the debate stage, Mamdani, who would be the city's first Muslim mayor, promised to fight antisemitism.

[B]

I will be the mayor who doesn't just protect Jewish New Yorkers, but also celebrates and cherishes them.

[E]

Former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who's trailing in the polls, responded this way.

[C]

You're the savior of the Jewish people. You won't denounce, globalize the intifada, which means kill Jews. There's unprecedented fear in New York.

[E]

New York is home to the largest Jewish community outside Israel. Mamdani has won endorsements from some Jewish leaders in the city. Brian Mann, NPR News.

[A]

New York Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwat also participated in the debate. Automaker Tesla says it lost 37% of its net income in the third quarter of this year. That's even though the automaker delivered nearly half a million cars in that quarter. But Tesla has now reported a drop in profits for the third quarter in a row. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says the league is keeping Bad Bunny as the super bowl halftime performer. Conservative activists have criticized the American star Puerto Rico, who performs in Spanish. Goodell says the NFL always gets criticism for its choice of super bowl artists. He says it's hard to avoid when hundreds of millions of people are watching. This is NPR.