NPR News: 10-24-2025 11AM EDT

Summary

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NPR News Now — October 24, 2025 (11AM EDT)

Host: NPR News Anchor (Korva Coleman)
Duration: ~5 minutes
Overview:
This episode of NPR News Now delivers concise updates on major U.S. and global events, covering U.S.-Canada trade tensions, upcoming U.S. and China diplomatic visits to South Korea, the ongoing government shutdown, new federal projects in Alaska, legal developments involving New York's Attorney General, Social Security updates, and Halloween candy trends.

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Main Themes & Headlines

• Rising tensions and halted negotiations in U.S.-Canada trade
• Diplomatic maneuvers ahead of leaders’ summit in South Korea
• Latest on the ongoing U.S. federal government shutdown
• New federal projects in Alaska permitted under the Trump administration
• Legal proceedings involving New York Attorney General Letitia James
• Social Security cost of living adjustments and inflation data
• Seasonal update on Halloween candy preferences and sales

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S.-Canada Trade Relations

[00:11 - 01:01]

• President Trump announces cut-off in trade talks with Canada, attributing the decision to an anti-tariff commercial by Ontario’s provincial government.
• The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation disputes the use of Reagan's words on tariffs, insisting the ad misrepresents his position.
• Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney affirms his team’s willingness to negotiate, emphasizing mutual benefits:
  • Quote (Mark Carney, 00:42):
    "We stand ready to pick up on that progress and build on that progress when the Americans are ready to have those discussions because it will be for the benefit of workers in the United States, workers in Canada, and families in both of our countries."
• Carney also notes, “Canada cannot control the trade policy of the United States.”

2. Diplomatic Visits and APEC Summit

[01:01 - 02:01]

• President Trump is preparing for a trip to Asia.
• South Korea will host both U.S. and Chinese leaders during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit next week.
• Conflicting reports: South Korean officials cite the summit location as Gyeongju; the White House claims Busan.
  • NPR’s Anthony Kuhn lays out the schedule:
    • Trump to meet South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on October 29
    • Trump to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping on November 1
    • U.S. and Chinese trade officials will meet in Kuala Lumpur to ease trade tensions ahead of the summit.
  • Quote (Anthony Kuhn, 01:38):
    “The visits will happen on the sidelines of a summit of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC… Meanwhile, US and Chinese trade officials will meet in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Friday to try to de-escalate U.S.-China trade frictions ahead of Trump’s expected meeting with Xi Jinping.”

3. Federal Government Shutdown Update

[02:01 - 02:26]

• Day 24 of the shutdown, with no agreement between Republican and Democratic lawmakers.
• The impasse prevents the passing of a spending bill needed to reopen the government.

4. New Federal Projects in Alaska

[02:26 - 03:08]

• The Trump administration proceeds with three contested projects:
  • Oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge — though previous lease sales failed to attract bidders.
  • Advancing development of Ambler Road to encourage mining in Northwest Alaska, opposed by tribal members.
  • An access road for King Cove to a weather-proof airport, crossing important bird migration territory.
  • Quote (Liz Ruskin, 02:33): “Interior Secretary Doug Burgum is opening the entire coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas leasing, but oil companies might not bid. Prior lease sales brought no development.”
• Projects had previously been blocked under the Biden administration; environmental groups plan continued opposition.

5. Legal and Economic Updates

[03:08 - 03:59]

• New York Attorney General Letitia James due in court for bank fraud charges. She claims that:
  • “Trump has weaponized the Justice Department.” (Paraphrased, 03:26)
  • Trump has publicly called for her prosecution.
• Social Security recipients will receive a 2.8% cost-of-living increase next year, reflecting a 3% rise in consumer prices over the past year.
• Brief update: The Dow and Nasdaq are each up nearly 1%.

6. Halloween Candy Trends

[03:59 - 04:48]

• Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and M&M’s top the list for Halloween favorites.
• Divisive choice: Candy corn makes up around 2% of orders, with Mississippi and Nebraska buying 90% more than average.
• Top purchasing states for candy: Utah leads, Hawaii and California buy less.
• Emerging trends: Super sour, spicy, and multisensory candies—such as peelable fruit sweets and textured Nerds clusters.
• Despite rising prices, Americans are expected to break Halloween spending records this year; candy remains the most popular purchase.
  • Quote (Amy Held, 04:30):
    “Analysts point to emerging trends like super sour, spicy or multisensory candies. Think peelable fruit sweets or textured nerds, gummy clusters. Even as candy costs spike, Americans are still reaching for it.”

7. Stock Market Snapshot

[04:48]

• “On Wall Street, the Dow is up about 400 points.”

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Mark Carney on U.S.-Canada trade talks:
  [00:42] “We stand ready to pick up on that progress and build on that progress when the Americans are ready to have those discussions because it will be for the benefit of workers in the United States, workers in Canada, and families in both of our countries.”
• Anthony Kuhn on summit logistics:
  [01:38] “South Korea's national security adviser… told reporters that President Lee Jae Myung will meet with President Trump on October 29 and Chinese leader Xi Jinping on November 1.”
• Liz Ruskin on Alaskan projects:
  [02:33] “Interior Secretary Doug Burgum is opening the entire coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas leasing, but oil companies might not bid.”
• Amy Held on Halloween trends:
  [04:30] “Analysts point to emerging trends like super sour, spicy or multisensory candies. Think peelable fruit sweets or textured nerds, gummy clusters. Even as candy costs spike, Americans are still reaching for it.”

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Additional Notes

• The summary excludes advertising and non-content sections per instructions.
• Tone matches the direct, objective style of NPR’s news programming.
• This episode provides a brisk tour of the day’s pressing political, legal, economic, and cultural stories, suitable for listeners needing a quick but comprehensive briefing.

Transcript

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[NPR News Anchor]

[e-mail] Live from NPR News in Washington on Korva Coleman. President Trump says he is cutting off trade talks between the US And Canada. The president is blaming an anti tariff commercial issued by the Canadian provincial government of Ontario. The Ronald Reagan Presidential foundation says the ad misrepresents a radio address on tariffs given by the late former president. Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canadian negotiators have been working toward trade solutions on thorny issues.

[Capital One Advertiser]

We stand ready to pick up on that progress and build on that progress when the Americans are ready to have those discussions because it will be for the benefit of workers in the United States, workers in Canada, and families in both of our countries.

[NPR News Anchor]

He also says Canada cannot control the trade policy of the United States. President Trump leaves tonight for his trip to Asia. South Korea says it will host the leaders of the US and China for state visits next week. NPR's Anthony Kuhn reports from Seoul. The visits will happen on the sidelines of a summit of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, or apec.

[NPR Correspondent Anthony Kuhn]

South Korea's national security adviser, Ui Sung Lak told reporters that President Lee Jae Myung will meet with President Trump on October 29 and Chinese leader Xi Jinping on November 1. The US and South Korean governments gave conflicting versions of where their leaders will meet. Ui Seung Lak said they would meet in the southeastern city of Gyeongju, where the APEC summit is being held. The White House said the two would meet further south in the port city of Busan. Meanwhile, US And Chinese trade officials will meet in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Friday to try to de escalate U S. China trade frictions ahead of Trump's expected meeting with Xi Jinping. Anthony Kuhn, NPR News, Seoul.

[NPR News Anchor]

This is day 24 of the Federal government shutdown. Republican and Democratic lawmakers still cannot agree on a spending bill that would bring the shutdown to an end. The Trump administration says it is moving ahead with three projects on federal lands in Alaska. These involve energy and roads. Alaska Public Media's Liz Ruskin reports. The Biden administration had blocked all three projects.

[NPR Correspondent Liz Ruskin]

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum is opening the entire coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas leasing, but oil companies might not bid. Prior lease sales brought no development. Burgum also took steps to advance two roads in roadless areas. The Ambler Road is intended to spur mining in Northwest Alaska. Tribal members fear it will end their ability to live off the land. The other road would link the isolated community of King Cove to an all weather airport, but it would cross a refuge important to bird migrations. Environmental groups say the fight isn't over. For NPR News, I'm Liz Ruskin.

[NPR News Anchor]

On Wall street, both the Dow and the Nasdaq are up almost 1%. It's NPR, New York. Attorney General Letitia James is scheduled to appear in a federal courtroom in Virginia this hour. She's expected to plead not guilty to charges that she committed bank fraud. President Trump has demanded the prosecution of the Democrat who is a Trump critic. James says Trump has weaponized the Justice Department. The federal government says Social Security recipients will get a 2.8% cost of living benefit increase next year. That decision was based on the latest inflation report issued this morning. Consumer prices were up in September by 3% over what they were a year ago. It's that time of year again. NPR's Amy Held reports on Halloween candy trends as Americans stock up for next week's trick or treaters.

[Carvana Advertiser]

Reese's peanut butter cups top the Halloween hit list, followed by M&M's. That's according to Doordash and Instacart, which also found candy corn comprising 2% or so of all candy orders. But it's a divisive pick. Mississippi and Nebraska buy some 90% more than the national average. The top overall candy buying state, Utah, Hawaii and California are more abstemious, adding to the sugar rush. Analysts point to emerging trends like super sour, spicy or multisensory candies. Think peelable fruit sweets or textured nerds, gummy clusters. Even as candy costs spike, Americans are still reaching for it. The National Retail Federation projects record Halloween spending this year. The most popular purchase remains candy. Amy Held, NPR News.

[NPR News Anchor]

On Wall street, the Dow is up about 400 points. This is NPR.

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