NPR News: 10-25-2025 5PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now — October 25, 2025, 5PM EDT

Host: Luis Schiavone
Duration: 5 minutes

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Overview

This episode provides a concise update on major national and international headlines, including President Trump’s diplomatic travels in Asia, the ongoing federal government shutdown's impacts on food aid, legal battles over presidential authority in Portland, severe weather affecting Jamaica, major drug busts, and highlights from the World Series. The episode closes with the passing of TV icon June Lockhart.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. President Trump’s Asia Trip and North Korea Relations

(00:01 - 01:07)

• President Trump is visiting Asia for the first time this term, with stops in Malaysia, Japan, and upcoming meetings in South Korea.
  • “President Trump is taking his first official trip of this presidential term to Asia.” — Luis Schiavone (00:02)
• He stated openness to meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, citing a good prior relationship.
  • “He said that he and Kim had a great relationship and he says Kim knows that he's coming to the region, but he hasn't spoken with the North Korean leader.” — Deepa Shivaram (00:31)
• Historical context: Last met Kim in 2019 at the DMZ in an impromptu summit.
• Trump to attend ASEAN in Malaysia, travel to Tokyo, then South Korea for the APEC summit, including a meeting with China’s Xi Jinping.

Notable Quote:

• “If Kim was willing to meet, he, he'd be open to it.” — Deepa Shivaram (00:25)

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2. Food Aid Funding Amid Government Shutdown

(01:07 - 01:58)

• Concern is rising about the potential end of $8 billion in SNAP (food stamps) funding due to the federal shutdown.
• Local officials and organizations warn this funding is critical for public health and local economies.
  • “Farmers markets, big box stores, grocery stores are going to lose that income. I think some stores may actually be forced to lay off employees.” — Joel Berg, Hunger Free America (01:35)
• Food policy experts urge the Department of Agriculture to use contingency funds, but the agency claims there’s not enough to continue payments, which are now on hold.

Notable Quote:

• “The US Conference of Mayors says it's vital to local budgets and public health systems.” — Jennifer Ludden (01:20)

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3. National Guard Deployment in Portland

(01:58 - 02:46)

• A recent appeals court decision permitted Trump to deploy National Guard troops to Portland—but that ruling is now on pause until at least next Tuesday.
• The legal battle centers on presidential authority amid protests at a federal facility.
• No troops have actually been deployed as of the episode’s broadcast.

Notable Quote:

• “The court said it needs more time to decide whether a larger group of judges should take up the case.” — Dirk Vanderhart (02:16)

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4. Severe Weather: Hurricane Melissa

(02:46 - 03:00)

• Jamaica is bracing for over 2 feet of rain as Hurricane Melissa passes by, with winds near 75 mph.

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5. International & National News Briefs

(03:00 - 03:38)

• The USS Gerald Ford is joining anti-drug operations in the Caribbean.
• Kenya's navy intercepted a vessel with $63 million in methamphetamines; six Iranian nationals arrested amid a rising drug crisis.

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6. World Series: Blue Jays Lead

(03:38 - 04:23)

• Game Two of the World Series: Toronto Blue Jays lead the LA Dodgers, 1-0, after a blowout opening game.
• John Schneider, Blue Jays manager, highlights the significance for Toronto fans.
  • “They've been waiting a long time for a World Series to come back here. You can't take it for granted. This is a special place to play and everyone here in this city or this building and across the country, we feel it for sure.” — John Schneider (03:56)
• Game One featured the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history.

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7. June Lockhart Passes Away

(04:23 - End)

• Renowned actress June Lockhart, known for roles in “Lassie” and “Lost in Space,” died at age 100.

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Memorable Quotes with Timestamps

• “If Kim was willing to meet, he, he'd be open to it.” — Deepa Shivaram (00:25)
• “Farmers markets, big box stores, grocery stores are going to lose that income. I think some stores may actually be forced to lay off employees.” — Joel Berg (01:35)
• “They've been waiting a long time for a World Series to come back here. You can't take it for granted. This is a special place to play and everyone here in this city or this building and across the country, we feel it for sure.” — John Schneider (03:56)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Trump's Asia Trip & North Korea — 00:01–01:07
• Food Aid Funding Crisis — 01:07–01:58
• National Guard Legal Battle — 01:58–02:46
• Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica — 02:46–03:00
• Caribbean & Kenya Drug Operations — 03:00–03:38
• World Series Update — 03:38–04:23
• June Lockhart Tribute — 04:23–End

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This episode efficiently delivers a range of timely news for listeners wanting a snapshot of major stories in less than five minutes, blending politics, social and economic issues, weather, sports, and culture.

Transcript

[Luis Schiavone]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Luis Schiavone. President Trump is taking his first official trip of this presidential term to Asia. While in the region, the president is saying he is open to meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on the itinerary stops in Malaysia and Japan before arriving in South Korea next week. NPR's Deepa Shivaram reports.

[Deepa Shivaram]

En route to Malaysia, Trump told reporters on Air Force One that if Kim was willing to meet, he, he'd be open to it. He said that he and Kim had a great relationship and he says Kim knows that he's coming to the region, but he hasn't spoken with the North Korean leader. Trump last met with Kim in 2019 when he made a visit to the demilitarized zone between north and South Korea. It came together quickly after Trump tweeted and proposed a meeting at the DMZ to shake Kim's hand and say hello. After attending the ASEAN summit in Malaysia and traveling to Tokyo, Trump will fly to South Korea with where he's expected to attend events at the APEC summit and meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Deepa Shivaram, NPR News, traveling with the president.

[Luis Schiavone]

Pressure is building on the Trump administration to keep funding food aid during the shutdown. NPR's Jennifer Ludden reports.

[Jennifer Ludden]

Members of Congress, state and local officials have all urged the administration to not let $8 billion of SNAP funding end in November. The US Conference of Mayors says it's vital to local budgets and public health systems. Joel Berg with Hung Free America says the money gets spent at 260,000 retailers.

[Dirk Vanderhart]

Farmers markets, big box stores, grocery stores are going to lose that income. I think some stores may actually be forced to lay off employees.

[Jennifer Ludden]

Food policy experts say the Agriculture Department can and must use contingency funds to keep SNAP going. The agency says there's not enough money and payments are on hold. Jennifer Ludden, NPR News, Washington.

[Luis Schiavone]

A federal appeals court decision allowing the president to send National Guard troops into Portland, Oregon, is now on pause. Details from Oregon Public Broadcasting's Dirk Vanderhart.

[Dirk Vanderhart]

On Monday, a three judge panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled President Trump could deploy National Guard troops to the city. But on Friday, the 9th Circuit froze that order until at least next Tuesday. The court said it needs more time to decide whether a larger group of judges should take up the case. The the continuing legal battle over the president's authority to send in the Guard began in late September. That's when Trump ordered 200 Oregon National Guard troops into Portland after months of protests outside a U.S. immigration and Customs Enforcement facility. To date, no National Guard troops have been deployed in the city. For NPR News, I'm Dirk Vanderhart in Portland.

[Luis Schiavone]

Forecasters say Jamaica could see more than 2ft of rainfall by tomorrow as Hurricane Melissa moves through the Caribbean with maximum sustained winds of around 75 miles an hour. This is NPR News. The aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford is being deployed to the Caribbean to join the dozens of ships and aircraft already in the region with a mission to target boats the Pentagon says are ferrying drugs to the US Kenya says its navy operating in the Indian Ocean, intercepted a vessel carrying what it says was $63 million worth of methamphetamines. Six Iranian nationals were arrested. Kenya is battling a growing drug crisis. Game two of the World Series is set for tonight. The Toronto Blue Jays lead the LA Dodgers one game to none. Steve Futterman is in Toronto.

[Steve Futterman]

Game one was a blowout. Now the Blue Jays will try to take a two game lead. The heavily favored Dodgers are simply hoping to even things up. Toronto is appearing in its first World Series since 1993. Blue Jays manager John Schneider says he felt the energy from the fans inside the home stadium.

[John Schneider]

They've been waiting a long time for a World Series to come back here. You can't take it for granted. This is a special place to play and everyone here in this city or this building and across the country, we feel it for sure.

[Steve Futterman]

Game one featured the first pinch hit grand slam home run in World Series history. It gave the Blue Jays a seven run lead and essentially put the game out of reach. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman. At the World Series in Toronto, actress.

[Luis Schiavone]

June Lockhart has died of natural causes at the age of 100. Generations of viewers recognized her as the mom in Lassie and later as the mother of a family traveling to a faraway planet and lost in space. I'm Louise Schiavone, NPR News.