Episode Overview
Podcast: NPR News Now
Episode: NPR News: 10-26-2025 2AM EDT
Date: October 26, 2025
Host: Dale Willman
This brief five-minute NPR News update covers major global political developments, U.S. domestic challenges, cultural losses, environmental news, and a notable loss in entertainment. The episode maintains a fast-paced, neutral tone while touching on international ceasefire agreements, the ramifications of a government shutdown, the demolition of a White House landmark, a university tragedy, daylight saving confusion, coral die-offs, and the death of a beloved actress.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Cambodia-Thailand Ceasefire Expansion & U.S. Involvement
[00:19–00:51]
- Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to expand a ceasefire, aiming to resolve a long-running border conflict.
- President Trump, who helped broker the original agreement in the summer, was present for the signing.
- Alongside the peace treaty:
- A trade deal between the U.S. and Cambodia was signed.
- A critical minerals agreement with Thailand was finalized.
- The U.S. promises robust "commerce and cooperation" with both nations, conditional on continued peace.
Notable Quote:
"The United States will have robust commerce and cooperation transactions, lots of them, with both nations, as long as they live in peace."
— President Donald Trump [00:31]
- The ceasefire requires both nations to withdraw heavy weapons from the border and for Thailand to release 18 Cambodian soldiers.
- President Trump is now in Malaysia for further talks with Asian leaders.
2. Impact of U.S. Government Shutdown on Food Security
[00:51–01:35]
- The federal government shutdown approaches one month in duration, threatening the continuity of food stamp programs.
- Many families are seeking assistance from food banks, which are themselves struggling to keep up with demand.
- Carl Esquivel from the Salvation Army in Aurora, Colorado, highlights growing desperation and depleted resources in his community.
Notable Quotes:
"We are already depleting resources all the way to December. This is our attempt of getting the story out there that food pantries, not just ours, but many even smaller food pantries, right, are struggling to be able to meet the needs of our community."
— Carl Esquivel [01:21]
"The desperation he's seeing now is real."
— Dale Willman paraphrasing Carl Esquivel [01:35]
3. Demolition of the White House Movie Theater
[01:35–02:40]
- The Trump administration has demolished the White House's historic family movie theater to make room for a $300 million ballroom.
- The theater, converted in 1942 by Franklin D. Roosevelt, was a private retreat for U.S. presidents for over 80 years.
- Notable presidential anecdotes:
- Bill Clinton called it "the best perk of the White House."
- Jimmy Carter watched "All the President’s Men" and many other films there.
- Richard Nixon screened "Patton" multiple times during the Vietnam War.
- Theater historian Matt Lambros reflects on the theater's humanizing effect.
Notable Quote:
"There's small moments that humanized each president that occurred in space."
— Matt Lambros [02:26]
- No White House comment on whether a new theater will be built.
4. Shooting at Lincoln University of Pennsylvania
[02:40–03:15]
- A shooting during homecoming at this historically Black university left seven people with gunshot wounds.
- No fatalities have been confirmed as of this update.
- The incident is under investigation, and the Governor of Pennsylvania is offering state support.
- Counseling is being made available for students.
5. Daylight Saving Time Differences between Europe and North America
[03:15–03:50]
- Temporary time difference: Europe rolls clocks back a week before the U.S. and Canada do, causing a one-hour shift in transatlantic communications for a week.
6. Extinction of Two Coral Species in Florida
[03:50–04:35]
- New research shows Florida's elkhorn and staghorn corals are now functionally extinct due to the 2023 heat wave and ongoing climate change.
- Researchers found nearly all specimens had died across the state’s coral reefs.
- Biologist Andrew Baker emphasizes the loss’s ecological consequence.
Notable Quote:
"There's one or two or just a few scattered colonies in different reefs around the region, but they're so rare and often so small that they no longer have any real ecological role to play in the ecosystem."
— Andrew Baker [04:11]
- Scientists are crossbreeding local corals with heat-tolerant Caribbean varieties in hopes of restoration.
7. Death of Actress June Lockhart
[04:35–04:58]
- June Lockhart, beloved for her roles in "Lassie" and "Lost in Space," has died at 100.
- Known for her warm on-screen presence but insisted she was different in real life.
- She passed away at home from natural causes.
Memorable Quotes & Moments
-
On Peace and Commerce:
"The United States will have robust commerce and cooperation transactions, lots of them, with both nations, as long as they live in peace."
— President Donald Trump [00:31] -
On Food Pantries:
"We are already depleting resources all the way to December. This is our attempt of getting the story out there that food pantries...are struggling."
— Carl Esquivel [01:21] -
On the White House Theater:
"There's small moments that humanized each president that occurred in space."
— Matt Lambros [02:26] -
On Coral Extinction:
"They're so rare and often so small that they no longer have any real ecological role to play in the ecosystem."
— Andrew Baker [04:11]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Ceasefire and Trade Agreements: [00:19–00:51]
- Impact of Shutdown on Food Banks: [00:51–01:35]
- White House Theater Demolition: [01:35–02:40]
- Lincoln University Shooting: [02:40–03:15]
- Time Change in Europe vs. North America: [03:15–03:50]
- Florida Coral Extinction: [03:50–04:35]
- June Lockhart Obituary: [04:35–04:58]
Tone and Style
- The segment is brisk, objective, and reportorial, reflecting NPR’s neutral and concise news delivery style.
- Short, straightforward quotes reinforce primary points, and the host smoothly transitions between national, international, and cultural stories.