NPR News: 10-28-2025 10PM EDT

Summary

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NPR News Now: October 28, 2025, 10PM EDT

Host: Giles Snyder, NPR News Anchor
Runtime: ~5 min
Summary prepared for listeners seeking in-depth highlights of the latest national and international news.

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Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers a fast-paced, concise roundup of major news stories as of October 28, 2025. Highlights include a rare bipartisan Senate move against president-imposed tariffs, mounting impacts from an ongoing government shutdown, Virginia’s redistricting amendment, a major hurricane hitting Jamaica, a significant judicial decision regarding federal layoffs, and unionization efforts at the Sundance Institute.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Senate Blocks Trump Administration's Emergency Tariffs on Brazil

• [00:15–01:21]

• The Republican-led Senate has delivered a notable bipartisan rebuke of President Trump by voting to terminate "emergency" tariffs on Brazilian goods.

• Details:

  • Five Republican senators joined with Democrats to block tariffs that imposed a 50% levy on Brazilian imports.
  • The rationale for the tariffs was criticized as unconnected to commerce or trade and rather as political pressure on Brazil for its alleged treatment of Trump's far-right ally, former President Jair Bolsonaro.
  • The Senate is expected to review similar measures related to Canada and other countries.

• Notable Quote:

  • Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC):
    "I don't think there's a rational basis for it." [01:00]

• Reporter: Claudia Grizzales

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2. Government Shutdown Enters Its Fourth Week, Air Traffic Controllers Unpaid

• [01:21–02:14]

• The shutdown is approaching a month, with air traffic controllers now missing paychecks for the first time.

• Details:

  • Controllers are required to work without pay, exacerbating stress in an already demanding job.
  • Many are taking on second jobs; some are appealing directly to the public at airports, urging Congress to resolve the stalemate.

• Notable Quote:

  • Joe Segretto (NY Air Traffic Controller):
    "The pressure is real. We have people trying to keep this airplane safe... Now having to worry about how they're going to pay bills." [01:48]

• Reporter: Joel Rose

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3. Virginia Debates Redistricting Amendment amid National Gerrymandering Efforts

• [02:14–03:12]

• Virginia Democrats propose a constitutional amendment allowing lawmakers to draw congressional maps if other states do so outside the regular process.

• Details:

  • The amendment challenges President Trump's redistricting strategies seen in Republican states.
  • Critics (notably Republicans) see the move as illegal and anti-democratic; proponents cite it as a defensive move if other states alter procedures.
  • The process for passage is complex: approval by two legislative sessions plus a voter referendum.

• Reporter: Jad Khalil (VPM)

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4. Hurricane Melissa: Jamaica Hit by Powerful Storm

• [03:12–03:44]
• Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in Jamaica; thousands lose power.
• Details:
  • The storm, now Category 4, carries winds of 145 mph.
  • Flash flooding and landslides continue, with the National Hurricane Center warning Melissa will stay strong as it heads to Cuba.

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5. Federal Judge Protects Workers Amid Ongoing Shutdown

• [03:44–03:57]
• A San Francisco federal judge extends an order halting the Trump administration’s plan to lay off thousands of federal employees during the shutdown, as union-backed legal challenges proceed.

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6. Sundance Institute Workers Unionize Over Move to Boulder

• [03:57–04:54]

• Employees at the Sundance Institute are unionizing, citing lack of input in the festival’s move from Park City, Utah, to Boulder, Colorado (planned for 2027).

• Details:

  • Workers seek fair wages and a greater voice in institutional decisions.
  • About 70% of eligible staff have signed union cards; leaders set a Friday deadline for recognition.
  • Sundance’s leadership indicates a willingness to collaborate.

• Notable Quote:

  • Sarah Kenrick (Union Organizer):
    "The catalyst for getting us to really band together was the decision to move to Boulder, since we had no say in it and it affects us the most." [04:24]

• Reporter: Grace Doerfler (KPCW)

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Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Senator Thom Tillis on opposing tariffs:
  "I don't think there's a rational basis for it." [01:00]
• Joe Segretto, air traffic controller, on working without pay:
  "The pressure is real... Now having to worry about how they're going to pay bills." [01:48]
• Sarah Kenrick on unionizing after Sundance’s relocation decision:
  "The catalyst for getting us to really band together was the decision to move to Boulder, since we had no say in it and it affects us the most." [04:24]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:15 – Senate blocks Trump’s Brazil tariffs (Reporter: Claudia Grizzales)
• 01:21 – Air traffic controllers unpaid during shutdown (Reporter: Joel Rose)
• 02:14 – Virginia redistricting amendment debate (Reporter: Jad Khalil)
• 03:12 – Hurricane Melissa hits Jamaica
• 03:44 – Federal judge freezes Trump layoffs during shutdown
• 03:57 – Sundance Institute unionizes (Reporter: Grace Doerfler)
• 04:54 – End of news content

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For more, visit NPR News.

Transcript

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[NPR News Anchor]

See Terms live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. A majority of the Republican led Senate has voted to block the Trump administration's emergency tariffs on Brazil, a rare bipartisan rebuke of the president. NPR Claudia Grizzales reports. It's part of a series of votes testing the Senate support for President Trump's levies on several countries.

[NPR Reporter Claudia Grizzales]

Five Republicans joined Democrats to approve the measure terminating Trump's use of an emergency provision earlier this year to place 50% tariffs on Brazilian goods. As he was leaving the Senate subway ahead of the vote, North Carolina's Thom Tillis said he was a yes because the tariffs are not tied to any business or trade reasons and hurt US Commerce.

[Senator Thom Tillis]

I think in that case, I don't think there's a rational basis for it.

[NPR Reporter Claudia Grizzales]

Trump triggered the Brazil tariffs to pressure the government to end a, quote, witch hunt against his far right ally, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. The Senate will take up similar measures focused on Canada and other countries later this week. Claudia, NPR News, the Capitol.

[NPR News Anchor]

The government shutdown is approaching the month long mark and air traffic controllers facing more pressure. NPR's Joel Rose reports that today marks the first time controllers officially received no money on payday.

[NPR Reporter Joel Rose]

Air traffic controllers are still required to come to work during the shutdown without pay. Controllers say that's making an already difficult job even harder. Joe Segretto handles air traffic around New York City, some of the most complex airspace in the world.

[Air Traffic Controller Joe Segretto]

The pressure is real. We have people trying to keep this airplane safe. We have trainees trying to learn a new job that is very fast paced, very stressful, very complex. Now having to worry about how they're going to pay bills.

[NPR Reporter Joel Rose]

The controllers union says hundreds have had to take on second jobs to make ends meet. And some controllers are taking their message directly to the public, handing out leaflets at more than a dozen airports and urging Congress to end the shutdown. Joel Rose, NPR News, Washington.

[NPR News Anchor]

Democrats in Virginia's General assembly have submitted a draft constitutional amendment that would allow the state legislature to draw new congressional maps. It's their answer to redistricting efforts pushed by President President Trump taking place in Republican led states. From member station vpm, John Kalil reports.

[NPR Reporter Jad Khalil]

Just five years ago, Virginia voters approved a bipartisan redistricting commission. The new amendment would let the General assembly draw maps between the normal redistricting process, but only if another state redraws its maps. Republicans call the process illegal and anti democratic, with some arguing that Virginia shouldn't join gerrymandering efforts being undertaken by other states. The constitutional amendment faces several obstacles before it can take effect prior to the 2026 midterms. If legislators approve it this week, they'll have to pass it again in January with newly elected members. Voters would then have to approve it in a referendum. For NPR News, I'm Jad Khalil in Richmond.

[NPR News Anchor]

And you're listening to NPR News. Hundreds of thousands are without power in Jamaica, where Hurricane Melissa made landfall today. Melissa has weakened somewhat, but the storm remains a powerful Catego 4 hurricane packing 145 mile per hour winds. The National Hurricane center says ongoing flash flooding and landslides will continue through the night and that Melissa will remain a major hurricane as it moves toward Cuba. On this 28th day, the government shut down. A federal judge in San Francisco refused to lift a temporary restraining order that blocks the Trump administration from laying off thousands of federal employees. The judge's order today extends an initial ruling indefinitely while a legal challenge filed by unions that represent federal workers plays out. Workers for the organization that produces the Sundance Film Festival have unionized. From member station kpcw, Grace Doerfler reports Their efforts come amid frustrations over the film festival's planned departure from Utah.

[NPR Reporter Grace Doerfler]

Sundance Institute workers say they want fair wages, better staffing and a voice in major decisions like the March announcement that the film festival will leave its longtime home in Park City in 2027.

[Union Organizer Sarah Kenrick]

The catalyst for getting us to really band together was the decision to move to Boulder, since we had no say in it and it affects us the most.

[NPR Reporter Grace Doerfler]

That's Sarah Kenrick, one of the union organizers. She says about 70% of eligible workers signed union cards. They set a Friday deadline for Sundance leaders to recognize the union. In a statement Monday, Sundance Institute leaders said they will collaborate with the workers. For NPR News, I'm Grace Doerfler in Park City.

[NPR News Anchor]

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