NPR News Now: October 28, 2025, 7PM EDT
Host: Giles Snyder
Length: 5 minutes
Main Theme: The episode provides a concise roundup of key breaking news stories, from a historic hurricane in Jamaica to Middle East conflict updates, UPS layoffs, federal rulings, consumer credit regulations, and the MLB World Series.
1. Hurricane Melissa Ravages Jamaica
- [00:18-01:23]
- Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, made landfall in Jamaica, bringing flash flooding and landslides.
- Wind Speeds: Up to 185 mph, with the potential to destroy buildings and uproot trees.
- Jamaica is experiencing a Category 5 hurricane for the first time—an event linked by experts to climate change.
Notable Quote:
- Rebecca Hersher ([00:38]):
“Melissa is weakening as it moves northeast, but not by much. The National Hurricane Center warned of a, quote, life-threatening situation for Jamaican residents.”
- Forecasters advise residents to seek shelter in interior rooms and hide under mattresses.
2. Escalation in Gaza: Israeli Strikes after Ceasefire Violation Claims
- [01:23-02:23]
- Israel launched airstrikes in Gaza, reportedly killing at least nine and injuring several others.
- Incident follows accusations from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Hamas violated the US-brokered ceasefire.
- Israel’s rationale: Retaliation for alleged Hamas attack (shooting and RPG fired at troops near Rafah).
- Hamas denies involvement in the attack and accuses Israel of seeking "false pretexts."
- Dispute over ceasefire violations includes Hamas returning partial remains of an Israeli hostage, which Israel says breaches the agreement.
Notable Quotes:
- Rob Schmitz ([01:42]):
“Israel said the strikes were retaliation for Hamas opening fire and shooting a rocket propelled grenade at Israeli troops near Rafah in Southern Gaza in Israeli held territory. Hamas denied taking part in that attack.”
- ([02:06])
“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called that a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement, which requires Hamas to return the remaining deceased hostages in Gaza as soon as possible.”
3. UPS Announces Major Layoffs and Restructuring
- [02:23-03:14]
- UPS has cut ~48,000 jobs in 2025—more than previously announced.
- Over 90 buildings closed; further closures considered.
- Changes follow the end of the major contract with Amazon (“Amazon Glide down”), prompting operational reconfiguration.
Notable Quotes:
- Carol Tomei, UPS CEO ([02:58]):
“We're gliding down the volume that we don't want, and we're right on our plane, but we're growing the volume that we do want.”
- Layoffs and reorganization intended to boost efficiency ahead of the holiday season.
4. Federal Judge Extends Block on Federal Layoffs During Government Shutdown
- [03:14-03:56]
- On the 28th day of the shutdown, a San Francisco federal judge indefinitely extended a restraining order preventing the Trump administration from laying off federal employees.
- The ruling remains pending while union legal challenges proceed.
5. Credit Reporting Showdown: Medical Debt and Federal Preemption
- [03:56-04:33]
- The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) declared that federal rules preempt state credit reporting regulations, undercutting state bans on including medical debt.
- At least 15 states have laws barring medical debt from credit reports due to its involuntary nature.
- Advocacy group Undo Medical Debt reported 81% of voters favor state-level restrictions on medical debt reporting, highlighting public opposition to the CFPB move.
Notable Quote:
- Yuki Noguchi ([03:56]):
“The CFPB says it is clarifying that federal credit reporting systems preempt states from passing their own credit reporting rules... that would nullify the laws in at least 15 states where medical debt cannot be included in credit reports.”
6. Baseball World Series Update: Dodgers Lead after Marathon Game
- [04:33-04:58]
- After an 18-inning thriller, the Los Angeles Dodgers lead the World Series 2–1 over the Toronto Blue Jays.
- Freddie Freeman won Game 3 with a walk-off home run.
- Game 4 is set to begin within the hour.
Notable Moments and Quotes
- Rebecca Hersher ([00:38]):
“Climate change makes large, powerful storms more likely because heat is like fuel for hurricanes.”
- Carol Tomei ([02:58]):
“We’re gliding down the volume that we don’t want, and we're right on our plane, but we're growing the volume that we do want.”
- Yuki Noguchi ([03:56]):
“Medical debt is considered different because it's usually involuntarily incurred.”
Key Timestamps
- 00:18 — Start of news, Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica
- 01:23 — Israeli airstrikes and Gaza ceasefire dispute
- 02:23 — UPS layoffs and restructuring
- 03:14 — Federal judge’s restraining order on layoffs
- 03:56 — CFPB vs. state medical debt laws
- 04:33 — MLB World Series update
This concise yet detailed summary gives you a quick but substantial briefing on major global and domestic news as featured in the NPR News Now 7PM broadcast on October 28, 2025.