NPR News Now: October 29, 2025, 8AM EDT

Host: Korva Coleman
Date: October 29, 2025
Duration: ~5 minutes

Main Theme

This episode delivers concise updates on major global and US news stories, focusing on international diplomacy, extreme weather, domestic policy challenges, federal oversight, developments in technology, and highlights from the World Series.

Key News Segments and Insights

1. U.S.-China Diplomacy & Korean Peninsula

[00:17–01:12]

• President Trump's Asia Visit: Reporting from Anthony Kuhn in South Korea, the focus is on President Trump's aims for a constructive meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, with hopes for a trade resolution.
• Meeting with South Korean President: Trump’s primary agenda: resolving US-China tensions, yet he also expressed intent to address conflict between North and South Korea.
  • Quote:

    "I know you are officially at war, but we will see what we can do to get that all straightened out."
    — President Trump (reported by Steve Futterman) [00:49]

• Cultural Diplomacy: President Lee of South Korea gifted Trump a traditional Silla king’s gold crown, a gesture symbolizing shared history, though Trump did not immediately don the crown.

2. Hurricane Melissa and Federal Shutdown Impact

[01:12–02:25]

• Hurricane Melissa Update: Now a Category 3 over Cuba after slamming Jamaica as a Category 5, showing ongoing risk and displacement.
• 29 Days Into Government Shutdown: Federal SNAP food assistance is set to cease on Saturday.
  • Local Action:
    Milwaukee launches a city- and county-wide food drive to help meet increased demand on pantries if SNAP lapses.
    • Quote:

      "If the administration does not want to provide the services, look at us stepping up and providing the resources we send communities and families across in all of our neighborhoods."
      — Shakeda LeGrand McLean, Milwaukee County DHHS Director (reported by Mayan Silver / Ayan Silver) [02:05]

  • States are vowing to fill gaps for families dependent on food aid.

3. Federal Oversight of Border Enforcement

[02:25–03:13]

• Judicial Oversight of CBP:
  Senior Customs and Border Patrol agent Gregory Bovino is ordered to report daily to a federal judge in Chicago, following allegations of excessive force (tear gas use) during deportation raids.
  • Accountability:
    Bovino must provide eight weeks of force reports/body camera footage.
    • Quote:

      "The judge warned she didn't want to see any children tear gassed on Halloween."
      — Chip Mitchell summarizing judge’s stance [03:05]

4. Israel-Gaza Ceasefire Developments

[03:13–03:34]

• Ceasefire Update:
  Israel claims a renewed ceasefire after military action was ordered due to accusations of Hamas violations. In 12 hours, 100+ deaths in Gaza, among them 46 children.

5. Nvidia-DOE Supercomputer Partnership

[03:34–03:47]

• Tech News:
  Nvidia partners with the U.S. Department of Energy to develop seven new AI supercomputers, aimed at accelerating scientific breakthroughs.

6. World Series: Blue Jays vs Dodgers

[03:47–04:52]

• Game Recap:
  Toronto Blue Jays win Game 4, evening the series at 2-2 after a tough loss in Game 3.
  • Key Play:
    Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hits a pivotal two-run homer off Shohei Ohtani.
    • Quote (Color Commentary):

      "Swing and a drive, left field, that one towards the bleachers and gone."
      — ESPN Radio call, reported by Anthony Kuhn [04:20]

  • Player Reaction:

    "We really feel like we've got no choice and we continue to grind."
    — Shane Bieber, Blue Jays pitcher (reported by Mayan Silver) [04:36]

  • Next games: Game 5 in LA, then the series returns to Toronto.

Notable Quotes

• On U.S.-Korea Relations:

  "I know you are officially at war, but we will see what we can do to get that all straightened out."
  — President Trump [00:49]

• On Food Aid Amid the Shutdown:

  "If the administration does not want to provide the services, look at us stepping up..."
  — Shakeda LeGrand McLean [02:05]

• On Judicial Oversight:

  "The judge warned she didn't want to see any children tear gassed on Halloween."
  — Chip Mitchell [03:05]

• World Series Key Moment:

  "Swing and a drive, left field, that one towards the bleachers and gone."
  — ESPN Radio call (via Anthony Kuhn) [04:20]

• Blue Jays Resilience:

  "We really feel like we've got no choice and we continue to grind."
  — Shane Bieber [04:36]

Timeline of Major Segments

• [00:17] – U.S.-China-Korea diplomacy
• [01:12] – Hurricane Melissa update and federal shutdown’s impact on food aid
• [02:25] – Federal judge orders oversight of CBP raids
• [03:13] – Israel-Gaza ceasefire and casualties
• [03:34] – Nvidia announces DOE AI supercomputer project
• [03:47] – World Series Game 4 recap: Blue Jays vs. Dodgers

Summary

This edition of NPR News Now covers top stories across diplomacy, domestic policy, emergency response, judicial intervention, scientific partnership, and sports. Each news piece is delivered succinctly, with first-hand reporting and insightful quotes, providing listeners with a comprehensive update on the morning of October 29, 2025.