The NewsWorthy – Weekend Shootings, Troops to Portland & AI Actress Debuts

Host: Erica Mandy
Date: September 29, 2025
Episode Theme:
A fast-paced, fair, and engaging roundup of key U.S. and global news, this episode covers Sunday’s mass shootings with a shared veteran link, an immigration controversy involving a school district leader, the ongoing Gaza war, developments in AI and Hollywood, and more.

1. Mass Shootings with a Shared Background

[00:27 – 03:08]

• Michigan Church Shooting:
  • At least five people killed, eight injured during a service at a Mormon church in Grand Blanc Township.
  • The gunman, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of Iraq, crashed his vehicle, fired an assault rifle, set the building on fire, and was killed in a police shootout.
  • No motive released (“At last check, investigators have not released a possible motive.” – Erica Mandy, 01:16).
• North Carolina Bar Shooting:
  • A separate Iraq Marine veteran is accused of killing three and wounding five in Southport, shooting from a boat at a waterfront bar.
  • The suspect, a decorated Marine with a Purple Heart and traumatic brain injury, is charged with murder and expected in court.

Memorable Quote:
“Separately, another Marine veteran who served in Iraq is suspected in a different mass shooting over the weekend... The suspect was actually awarded a Purple Heart for his time in the Marine Corps.” (01:54)

• CTE-Linked Manhattan Shooting Update:
  • Medical examiner confirms the shooter at the NFL headquarters this summer had CTE, a degenerative disease from repeated head injuries.
  • Shooter had played high school football; left a note blaming NFL for “hiding the effects of CTE.”
  • Concussion Legacy Foundation: Disease “can never fully explain a person’s behavior…should not be seen as the sole cause.” (02:44)
  • Call for more football safety measures.

2. Immigration & Governance: Arrest of a School Leader

[03:09 – 04:04]

• Iowa School District Chief Arrested:
  • Ian Roberts, overseeing Des Moines Public Schools, detained by federal immigration agents—accused of working/living in U.S. illegally.
  • District stands by him: “an integral part of our school community.”
  • ICE labels him “a public safety threat"; Roberts has not commented.
  • Past roles in major city school districts listed.

3. Troops Sent to Portland—Federal-State Showdown

[04:05 – 04:48]

• Military Deployment:
  • President Trump ordering U.S. military to Portland, Oregon, to protect federal immigration facilities.
  • White House: Left-wing “domestic terrorists” as the threat;
  • Oregon Governor Tina Kotak insists no public safety threat, files a lawsuit to stop intervention.
  • Ongoing legal drama anticipated.

4. International Affairs: Gaza, Iran, and the UN

[04:49 – 05:41]

• Gaza War and Diplomacy:
  • Netanyahu faces global calls to end war; greeted with mass walkout at UN.
  • Israel amplifies PM’s message in Gaza via outdoor loudspeakers.
  • Netanyahu stance: “finish the job to wipe out Hamas…as quickly as possible” and demands Hamas release hostages.
  • Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas denied U.S. visa, addresses U.N. remotely: “Palestinians would never leave Gaza.”
• UN Sanctions on Iran:
  • Security Council reimposes nuclear-related sanctions; Iran vows to retaliate.

5. Domestic Politics: Government Shutdown Approaches

[05:42 – 06:13]

• Government Shutdown Risk:
  • Trump meets with congressional leaders to avoid partial shutdown at midnight Wednesday if no spending deal.
• Redistricting Advantage:
  • Missouri signs GOP-leaning congressional maps; Texas and California (as a Democratic counter) are also redrawing districts.

Memorable Quote:
“Speaking of Congress, it’s looking more likely Republicans will be able to gain some seats after next year’s midterms.” (06:03)

6. Weather Watch: Hurricanes Humberto & Imelda

[06:14 – 06:34]

• Hurricane Humberto strengthens; forecasters now worried about Tropical Storm Imelda, likely to become a hurricane and risk Carolinas and Bermuda.

7. FBI Firings Over Protest Photo

[06:35 – 07:11]

• 20 FBI agents fired over kneeling with protestors during 2020 racial justice protests.
• Mixed reactions within Bureau—some viewed as de-escalation, some as improper.
• FBI Agents Association demands Congressional investigation into Director Kash Patel.

8. Trump’s AI “Med Bed” Video—Conspiracy Goes Viral

[07:12 – 07:54]

• Trump shares and deletes an AI-generated Fox News-style video: promises a “med bed card” and new hospital system for every American.
• No such program exists; Fox News states it never aired such a segment.
• The theory—popularity in QAnon circles—claims technology is hidden by a “deep state.”

Quote:
“The medbed conspiracy theory has spread in QAnon circles in recent years. The theory is that technology exists that can regrow missing limbs, cure cancer and more, but that it’s been suppressed by the so-called deep state.” (07:40)

9. Food Safety Alerts & Product Recalls

[07:55 – 08:40]

• Listeria outbreak tied to Walmart, Kroger chicken pasta meals: at least four deaths.
• New recall alerts:
  • Walmart Linguine with Beef Meatballs
  • Trader Joe’s Cajun Style Blackened Chicken Breast Fettuccine Alfredo
  • State Fair corndogs, Jimmy Dean pancakes and sausage: wood found in batter.
• Consumers urged to check freezers and discard/return items; more details online.

10. AI in Hollywood: The New “Talent”

[08:41 – 09:20]

• Tilly Norwood, the first AI actress from new talent studio Shikoh, draws interest from agencies.
• Backlash from actors:
  • Mara Wilson (Matilda): “You couldn’t hire any of the hundreds of living young women whose faces were composited to make her?”
  • Lucas Gage (White Lotus, joking): “She was a nightmare to work with.”
• AI already used for de-aging, resurrecting actors, voice AI, and trailers.

11. Money Monday: Inflation & Consumer Spending

[09:21 – End]

• Latest Commerce Department data: Core inflation up nearly 3% year-over-year.
• Americans keep spending—personal spending up for the third month, even adjusted for inflation.
• Fed’s next move uncertain—rate cut or hold.
• All eyes on September jobs report for more economic signals.

Notable Quotes Recap

• On CTE and Football:
  “Having a brain disease can never fully explain a person’s behavior, so CTE should not be seen as the sole cause of the tragedy.” (02:44)
• On Political Redistricting:
  “It’s looking more likely Republicans will be able to gain some seats after next year’s midterms.” (06:03)
• On AI Actress Tilly Norwood:
  Mara Wilson: “What about the hundreds of living young women whose faces were composited together to make her? You couldn’t hire any of them?” (09:12)
  Lucas Gage (joking): “She was a nightmare to work with.” (09:20)

Episode Flow & Tone

Quick, concise, and conversational—with a focus on clarity and a “friend-next-door” vibe. Erica Mandy delivers both gravity (on mass tragedies) and a dash of upbeat energy (in entertainment and tech news). No heavy analysis, but careful sourcing and fair framing of political disputes and rumors.

Useful For:
Anyone needing a concise news update spanning politics, public safety, world events, tech, food recalls, and financial trends—all in 10 minutes, with links for follow-up.