NPR News Now - NPR News: 09-30-2025 12PM EDT

Episode Date: September 30, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Amy Held. Federal agencies are set to run out of money at midnight tonight. A shutdown could lead to delays with services for Americans ranging from air traffic control to receiving benefits. Federal workers could go without pay and some President Trump has threatened to fire. NPR's Deirdre Walsh reports Republicans and Democrats say they remain far apart on any agreement. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries says a funding deal has to address expiring health care subsidies. And the reality is that in a matter of days, notices are going to go out to tens of millions of Americans making clear that their health care is about to become dramatically

more expensive. Republicans accuse Democrats of hostage taking and say the issue should be negotiated on a separate track. The Senate is expected to vote later today on two proposals, a House-pass bill that extends current funding levels until November 21st and a Democratic alternative that attaches health care changes. Both failed before and are expected to fail again as the deadline to avoid a shutdown approaches. Deirdre Walsh, NPR News. A highly anticipated and unusual gathering of top military leaders has concluded in Virginia, Trump gave a rambling and political speech that referenced using the military against the enemy within. He talked about Democratic-run cities. and said some could be used as training grounds for the military.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke first, saying the Trump administration renamed Department of War had become woke. Standards must be uniform, gender neutral, and high. If not, they're not standards. They're just suggestions. Suggestions that get our sons and daughters killed. Hegeseth also called for a return to, quote, the highest male standard for combat positions. National Guard troops are set to be deployed to Portland, Oregon.

Public Broadcasting's Troy Brenelson reports. The Oregon National Guard has begun calling up guards and has more than 160 members who volunteered so far. While their arrival could, in theory, come Thursday, betting them takes at least 96 hours. Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Beaumar, with the Oregon military department, says it's just as likely the troops won't be ready this week. We had all ready to go. The earliest would be shortly after that 96-hour mark, but I do not see that happening in this case. Since Trump's order, there's been little communication between the Guard and Portland officials,

including its mayor and police chief. The order itself says the troops' mission will be to protect federal property and staff. National Guard deployments are also expected in cities such as Chicago and Memphis. In Portland, I'm Troy Brennelson. Louisiana's governor has asked the Trump administration to deploy national guard troops to his state. It's NPR. In Afghanistan, the Taliban has ordered a nationwide internet shutdown to last indefinitely. For many, it was the last lifeline to the outside world, four years into Taliban rule.

That's seen school, jobs and books taken from girls and women. The U.N. says the Afghan people face significant risk. The Major League Baseball playoffs begin today. In the American League, Detroit plays Cleveland and Boston takes on New York. In the National League, San Diego plays the Cubs and the Dodgers host the Cincinnati Reds in Los Angeles. NPR's Becky Sullivan has more. It's been 27 years since the San Diego Padres last played in a World Series. 43 years for the Milwaukee Brewers and the Seattle Mariners have never made the trip at all.

All of them are hoping for their first World Series title this year. It was a season with no big dominant super team on top. The Brewers led the majors with 97 wins. with the Philadelphia Phillies just behind at 96, they're the top two seeds in the National League. The American League is led by the Toronto Blue Jays with the Mariners and the two seed. The two teams that competed for last year's title, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees, are both back in contention, but both must first survive a wildcard series, the Dodgers against the Cincinnati Reds, and the Yankees against their rivals, the Boston Red Sox.

Becky Sullivan and PR News. Will it be Chunk or maybe Grazer? Two of the contestants among the dozen in the running for fan favorite in Fat Bear Week. Today, polls close. It's fun and games for voters, but for the bulked-up bears, it's about survival as they prepare for winter hibernation in Alaska's Catmai National Park and Preserve. You're listening to NPR News.