NPR News Now - NPR News: 10-02-2025 1PM EDT

Episode Date: October 2, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. President Trump is using the government shutdown to punish and pressure his political opponents. NPR's Franco Ordone's reports Trump is meeting today with the man tasked with carrying out those promises. The president is calling on Republicans to use the shutdown to, quote, clear out dead wood. He says billions of dollars can be saved. And Trump is sitting down with his budget director, Russ Vote, to determine. which of the many, quote, democratic agencies may be cut. Trump writes in a social media post, I can't believe the radical left Democrats gave me this unprecedented opportunity. Trump even cited votes work on the controversial project 2025,

where he advocated for a more activist approach to cutting spending and overhauling the federal workforce. The White House is pushing Democrats to negotiate, but votes work shows he's less concerned about Democrats, and more focused on making the cuts. Franco, Ordonez, NPR News. Federal workers are feeling the impact of the shutdown with many furloughed or working without pay.

And states are bracing for ripple effects. In Kentucky, Democratic Governor Andy Beshear says health programs and food assistance could be among the first hit. I think that, at least for me, the reason to stand up and push back right now has to be one that directly. impacts American families. And certainly the cost of your health care is that important. Economists warn the longer the stalemate drags on, the more pressure it will put on local communities

and the national economy. A key report on the job market will not be published on Friday is scheduled as a result of the shutdown. Kilmar-Abrego-Garcia, a Salvadoran immigrant, made headlines earlier this year when he was mistakenly deported to El Salvador. NPR's, Jasmine Guards reports an immigration judge has denied his latest bid for asylum and has given him 30 days to appeal. Abrigo Garcia's lawyers filed to reopen his asylum case claiming he now qualifies since he was sent out to El Salvador and later returned to the U.S. That motion was denied on Wednesday for several reasons, including that the judge found Abrago Garcia was not singled out by guards while in detention. In 2019, Obrigo Garcia requested asylum, but was not eligible because over a year had passed since he'd entered the U.S. illegally. Still, a judge ruled that he could not be sent to El Salvador because his family was the target of gang violence there.

Nevertheless, in March of this year, he was detained and deported to El Salvador. A Supreme Court ruling got him returned to the U.S. The Trump administration then accused him of human trafficking to which he has pled not guilty. Jasmine Garst, NPR News, New York. On Wall Street, the Dow was down 36 points. This is NPR News. At least one person was hurt when two delta jets collided on a taxiway at New York's LaGuardia Airport last night. One plane was preparing for takeoff when the other landed and clipped it, damaging the wing, nose, and windshield.

The second plane's fuselage was also hit, an investigation is underway. Moms in America say they're dissatisfied with their health care. NPR's Kadia Riddle reports that's according to a new study that exposes deficits in maternal care for women in the U.S. The report is from the Harris poll who surveyed more than 2,000 women and explored disparities across prenatal birth and postpartum care in the United States. Among other findings, the researchers reported that over three and five respondents said they needed to fight for medical care, especially black, Hispanic, and young. younger women. Mental health issues are increasingly reported during pregnancy in the postpartum period. And most women who are or have been pregnant also believe that maternity leave in the United States is insufficient. Currently, the U.S. does not have any federally mandated maternity leave. Researchers say their findings show that the current system is, quote,

gravely failing to meet the needs of expectant mothers. Katie O'R. News. Pepsi is facing a colorful new challenge. The company says it's working to keep snacks like Gatorade and Cheetos looking bold without using synthetic dyes. Some items like Tostitos and Lays chips will start phasing out those dyes later this year, but Pepsi says finding natural alternatives could take years to get just right. This is NPR News.