NPR News Now - NPR News: 10-07-2025 12PM EDT

Episode Date: October 7, 2025

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In the U.S., national security news can feel far away from daily life. Distant wars, murky conflicts, diplomacy behind closed doors. On our new show, Sources and Methods. NPR reporters on the ground bring you stories of real people, helping you understand why distant events matter here at home. Listen to sources and methods on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Amy Held. This day seven of a federal shutdown shows growing impacts.

Tens of thousands of TSA and air traffic control employees are working without pay. NPR's Giles Snyder reports Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is warning of flight delays. Secretary Duffy says controllers are already dealing with a persistent staffing shortage and outdated equipment. Now they're on track to miss their first paycheck. Now what they think about as they're controlling our airspace is how am I going to pay my mortgage? How do I make my car payment? I have a couple of kids at home. How do I put food in the table?

Duffy met with controllers at Newark Liberty International Airport saying some have begun calling in sick. The FAA says staffing issues are causing delays at airports, including Newark, Phoenix, and Denver. In California, controllers more than 100 miles away in San Diego handled air traffic at the Hollywood Burbank Airport Monday evening because there weren't enough controllers to staff the tower. Trial Snyder, NPR News. As the shutdown enters its second week, WIC, which provides food assistance, said it could run out of money within a couple weeks. Trump is reiterating threats of mass layoffs and program cuts. The House is not in session.

The Senate is, but so far several votes on funding bills have failed to make headway. Attorney General Pam Bondi is defending herself against Democratic criticism she has overseen a weaponized justice department amid President Trump's use of the military on U.S. cities. Bondi is testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Despite the unprecedented degree of activism we've seen from the lower courts, we have never ignored a court order. And why would we? We have secured a historic 22 victories at the Supreme Court alone with more to come. A federal judge has set a Thursday hearing to rule on Trump's deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago. Another federal judge has blocked a troop deployment to Portland, Oregon. It's the second anniversary of the Hamas-led attacks on Israel and the subsequent war Israel launched against Gaza.

NPR's Emily Fang has more from Israel. In Israel, people say they have not moved on because 40 hostages remain in Gaza and the war continues, dividing Israeli society. At a commemoration event in the kibbutz near Oz, where one-fourth of its members were killed or abducted on October 7th, Daphne Albini says she is still grieving. angry. Her grandfather, the peace activist Haim Perry, died in captivity after Hamas kidnapped him. She says all this talk about taking over Hamas and Gaza and seizing control of territory. Well, like my grandfather used to say, occupation kills. And now our soldiers are being killed in Gaza and our hostages are being killed. She says she wants the Israeli government to end the war through diplomacy. Emily Fang and Pure News near Oz. This is

For the first time, renewable energy like wind and solar has generated more power outpacing coal as the world's leading source of electricity. That's according to a new analysis by Global Energy Think Tank Ember. Developing countries, especially China, are leading the clean energy charge, but richer nations, including the U.S., are increasingly relying on planet warming fossil fuels. Coal is a major contributor to global warming. Costco shoppers can now get Wagovi, the obesity drug available at the pharmacy there or online for around $500 a month. NPR's Sydney Lupkin has this report. Discounted Wagovi is now available to Costco members, as long as they're not using their health insurance. With insurance, however, the drug's co-pay is often less expensive.

The discount program is similar to what the drug's maker, Novo Nordisk, already offers on its website. The company launched discounted Wagovi on its direct-to-consumer platform NovoCare and partnered with several telehealth companies last spring. That allowed Novo Nordisk to compete with telehealth companies offering compounded obesity drugs during the Wagovi shortage. The compounded medicines, which aren't usually covered by insurance, were available for a fraction of Wagovi's sticker price of around $1,400 a month. Sydney Lupkin and PR News. Today, gold futures topped $4,000 an ounce for first time. As investors seek a safe haven for their money amid the government shutdown and amid expectations of a Fed rate cut later this month, gold futures up more than 50% since the start

of the year. It's NPR News.