NPR News Now - NPR News: 10-12-2025 11AM EDT

Episode Date: October 12, 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 Nora Rahm. President Trump leaves for the Middle East this afternoon to celebrate the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. He's to speak to the Israeli parliament

and to meet with the families of Israelis held hostage in Gaza. The hostages are expected to be released soon. NPR's Daniel Estrin has more from Tel Aviv. Hamas has until noon local time on Monday to free 20 living hostages and free all the deceased hostages that they can find. They could be freed as early as to. today, but we're hearing more likely that it would be happening very early in the morning

on Monday. And then Israel is expected to free Palestinian prisoners and detainees, nearly 2,000 of them. That will likely happen Monday late at night, just like we've seen in previous releases. NPR's Daniel Estrin reporting from Tel Aviv. Money for a federal program that subsidizes service to rural airports is set to continue through early November. NPR's Joel Rose reports the Trump administration had previously said the funding would run out this weekend. Earlier this week, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said funds for the essential air service program could run out as soon as Sunday if the government shutdown continues. The program subsidizes flights to rural airports in about 170 U.S. communities, including more than 60 in Alaska,

that would likely not have regular airline service without it. But the Department of Transportation has now pushed that date back to November 2nd. It's not clear if passengers would notice any change even then. At least one carrier, Alaska Airlines, said it would continue service even without the subsidy payments. And smaller regional carriers would likely do the same, at least in the short run. Joel Rose and PR News, Washington. The Pentagon says members of the military will get paid this week, despite the government shutdown. The department says it found approximately $8 billion in unused research and development money from last year. A powerful storm system is forecast to disrupt travel and daily life across the northeastern U.S. over the coming days. A state of emergency

has been declared for all of New Jersey. Bruce Convizer has more in the story. Coastal areas are expected to be hardest hit by the storm. Forecasters say it could dump more than three inches of rain from the Carolinas to New England through Tuesday. Powerful winds that could gust up to 60 miles per hour are the top concern. Authorities warn the winds could cause significant beach erosion, down power lines and worsen flooding. Airlines have already canceled dozens of flights across the country and delayed more than 7,000. In New York City, empty tractor trailers and tandem vehicles will be banned on bridges and tunnels beginning this afternoon. Many outdoor events are being scrapped. Staten Island, one of New York's five boroughs, canceled its half marathon in the name of

public safety. For NPR News, I'm Bruce Convisor in Greenbrook, New Jersey. This is NPR News in Washington. In South Carolina, the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office is investigating a mass shooting early this morning at a bar on St. Helen Island. Officials say hundreds of people were there at the time, some ran to nearby businesses for help. At least four people were killed and at least 20 people were wounded. Hollywood star Diane Keaton has died. She appeared in iconic films such as Annie Hall looking for Mr. Goodbar and First Wives Club. NPR's Bob Mandello reports.

She was featured in the Broadway musical Hair before she ever appeared on screen. And in the space of just six weeks in 1972, she wowed audiences both in The Godfather and in Woody Allen's Play It Again, Sam. Five years later, she won a Best Actress Oscar for the comedy Annie Hall while also starring in the searing drama looking for Mr. Goodbar. And that back and forth continued throughout her career, Knock About Farse in the Father of the Bride movies, Star-crossed romance, in Something's Got to Give, and even a cartoon mom to the title character in Finding Dory. We'll sing the song, Just Keep Swimming. Diane Keaton swam with grace through dozens of character arcs in a career spanning six decades.

Bob Mandello, NPR News. Today is the final day for the Albuquerque International Balloon Festival in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Organizers call it the world's largest gathering of hot air balloons, with balloons in all colors and participants from around the world. Pilot David Baer told Colorado Public Radio, A common question is, how do you steer a balloon? He said the answer is, you don't.

You follow the wind wherever it takes you. I'm Nora Rahm, NPR News, in Washington. Listen to this podcast, sponsor-free on Amazon Music, with a prime membership, or any podcast app, by subscribing to NPR NewsNowplus at plus.npr.npr.org. That's plus.npr.org.