NPR News Now - NPR News: 10-12-2025 6AM 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 Jail Snyder. In Israel, anticipation is growing ahead of tomorrow morning's expected release of hostages as part of the first phase of the ceasefire plan with Hamas. As Palestinians streamed back to devastated northern Gaza, Israelis packed hostage square in Tel Aviv last night, where they gave a warm welcome to U.S. envoy Steve Whitkoff, Ivanka Trump, and her husband, Jared Kushner. M.P.R. Carrie Khan is in Tel Aviv.

There is celebration. There's hope and cautious optimism, I'd say. I was at. the downtown Tel Aviv Public Plaza dubbed hostage square where there has been a lot of hugging and adulation for President Trump for personally brokering this deal. President Trump is scheduled to leave for the Middle East this afternoon. He is to speak to Israel's parliament tomorrow and co-host a summit on Gaza in Egypt. Officials say they found no survivors after a massive blast at a Tennessee explosives plant Friday morning. And Cynthia Abrams of member station WPLN reports on one of seven. Several vigils that have been held in the rural community southwest of Nashville.

Around 45 people gathered at a church in McHugh and Tennessee on Saturday afternoon. The congregation's pastor said in his remarks that it would be hard to find anybody in the community that was untouched by the tragedy. Linda Sutton, one of the vigil's attendees, confirmed this. I'm going to know more people when all the names come out because this is small and I've lived here, you know, all my life. The explosion occurred at accurate energetic systems, which processes a variety of explosive products for the military, commercial demolition firms and the aerospace industry. Officials say the cause of the blast remains unclear. For NPR News, I'm Cynthia Abrams in Nashville. Federal Appeals Court has left in place a lower court order blocking President Trump's deployment of National Guard troops to the Chicago area.

However, the court says the troops can stay in the state and remain under federal. control. Chicago Marathon takes place today, as many residents still have concerns about federal agents operating in the city. From member station WBEZ, Summer Van Benten reports that organizers expect many runners from Mexico. The Nathos is a predominantly Latino run club in Chicago with over a hundred members. Many are gearing up for Sunday's big race. Organizer Enrique Rivera says he does not anticipate immigration rates at the marathon. He's most concerned about the runners, as they prepare for the race. I'm more afraid of individuals that are out there

trying to do this in a group of three or a group of four, right? That's where, you know, something can happen and your family won't find out for days. Race officials say they will be monitoring increased immigration enforcement and making runner and spectator safety the top priority. For NPR News, I'm Summer Van Binton in Chicago. And you're listening to NPR News.

The White House is moving to ensure members of the U.S. military are paid amid the government shutdown. President Trump says he has directed the Defense Department to use all available funds. They were in danger of not receiving their paychecks on Wednesday. Other federal employees are working without pay, and the White House Budget Office began laying off thousands on Friday. Funding for a federal program that subsidizes service to rural airports is set to continue through early November. Empircial Rose reports that 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.

Hollywood star Diane Keaton has died. She starred in all three Godfather movies and won the best actress Oscar for Annie Hall. Keaton was 79 years old. On Instagram, Bet Midler called Keaton a complete original, the two co-starred in the First Wives Club. Also on Instagram, Leonardo DiCaprio said Keaton was one of a kind. He played her nephew in the film Marvin's Room. I'm Giles Snyder. This is NPR News.