NPR News Now - NPR News: 10-15-2025 11AM EDT

Episode Date: October 15, 2025

NPR News: 10-15-2025 11AM EDTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

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 Corva Coleman. The federal government shutdown is two weeks old.

President Trump is continuing to fire federal workers. Unions representing thousands of these workers have sued, and a federal judge in San Francisco will hold a hearing on the matter today. And Pierre's Andrea Shue has more. Unions representing federal employees have asked the court to halt the layoffs already underway and to stop federal agencies from issuing new layoff notices. They argue that the Trump administration has overstepped its authority in telling agencies to carry out the reductions in force or riffs amid the shutdown.

The Trump administration argues the court lacks jurisdiction to hear the case, and that such matters ought to be taken to the federal agency set up by Congress to hear challenges to riffs. Meanwhile, President Trump continues to blame Democrats for the shutdown and says it's an opportunity for him to end, quote, Democrat programs, those he never wanted and will probably never allow back. Andrea Shue and PR News. During the shutdown, House Speaker Mike Johnson has not convened his chamber. The House has already passed a spending bill and the Senate still cannot agree upon one.

But the Speaker also says during the shutdown, he will not swear in the newly elected Democratic Congresswoman from Arizona, Adelita Grijalva. She points out she was the winner of a special election three weeks ago. I have not had one word from Speaker Johnson, not one word. We sent a letter. Now our Attorney General is getting involved because this is taxation without representation. Grijalva supports an effort to force a vote on the release of the Epstein files. When sworn in, Grijalva would be the deciding vote in the House to advance the measure. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says that members of the U.S. military will get their expected paychecks today.

Besson says that the Defense Department is shuffling money around to issue these paychecks during the shutdown. Some Texas National Guard troops have been sent home from Chicago. they allegedly failed to meet physical fitness standards. Houston Public Media's Andrew Schneider reports the move comes after an ABC News photo of overweight troops went viral. The Texas Military Department confirmed on the military news site task and purpose that a small group of the 200 National Guard soldiers deployed to Illinois last week had been sent home for not being in compliance with its validation process.

The move followed a speech by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegset, at the Pentagon last month to hundreds of military commanders. If the Secretary of War can do regular hard PT, so can every member of our joint force. Frankly, it's tiring to look out at combat formations or really any formation and see fat troops. Last week, the National Guard issued a statement saying all troops had to meet height, weight, and fitness standards. For NPR news, I'm Andrew Schneider in Houston. This is NPR. The Gaza ceasefire is coming under strain. Israel says that one of the eight bodies handed over by Hamas this week is not that of a hostage.

Israel has also closed the Rafah crossing into Gaza today that will limit relief aid that's getting to Palestinians. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a new president for its 17 million members worldwide, who are also known as Mormons. from member station KUERC.R. Seara Hewlett reports the church has chosen Dallin Oaks to lead them. The last president and prophet, Russell M. Nelson, died last month. His successor, Dallin H. Oaks, used to be a Utah Supreme Court justice. columnist Jana Rees says that background could influence his leadership. She says Oakes is concerned about the rise of political authoritarianism. He could serve as a reminder of justice and law and order. order and precedent and a lot of things that in America, people have been throwing out the window. Oakes has also long been outspoken about his beliefs against same-sex marriage. Rees says it's

yet to be seen if he'll continue that trajectory as president. For NPR News, I'm Sierra Hewlett. Conditions in parts of Western Alaska remain dire. The remnants of a typhoon hit the state last weekend. One person was killed and two more are missing. Alaska officials say, some people had to cling to floating debris as their homes washed away. Hundreds of people have fled their homes to shelter. I'm Corva Coleman, NPR News, from Washington.