NPR News Now - NPR News: 10-28-2025 10PM EDT

Episode Date: October 29, 2025

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Support for NPR and the following message come from the Kauffman Foundation, providing access to opportunities that help people achieve financial stability, upward mobility, and economic prosperity, regardless of race, gender, or geography. Coffman.org Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. A majority of the Republican-led Senate has voted to block the Trump administration's emergency tariffs on Brazil, a rare bipartisan rebuke of the president. NPR's Claudia Grasales reports it's part of a series of votes testing the Senate support for President Trump's levies on several countries.

Five Republicans joined Democrats who approve the measure terminating Trump's use of an emergency provision earlier this year to place 50 percent tariffs on Brazilian goods. As he was leaving the Senate subway ahead of the vote, North Carolina's Tom Tillis said he was a yes because the tariffs are not tied to any business or trade reasons. and hurt U.S. commerce. I think in that case, I just, I don't think there's a rational basis for it. Trump triggered the Brazil tariffs to pressure the government to end a, quote, witch hunt against his far-right ally, former Brazilian President Jaiyre Bolsonaro. The Senate will take up similar measures focused on Canada

and other countries later this week. Claude Riesalis, NPR News, the Capitol. The government shutdown is approaching the month-long mark and air traffic controllers facing more pressure. NPR's Joel Rose, reports that today marks the first time controllers officially received no money on payday. Air traffic controllers are still required to come to work during the shutdown without pay. Controllers say that's making an already difficult job even harder. Joe Segretto handles air traffic around New York City, some of the most complex airspace in the world.

The pressure is real. We have people trying to keep these airplanes safe. We have trainees trying to learn a new job that is very fast-paced, very stressful, very complex. now having to worry about how they're going to pay bills. The controller's union says hundreds have had to take on second jobs to make ends meet. And some controllers are taking their message directly to the public, handing out leaflets at more than a dozen airports and urging Congress to end the shutdown. Joel Rose, NPR News, Washington. Democrats in Virginia's General Assembly have submitted a draft constitutional amendment

that would allow the state legislature to draw new congressional maps. It's their answer to redistricting efforts pushed by President Trump. Trump taking place in Republican-led states from Member Station VPM. John Khalil reports. Just five years ago, Virginia voters approved a bipartisan redistricting commission. The new amendment would let the General Assembly draw maps between the normal redistricting process, but only if another state redraws its maps. Republicans call the process illegal and anti-democratic, with some arguing that Virginia

shouldn't join gerrymandering efforts being undertaken by other states. The constitutional amendment faces several. obstacles before it can take effect prior to the 26 midterms. If legislators approve it this week, they'll have to pass it again in January with newly elected members. Voters would then have to approve it in a referendum. For NPR News, I'm Jad Khalil in Richmond. And you're listening to NPR News. Hundreds of thousands are without power in Jamaica where Hurricane Melissa made landfall today. Melissa has weakened somewhat, but the storm remains a powerful category for her. hurricane packing 145 mile per hour winds. The National Hurricane Center says ongoing flash flooding

and landslides will continue through the night and that Melissa will remain a major hurricane as it moves toward Cuba. On this 28th day of the government shut down a federal judge in San Francisco refused to lift a temporary restraining order that blocks the Trump administration from laying off thousands of federal employees. The judge's order today extends an initial ruling indefinitely, while a legal challenge filed by unions that represent federal workers plays out. Workers for the organization that produces the Sundance Film Festival of unionized from member station KPCW. Grace Dorfler reports their efforts come a bit frustrations over the film festival's planned departure from Utah. Sundance Institute workers say they want fair wages, better staffing, and a voice in major decisions.

Like the March announcement that the film festival will leave its long-time home in Park City in 2007. The catalyst for getting us to really band together was the decision to move to Boulder since we had no say in it, and it affects us the most. That's Sarah Kenrick, one of the union organizers. She says about 70% of eligible workers signed union cards. They set a Friday deadline for Sundance leaders to recognize the union. In a statement Monday, Sundance Institute leaders said they will collaborate with the workers. For NPR News, I'm Grace Dorfler in Park City. This is NPR News.