NPR News: 09-29-2025 12AM EDT
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Support for NPR comes from NPR member stations and Eric and Wendy Schmidt through the Schmidt Family Foundation, working toward a healthy, resilient, secure world for all. On the web at theschmidt.org.
Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman.
What are the latest details about the Grand Blanc church shooting and casualties?
The death toll in the Sunday morning shooting at a church in Grand Blanc, Michigan has gone up. William Regnier is chief of the Grand Blanc Township Police.
There is a couple additional bodies that we've discovered in the church. So that makes our total victim count up to four victims. As I said before, there has already been the suspect who is deceased as well.
Police say 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford drove a pickup truck into the church before opening fire. He's suspected to have set the church on fire as well.
What evidence and investigation updates are authorities sharing about the church fire and explosives?
But ATF Special Agent James Deere says it's unclear what he used to do that.
I will confirm that there were some suspected explosive devices that were located. But as far as using them to initiate the blaze, I can't say that. This scene is actively being investigated by ATF.
A crime-fighting task force made up of local and federal agencies supported by National Guard troops is launching in Memphis this week.
Why are federal, state and National Guard forces being deployed to Memphis and what are residents saying?
Christopher Blank with member station WKNO says in a city known for both high crime and civil rights activism, residents and city leaders are divided over the deployments.
For Rachel Spriggs and scores of activists who protested the task force over the weekend, federal help has a checkered history in this majority black city.
Because here help has meant harm. Here help has meant harassment.
But many locals, including city council members such as Yolanda Cooper Sutton, say the tough measures are a consequence of previous failed crime interventions.
What solutions do we have in place?
For Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, the solution is a surge of law enforcement from 13 federal agencies and state troopers. The National Guard, he said Friday, will neither be armed nor make arrests. It will work with Memphis police as the department focuses on violent crime.
How are Memphis leaders and activists divided over the new crime-fighting task force?
For NPR News, I'm Christopher Blank in Memphis.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is preparing to meet with President Trump at the White House on Monday. Trump, meanwhile, is signaling optimism for his new proposal to end the Gaza war. NPR's Daniel Estrin has more on our story.
What is President Trump's proposed Gaza ceasefire plan and who is involved in negotiations?
President Trump said on social media, We have a real chance for greatness in the Middle East. All are on board for something special. Vice President J.D. Vance said the U.S. was negotiating with Arab and Israeli leaders over the ceasefire plan. A person briefed on the plan, not authorized to speak publicly, told NPR Trump is proposing that Hamas release all hostages at the start of a Gaza ceasefire and that a multinational Arab and Muslim peacekeeping force gradually replace Israeli troops in Gaza. A Hamas official told NPR Hamas was not given an official offer but was being briefed by mediators on the details. Hamas says it's lost contact with two Israeli hostages in Gaza City due to Israeli bombardment.
Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.
And you're listening to NPR News. The National Symphony Orchestra raised a record $3.45 million at its annual season-opening gala over the weekend. That's despite flagging sales at the Kennedy Center following President Trump's takeover there in February.
How did cultural and sports headlines close out the bulletin, including the NSO gala and AP college football rankings?
NPR's Olivia Hampton has our story.
The concert, featuring superstar pianist Yuzhe Wang performing Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1, was sold out, with many first-time attendees. That's unusual these days at the Cavernous Arts Center. As of Sunday, just under 38% of seats have been sold for the orchestra's next performance on Thursday, and even less later in the week. NSO Vice Chair Ashley Davis, a former Bush administration official, said she hopes the public reconsiders.
If you do make a boycott, I just want to make sure everyone knows that it's not hurting the president, it's hurting the orchestra.
Many of the tuxedos and gowns that filled the concert hall were worn by Republican lawmakers, business leaders, and top Trump administration officials, including Attorney General Pam Bondi.
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Chapters
7 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–0:18
2
What are the latest details about the Grand Blanc church shooting and casualties?
0:18–0:49
3
What evidence and investigation updates are authorities sharing about the church fire and explosives?
0:49–1:13
4
Why are federal, state and National Guard forces being deployed to Memphis and what are residents saying?
1:13–2:05
5
How are Memphis leaders and activists divided over the new crime-fighting task force?
2:05–2:23
6
What is President Trump's proposed Gaza ceasefire plan and who is involved in negotiations?
2:23–3:29
7
How did cultural and sports headlines close out the bulletin, including the NSO gala and AP college football rankings?
3:29–4:53