NPR News: 09-30-2025 5PM 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 in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton.
What would a federal government shutdown mean for federal workers and services?
Federal workers across the country could be furloughed at midnight. That's if Congress fails to reach a deal to keep the government open. Still, that doesn't mean the government would cease to function entirely. NPR's Andrea Hsu reports.
In a shutdown, some government functions that are not funded by Congress do continue. Social security checks still go out.
Which government functions continue during a shutdown and who explains why?
Your mail will still be delivered. Other functions considered necessary to protect life or property would also continue, but the Trump administration has not made explicitly clear what those would be. Max Steyer, the CEO of the nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service, says the administration has already demonstrated and even threatened to pursue an agenda that is personal to the president as opposed to in the public's interest. Steyer warns government shutdowns make the government slower and less efficient. He says they interrupt modernization efforts and training programs and lead to a loss of talent. Andrea Hsu, NPR News.
President Trump's federal intervention in Memphis has begun. That's according to a tweet from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. As NPR's Kat Lonsdorff reports, the operation is set to include more than a dozen federal agencies and the National Guard.
Trump has said the Memphis task force is to fight crime in the city, which has some of the highest rates of violent crime in the country. Those numbers have been declining, but they're still high. Many residents in Memphis welcome the federal intervention, like 42-year-old Ronnie Davis in the northern neighborhood of Frayser.
We need all the government agencies that we can get down here because the problem is coming overwhelming.
Davis says gun violence in particular has become so common in his neighborhood, he's almost numb to it.
How could a shutdown affect government modernization, training and talent retention?
But others have protested, worried it will expand federal power in the city. Republican Tennessee Governor Bill Lee supports the operation and has offered the National Guard to help. Kat Lonsdorf, NPR News, Memphis.
Wall Street is largely shrugging off worries about the potential government shutdown. U.S. markets closed up slightly for the day, finishing out their latest winning month. As NPR's Maria Aspin reports, the S&P 500 rose 0.4 percent today to close out its fifth straight winning month after setting a record last week.
The federal government seems headed for a shutdown tonight, but investors have had a great September. All the major U.S. stock indices rose this month, despite mounting worries about inflation, tariffs and signs of weakness in the job market. If the government does shut down, it could be harder for investors and everyone else to get updates about how the economy is doing. The Labor Department is due to release the latest jobs report on Friday, but says that it won't release it or any other economic data while the government is closed.
What is the scope and local reaction to the federal intervention in Memphis?
There are some signs that all this uncertainty is rattling investors. The price of gold, traditionally seen as a safe haven investment, has hit new record highs. Maria Aspin, NPR News, New York.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 81 points. This is NPR News from Washington. Ukraine is sending a mission to Denmark to share expertise fighting Russian drones. Europe's drone fighting technology lags far behind Ukraine and Russia, where cutting-edge drone warfare has become a reality in recent years. European leaders agreed last week to build what they called a drone wall to track and intercept drones violating their airspace. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints says it's going ahead with the dedication of its newest temple, despite the recent death of the religion's president and an attack on a church in Michigan. Colorado Public Radio's Stina Stieg reports.
This small western Colorado city will be home to the religion's 210th dedicated temple in less than three weeks.
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Chapters
7 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–0:18
2
What would a federal government shutdown mean for federal workers and services?
0:18–0:37
3
Which government functions continue during a shutdown and who explains why?
0:37–1:52
4
How could a shutdown affect government modernization, training and talent retention?
1:52–2:55
5
What is the scope and local reaction to the federal intervention in Memphis?
2:55–3:57
6
How are markets reacting to shutdown risks and what economic data could be delayed?
3:57–4:28
7
What other national and international news stories are covered in this episode?
4:28–4:54