Minnesota Governor Tim Walz promised a special legislative session to address gun violence after a church shooting, but progress has stalled. The Minnesota Legislature is too divided politically to agree on new gun laws. This division has made it difficult to pass any measures without bipartisan support.
Key Facts
A shooting at a church in Minneapolis killed two schoolchildren and injured 21 people.
Governor Tim Walz proposed a special session to address gun control but faced opposition.
The Minnesota Legislature is evenly split, making it hard to pass new gun laws.
Urban and suburban Democrats support gun restrictions while rural and suburban Republicans oppose them.
Recent shootings have made gun control a personal issue for many state Democrats.
Governor Walz wants to prioritize bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
Meetings and hearings have not led to an agreement on new gun laws.
The Minnesota House is divided 67-67 between Republicans and Democrats.
NPR is asking people to share their coming out stories as part of LGBTQ+ History Month in October. National Coming Out Day is on October 11, and stories shared may be featured in NPR's newsletter.
Key Facts
LGBTQ+ History Month takes place every October in the United States.
National Coming Out Day is celebrated on October 11.
The day has been recognized since 1988.
"Coming out" means telling others about being LGBTQ+.
NPR is looking for personal stories about coming out.
People can submit their stories, along with photos or voice memos, by October 1.
Selected stories will be included in NPR's Up First newsletter on October 12.
Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is running as an independent in the New York City mayoral race after losing the Democratic primary. Cuomo plans to build half a million new apartments, mostly affordable, and wants to increase funding for public housing and improve tenant protections. These initiatives face criticism and overlap with existing city policies.
Key Facts
Andrew Cuomo is running for New York City mayor as an independent.
Cuomo lost the Democratic primary to Zohran Mamdani.
He proposes building 500,000 new apartments, with two-thirds being affordable.
His housing plan offers tax incentives and aims to convert offices to residential spaces.
Many of Cuomo's proposals are already part of existing city policies.
He wants to spend $2.5 billion on public housing over five years, increasing current funding by 75%.
Cuomo suggests more legal assistance for renters and more housing vouchers.
He proposes "Zohran's Law" to set income limits on rent-stabilized apartments.
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in New York City was put on leave after a video showed him pushing a woman against a wall and to the ground. The Department of Homeland Security announced the action and is conducting a full investigation. This event highlights tension between federal law enforcement and the public at immigration courts.
Key Facts
An ICE officer was placed on administrative leave after a video showed him pushing a woman.
The woman involved was the wife of a detained man from Ecuador.
This incident took place on September 25, 2025, in New York City.
The Department of Homeland Security is investigating the officer's conduct.
ICE agents have increased their presence in immigration courts over the past five months.
There have been rising tensions and confrontations in New York immigration courts.
Previously, the same officer was involved in an arrest of a court observer, witnessed by NPR.
Sinclair Broadcast Group will start showing "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" again on its ABC stations after stopping it for a while. The decision comes after public criticism and a shooting incident at an ABC station that highlighted the need for careful broadcasting.
Key Facts
Sinclair Broadcast Group had stopped airing "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on its ABC affiliates.
The show will resume airing following criticism from viewers, advertisers, and community leaders.
A recent shooting at an ABC station in Sacramento contributed to the decision to bring back the show.
Sinclair mentioned the decision was made without government influence.
The company proposed accountability measures to ABC, such as a network-wide ombudsman.
These proposed measures have not been adopted by ABC.
Since becoming the U.S. health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made changes to vaccine policy, removed several health experts from a key advisory panel, and made unproven claims about vaccines. These actions have raised concerns about decreasing vaccine confidence and potentially lower vaccination rates in the U.S.
Key Facts
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. became the U.S. health secretary seven months ago.
He changed U.S. vaccine policy and removed more than a dozen experts from a vaccine advisory panel.
The new advisory panel met in September to discuss vaccine recommendations.
Kennedy and the Trump administration claim vaccines contribute to autism, a theory debunked by experts.
Critics say these actions can lead to confusion and lower vaccination rates.
Michael Osterholm, an expert in infectious disease, warned about the risk to vaccine confidence.
A CDC leader resigned in protest, citing concerns about public health.
A government shutdown happens when funding is not agreed upon, causing some federal workers to be furloughed and others to work without pay. Essential services, like national security and air traffic control, continue. Congress usually pays workers afterward, but delays can cause financial stress.
Key Facts
A government shutdown occurs when lawmakers do not agree on a funding plan.
During a shutdown, "non-excepted" federal employees are furloughed, meaning they don't work or get paid until it ends.
"Excepted" employees, who perform essential work, continue to work but without pay temporarily.
Essential services like FBI, CIA, air traffic control, and military operations continue.
Social Security, Medicare, and veterans' health services proceed as normal.
Historically, Congress has paid back furloughed workers after a shutdown.
The U.S. Postal Service continues to operate since it does not rely on tax dollars.
Federal agencies decide which services to maintain or suspend during a shutdown.
The risk of a U.S. government shutdown is increasing as Democrats and Republicans in Congress struggle to agree on a temporary funding bill. The House passed a bill to avoid a shutdown, but it faces challenges in the Senate, where it needs some support from both parties. Key disagreements include health care funding and other policy issues.
Key Facts
The U.S. government faces a potential shutdown if Congress does not pass funding legislation by the end of September.
The House of Representatives passed a temporary funding bill, but the Senate has not yet agreed to it.
The Senate needs 60 votes to pass the bill, requiring some bipartisan support due to the filibuster rule.
Republicans lead both the House and the Senate, but disagreements between the parties remain.
Odds makers have increased the likelihood of a shutdown, with some predicting nearly 70% probability.
Former President Trump declined to meet with Democratic leaders to discuss funding, citing their demands as unreasonable.
Democrats seek concessions on health care subsidies and other policies, while Republicans push back.
A government shutdown could affect federal workers' pay, national parks, and government services.
North Carolina's Republican-led legislature is considering a new plan to redraw district boundaries, a move the Democratic governor cannot block. Democrats criticize the plan, claiming it is an example of partisan gerrymandering. Similar redistricting efforts are occurring in other states like Texas and Missouri.
Key Facts
North Carolina Republicans plan to redraw district maps without needing approval from the Democratic governor.
Congressman Deborah Ross, a Democrat, said Democrats will challenge the new redistricting in every state.
Republicans in Texas and Missouri are also pushing new district maps expected to favor their party.
North Carolina Republicans currently have a 10-4 majority in the state's congressional delegation.
The North Carolina legislature can pass the new map with a simple majority, as Republicans hold majorities in both legislative chambers.
The state's Supreme Court, which has a Republican majority, could play a role if the maps are challenged legally.
The practice of gerrymandering, or drawing district lines to favor one party, is a contentious issue nationwide.
Courts can stop maps that breach the U.S. Constitution or the Voting Rights Act.
A former South Carolina lawmaker named RJ May has agreed to plead guilty to distributing child sexual abuse material. Authorities say he used the screen name "joebidennnn69" to exchange more than 200 explicit files of children on the Kik app. He could face up to 20 years in prison for each of the five charges against him.
Key Facts
RJ May is a former state lawmaker from South Carolina.
He pleaded guilty to sharing child sexual abuse material.
May used the screen name "joebidennnn69" on the Kik app.
Prosecutors claim he shared over 200 explicit files of children.
He faces up to 20 years in prison for each of five counts.
The article discusses claims made by former President Trump about a link between autism, paracetamol, and pregnancy. It focuses on the role of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is the U.S. health secretary. The discussion revolves around whether his actions and beliefs might affect public health.
Key Facts
The article involves former President Trump making claims about autism and paracetamol use during pregnancy.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is serving as the U.S. health secretary.
The focus is on the potential impact of Kennedy's views and actions on public health.
The article was released on September 26, 2025.
It is available on BBC Sounds, a platform for audio content.
A federal immigration officer in New York City was removed from duty after a video showed him pushing a woman to the ground outside an immigration court. The incident occurred while agents were trying to arrest a man, and the Department of Homeland Security described the officer's actions as unacceptable.
Key Facts
An immigration officer in New York City was filmed pushing a woman to the ground.
The event happened outside the 26 Federal Plaza immigration court.
The incident occurred during an attempted arrest of a man by the agents.
Family members, including the woman and her daughter, were near the arrest scene.
The officer allegedly grabbed the woman's hair before pushing her.
The Department of Homeland Security has started an investigation into the incident.
A recent study shows that circumcision rates for newborn male babies in the U.S. have decreased by nearly 5% from 2012 to 2022. The decline is seen across different racial groups and may be influenced by skepticism about medical recommendations and changes in Medicaid coverage.
Key Facts
New research shows a decrease in circumcision rates among male newborns in the U.S. over a decade.
In 2012, 54.1% of newborn males were circumcised, dropping to 49.3% in 2022.
The decline is notable among white babies, from 65.3% in 2012 to 60% in 2022.
Circumcision rates among Black and Hispanic babies remained relatively stable.
The study attributed the decline to cultural influences and reduced Medicaid coverage for circumcisions in 17 states.
The research used data from the Kids’ Inpatient Database, a pediatric dataset in the U.S.
Experts debate the health benefits versus risks of circumcision, citing medical and cultural perspectives.
Decreasing rates could affect infection risks, as some studies highlight health benefits of circumcision.
A conspiracy theory is circulating online suggesting that the assassination of Charlie Kirk was predicted by the 1998 Nicolas Cage movie "Snake Eyes." Kirk, a co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed on September 10 at a Utah Valley University event. Theories link the movie characters' names and events to Kirk's murder, leading to viral discussions about the parallels.
Key Facts
Charlie Kirk was shot and killed on September 10 at Utah Valley University.
He was a co-founder of Turning Point USA, a conservative youth organization.
The conspiracy theory links Kirk's murder to the 1998 movie "Snake Eyes" starring Nicolas Cage.
In "Snake Eyes," a character named Charles Kirkland is shot, similar to Kirk's real-life shooting.
Theories incorrectly claim the film is set on September 10, the day Kirk was killed.
Tyler Robinson, aged 22, has been accused of murdering Kirk.
Conspiracy posts have gained significant attention online, with millions of views.
Following Kirk's death, Turning Point USA received increased donations and chapter interest.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plans to tighten rules for retailers in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to improve access to healthier foods and reduce fraud. Retailers will need to increase the variety of foods they stock, moving from 12 to at least 28 different items across four staple food categories. The changes aim to ensure that stores using SNAP benefits provide genuine food options rather than exploiting taxpayer-funded benefits.
Key Facts
The USDA is changing rules for SNAP retailers to enhance healthy food access and prevent fraud.
Currently, SNAP retailers need to stock three varieties of food in each of four categories: dairy, protein, grain, and fruits and vegetables, totaling 12 items.
The new proposal requires retailers to have at least seven items in each category, increasing the total to 28.
The USDA plans to close loopholes that count some snacks as staple foods.
The changes aim to support stores that provide real food, not just those benefitting from taxpayer dollars.
SNAP helps around 42 million low- and no-income people buy groceries at nearly 266,000 retailers.
The proposed rules are open for public comment from September 25 through November 24, 2025.
The changes are part of a wider effort to guide SNAP towards better nutrition and reducing chronic diseases.
Donald Trump's approval rating has decreased after a number of unfavorable polls. His net approval rating is currently -11 points, which is among his lowest. The drop in approval is thought to be related to dissatisfaction with economic issues like inflation.
Key Facts
Trump's net approval rating stands at -11 points, with 43% approval and 54% disapproval.
This drop is one of the lowest approval ratings he has had during his second term.
A YouGov/Economist poll showed 39% approval and 57% disapproval, one of Trump's all-time lowest ratings.
Other polls, such as Gallup, Ipsos/Reuters, and American Research Group, also reported a decrease in his approval, with net ratings of -16, -17, and -21 points, respectively.
Trump's declining approval is partly attributed to dissatisfaction with the economy, specifically related to inflation.
Consumer prices have increased, despite Trump's promises to end inflation quickly.
The US economy grew at an annual rate of 3.8% in the second quarter.
A Verasight poll showed Trump's rating on handling inflation at -31 points.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will start a new process on October 20 for people with green cards who apply for U.S. citizenship. The changes include a harder civics test and an assessment of the applicant's character. USCIS aims to make the process stricter to ensure applicants understand U.S. history and government and have good moral character.
Key Facts
Green card holders applying for citizenship on or after October 20 will take a new, more challenging civics test.
The new test requires applicants to answer 12 out of 20 questions correctly, increased from 6 out of 10.
There are 128 possible questions about U.S. history and government that they could be asked.
Special rules apply to elderly applicants who have held green cards for over 20 years.
The process includes checking for "good moral character," which involves a positive contribution to society.
USCIS may conduct neighborhood investigations, using testimonials and interviews.
Applicants have two chances to pass the civics test before their citizenship application is denied.
The U.S. Transportation Department will tighten rules for non-citizens to get commercial driver's licenses after three fatal truck crashes. These crashes were linked to immigrant drivers who should not have been licensed. All states must now stop giving licenses to non-citizens until they meet new requirements.
Key Facts
The Transportation Department is changing the rules for non-citizens to receive commercial driver's licenses.
The changes are in response to three deadly crashes caused by immigrant truck drivers this year.
A crash in Florida in August, killing three people, led to a nationwide review of licensing.
Similar licensing issues were found in Texas and Alabama.
The Transportation Secretary warned California could lose $160 million in federal funds due to licensing violations.
States must stop issuing licenses to non-citizens until they comply with the new standards.
Two women who went missing as babies over 36 years ago were found alive, having been adopted together after being discovered abandoned in a California park. Their aunt, Margarita Maldonado, expressed her desire to meet them. The case reopened efforts in the investigation of their mother, Marina Ramos, who was murdered in Arizona in 1989.
Key Facts
Marina Ramos was murdered in Mohave County, Arizona, in 1989.
Her two daughters, aged 2 months and 14 months, were last seen with her and later found abandoned in a park in Oxnard, California.
The girls, initially unidentified, were adopted by a family in Ventura County.
A recent DNA test matched the adopted women, now Melissa and Tina, with their birth identities as Jasmin and Elizabeth Ramos.
Mohave County investigators confirmed Marina Ramos’s identity in 2022 through fingerprints from a prior arrest.
A witness saw the babies with a woman and two men at the park where they were found.
The case of Marina Ramos's murder remains unsolved, and the sheriff’s office seeks public assistance for further information.
