NPR News Now: July 31, 2025

Hosted by NPR, this episode of NPR News Now provides comprehensive coverage of the latest national and international news in a five-minute format. Below is a detailed summary capturing all key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode released on July 31, 2025.

Federal Reserve Maintains Steady Interest Rates

Shea Stevens opens the episode with a report on the Federal Reserve's recent decision to hold interest rates steady. Fed Chair Jerome Powell emphasized that the central bank remains vigilant regarding inflation pressures and the potential impact of tariffs on the broader economy.

Scott Horsley reports, "This is the first time two Fed governors have dissented on a rate decision in more than 30 years," highlighting a notable shift within the committee. Despite the dissent, Powell reassures stakeholders about the Fed's consensus-building efforts.

Jerome Powell stated at [00:51], "It's probably not surprising that there would be differences and different perspectives. What you hope is that people explain their positions very thoughtfully and clearly, and we absolutely had that today all the way around the table. I would call it one of the better meetings I can recall."

Additionally, Horsley notes at [01:08] that Waller is emerging as a potential successor to Powell when his term concludes next year, indicating possible future leadership changes within the Fed.

Brown University Settles with Trump Administration

Moving to higher education, Shea Stevens introduces a settlement between Brown University and the Trump administration. Sequoia Carrillo elaborates on the details, explaining that unlike Columbia University’s recent agreement, Brown University will not incur any fines. Instead, the institution has committed to investing $50 million in grants over the next ten years aimed at workforce development in Rhode Island.

Brown University President Christina Paxson remarked, "This aligns with our service and community engagement mission." The university maintains that there was no proven wrongdoing but opted to settle to expedite the release of research funds. As part of the agreement, Brown will conduct a third-party campus climate survey, although it refused external oversight from the government or third parties.

Kamala Harris Declares She Won't Run for California Governor

Shea Stevens reports that Former Vice President Kamala Harris has officially announced she will not seek the governorship of California in the upcoming election, quelling widespread speculation. Deepa Shivaram provides further insights into Harris's statement.

In her declaration at [02:18], Harris stated, "For now, my leadership and public service will not be in elected office." She acknowledged having given "serious thought into running for governor" but decided against it after deeper reflection. However, Harris remains open to future political endeavors, including a potential presidential run in 2028. She also committed to supporting Democratic candidates and hinted at sharing more details about her future plans in the coming months.

Texas Passes New Redistricting Map Amid Legal Challenges

The episode highlights significant political developments in Texas, where the legislature has approved a new redistricting map intended to add five new Republican congressional seats. This vote occurred during a special session initially convened to address natural disasters but was later expanded to include redistricting in response to the Justice Department’s allegations that four existing Texas districts held by Democrats were unconstitutional.

This strategic move is seen as a significant shift in Texas's political landscape, potentially altering the balance of power in future congressional elections.

NTSB Investigates Fatal Army Helicopter Crash

A tragic incident unfolded earlier this year when an Army helicopter crashed into an American Airlines jet near Reagan National Airport, resulting in the loss of 67 lives. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced at [02:53] that it is holding hearings to investigate the roles of the military and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the disaster.

Preliminary findings suggest that the helicopter was flying too high, and Army officials admitted that the altimeters on Black Hawk helicopters might have been inaccurate by up to 100 feet. They defended this variance as within an acceptable range and pointed to inadequate separation protocols between landing aircraft and helicopters utilizing FAA-approved routes near Reagan National.

Farewell to Ozzy Osbourne in Birmingham, England

In an emotional segment, Willem Marks reports on the farewell ceremonies for Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary Black Sabbath singer, in his hometown of Birmingham, England. Thousands of fans gathered to honor the heavy metal icon who passed away earlier this month.

At [04:06], Marks describes the procession where Osbourne's coffin was transported along Birmingham's Broad Street, passing by a bridge named after the band he co-founded nearly six decades ago. The Boston Brass Band played Black Sabbath classics, while chants and tributes poured in from fans and family alike. Osbourne's legacy extends beyond music, notably through the family's popular reality TV series that dominated MTV programming in the early 2000s.

Market Update

Shea Stevens concludes the episode with a brief market update, noting that U.S. futures are flat, and after-hours trading on Wall Street remains varied. Specifically, Asian market shares exhibit mixed performance, reflecting the ongoing economic fluctuations and investor sentiments.

This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the NPR News Now episode of July 31, 2025, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of important national and international events.