NPR News Now: August 4, 2025, 3PM EDT

Host: Windsor Johnston
Contributor Reporters: Rachel Treisman, Carrie Johnson, Aya Batrawi, Scott Horsley, Marlon Hyde

1. Texas Democrats' Strategic Walkout to Block Redistricting

Timestamp: [00:31]
Reporter: Rachel Treisman

Dozens of Democratic lawmakers in Texas have left the state in a strategic move to thwart the passage of a controversial congressional redistricting bill during a special legislative session. Controlled by Republicans, the Texas House requires 100 members to be present to conduct business. By fleeing, Democrats aim to prevent the vote on a map that has been redrawn to favor Republican interests.

Rachel Treisman highlights the historical context: "Texas Democrats did the same thing for the same reason back in 2003, stalling for about a month before the bill passed in a special session. They also walked out in 2021 over a GOP voting bill that eventually passed." The Texas House has since implemented a rule imposing a $500 fine for lawmakers absent without permission each day, adding pressure to the Democrats' maneuver.

2. Surge in Threats Against Federal Judges

Timestamp: [01:28]
Reporter: Carrie Johnson

Federal judges across the United States are reporting an alarming increase in threats targeting themselves and their families. Judge Jack McConnell of Rhode Island received over 400 threatening voicemails following his decision to block President Trump's freeze on federal aid this year. Similarly, a federal judge in Washington state experienced a distressing incident where a phony call led to a sheriff appearing at his doorstep under false pretenses.

Judge Esther Salas from New Jersey emphasized the dangerous impact of political rhetoric: "Stop demonizing us. Stop villainizing us. Because what they're doing when they do that irresponsible rhetoric is they are inviting people to do us harm." Salas, whose son was tragically killed by a disgruntled lawyer five years ago, is advocating for calmer discourse to prevent further violence.

3. Shifting Arab Support Amid Hamas' Resistance

Timestamp: [02:25]
Reporter: Aya Batrawi

Hamas maintains its stance on armed resistance, asserting that it is a legitimate national right against occupation. However, key Arab nations like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan are distancing themselves from militant groups in Gaza. According to Aya Batrawi, these countries advocate for a future in Gaza that excludes militancy, envisioning a Palestinian Authority with a civil police force instead.

Batrawi explains, "Arab countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, others, they have made clear they don't support militancy in Gaza. They want to see a day after this war where there are no militant groups." This shift signifies waning support for Hamas not only globally but also from essential regional allies necessary for Gaza's reconstruction.

4. Wall Street's Mixed Signals: Stock Market Uptick Amid Industry Struggles

Timestamp: [03:13]
Reporter: Scott Horsley

The stock market showed positive trends with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising by 512 points and the Nasdaq Composite up by $3.62. Investor confidence is buoyed by Tyson Foods, a major meat producer, which reported stronger-than-expected quarterly sales and raised its full-year forecast. However, challenges persist as Boeing machinists have initiated a strike after rejecting a contract that proposed a 40% pay increase over four years. The strike impacts three Boeing factories involved in fighter jet manufacturing, highlighting tensions within the aerospace sector.

Scott Horsley notes, "The Associated Press finds most Americans are concerned about the rising cost of groceries. One of the nation's biggest meat producers, Tyson Foods, has been raising prices for both beef and chicken." Meanwhile, the Boeing strike underscores labor disputes affecting key industries.

5. Delta Air Lines' Commitment Against AI-Driven Personalized Pricing

Timestamp: [04:08]
Reporter: Marlon Hyde

Delta Air Lines has announced it will refrain from using artificial intelligence to set personalized ticket prices amidst backlash from U.S. Senators and concerns on social media. In a letter to lawmakers, Delta clarified that it does not share personal information with Fetcher, the technology company involved in piloting its AI pricing system. Marlon Hyde reports, "U.S. lawmakers and some people on social media worry that information like social media activity and financial status could factor into personalized airfares." Currently, AI is utilized for a limited number of flights, focusing on variables such as demand forecasting and operational efficiencies rather than personal data. Delta remains open to exploring AI applications in areas like maintenance prediction and customer service enhancement.

Market Update

Timestamp: [05:02]
Summary: The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 516 points, while the S&P 500 rose by 79 points, reflecting a generally positive trend on Wall Street despite ongoing industry-specific challenges.

Note: This summary captures the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the NPR News Now episode released on August 4, 2025. For the most comprehensive understanding, listening to the full episode is recommended.