NPR News: 08-06-2025 10AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: August 6, 2025, 10 AM EDT

Host: Korva Coleman
Release Date: August 6, 2025

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Texas Political Turmoil: Republicans vs. Democrats

Korva Coleman opens the episode with a report on the escalating political standoff in Texas. Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton has declared his intention to take legal action against Democratic lawmakers who have fled the state, aiming to have their offices declared abandoned. This move comes as Texas Democrats block all legislative work in the House, protesting a Republican-led redistricting plan.

At 00:39, Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider elaborates:

"For the second time this week, the Texas House failed to have a quorum. Attorney General Paxton said he would wait until Friday, then go to court to have the offices of any Democrats who have fled the state declared abandoned."

Constitutional law expert, Charles Rocky Rhodes, provides context at 01:02:

"If you think about the idea of separation of powers, you can see why he doesn't have that authority. We don't want the governor to be able to hand pick members of the legislature."

Schneider further notes the uncertainty surrounding the legal outcome and the limitations of Governor Greg Abbott's power:

"It’s uncertain that a court would declare the offices abandoned, and the most Governor Abbott could do is call for new elections."

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National Implications: Redistricting and Democratic Strategies

Coleman highlights that Democratic leaders from other states are closely monitoring Texas developments. California Governor Gavin Newsom and New York Governor Kathy Hochul have indicated they might pursue similar redistricting efforts to advantage Democratic seats if the Texas GOP plan proves successful.

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U.S.-Israel Relations and Gaza Conflict

The Israeli security cabinet is set to convene the following day to discuss ongoing strategies in the Gaza conflict. Amidst this, some Republican lawmakers have expressed doubts about continued U.S. support for Israel, particularly concerning humanitarian issues in Gaza.

NPR’s Franco Ordona provides insights at 01:58:

"We've been seeing him tread very carefully here. I mean, for example, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there was no starvation in Gaza, Trump notably broke with the prime minister, and so there clearly was. But Trump has stopped short of directly criticizing Israel for blocking aid shipments and instead focused on blaming Hamas for stealing aid."

Ordona’s commentary underscores President Trump's cautious approach in balancing support for Israel while acknowledging humanitarian concerns.

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Market Movements: Disney and McDonald’s Financial Highlights

Scott Horsley reports at 01:58 on the mixed opening of the stock market:

"More people are visiting Disney theme parks, and more international customers are signing up for the Disney streaming service that helped the entertainment giant post better than expected profits for the most recent quarter."

Disney’s strategic moves include a tentative deal with ESPN to acquire the NFL Network, offering the NFL a 10% stake in ESPN, as highlighted by Horsley.

On McDonald's performance:

"McDonald's delivered a happy Meal to its investors with a nearly 4% jump in sales at existing restaurants during the quarter."

Contributing factors include promotions tied to the Minecraft movie and the introduction of new McCrispy chicken strips, which have bolstered customer turnout amid struggles faced by some competitors.

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International Trade and Political Tensions

Coleman reports on the implementation of President Trump’s 50% tariffs on Brazilian goods, including key exports like coffee and beef. Trump justifies these tariffs as a response to Brazil’s prosecution of his ally, former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is facing trial for attempting to overturn his 2022 election loss.

Additionally, Coleman touches on the ongoing diplomatic tensions involving Russia:

"President Trump's special envoy has completed a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Steve Witkoff is at the Kremlin days before a deadline set by Trump. Trump says if Russia does not end its war in Ukraine, he will impose significant new penalties on Russia."

These developments indicate a tightening of international relations and economic policies under the Trump administration.

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Biotechnology Breakthrough: Gene-Edited Babies

A groundbreaking announcement from NPR’s Rob Stein highlights a New York startup, The Manhattan Project, which is pioneering efforts to create gene-edited babies. The company plans to demonstrate the safety of using advanced gene-editing technologies to modify human embryo DNA, aiming to eliminate inherited diseases.

At 04:04, Stein reports:

"The company plans to demonstrate that it would be safe to use the latest gene editing technologies to modify the DNA in human embryos. The goal is to prevent inherited diseases."

This initiative stirs significant debate, with proponents advocating for the potential to alleviate suffering, while critics raise ethical and safety concerns, warning of the slippery slope towards designer babies.

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Political Campaigns: Marsha Blackburn's Gubernatorial Bid

Coleman concludes with political news from Tennessee:

"Tennessee Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn has announced she will run for the office of Tennessee governor. She'll join the GOP primary and she'll face Tennessee Congressman John Rose next year."

Blackburn’s entry into the gubernatorial race positions her as a key contender within the Republican landscape, setting the stage for a competitive primary.

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This episode of NPR News Now offers a comprehensive overview of critical political maneuvers in Texas, the interplay of national and international relations, significant market movements, and pioneering advancements in biotechnology. With insightful reporting and expert commentary, listeners are well-informed on the latest developments shaping the current landscape.

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Texas Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton says he'll go to court to have Democratic lawmakers who fled the state thrown out of office. The Texas Democrats are blocking all work in the state House because they're not. Houston Public Media's Andrew Schneider reports the Democrats oppose a Republican plan to redraw Texas congressional districts.

[Andrew Schneider]

For the second time this week, the Texas House failed to have a quorum. Attorney General Paxton said he would wait until Friday, then go to court to have the offices of any Democrats who have fled the state declared abandoned. He's argued that would let Governor Greg Abbott name their replacements. Charles Rocky Rhodes, a constitutional law professor at the University of Missouri Law School, says it's not that simple.

[Charles Rocky Rhodes]

If you think about the idea of separation of powers, you can see why he doesn't have that authority. We don't want the governor to be able to hand pick members of the legislature.

[Andrew Schneider]

Rhodes says it's uncertain that a court would declare the offices abandoned, and the most Governor Abbott could do is call for new elections. For NPR News, I'm Andrew Schneider in Houston.

[Korva Coleman]

Democratic leaders in other states are watching developments in Texas. Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom and New York Governor Kathy Hochul say they will consider similar redistricting in their states to benefit Democrats if the Texas GOP plan succeeds. The Israeli security cabinet is scheduled to meet tomorrow on the country's next steps in the war in Gaza. This comes as some Republican lawmakers have started to question U.S. support for Israel over starvation in Gaza. NPR's Franco Ordona says President Trump has used caution.

[Franco Ordona]

We've been seeing him tread very carefully here. I mean, for example, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there was no starvation in Gaza, Trump notably broke with the prime minister, and so there clearly was. But Trump has stopped short of directly criticizing Israel for blocking aid shipments and instead focused on blaming Hamas for stealing aid.

[Korva Coleman]

NPR's Franco Ordona's reporting stocks open mixed this morning on Wall street as Both Disney and McDonald's reported encouraging financial results. NPR's Scott Horsley reports. The Dow Jones industrial average dropped more than 10 points in early trading.

[Scott Horsley]

More people are visiting Disney theme parks, and more international customers are signing up for the Disney streaming service that helped the entertainment giant post better than expected profits for the most recent quarter. Meanwhile, Disney's ESPN network has struck a tentative deal to acquire the NFL Network and distribute the Red Zone channel. In exchange, the National Football League would receive a 10% stake in ESPN. McDonald's delivered a happy Meal to its investors with a nearly 4% jump in sales at existing restaurants during the quarter. A promotional tie in with the Minecraft movie as well as new McCrispy chicken strips helped draw customers to McDonald's at a time when some rival fast food chains are struggling. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

You're listening to NPR. President Trump's 50% tariffs against Brazil have gone into effect. These tariffs could affect many goods Americans want, such as coffee and beef. Trump says his tariffs are over Brazil's prosecution of his ally, former far right Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Bolsonaro will soon go on trial for trying to overturn his election loss in 2022. President Trump's special envoy has completed a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Steve Witkoff is at the Kremlin days before a deadline set by Trump. Trump says if Russia does not end its war in Ukraine, the he will impose significant new penalties on Russia. A New York startup has become the first company to publicly acknowledge plans to pursue the creation of Gene edited babies. NPR's Rob Stein has more.

[Rob Stein]

The company, which is opening a lab in New York City, is called the Manhattan Project. The company plans to demonstrate that it would be safe to use the latest gene editing technologies to modify the DNA in human embryos. The goal is to prevent inherited diseases. The announcement comes amid a flurry of interest trying to commercialize gene edited human embryos, which has long been considered taboo. Proponents say modifying human embryos could alleviate a lot of suffering. Critics say it's dangerous and unethical and could lead to designer babies. Rob Stein, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

Tennessee Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn has announced she will run for the office of Tennessee governor. She'll join the GOP primary and she'll face Tennessee Congressman John Rose next year. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News in Washington.

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