NPR News: 08-08-2025 10PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: August 9, 2025, 10 PM EDT

In today’s episode of NPR News Now, a multitude of critical events unfolded across the United States and internationally. From a tragic incident in Atlanta to significant political developments and the passing of a NASA legend, here are the key highlights:

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Tragic Shooting at CDC Building in Atlanta

Timestamp: 00:19 - 01:11

Jeanine Herbst reports a heartbreaking incident at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) near Emory University in Atlanta, where a police officer lost his life after a gunman opened fire. The suspect, identified as a white male, was found deceased on the second floor of the CVS pharmacy opposite the CDC building. Authorities are still determining whether the suspect was shot by police or succumbed to a self-inflicted wound. Fortunately, there have been no other reported fatalities, though several individuals received treatment for stress and anxiety at a nearby hospital.

Eyewitness Account: Ross Davis, an Atlanta resident who was stuck in traffic near the CDC during the shooting, shared his harrowing experience:

“I never saw the shooter, but I probably in somewhere in the neighborhood of two to three minutes sitting there, I probably heard 60 to 70 rounds.”
(00:59)

Following the incident, a lockdown at the CDC was promptly lifted. However, law enforcement officials continue to urge the public to avoid the area as investigations remain ongoing.

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President Trump to Meet President Putin on Ukraine Ceasefire

Timestamp: 01:22 - 01:44

In a significant diplomatic move, President Donald Trump announced his intention to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska next week to discuss a potential ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Trump emphasized the mutual desire for peace from all involved parties but highlighted that territorial concessions would be necessary from both sides to achieve lasting resolution.

President Trump’s Statement:

“Europe wants to the European leaders want to see peace. President Putin, I believe, wants to see peace.”
(01:29)

He further elaborated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also seeks peace, adding:

“There'll be some swapping of territories to the betterment of both.”
(01:44)

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White House Hosts Azerbaijan and Armenia Leaders for Peace Resolution

Timestamp: 01:49 - 02:21

In efforts to mediate and resolve long-standing conflicts, President Trump hosted leaders from Azerbaijan and Armenia at the White House. The meeting culminated in the signing of a joint resolution—a framework aimed at ending decades of violent disputes between the two nations. This initiative signifies a pivotal step towards regional stability and peace.

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California Governor Gavin Newsom Announces Congressional Redistricting Measure

Timestamp: 02:21 - 02:55

Responding to Republican-led efforts in Texas to redraw congressional district lines and secure additional GOP seats, California Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled his commitment to presenting a congressional redistricting measure to California voters this fall. This proactive stance aims to bolster Democratic prospects within the state’s political landscape.

Governor Newsom’s Commitment:

“We will nullify what happens in Texas. We will pick up five seats with the consent of the people. And that's the difference between the approach we're taking and the approach they're taking.”
(02:34)

Democratic leaders in California’s state legislature have been diligently negotiating new district maps since last weekend and anticipate releasing their proposal to the public next week.

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Mass Shooting in Anaconda, Montana

Timestamp: 02:55 - 03:56

A distressing event unfolded in Anaconda, Montana, where a man named Michael Brown, a 45-year-old Army veteran, is accused of shooting and killing four individuals at a local bar. After a week-long, multi-agency search in the mountainous region, Brown was apprehended. Authorities report that he was armed at the time of his arrest. Brown’s family has disclosed that he struggled with mental health issues, adding a complex layer to this tragic incident.

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Increased Federal Law Enforcement in Washington, D.C. Amid Crime Concerns

Timestamp: 03:56 - 04:22

President Trump announced an escalation of the federal law enforcement presence in Washington, D.C., citing ongoing concerns about violent crime in the city. This decision follows a recent incident where a former Department of Government Worker was violently carjacked. However, it's noteworthy that crime statistics indicate a decline in criminal activities, with last year recording the fewest homicides since 2019. The White House asserts that these measures will focus on patrolling tourist-heavy areas to ensure public safety.

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Passing of NASA Astronaut Jim Lovell

Timestamp: 04:22 - 04:41

NPR’s Russell Lewis shares the sad news of the passing of Jim Lovell, a revered NASA astronaut who was 97 years old. Lovell was renowned for his participation in four spaceflights, including two missions to the moon. His most notable expeditions were Apollo 8, which marked the first human mission to leave low Earth orbit and reach the moon, capturing the iconic "earthrise" photograph, and Apollo 13, famously dubbed NASA's "most successful failure" after an onboard explosion jeopardized the mission.

Reflecting on Apollo 13: President Trump commented on the mission’s legacy:

“The Apollo 13 tells a story. It was a failure in the beginning.”
(04:22)

Russell Lewis further elaborated on how the mission's challenges were overcome:

“The flight controllers and crew worked almost nonstop for days, solving one problem after another to get the spacecraft home.”
(04:27)

Lovell’s contributions to space exploration remain a significant part of NASA’s history and legacy.

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Stock Market Update

Timestamp: 04:41 - 04:57

As the trading day concluded, the stock market saw a positive uptick:

• Dow Jones Industrial Average: Up by 206 points
• Nasdaq Composite: Increased by 207 points, nearly a 1% rise
• S&P 500: Advanced by 49 points

This upward trend reflects investor confidence amid the ongoing economic and political developments.

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Stay informed with NPR News Now for the latest updates and comprehensive coverage of the events shaping our world.

Transcript

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[Jeanine Herbst]

I'm Jeanine Herbst in Atlanta. A police officer is dead after a gunman opened fire at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention building near Emory University today. Georgia Public Broadcasting's Peter Biello reports the suspect is also dead.

[Peter Biello]

Police say the suspect, a white male, died on the second floor of the CVS pharmacy across the street from the cdc, and it's unclear if he was killed by police or a self inflicted wound. Police say they're not aware of any other injuries, but several people were treated at a nearby hospital for stress and anxiety. Ross Davis of Atlanta was stuck in traffic outside the CDC when the shots rang out.

[Ross Davis]

I never saw the shooter, but I probably in somewhere in the neighborhood of two to three minutes sitting there, I probably heard 60 to 70 rounds.

[Peter Biello]

A lockdown put in place at the CDC has since been lifted, but law enforcement are asking the public to stay clear of the area as the investigation continues. For NPR News, I'm Peter Biello in Atlanta.

[Jeanine Herbst]

President Trump says he'll meet with Russian President Putin in Alaska next week to talk about a ceasefire to Russia's war in Ukraine.

[Donald Trump]

Europe wants to the European leaders want to see peace. President Putin, I believe, wants to see.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Peace, and he says Ukrainian President Zelensky also wants to see peace. But Trump says both sides will have to relinquish land.

[Donald Trump]

There'll be some swapping of territories to the betterment of both.

[Jeanine Herbst]

This as he hosted leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia at the White House today for the signing of a joint resolution, a framework for a peace deal and aimed at ending decades of bloody conflict between the two countries. California Governor Gavin Newsom says he's committed to putting a congressional redistricting measure before California voters this fall. As CAP Radio's Laura Fitzgerald reports, it's a response to a Republican led effort in Texas to redraw district lines and grab five additional GOP seats.

[Laura Fitzgerald]

Newsom pledged to call a special election for California voters to approve new congressional maps that will boost prospects for Democrats in the state. He said President Donald Trump's call on the Texas GOP to change district lines left him no choice.

[Gavin Newsom]

We will nullify what happens in Texas. We will pick up five seats with the consent of the people. And that's the difference between the approach we're taking and the approach they're taking.

[Laura Fitzgerald]

Democratic leaders in California. State legislature have been negotiating new maps since last weekend. They say their proposal will be made public next week. For NPR News, I'm Laura Fitzgerald in Sacramento.

[Jeanine Herbst]

In Montana, a man accused of shooting and killing four people at a bar in Anaconda is in custody after a week long multi agency search in the mountainous area. Police say 45 year old Michael Brown, an Army vet, is accused of killing a bartender and three patrons. His family says he suffered from mental health issues. Police say he was armed when he was arrested. This is NPR News. President Trump increased the federal law enforcement presence in Washington, D.C. today after complaining about crime. The White House says the city has been plagued by violent crime for far too long. This after a former Doge worker was violently carjacked. The federal officers will reportedly concentrate on patrolling tourist areas. But crime in D.C. is actually falling. Last year saw the fewest number of homicides since 2019. A veteran astronaut of NASA's early days has died. Jim Lovell flew in space four times, including two trips to the moon. NPR's Russell Lewis reports. Lovell was 97 years old.

[Russell Lewis]

Jim Lovell's last two missions during the Apollo program captured the most public attention. Apollo 8 was the first time humans left low Earth orbit and reached the moon. This was the mission that took the famous earthrise picture showing our blue and white planet soaring over the barren lunar landscape. His last flight, Apollo 13 in 1970, almost ended in disaster when an explosion crippled the spacecraft. In this 2014 NPR interview, Lovell remembered that flight.

[Donald Trump]

The Apollo 13 tells a story. It was a failure in the beginning.

[Russell Lewis]

The flight controllers and crew worked almost nonstop for days, solving one problem after another to get the spacecraft home. The mission was called NASA's most successful failure. Russell Lewis, NPR News, Wall Street.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Higher by the closing bell. The Dow up 206 points. Nasdaq up 207. For the Nasdaq, that's up nearly 1%. The S&P 500 up 49. I'm Jeanine Herbst and you're listening to NPR News from Washington.

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