NPR News: 08-08-2025 7PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: August 8, 2025, 7PM EDT

Host: Jeanine Herbst

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Texas Legislature Deadlock Over Redistricting

The Texas House convened and subsequently adjourned without achieving a quorum, as a majority of Democratic members remained out of state. Their absence was a strategic move to block the passage of a Republican-backed congressional redistricting map. Houston Public Media's Andrew Schneider reports on the unfolding political standoff.

Dustin Burroughs, Texas Speaker of the House, highlighted the Republicans' efforts to proceed without Democratic input. He stated, "Each one of you knows that eventually you will come back and we will pass the priorities of the special session on the call. But with each passing day, the political cost of your absence is rising and it will be paid in full" (00:57). This underscores the increasing tension and potential repercussions of the Democrats' continued absence. Despite the obstruction, at least one Democrat returned for a brief session on Friday, signaling possible shifts in the ongoing impasse (01:11).

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Active Shooting at Emory University

A state of emergency persists at Emory University in Atlanta following an active shooting incident earlier today. Authorities confirmed that the sole suspect is deceased and that one officer sustained injuries during the event. The campus has since lifted the lockdown measures.

In a related incident, multiple buildings under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were targeted, with bullets striking at least four structures. This surge in violent incidents has heightened security concerns across the region.

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Appeals Court Rules Against Trump Administration in Contempt Case

A significant legal development emerged as a federal appeals court dismissed criminal contempt proceedings against officials within the Trump administration. NPR's Adrienne Florido provides an in-depth analysis of the case.

Originally, Judge James Boasberg of the federal District Court for D.C. had indicated probable cause to hold administration officials in contempt for defying his order to redirect airplanes carrying Venezuelan deportees to El Salvadorian prisons (01:50). However, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned this finding in a 2-1 decision, with both judges in favor appointed by President Trump. This ruling marks a substantial victory for the administration, which contended that Judge Boasberg had exceeded his judicial authority (01:50).

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Israel Faces Internal Pressure Over Gaza Military Expansion

Israel is contemplating expanding its military operations in Gaza, aiming to seize control of the territory's main city. This potential escalation has attracted criticism both domestically and internationally. NPR's Zaya Batrawy delves into the growing dissent within Israel regarding the prolonged conflict.

Zaya Batrawy notes, "There are people within Israel growing tired of this nearly two-year-long war, reservists who will be called to return yet again to Gaza to fight. Many want to get on with their lives and they've questioned the purpose of this war" (02:47). Additionally, the release of hostages through ceasefire agreements and voices from retired military leaders arguing that Hamas no longer poses a strategic threat amplify the calls for an end to hostilities (02:47).

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Mexico Rejects US Military Intervention Against Drug Cartels

In response to reports that former President Donald Trump has instructed the Pentagon to develop plans for cross-border strikes targeting drug cartels in Latin America, Mexico's President Claudio Sheinbaum has firmly dismissed the notion of a unilateral US invasion. NPR's Zeta Peralta covers Mexico's stance on this sensitive issue.

Zeta Peralta explains, "Mexican President Claudio Sheinbaum says Mexico has been assured the US will not take unilateral action of this kind in Mexico. We'll cooperate, we'll collaborate, but there will not be an invasion, she said. That is totally off the table" (03:35). This declaration comes amidst Trump's previous designations of organized crime groups in Mexico, El Salvador, and Venezuela as foreign terrorist organizations, which experts believe could have paved the way for such military actions (03:35).

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Wildfire Threats Escalate in Southern California

A rapidly spreading canyon fire near Los Angeles and Ventura counties has prompted evacuation orders for thousands of residents. Since its inception yesterday, the blaze has consumed over 5,300 acres and is currently 25% contained. Air quality alerts have been issued in parts of Ventura County due to the pervasive smoke. Authorities are actively investigating the cause of the fire, which is one of more than twelve wildfires currently burning across California (04:18).

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Market Update

In financial news, Wall Street closed higher with the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining 206 points, reflecting investor optimism amid the day's events.

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Note: Advertisements and non-content segments have been omitted to focus on the key news stories of the day.

Transcript

[Jeanine Herbst]

This message comes from Capital One. With the Venture X card. Earn unlimited double miles on everything you buy, plus get premium benefits at a collection of hotels when booking through Capital One Travel. What's in your wallet? Terms apply [e-mail] Live from NPR News, I'm Jeanine Herbst.

[Andrew Schneider]

The Texas House met and adjourned today without a quorum once again as most Democrats remain out of state to prevent the legislature from passing a Republican backed Congress Congressional redistricting map. Houston Public Media's Andrew Schneider reports Republicans are trying to force Democrats to return.

[Dustin Burroughs]

Texas speaker of the House Dustin Burroughs said one of his GOP colleagues was prepared to introduce a flood recovery and disaster preparedness bill responding to last month's deadly Central Texas flood. He told absent Democrats the bill can't be referred to committee without a quorum present.

[Unnamed Speaker]

Each one of you knows that eventually you will come back and we will pass the priorities of the special session on the call. But with each passing day, the political cost of your absence is rising and it will be paid in full.

[Dustin Burroughs]

At least one Democrat who had been absent returned for Friday's brief House session. For NPR News, I'm Andrew Schneider in Houston.

[Andrew Schneider]

At Emory University in Atlanta, a police emergency continues after an active shooting situation this afternoon on the campus on X Atlanta police say the lone suspect is dead and that one officer was injured. The school says a lockdown has now been lifted. At least four CDC buildings were hit by bullets. A federal appeals court has tossed out criminal contempt proceedings that a lower court judge was holding against officials in the Trump administration. NPR's Adrian Florido has more.

[Adrienne Fladibo]

Back in April, Judge James Boasberg of the federal District Court for D.C. said he had probable cause to hold administration officials in contempt for ignoring his order to turn back airplanes that were carrying Venezuelan deport Ortiz to a prison in El Salvador. He had said he'd hold proceedings to figure out which officials were responsible and hold them accountable. The Trump administration appealed to the D.C. circuit Court of Appeals in a 2 to 1 vote. A three judge panel on the court has now tossed out the contempt finding. Both judges who sided with President Trump were appointed by him. It's a big win for the administration, which argued Judge Boasberg had overstepped his authority by starting contempt proceedings. He Adrienne Fladibo, NPR News, Israel says.

[Andrew Schneider]

It will expand its war in Gaza to take control of the territory's main city, a major operation that could lead to a full military operation. The plan is already being slammed by allies and critics at home. NPR Zaya Batrawy, has more.

[Aya Batrawi]

There are people within Israel growing tired of this nearly two year long war, reservists who will be called to return yet again to Gaza to fight. Many want to get on with their lives and they've questioned the purpose of this war. The vast majority of hostages who have been freed were actually released in ceasefire deals. And you also have hundreds of retired generals and security officials saying Hamas is no longer a strategic threat and they too are calling for the war to end.

[Andrew Schneider]

NPR's Aya Batrawi reporting. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Mexico's president says there's no chance of a US Invasion to target drug cartels in her country. NPR Zeta Peralta reports. This comes after media reports that President Trump has asked the Pentagon to start planning cross border strikes.

[Zeta Peralta]

Multiple news outlets report that President Trump has asked the Pentagon to begin drawing up plans for military strikes on drug cartels in Latin America. One of Trump's first moves when he became president was to designate organized crime groups in Mexico, El Salvador and Venezuela as foreign terrorist organizations, which analysts say open the door to such strikes. Mexican President Claudio Sheinbaum says Mexico has been assured the US Will not take unilateral action of this kind in Mexico. We'll cooperate, we'll collaborate, but there will not be an invasion, she said. That is totally off the table. Ada Peralta, NPR News, Mexico City.

[Andrew Schneider]

In Southern California, thousands of people are under evacuation orders and warnings after the rapidly spreading canyon fire near Los Angeles and Ventura counties exploded. Since it started yesterday, fire officials say it's already burned more than 5,300 acres and it's 25% contained. Air quality alerts have been issued for parts of Ventura county because of the smoke. The cause of the blaze is under investigation. It's one of more than a dozen wildfires burning across California. Wall street higher by the closing bell. The Dow up 206 points. I'm Jeanine Herbst, NPR News, in Washington.

[Unnamed Speaker]

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