NPR News: 08-09-2025 1AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: August 9, 2025, 1AM EDT

Hosted by Dale Willman

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Tragic Shooting at CDC Headquarters

Timestamp: [00:14]

In a devastating incident on Friday afternoon, a police officer lost his life after a gunman opened fire at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) building near Emory University in Atlanta. Georgia Public Broadcasting's Peter Biello provided initial reports on the situation.

Details of the Incident

Timestamp: [00:29]

Peter Biello reported that the suspect, identified as a white male, died on the second floor of the CVS pharmacy located across the street from the CDC. Authorities are still determining whether the suspect was killed by police or succumbed to a self-inflicted wound. While no other fatalities have been confirmed, several individuals were treated at a nearby hospital for stress and anxiety related to the ordeal.

First-Hand Account

Timestamp: [00:50]

Ross Davis of Atlanta, who was in traffic outside the CDC during the shooting, shared his harrowing experience:

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

Ongoing Investigation

Timestamp: [01:02]

Following the attack, a lockdown was implemented at the CDC but has since been lifted. Police continue to investigate the incident and urge the public to avoid the area to facilitate their efforts.

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California's Redistricting Response to Texas GOP Moves

Timestamp: [01:13]

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced his commitment to presenting a congressional redistricting measure to California voters this fall. This move is a direct response to a Republican-led initiative in Texas aimed at redrawing district lines to secure five additional GOP seats.

Governor Newsom's Initiative

Timestamp: [01:30]

Laura Fitzgerald of CAP Radio detailed Newsom's strategy to counteract the Texas GOP's efforts. The plan involves calling for a special election allowing California voters to approve new congressional maps favorable to Democrats.

"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."
— Gavin Newsom [01:43]

Legislative Progress

Timestamp: [01:53]

Democratic leaders within the California state legislature have been diligently negotiating new district maps since the previous weekend. They anticipate making their proposal public in the coming week, aiming to enhance Democratic prospects in the state's congressional representation.

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Injury Update on Detroit Lions' Maurice Norris

Timestamp: [02:04]

During a preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons on Friday night, Detroit Lions safety Maurice Norris sustained an injury following a tackle. The team reports that Norris is in stable condition, having regained feeling and movement in all his extremities.

Head Coach's Reaction

Timestamp: [02:22]

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell addressed the incident, emphasizing the team's solidarity:

"Man, it's a violent game and we love it. And, you know, but when something like this happens, the silver lining is, man, the brotherhood. I mean, to see all those guys, you know, from that team, our team kind of come together and everybody's thinking about another player just means a lot, you know."
— Dan Campbell [02:22]

Following the injury, both teams remained on the field as the game concluded with 6:31 left to play.

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Stock Market Sees Third Consecutive Weekly Gain

Timestamp: [02:44]

Wall Street experienced a positive day on Friday, marking the stock market's third winning week within the past month. Key indices saw notable increases:

• S&P 500: Rose by 0.78%, approaching the record set last week.
• Dow Jones Industrial Average: Increased by 0.47%.
• Nasdaq Composite: Gained 0.98%.

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Azerbaijan and Armenia Forge Peace Agreement

Timestamp: [02:44]

In a significant development, Azerbaijan and Armenia have signed a peace agreement aimed at enhancing bilateral economic ties and progressing toward full normalization of relations after decades of conflict. The landmark deal was brokered by former President Donald Trump. Should the agreement hold, it represents a major diplomatic achievement that could challenge Moscow's influence in the region.

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U.S. Visa Policy Tightens for Zimbabwe and Other African Nations

Timestamp: [03:55]

The U.S. State Department has announced a temporary halt on all routine visa applications from Zimbabwean nationals. This decision follows new regulations requiring visa applicants from two other African countries to post bond payments of up to $15,000. The measures are part of a broader effort to address visa overstays and misuse.

Details from Emmanuel Akinwatu

"The temporary pause will affect all visa applicants apart from diplomats in order to tackle visa overstay and misuse, and will remain in place while U.S. officials address concerns with Zimbabwe's government."
— Emmanuel Akinwatu [03:55]

These changes coincide with a recent crackdown on immigration, including travel bans on twelve countries—seven of which are African nations—and the introduction of bond requirements for visa applicants from Malawi and Zambia.

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Largest Wildfire in France's Decades Burns Through Oude Wine Region

Timestamp: [04:28]

France is battling its most extensive wildfire in decades, scorching approximately 62 square miles in the Oude wine region. While authorities have declared the fire contained, there are ongoing concerns that high temperatures could reignite the blaze. Tragically, at least one person has lost their life, and hundreds have been evacuated from their homes to ensure safety.

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This summary provides an overview of the key news topics covered in the August 9, 2025, episode of NPR News Now. For more detailed information, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full podcast.

Transcript

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[Dale Willman]

Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman in Atlanta. A police officer is dead after a gunman opened fire at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention building near Emory University Friday afternoon. Georgia Public Broadcasting's Peter Biello reports.

[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.

[Dale Willman]

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 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.

[Dale Willman]

The Detroit Lions say safety Maurice Norris is in stable condition after he was carted off the field during a preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons Friday night. He was injured during a tackle. Team officials say he now has feeling and movement in all of his extremities. Did Detroit head coach Dan Campbell later responded to just what happened?

[Dan Campbell]

Man, it's a violent game and we love it. And, you know, but when something like this happens, the silver lining is, man, the brotherhood. I mean, to see all those guys, you know, from that team, our team kind of come together and everybody's thinking about another player just means a lot, you know.

[Dale Willman]

After the injury, the ball was snapped one more time as both teams stood on the field to watch the clock wind down. The the game was called with 6:31 left to play. Stocks rose on Friday on Wall Street. That marks their third winning week over the past month. The S&P 500 rose 0.78%. That leaves it just shy of the record it set last week. The dow was up 0.47%. The Nasdaq added another 0.98%. This is NPR News. Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a peace agreement on Friday. The deal would boost bilateral economic ties after decades of conflic, and it would move them toward a full normalization of relations. The deal was brokered by President Trump. If it holds, it would be a significant accomplishment and could rattle Moscow, which sees the region as within its sphere of influence. The State Department has paused all routine visa applications from Zimbabwean nationals. That announcement comes days after US Officials announced new rules requiring bond payments of up to $15,000 from visa applicants from two other African countries. As NPR's Emmanuel Akinwatu reports, the State.

[Emmanuel Akinwotu]

Department said the temporary pause will affect all visa applicants apart from diplomats in order to tackle visa overstay and misuse, and will remain in place while U.S. officials address concerns with Zimbabwe's government. The announcement comes amid a crackdown on immigration and new travel restrictions on many African countries. In June, the administration placed Travel bans on 12 countries, including seven from Africa, and announced this week visa applicants from Malawi and Zambia must pay bonds of up to $15,000. Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR News, Lagos.

[Dale Willman]

Officials in France say they remain on high alert following that country's largest wildfire in decades that burned some 62 square miles in the Oude wine region. They say the fire is now contained, but that they are concerned that high temperatures may again reignite the blaze. At least one person was killed by the fire, and hundreds of other people were forced to evacuate their homes. I'm Dale Wilman, NPR News.

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