NPR News: 08-09-2025 2PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: August 9, 2025 – 2PM EDT

Hosted by Amy Held

---

Ukraine-Russia Conflict and U.S.-Russia Summit

Ukraine's Stance on Russian Control

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky firmly stated that Ukraine "has no intention of recognizing Russian control over any part of its territory." In a [00:39] social media video, Zelensky emphasized, "Ukrainians will not gift their land to the occupier." He further asserted, "We will not reward Russia for what it has perpetrated," underscoring Ukraine's unwavering position against Russian occupation.

Upcoming Summit Between Trump and Putin

U.S. President Donald Trump announced a forthcoming summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin scheduled for next Friday in Alaska. This meeting is set to occur without Zelensky's participation. Trump is seeking a resolution to the ongoing war in Ukraine, which may involve territorial exchanges. However, Zelensky has made it clear that "no decisions can be made without his country's full participation" ([00:39]). Currently, Russian forces control approximately 20% of Ukraine’s territory, primarily in the eastern and southern regions.

U.S. Tariffs and Legal Challenges

Legal Rulings Against Trump's Tariffs

President Trump has expressed significant concern regarding recent legal developments affecting his administration's tariffs. A federal Court of International Trade ruled in May that the tariffs imposed on individual countries were illegal ([01:22]). The Trump administration appealed the decision, and the appeals court has since heard arguments on the matter.

Trump's Response and Potential Implications

Trump took to social media to voice his frustration, stating, "if the court rules against his tariffs, it would be impossible to ever recover or pay back these massive sums of money and honor" ([01:34]). Trade law experts indicate that should the tariffs be deemed illegal, the government would be obligated to issue refunds to companies that had initially paid these tariffs.

Wildfires and Flooding Devastate the United States

Wildfire Crisis in the Western U.S.

The Western United States is grappling with over three dozen large wildfires, exacerbated by hot and dry conditions. Notably, the Canyon Fire has led to the evacuation of thousands, with containment efforts reaching approximately 30% ([02:10]).

Tragic Flooding in Texas

In Texas, the Texas Rangers released a solemn list of casualties from the catastrophic July 4th flooding in Kerr County. The list names 117 individuals who lost their lives and two who remain missing ([02:37]). Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring and Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly described the victims as "family, friends and neighbors," reflecting the profound impact on the local community. The flooding, which occurred in the early morning hours, claimed the lives of at least 135 people, including 27 young campers and counselors from Camp Mystic, a popular summer camp along the Guadalupe River.

Rising Gun Violence and Legislative Actions

Shooting Incidents in Georgia and New York City

Tragedy struck Georgia as investigators identified a 30-year-old suspect from suburban Atlanta responsible for yesterday's shooting at the CDC. The assailant and a responding officer were killed in the exchange ([03:15]). The gunman targeted the agency from across the street, causing panic among workers at a nearby daycare center and Emory University.

Meanwhile, New York City faced terror in Times Square when gunfire erupted overnight, resulting in three injuries. Authorities swiftly took one individual into custody. Despite these incidents, overall gun violence in New York City has been on the decline, with shootings down by about a quarter compared to the previous year.

Education Policy Changes: Focus on College Admissions

Trump's Directive on Admissions Data

President Trump has mandated that colleges and universities provide comprehensive admissions data to the Department of Education. This move aims to "reveal if schools are still considering race in admissions" following the Supreme Court's ban on affirmative action ([03:15]).

Details of the Reporting Requirements

According to Education Secretary Linda McMahon, the memo requires institutions to report not only the race, grades, and test scores of admitted students but also those of all applicants ([04:12]). McMahon stated, "We will not allow institutions to blight the dreams of students by presuming that their skin color matters more than their hard work."

Criticism and Challenges

Critics argue that the data collection process will be challenging and may not fully capture the multifaceted criteria colleges use in admissions, such as teacher recommendations, personal essays, sports, and extracurricular activities. They contend that the data might be "murky at best" and not reflect the holistic approach institutions take in evaluating candidates.

---

This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the key topics discussed in the NPR News Now episode released on August 9, 2025. For detailed updates and further information, please refer to the full podcast.

Transcript

[Carvana]

This message comes from Carvana. Explore Carvana's quick and easy financing and browse thousands of car options, all within your budget and timeline. Get pre qualified [e-mail] financing subject to credit approval. Additional terms and conditions may apply.

[Amy Held]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Amy Held. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky says his country has no intention of recognizing Russian control over any part of its territory. NPR's Greg Myhre reports. President Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin are preparing for a summit without Zelensky next week.

[Greg Myre]

President Zelensky made his position clear in a video on social media. He said Ukrainians will not gift their land to the occupier. He added, we will not reward Russia for what it has perpetrated. President Trump announced he'll hold a summit with Russian leader Vladimir Putin next Friday in Alaska. Trump is seeking an end to the war in Ukraine and says it could involve some swapping of territory. Ukraine is not part of the summit, and Zelenskyy says no decisions can be made without his country's full participation. Russian forces control close to 20% of Ukraine's territory in the east and south of the country. Greg Myre, NPR News, Kyiv.

[Amy Held]

President Trump is expressing anger and alarm at the possibility that many of his tariffs, some that went into effect just this week, could be overd. NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben has more.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

In May, the federal Court of International Trade ruled that tariffs Trump has imposed on individual countries are illegal. The Trump administration immediately appealed and the appeals court has heard arguments in that case. Trump posted on social media that if the court rules against his tariffs, quote, it would be impossible to ever recover or pay back these massive sums of money and honor. This follows other posts this week referring to the possibility of judges halting his tariffs. Trade law experts say that if the tariffs are found illegal, the government would have to provide refunds to companies that initially paid the tariffs. Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR News.

[Amy Held]

The White House firefighters are responding to more than three dozen large wildfires burning across the US in the west, hot and dry conditions are feeding the flames north of la. Thousands of people have fled the canyon fire, which is now about 30% contained. The Texas Texas Rangers have released a formal list of people lost in the July 4th flooding in Kerr County. Texas Public Radio's Jerry Clayton reports.

[Jerry Clayton]

The list contains the names and ages of 117 people who died and 2 who remain missing. In a joint statement, Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring and Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly said the names were not new to their community calling them family, friends and neighbors. They also thanked the first responders and those who are still supporting recovery efforts. The catastrophic flooding event happened in the country region in the early morning hours of July 4, taking the lives of at least 135 people. Among the dead were 27 young campers and counselors at Camp Mystic, a popular summer camp along the Guadalupe River. I'm Jerry Clayton in San Antonio.

[Amy Held]

It's NPR News. Investigators in Georgia have identified a 30 year old suspect from suburban Atlanta in yesterday's shooting at the cdc. He and a responding officer both died. Officials say the gunman opened fire on the agency from a across the street, hitting buildings, sparking fear amongst workers at a daycare center and at nearby Emory University. And in New York City, terror at Times Square overnight when gunfire sent people running. Three were wounded. Police say one person was taken into custody. Gun violence has been decreasing for decades in the city compared to last year. Shootings are down about a quarter. President Trump is requiring colleges and universities to turn over admissions data to the Department of Education. NPR's Cory Turner reports. It's meant to reveal if schools are still considering race in admissions after the Supreme Court banned affirmative action.

[Cory Turner]

The memo requires colleges to report to the Education Department the race, grades and test scores, not just of the students they admit, but of all applicants, the idea being so the government can see whom elite schools are turning away. In a statement, Education Secretary Linda McMahon said, We will not allow institutions to blight the dreams of students by presuming that their skin color matters more than their hard work. Critics of the move tell NPR the data will be hard to collect, murky at best, and won't reflect the fact that colleges don't just consider academics, but also teacher recommendations, personal essays, sports and extracurricular activities. Cory Turner, NPR News.

[Amy Held]

This is NPR News.

[Carvana]

Listen to this podcast sponsor, free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR News Now. [e-mail] NPR. Org. That's plus NPR. Org.