NPR News: 08-12-2025 10AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of Episode Released on August 12, 2025

Host: Kristen Wright
Release Date: August 12, 2025

---

1. Market Update: Inflation and Stock Performance

Kristen Wright opens the episode by reporting on the stock market's positive start, highlighting a new inflation report.

• Stock Market Gains:
  “The Dow Jones Industrial average jumped about 210 points in early trading.” [00:34]

• Inflation Data:
  Scott Horsley discusses the recent inflation figures:
  “Consumer prices in July were up 2.7% from a year ago, roughly in line with what forecasters had expected.” [00:34]
  He notes that while overall inflation remained elevated, falling gasoline prices helped mitigate the cost of living. However, core inflation—excluding energy and food—rose to 3.1%, influenced by President Trump's tariffs increasing the prices of imported goods like furniture and toys. Despite these pressures, investors remain optimistic about a potential interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve in the next meeting.

---

2. President Trump's Deployment of National Guard in Washington, D.C.

Kristen Wright transitions to national news, focusing on President Trump's recent actions in Washington, D.C.

a. Trump's Announcement and Intentions

• Deployment of National Guard:
  “President Trump says his move to seize control of Washington, D.C.’s police force should be seen as a warning by other cities.” [01:14]

• Addressing Crime:
  During a White House press conference, Donald Trump stated:
  “They’re all watching and maybe they'll self-clean up.” [01:39]
  He emphasized that crime in Washington, D.C., has been decreasing, citing both local and federal statistics.

b. Legal Challenges in California

As Trump deploys the National Guard, a related legal battle unfolds in California:

• Trial Over Guard Use:
  Kristen Wright reports that California is contesting the federal administration's use of the National Guard in Los Angeles earlier in the year. The trial, expected to conclude the following day, seeks to end the troop activation.

c. Upcoming Summit and International Relations

• Summit with Putin:
  Trump prepares for a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday, aiming to discuss the end of Russia's war with Ukraine.

• EU's Stance on Peace:
  “President Trump says he wants to see what Russian President Vladimir Putin has in mind as far as ending its war with Ukraine,” [02:02]
  Meanwhile, European Union leaders assert that peace cannot be achieved without Ukraine's involvement.

---

3. Industrial Incident: Explosion at US Steel Plant Near Pittsburgh

Kristen Wright reports a tragic accident at a steel manufacturing facility.

a. Incident Details

• Explosion and Casualties:
  A deadly explosion occurred at the Clairton Cokeworks near Pittsburgh, resulting in two deaths and injuring at least ten others. The plant is crucial for converting coal to coke, a key material in steelmaking.
  “Two people died in yesterday morning's blast and at least 10 others were hurt.” [02:02]

b. Environmental and Health Concerns

• Air Quality Issues:
  Tom Pike from the Clean Air Council expresses concerns about the fallout:
  “The concern is for folks who have asthma or some kind of pre-existing condition and also for children. So children's lungs are smaller than an adult's lungs. It doesn't take as much particulate matter or pollution to cause problems.” [02:54]

• Health Department Response:
  The Allegheny County Health Department has lifted its stay-indoors advisory for residents near the plant, signaling improved air quality after initial assessments.

---

4. Public Health Alert: Rabies Exposure in Grand Teton National Park

A significant health concern is emerging in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park.

a. Incident Overview

• Rabies Exposure:
  Health officials are tracing visitors potentially exposed to rabies at the Jackson Lake Lodge, where a suspected bat colony caused eight reported bat interactions since June.
  “Who stayed at Jackson Lake Lodge may have been exposed to rabies from a suspected bat colony at the hotel.” [03:33]

• Scope of Exposure:
  At least 200 individuals from 38 states and seven countries may have been exposed. Untreated rabies is nearly always fatal.

b. Health Officials' Response

• Expert Insight:
  Alexia Harris, State Health Officer, emphasizes the risk:
  “If left untreated, rabies is almost always fatal.” [03:33]

• Preventive Measures:
  Brian Mann highlights the primary concern for those with physical contact with bats:
  “What we're really concerned about certainly people who have had actual physical contact with bats because the way that rabies is spread is through the bats' saliva.” [03:49]

• Future Events at the Hotel:
  The Jackson Lake Lodge is slated to host the Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium next week, featuring a speech by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, raising concerns about potential further exposures.

---

5. International Law Enforcement: Cocaine Seizure in Greece

Kristen Wright covers a significant drug bust in Greece.

• Cocaine Shipment Discovery:
  Authorities in Greece intercepted nearly 600 pounds of cocaine hidden within a shipment of bananas from Ecuador. After receiving a tip, police opened the container already loaded onto a truck, leading to the discovery of numerous cocaine packets.
  “After a tip, police opened the container that was already loaded from a ship onto a truck and the packets came tumbling out.” [04:11]

---

6. Astronomy Update: Perseids Meteor Shower Peak

Concluding the episode, Kristen Wright shares celestial news.

• Perseids Meteor Shower:
  The Perseids meteor shower reaches its peak tonight into tomorrow morning. However, visibility may be hindered by a bright moon, making it challenging to see the usual fireballs and long streaks.
  “The Perseids are best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere during pre-dawn hours.” [04:11]
  The viewing period extends until August 23rd, providing ample opportunity for enthusiasts to witness the event.

---

This episode of NPR News Now provides a comprehensive overview of significant developments in financial markets, national security actions, public health alerts, international law enforcement, and even celestial events, ensuring listeners are well-informed on a diverse range of topics.

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.

[Kristen Wright]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Kristen Wright. Stocks opened higher this morning as a new report showed inflation remained elevated last month. NPR's Scott Horsley reports. The Dow Jones Industrial average jumped about 210 points in early trading.

[Scott Horsley]

Consumer prices in July were up 2.7% from a year ago, roughly in line with what forecasters had expected. Falling gasoline prices helped to keep the overall cost of living from rising. More so called core inflation, which strips out volatile energy and food prices, rose to 3.1%. The effects of President Trump's worldwide tariffs are visible in the rising price of imported goods such as furniture and toys. Additional tariffs ordered this month could push prices higher still. Nevertheless, investors are betting the Federal Reserve will see an opening to cut interest rates by a quarter percentage point when policymakers meet next month. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Kristen Wright]

President Trump says his move to seize control of Washington, D.C. s police force should be seen as a warning by other cities. Trump is deploying hundreds of National Guard troops in the Nation's capital, as NPR's Brian Mann reports.

[Donald Trump]

During a press conference from the White House, Trump pointed to cities led by Democrats, including Chicago, Detroit and New York City, and said he hoped to federal crackdown on crime underway in Washington would spur them to action.

[Brian Mann]

Other cities are hopefully watching this. They're all watching, just like everyone's watching here. They're all watching and maybe they'll self clean up.

[Donald Trump]

In fact, crime in Washington, D.C. has been going down. According to local and federal statistics. Many cities around the US have seen violence and property crimes drop sharply in recent years. Brian Mann, NPR News, Washington.

[Kristen Wright]

As Trump announced the deploying of the National Guard in D.C. yesterday, a separate trial started in California over the administration's use of the Guard in Los Angeles earlier this year. California is seeking to end the troop activation. The trial is due to last until tomorrow, with a decision expected from the judge. President Trump says he wants to see what Russian President Vladimir Putin has in mind as far as ending its war with Ukraine. The two leaders are meeting for a summit in Alaska on Friday. Today, European Union leaders are warning that the path to peace can't be decided without Ukraine. Officials are investigating what triggered a deadly explosion at a US Steel plant near Pittsburgh. Two people died in yesterday morning's blast and at least 10 others were hurt. Clairton Cokeworks converts coal to coke, a key component in the steelmaking process. The Clean Air Council is concerned about air quality since the explosion. Tom pike is with the group.

[Tom Pike]

The concern is for folks who have asthma or some kind of pre existing condition and also for children. So children's lungs are smaller than an adult's lungs. It doesn't take as much particulate matter or pollution to cause problems.

[Kristen Wright]

The Allegheny County Health Department lifted its stay indoors advisory for people living near the plant. This is NPR News in Washington. Health officials in Wyoming are tracking down visitors from 38 states and seven countries after hundreds of people were potentially exposed to rabies at a hotel in Grand Teton National Park. Jenna McMurtry reports at least 200 people.

[Alexia Harris]

Who stayed at Jackson Lake Lodge may have been exposed to rabies from a suspected bat colony at the hotel. The hotel has closed eight rooms after eight reported run ins with bats since June. If left untreated, rabies is almost always fatal. State Health Officer Alexia Harris.

[Brian Mann]

What we're really concerned about certainly people who have had actual physical contact with bats because the way that rabies is spread is through the bats saliva.

[Alexia Harris]

The hotel is scheduled to host the Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium next week. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell is expected to speak. For NPR news, I'm Jenna McMurtry in Jackson, Wyoming.

[Kristen Wright]

Authorities in Greece say they found nearly 600 pounds of cocaine in a shipment of bananas from Ecuador. After a tip, police opened the container that was already loaded from a ship onto a truck and the packets came tumbling out. And this is not the first such case. Summer's dazzling Perseids meteor shower peaks tonight into tomorrow morning. It may not be as visible as in recent years, though, because the moon will be really bright and that makes it harder to see the bright fireballs and long streaks of light and color that follow the meteors. The Perseids are best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere during pre dawn hours. Viewing does last until August 23rd, so there's more time. I'm Kristen Wright and this is NPR News from Washington.

[Shopify]

Support this message comes from NPR sponsor Shopify. No idea where to sell? Shopify puts you in control of every sales channel. It is the commerce platform revolutionizing millions of businesses worldwide. Whether you're a garage entrepreneur or IPO ready, Shopify is the only tool you need to start, run and grow your business without the struggle. Once you've reached your audience, Shopify has the Internet's best converting checkout. To help you turn them from browsers to buyers, go to shopify.com NPR to take your business to the next level today.