NPR News Now – August 12, 2025, 3PM EDT

Hosted by Lakshmi Singh, this episode of NPR News Now delivers the latest updates across various national and international topics. Below is a comprehensive summary capturing all key discussions, insights, and notable quotes from the episode.

1. Labor Statistics and Administration Changes

Overview: President Trump's nominee to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics, EJ Antoni, has proposed suspending the monthly jobs report. Antoni expressed concerns over the accuracy and methods used to compile labor market data, suggesting that the current system provides a misleading snapshot of the economy.

Key Points:

• EJ Antoni's Criticism: Antoni stated in an interview with Fox Business that the methodologies behind the monthly jobs report are "flawed," questioning the reliability of the data that influences economic policies.

• Administrative Action: In response to these concerns and the latest jobs report—which indicated weak growth in July and significant revisions for May and June—President Trump dismissed Antoni’s predecessor from the position mere hours after the report's release.

Notable Quote:

"The methods used to compile the monthly snapshot of the labor market's performance are flawed," – EJ Antoni [00:33]

2. DOJ's Civil Rights Violations at Universities

Overview: The Department of Justice (DOJ) has informed George Washington University (GWU) that it is in violation of federal civil rights laws due to inadequate handling of antisemitism on campus. This follows a similar notification sent to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Key Points:

• DOJ's Findings at GWU: Alyssa Nadworny reports that Jewish students felt intimidated during a pro-Palestinian encampment event last spring, with the university failing to take "meaningful action to combat antisemitism," leading to harm among Jewish students and faculty.

• Response from GWU: A spokesperson for GWU affirmed the university’s stance against antisemitism and stated that steps have been taken to hold responsible individuals and organizations accountable.

• Federal Funding Impact: Following the DOJ's findings at UCLA, the Trump administration froze $500 million in federal funding to the institution, signaling potential financial repercussions for non-compliance.

Notable Quote:

"Jewish students were intimidated and fearful... the school took, quote, no meaningful action to combat antisemitism," – DOJ Letter [01:14]

3. National Guard Deployment in Washington D.C.

Overview: In a significant move to address rising concerns over crime, President Trump has deployed National Guard troops to Washington D.C. and placed local police under federal oversight. This decision comes amidst conflicting reports about the actual trends in violent crime within the city.

Key Points:

• Administration’s Stance: White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt outlined the administration’s plan to "relentlessly pursue and arrest every violent criminal in the District" over the next month [02:08].

• Crime Statistics vs. Actions: Despite the administration's initiatives, data indicates that violent crime in D.C. has decreased by nearly 30%. Critics, including civil rights advocates, argue that Trump's actions are politically motivated, aiming to exert power rather than solely focusing on public safety.

Notable Quotes:

"Over the course of the next month, the Trump administration will relentlessly pursue and arrest every violent criminal in the District," – Alyssa Nadworny [02:08]

"Who breaks the law." – Caroline Levitt [02:15]

"Law undermines public safety and endangers law abiding Americans," – Alyssa Nadworny [02:16]

4. State Department's Annual Human Rights Report

Overview: After months of revisions, the State Department has released its annual human rights report. However, the Trump administration has been criticized for politicizing the report by altering its focus and omitting certain critical sections.

Key Points:

• Revisions and Priorities: The administration modified the original draft, emphasizing new priorities such as criticizing Brazil’s suppression of free speech under former President Jair Bolsonaro and challenging a South African bill deemed unfair to Afrikaner landowners.

• Refugee Policy Adjustments: The report now highlights the administration’s refugee program for Afrikaners, contrasting with a pause on other refugee admissions.

• Omissions: Sections addressing LGBTQ rights and other significant issues were removed, reflecting the administration’s efforts to downplay these topics.

Notable Quote:

"The report now criticizes what it sees as the suppression of free speech by supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro," – Michelle Kellerman [02:42]

5. Kennedy Center Honorees Announcement

Overview: The 48th Kennedy Center Honorees are set to be announced, with President Trump sharing the news on social media. The announcement has sparked organizational challenges within the Kennedy Center, particularly concerning event preparations.

Key Points:

• Presidential Endorsement: Trump highlighted the focus on "excellence" as the main criterion for the awards, mentioning potential honorees like Babe Ruth and Elvis Presley [03:50].

• Organizational Impact: The Kennedy Center staff expressed concerns over the unexpected announcement, fearing insufficient time to manage ticket sales and sponsorships, which are crucial for the honors' fundraising efforts.

Notable Quote:

"Excellence has been the main criterion for the awards," – Caroline Levitt [03:50]

6. International Tennis Star Monica Selles on Her Health Battle

Overview: Monica Selles, an International Tennis Hall of Famer, has publicly shared her struggle with Myasthenia Gravis (MG), aiming to raise awareness about the chronic neuromuscular disease ahead of the US Open.

Key Points:

• Personal Battle: At 51, Selles revealed her MG diagnosis three years ago and has been battling muscle weakness affecting her daily life [04:31].

• Comback Story: Selles made a remarkable return to Grand Slam tennis in 1995, overcoming a traumatic event where she was stabbed during a live match in Germany.

Impact: Selles’ openness serves to inspire others facing similar health challenges and underscores the resilience required to compete at the highest levels of sport despite personal hardships.

7. Wall Street Update

Overview: In the financial segment, major market indices saw significant movements.

Key Point:

• The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged by 456 points, marking an impressive uptrend in the market [04:31].

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now provided a thorough overview of pressing issues ranging from labor statistics and civil rights at educational institutions to national security measures in Washington D.C., human rights reporting, cultural honors, personal health battles of public figures, and financial markets. Each segment was enriched with direct quotes and timestamped insights, offering listeners a clear and detailed understanding of the day's top stories.

For more updates, visit npr.org. Listen to NPR News Now on your preferred podcast platform.