NPR News: 08-14-2025 2AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Episode Summary – August 14, 2025

Released on August 14, 2025

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Kennedy Center Honorees Announced in Unconventional Manner

In a departure from tradition, the Kennedy Center announced its honorees through a press conference rather than the usual press release. President Donald Trump took center stage to announce the winners, which included notable figures such as Grammy Award winner George Strait, Phantom of the Opera singer Michael Crawford, and iconic singer Gloria Gaynor.

Gloria Gaynor reflected on her honor, stating, “I Will Survive is an unbelievable song. I've heard it, you know, like everyone else here thousands of times. And it's one of those few that get better every time you hear it and nobody can sing it like her. And that's an honor" ([00:44]).

In an unexpected revelation, President Trump expressed his desire to be honored in the future, mentioning, “Next year will honor Trump" ([01:03]). This statement marks a significant shift in the Kennedy Center's recognition process under his chairmanship.

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Wisconsin Grapples with Severe Flooding and Seeks Federal Assistance

Wisconsin has been severely impacted by extreme storms and flooding, prompting Governor Tony Evers to request a formal preliminary assessment from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). According to Mayan Silver from WWM in Milwaukee:

“In a 24-hour period last weekend, torrential rain fell in Wisconsin, causing rivers to flood, vehicles to wash out and power to be cut to thousands. In hard-hit southeastern Wisconsin, where Milwaukee is, there were more than 3,000 reports of structural damage” ([01:35]).

Governor Evers has declared a state of emergency, a necessary step towards securing federal aid. The initial review by Wisconsin Emergency Management indicates that the state meets the criteria for federal assistance. However, the final approval for federal relief lies with President Trump.

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Juneau Faces Flooding with Improved Defenses Compared to Last Year

The city of Juneau is assessing the extent of home damages caused by recent glacial meltwater floods, which peaked on Wednesday. Despite significant challenges, the city reports better outcomes compared to the previous year, attributing this improvement to newly installed temporary levees.

Alex Solomon from KTOO highlights the efforts of residents like Locke and Melissa Brown:

“Locke and Melissa Brown are pumping water out of the crawl space of their home. The Menenhall river hit a record-breaking crest of more than 16 and a half feet before starting to recede Wednesday morning. But the Browns say their home fared better than it did when it flooded the past two years. That's because of the city's new levee, which is made of steel baskets filled with sand stacked between their house and the river" ([02:42]).

City officials emphasize that without these barriers, hundreds of homes would have suffered extensive damage, underscoring the effectiveness of the temporary levees in mitigating flood impact.

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Conflict in Gaza Escalates Amid Humanitarian Challenges

Hospital officials in Gaza have reported that Israeli strikes on Tuesday resulted in the deaths of at least 123 Palestinians. Concurrently, humanitarian organizations have conveyed to Reuters that trucks carrying essential aid, including medicine, are being denied entry at the Gaza border. This blockage has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, with the Health Ministry reporting that “at least eight people died from starvation or malnutrition" within the last 24 hours ([03:14]).

The ongoing restrictions on aid delivery compound the dire situation for residents in Gaza, highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian intervention.

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Amazon Expands into Grocery Delivery, Intensifying Market Competition

Amazon is making significant strides in the grocery delivery sector by introducing same-day delivery for perishable items across approximately 2,300 cities by the end of the year. This expansion includes a wide range of products such as produce, dairy, meat, bakery items, and frozen goods, requiring substantial investment in storage and warehousing infrastructure.

Alina Selyuk from NPR reports:

“Spent years trying to take a bite out of the grocery market that's dominated by Walmart. Now it's touting its most significant grocery expansion to date, saying it plans to do same day delivery in 2,300 cities by the end of the year. This will include produce, dairy, meat and bakery, as well as frozen items, all of which have required much work to set up storage and warehousing.”

Additionally, Amazon is lowering participation barriers by eliminating the need for a separate subscription for grocery delivery, offering services to non-Prime members for a fee of $13 per order. This strategic move positions Amazon as a formidable competitor to Walmart and established food delivery services.

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Tennessee Endures Devastating Floods Leading to Fatalities

Chattanooga, Tennessee, is bracing for more heavy rainfall following overnight flooding that disrupted several interstates. The Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management reported tragic losses, stating that a large tree fell during the storms, resulting in the deaths of two adults and one child.

This incident underscores the severe weather patterns currently affecting the region, with authorities urging residents to stay vigilant as additional rain is forecasted.

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now delivered comprehensive coverage of diverse topics ranging from cultural honors and severe weather impacts to international conflicts and corporate expansions. Notable insights include President Trump's unconventional role in honor announcements and Amazon's strategic moves to penetrate the grocery market. The reporting highlights the widespread effects of natural disasters on communities across the United States and the escalating humanitarian issues in Gaza.

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For more detailed reports and updates, listeners are encouraged to tune into NPR News Now or visit the NPR website.

Transcript

[Capital One Representative]

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[Dwahalisai Kowtow]

In New York City. I'm Dwahalisai Kowtow. This year's Kennedy center honorees were presented and selected far differently than previous ones. First, there was a press conference when you usually the honorees are named only in a press release. And second, President Trump announced all the winners, from Grammy Award winner George Strait to the Phantom of the Opera singer Michael Crawford to Gloria Gaynor.

[Gloria Gaynor]

I Will say that I Will Survive is an unbelievable song. I've heard it, you know, like everyone else here thousands of times. And it's one of those few that get better every time you hear it and nobody can sing it like her. And that's an honor.

[Dwahalisai Kowtow]

So Gloria Gaynor, President Trump said he always wanted to be among those honored at the Kennedy Center. Their prestigious awards have been given since 1978. Now that he's chairman, he said, quote, next year will honor Trump. Wisconsin's governor has asked fema, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to start a formal preliminary assessment of damage in the state after recent extreme storms and flooding. Mayan Silver for from member station WWM in Milwaukee reports.

[Mayan Silver]

In a 24 hour period last weekend, torrential rain fell in Wisconsin, causing rivers to flood, vehicles to wash out and power to be cut to thousands. In hard hit southeastern Wisconsin, where Milwaukee is, there were more than 3,000 reports of structural damage. Democratic Governor Tony Evers declared a state of emergency on Monday, a precursor to getting federal aid. Wisconsin Emergency Management then conducted an initial review of the damages, which Ever's office says suggests the state will meet the threshold for federal assistance. A formal declaration to bring federal relief to Wisconsin would have to come from GOP President Donald Trump. For NPR News, I'm Ayan Silver in Milwaukee.

[Dwahalisai Kowtow]

The city of Juneau has not yet fully tallied how many homes were damaged by a flood of glacial meltwater that crested Wednesday. But they say they're in much better shape than when a similar flood damaged hundreds of homes last year. As member station KTOO's Alex Solomon reports, that's due to a temporary levy the city installed.

[Alex Solomon]

Locke and Melissa Brown are pumping water out of the crawl space of their home. The Menenhall river hit a record breaking crest of more than 16 and a half feet before starting to recede Wednesday morning. But the Browns say their home fared better than it did when it flooded the past two years. That's because of the city's new levee, which is made of steel baskets filled with sand stacked between their house and the river.

[Capital One Representative]

If they weren't here, it would have.

[Mayan Silver]

Been catastrophic for us.

[Alex Solomon]

Without the barrier, city officials say hundreds of homes would have been damaged.

[Dwahalisai Kowtow]

This is NPR News. Hospital officials in Gaza say Israeli strikes on Tuesday killed at least 123 Palestinians. Meanwhile, humanitarian groups tell Reuters that trucks filled with much needed aid, including medicine, continue to be rejected at the Gaza border. In the last 24 hour reporting period, the Health Ministry said at least eight people died from starvation or malnutrition. Amazon is once again expanding into grocery delivery, adding same day orders of perishable foods at hundreds of cities around the country. This sets up new competition for Walmart and food meal Delivery Services. As NPR's Alina Selyuk reports, Amazon has.

[Alina Selyuk]

Spent years trying to take a bite out of the grocery market that's dominated by Walmart. Now it's touting its most significant grocery expansion to date, saying it plans to do same day delivery in 2300 cities by the end of the year. This will include produce, dairy, meat and bakery, as well as frozen items, all of which have required much work to set up storage and warehousing. And note that Amazon is among NPR's financial supporters. The company is also lowering the barriers for participation, no longer requiring a separate subscription to get grocery delivery, and Amazon opening the door for people without prime memberships for a fee of $13 per order.

[Dwahalisai Kowtow]

Alina Seluk, NPR News in Chattanooga, Tennessee. More rain is forecast where heavy rain flooded interstates and shut some down overnight. The local Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management says a large tree fell and killed two adults and one child. This is NPR News from New York.

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