NPR News Now: August 19, 2025, 5PM EDT

Host: Windsor Johnston
Date: August 19, 2025
Duration: 5 Minutes
Summary by Section with Timestamps

Overview

This episode of NPR News Now delivers a concise update on the most significant news developments of August 19, 2025. Major stories include potential direct talks involving Russia, Ukraine, and President Trump; political maneuvering over redistricting in Texas; the latest US housing market outlook; controversy over a face mask ban at the Kennedy Center; and emergency funding for public media following federal budget cuts.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Russia Considers Meeting with Ukraine and President Trump

[00:30 – 01:31]

• Main Story: Russia indicates openness to high-level talks involving President Vladimir Putin, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, and potentially President Trump.
• Details:
  • Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov states Moscow is not refusing any potential formats for meetings.
  • Lavrov cautions that preparations for such summits will take time, possibly delaying direct talks as Trump had called for.
  • Trump claims to have secured Putin’s agreement for bilateral talks and a potential trilateral meeting after a phone call to Putin.
  • Kremlin aide Yuriyushakov is more cautious, saying only that discussions of high-level meetings are underway.
• Quote:
  • “Moscow was not refusing any format of meetings … Yet Lavrov warned preparations for such events take time.” — Charles Maynes [00:53]

2. Texas Redistricting Bill Stirs Political Tensions

[01:31 – 02:34]

• Main Story: Texas lawmakers prepare to vote on a redistricting bill, with Republicans seeking to gain seats; Democrats face police monitoring to maintain quorum.
• Details:
  • The Speaker of the Texas House mandates police escorts for members who previously broke quorum; all but Representative Nicole Collier have complied.
  • Collier refuses to sign the compliance slip, calling the measure an invasion of rights.
  • The redistricting vote is scheduled for Wednesday and is expected to benefit Republicans in five Democratic districts.
  • The police escort requirement is expected to be temporary.
• Memorable Quote:
  • “I feel like that is an invasion of my rights as a person, and it’s dehumanizing and demeaning, and I just won’t take it. I won’t agree to it.” — Rep. Nicole Collier [02:09]

3. U.S. Housing Market Update

[02:34 – 03:21]

• Main Story: Home construction picked up in July, but the outlook remains mixed due to high mortgage rates.
• Details:
  • Groundbreaking on new homes increased by 5.2% from the previous month.
  • Single-family housing starts were up nearly 3%.
  • Building permits for single-family homes increased, but those for multi-family fell.
  • Builder sentiment remains gloomy as high mortgage rates keep many buyers out of the market.
  • Home Depot’s recent quarter saw increased sales but profits below analyst expectations.
• Quote:
  • “A survey shows many home builders are still gloomy about the housing market with elevated mortgage rates keeping a lot of would-be buyers on the sidelines.” — Scott Horsley [02:42]

4. Kennedy Center Mask Policy Dispute

[03:21 – 04:27]

• Main Story: Over 800 Kennedy Center employees protest a ban on wearing face masks, arguing it endangers health and penalizes staff.
• Details:
  • The mask ban was introduced by President Richard Grinnell this April; President Trump is serving as current chair of the Kennedy Center.
  • Unionized employees report denial of exemptions, even for health reasons, and say those who continue wearing masks face disciplinary action, reassignment, surveillance, and lost wages.
• Quote:
  • “Masked Kennedy Center employees have experienced, quote, disciplinary action, lost wages, reassignment, surveillance and intimidation.” — Anastasia Tsiolkis [03:38]

5. Emergency Funding for Public Media

[04:27 – 05:08]

• Main Story: Major U.S. foundations pledge $37 million in emergency relief to public media as federal funding is cut.
• Details:
  • Donors include the Ford Foundation and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, both long-time backers of NPR.
  • Concerns are raised that if public media stations shut down, millions will lose access to news, cultural, and local programming.
  • Congress recently reversed two years’ worth of federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
• Quote:
  • “If stations go dark, millions of Americans could lose access to trusted news, cultural programs and local [content].” — Windsor Johnston [04:27]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Russian-Ukrainian talks:

  • “Moscow was not refusing any format of meetings… Yet Lavrov warned preparations for such events take time.” — Charles Maynes [00:53]

• On democratic rights in Texas:

  • “I feel like that is an invasion of my rights as a person, and it’s dehumanizing and demeaning, and I just won’t take it. I won’t agree to it.” — Representative Nicole Collier [02:09]

• On builder sentiment:

  • “A survey shows many home builders are still gloomy about the housing market with elevated mortgage rates keeping a lot of would-be buyers on the sidelines.” — Scott Horsley [02:42]

• On Kennedy Center mask ban:

  • “Masked Kennedy Center employees have experienced, quote, disciplinary action, lost wages, reassignment, surveillance and intimidation.” — Anastasia Tsiolkis [03:38]

• On public media funding crisis:

  • “If stations go dark, millions of Americans could lose access to trusted news, cultural programs and local.” — Windsor Johnston [04:27]

Important Timestamps

• Russia/Ukraine/Trump Meeting Update: [00:30–01:31]
• Texas Redistricting & Police Escorts: [01:31–02:34]
• US Housing Market Data: [02:34–03:21]
• Kennedy Center Mask Dispute: [03:21–04:27]
• Emergency Funding for Public Media: [04:27–05:08]

This episode delivers a rapid, balanced examination of domestic and global developments relevant to politics, public policy, economics, and the arts — all within the characteristic tone of concise, fact-based NPR reporting.