NPR News Now – August 21, 2025, 7AM EDT

Host: Korva Coleman
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This edition delivers a concise update on the most significant national and international news as of August 21, 2025. Key topics include a Russian missile strike on a U.S. factory in Ukraine, political developments in Texas and California regarding congressional redistricting, the effects of a major crime emergency in Washington, D.C. on the immigrant community, a hurricane off the U.S. east coast, record turnover among election officials, and the opening of the Federal Reserve’s annual economic summit in Jackson Hole.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Russian Missile Strike on American Factory in Ukraine

[00:16–01:19]

• Incident details: Russian cruise missile hit an unidentified American electronics factory in far-western Ukraine, near the Hungarian border.

• Consequences: The attack wounded more than a dozen people and caused heavy damage. Videos show thick black smoke from the industrial plant.

• Context: Part of Russia’s largest airstrike in the war to date—570 drones and 40 missiles overnight. The strike followed recent meetings involving President Trump, Ukrainian President Zelensky, and Russian President Putin aimed at ending the war.

  "Russia attacks western Ukraine less frequently than other areas, but the region was the focus of Russia's overnight barrage." — Greg Myre, [00:37]

2. Texas Redistricting and Political Maneuvering

[01:19-02:04]

• Texas developments: The state House passed a GOP-led plan to redraw congressional districts, potentially sending up to five more Republicans to the U.S. House in the next midterm elections.

• Democrat response: Texas House Democrats, led by Rep. Gene Woo, previously fled the state to block the plan but many have returned.

• Impact: The measure advances to the Republican-led state Senate. Rep. Woo emphasizes the importance of public engagement.

  "This is not over. We will continue fighting. But what needs to happen is we need every American, every Texan to start paying attention to and start learning about how we got here." — Rep. Gene Woo, [01:48]

• California context: Lawmakers in California are also considering new congressional maps, but for Democratic advantage.

3. Washington, D.C. Crime Emergency and Immigrant Community Impact

[02:04-03:14]

• Law enforcement activity: Following President Trump’s crime emergency declaration, over 550 arrests have been made.

• Immigrant community reaction: Many immigrants are anxious and avoiding public spaces due to increased ICE and federal agent presence.

• Citizen perspectives: Residents, including street vendors and delivery workers, are disappearing from public areas.

  "It's sad, says Janet Bernal as she pushes a toddler in a stroller. They work hard, pay their taxes and are treated badly." — Jennifer Ludden, [02:46]

• Legal concerns: Rights advocates claim that individuals with legal status are getting arrested for minor infractions at checkpoints and during patrols, in addition to immigrants charged with serious crimes.

4. Hurricane Erin Threatens the East Coast

[03:14–03:33]

• Status update: Hurricane Erin is moving slowly away from the East Coast, has not made landfall yet.
• Regional alerts: Tropical storm warnings for North Carolina’s Outer Banks up to southern Virginia, with dangerous rip currents as far north as New England.
• Advice: Officials urge people to avoid the ocean due to life-threatening conditions.

5. Record Turnover Among Voting Officials

[03:33–04:33]

• New data: About 40% of officials overseeing the 2020 election left before the 2024 cycle, per Bipartisan Policy Center.

• Causes: Increased pressure and harassment, attributed in part to former President Trump’s false claims about voting.

• Expert insight: Rachel Ory notes the turnover is a "canary in a coal mine" for deeper systemic problems.

  "Rising turnover is almost like a canary in a coal mine, indicating that something deeper and more structural in the way that we conduct elections needs to be fixed." — Rachel Ory, [04:10]

• Election landscape: Though election denial rhetoric has quieted since Trump’s 2024 win, officials expect renewed pressures ahead of the next midterms.

6. Economic Summit in Jackson Hole

[04:33–04:58]

• Event: The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City’s annual summit opens in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
• Participants: Economists, central bankers, and policymakers are gathering.
• Upcoming speech: Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will give a closely watched address on labor markets the next day.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Rep. Gene Woo on redistricting and civic engagement
  "This is not over. We will continue fighting. But what needs to happen is we need every American, every Texan to start paying attention to and start learning about how we got here." [01:48]

• Rachel Ory on election official turnover
  "Rising turnover is almost like a canary in a coal mine, indicating that something deeper and more structural in the way that we conduct elections needs to be fixed." [04:10]

• Janet Bernal (via Jennifer Ludden) on D.C. arrests and community impact
  "They work hard, pay their taxes and are treated badly." [02:46]

Timestamps & Segment Highlights

• 00:16–01:19 — Ukraine missile strike coverage
• 01:19–02:04 — Texas and California political redistricting
• 02:04–03:14 — D.C. crime emergency and immigrant community impact
• 03:14–03:33 — Hurricane Erin coastal threats
• 03:33–04:33 — Election official turnover and election denial aftermath
• 04:33–04:58 — Jackson Hole Fed economic summit preview

This NPR News Now episode provides a fast-paced, comprehensive summary of today’s top headlines, pulling in direct reports, community voices, and expert assessments to inform listeners on domestic and world events as they unfold.