NPR News Now: August 21, 2025, 7PM EDT

Host: Jeanine Hurst
Date: August 21, 2025
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode delivers concise, rapid-fire updates on top national stories, including a significant New York appellate court decision impacting former President Trump, aggressive redistricting efforts in California and Texas, trends in the housing market, a Supreme Court order regarding NIH grants, and a new study on the impact of light pollution on birds. The news is tightly packed, focusing on legal, political, economic, and environmental issues shaping the U.S. landscape on this date.

Key Discussion Points & Notable Moments

1. Trump Fraud Case Penalty Overturned (00:20–01:19)

• Main Details:

  • A New York appellate court overruled a “massive civil fraud penalty” that had required Donald Trump to pay more than $355 million (plus interest) for fraudulent business practices.
  • The court called the penalty “excessive” but did not overturn the original fraud findings.
  • Trump retains the option to appeal to New York’s highest court.
  • This case is one of several against Trump, including a recent criminal conviction under appeal.

• Notable Quote:

  • “A divided five judge panel in New York’s mid Level Appellate Division court ruled that penalty was, quote, excessive and eliminated it while declining to overturn the case...” — Cat Lonsdorf (00:50)

2. California and Texas Redistricting Showdown (01:19–02:35)

• Main Details:

  • California legislature passed a new congressional map aimed at potentially giving Democrats five additional U.S. House seats, pending Governor Newsom’s signature and a public referendum in November.
  • Leaders in California cited Texas’s redistricting push as the impetus, as Texas seeks five more seats for Republicans.
  • The Texas Senate advances its own redistricting bill on a party-line vote, with no public testimony, expecting an imminent vote.

• Notable Quotes:

  • “Leaders in California say it’s in response to Texas’s redistricting effort, which aims to secure five more seats for Republicans in the U.S. house.” — Jeanine Hurst (01:31)
  • “If the Republicans lost the majority in the US House that the two years following the midterms could be very harmful to Texas and to the United States.” — Phil King, Texas State Senator (02:16)

3. Housing Market Report – Slight Sales Uptick, Ongoing Affordability Strain (02:35–03:09)

• Main Details:

  • Existing home sales rose 2% in July, surpassing expectations.
  • High mortgage rates (average 6.6% for a 30-year loan) and steep price increases (about 50% over five years) keep home ownership out of reach for many.
  • Some price softening is observed, with home values rising at their slowest rate in two years, partly due to increased inventory.

• Notable Quote:

  • “That means that many people who want to buy a home just simply can’t afford to. The one thing we’re seeing now is that prices are softening in some areas.” — Laurel Walmsley (02:54)

4. Supreme Court Stays NIH Grant Payouts (03:09–04:02)

• Main Details:
  • In a close 5–4 decision, the Supreme Court temporarily halted an order requiring NIH to pay over $780 million in research grants for projects it stopped funding.
  • However, a lower court order voiding NIH policy memos remains effective, so the issues persist in lower courts.

5. Light Pollution Extends Birds’ Daily Activity (04:02–04:51)

• Main Details:

  • Study using automated bird call recorders and satellite data links artificial nighttime light to longer periods of bird activity—on average, birds under the brightest skies sang for almost an extra hour each day.
  • Unclear whether extended activity harms, benefits, or is neutral for birds.

• Notable Quotes:

  • “Researchers took advantage of some new devices that can record bird calls and automatically identify hundreds of species.” — Nell Greenfield Boyce (04:02)
  • “Birds under the brightest skies at night were vocalizing on average for about an additional 50 minutes a day.” — Brent Pease, Southern Illinois University (04:39)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:20] — Trump fraud penalty overturned
• [01:19] — California and Texas redistricting updates
• [02:35] — Housing market: Sales and affordability
• [03:09] — Supreme Court and NIH grants
• [04:02] — Light pollution impacts on birds

Closing Notes

Throughout this episode, NPR’s concise newscast packs quick, factual summaries with expert reporting and direct quotes, presenting a snapshot of America’s political, economic, and environmental storylines as of August 21, 2025.