NPR News Now: 08-21-2025, 8PM EDT

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Date: August 22, 2025
Duration: Approximately 5 minutes

Overview

This episode delivers a rapid-fire update on the significant political, legal, and scientific developments making headlines. The news focuses on election-related redistricting battles in California and Texas, key moves and rulings affecting former President Trump, and a fascinating neuroscience finding. The report maintains NPR's hallmark tone: impartial, concise, and informative.

Key Stories and Discussion Points

1. California and Texas Redistricting Battles

[00:20–01:05]

• California:

  • Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a new state redistricting plan to be decided by voters in November.
  • The map is designed to favor Democrats in the U.S. House.
  • This is a direct counter to Texas’s own GOP-favoring redistricting, which Newsom claims was "spurred on by President Trump."

• Newsom's Quote:

  "When all things are equal. We're all playing by the same set of rules. There's no question that the Republican Party will be the minority party in the House of Representatives next year."
  — Gavin Newsom, [00:53]

• Texas:

  • The Texas State House has passed its own redistricting plan. The state Senate’s vote is pending.

2. President Trump’s Visit to D.C. Law Enforcement

[01:05–01:57]

• Setting:

  • President Trump met with National Guard, FBI, Secret Service, and D.C. Metropolitan Police officers in Washington.
  • Trump praised their efforts, stating they have helped reduce crime and homelessness.

• Trump’s Quote:

  "We've had some incredible results. Results have come out and it's like a different place. It's like a different city. It's the capital. It's going to be the best in the world."
  — President Trump, [01:45]

• Memorable Moment:

  • While Trump had suggested he’d go on patrol with the officers, he instead brought hamburgers and pizza for them.
    — Reported by Franco Ordonez, [01:57]

3. Legal Ruling: Alina Habba’s Appointment in New Jersey

[02:15–03:16]

• Ruling Details:

  • Judge Matthew Brand ruled that Alina Habba is unlawfully serving as acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey since July 1.
  • The Trump administration tried unique legal maneuvers to keep her in this post.
  • Judge Brand’s opinion dismisses these attempts, requiring Habba to refrain from all ongoing cases.

• Key Excerpt:

  "A novel series of legal and personnel moves to try to keep Habba as acting U.S. Attorney."
  — Ryan Lucas summarizing Judge Brand, [02:34]

• Implications:

  • The ruling is the result of challenges by criminal defendants questioning Habba’s authority.
  • The decision is expected to be appealed.

4. New York Civil Fraud Judgment Against Trump

[03:16–04:08]

• Appeals Court Outcome:

  • Threw out a significant financial penalty against Donald Trump, previously assessed due to civil fraud.
  • The court called the fine "excessive," but maintained that Trump and his companies had overvalued their assets.

• Attorney General’s Response:

  • Letitia James emphasizes the court still found Trump (and two of his children) liable for fraud.
  • She plans to appeal the reduced penalty.

5. New Brain Research on Amputees

[04:08–04:46]

• Study Focus:

  • Brain changes post-amputation: Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh conducted scans on three individuals both before and after arm amputations.
  • Contrary to prior beliefs, they found the brain’s map of the lost limb remains intact.

• Notable Quote:

  "On every measure we could think of, we see no evidence that the phantom hand representation has changed."
  — Hunter Schoen, University of Pittsburgh, [04:29]

• Implication:

  • Brain circuits formerly used for the natural limb may be indefinitely capable of controlling prosthetics.

6. Markets Update

[04:46–04:59]

• U.S. futures contracts are modestly up, with major indices rising about 0.1% as of this report.

Notable Quotes & Highlights

• Gavin Newsom [00:53]:

  "When all things are equal. We're all playing by the same set of rules. There's no question that the Republican Party will be the minority party in the House of Representatives next year."

• President Trump [01:45]:

  "We've had some incredible results. Results have come out and it's like a different place. It's like a different city. It's the capital. It's going to be the best in the world."

• Hunter Schoen, University of Pittsburgh [04:29]:

  "On every measure we could think of, we see no evidence that the phantom hand representation has changed."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:20] California redistricting; Newsom signs plan
• [00:53] Newsom’s comment on leveling the playing field
• [01:05] Texas redistricting; Trump’s law enforcement visit
• [01:45] Trump’s remarks about D.C.
• [02:15] Judge rules against Alina Habba’s appointment
• [03:16] New York appeals court reduces Trump penalty
• [04:08] Study: Brain functions after limb amputation
• [04:46] Markets update

This episode delivers concise, up-to-the-minute coverage of high-profile political developments and research breakthroughs, in NPR’s signature quick-news style.