NPR News Now: August 22, 2025, 8AM EDT

Overview

This concise NPR News Now episode, anchored by Korva Coleman, delivers the top headlines in under five minutes. The major news topics include confirmed famine in northern Gaza, the Justice Department’s release of Jeffrey Epstein files, anticipation of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s speech, President Trump’s visit with National Guard troops in Washington, continuing disaster recovery efforts in Texas after devastating floods, and a nationwide recall of frozen shrimp over radioactive contamination concerns.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Famine Confirmed in Northern Gaza

• Confirmation of Famine: Leading food insecurity experts have verified that famine conditions now exist in northern Gaza, with over half a million Palestinians at risk of starvation and hundreds of thousands more facing severe food shortages.
• Israel’s Role: The famine is attributed in part to Israel's significant aid restrictions since March, which have limited UN relief supplies.
• UN Testimony:
  • Tom Fletcher (UN Under Secretary General, Humanitarian Affairs):

    “Be in no doubt that this is irrefutable testimony. It is a famine, the Gaza famine. It is a famine that we could have prevented if we had been allowed. Yet food stacks up at borders because of systematic obstruction by Israel.”
    (00:49)

• Israeli Response: Israel denies the existence of a famine, disputing the expert panel’s sources and accusing them of contributing to a “fake campaign” by Hamas. (01:08)

2. Justice Department to Release Epstein Files

• Congressional Oversight: The DOJ is complying with recent subpoenas by releasing a first tranche of Jeffrey Epstein files to the House Oversight Committee, chaired by Republican James Comer.
• Redaction of Victims’ Names: Chairman Comer assures that victims’ identities will be protected before documents are made public.

  “House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said victims names will be redacted from the Epstein records before releasing the files to the public.”
  (01:33)

• Transparency Commitments:
  • Unidentified Politician:

    “We're going to be transparent. We're doing what we said we would do. We're getting the documents, and I believe the White House will work with us.”
    (01:42)

• Political Context: The move marks significant progress for Republicans, who have faced internal pressure to act faster on the Epstein records, as their base felt campaign promises on this issue were previously unkept. (01:51)

3. Anticipation of Fed Chair Powell’s Speech

• Event: Wall Street and economists await Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s imminent address in Jackson Hole, Wyoming—his last as Fed chair at this event.
• Economic Pressures: The White House is applying pressure to lower interest rates, but with persistent inflation and labor market weakness, Powell is expected to keep policy options open.
• Fed’s Challenge: Powell is likely to touch on the Fed’s balancing act between controlling inflation and promoting employment, reflecting on lessons learned in the last five years since the last strategy review.
  • Scott Horsley (NPR):

    “Since then, policymakers have gotten a painful reminder of how scarring it can be when inflation gets out of control.”
    (02:34)

4. President Trump Visits National Guard Troops in D.C.

• Event: President Trump addressed National Guard units deployed in Washington, D.C., emphasizing public safety initiatives.
• Contradicting Crime Statistics: Despite Trump’s focus on addressing crime, DOJ data reveals that violent crime in the city is at a 30-year low.
• [No direct quotes presented from Trump in the transcript.]

5. Texas Hill Country Flood Recovery

• Nonprofit Relief: Following deadly July 4th floods that killed over 130 people, a Texas nonprofit is allocating $40 million for temporary housing and RV replacement in the Texas Hill Country.
• State Support: Governor Greg Abbott is advancing disaster relief bills, which include:
  • Preventative measures for youth camps and
  • $240 million for broader disaster funding.
• Impact: Early estimates put damages at up to $22 billion for the region.
  • Scott Horsley (voicing Abbott’s statement):

    “The needs of the Kerrville, but also the other areas affected by all of these devastating floods.”
    (04:09)

  • Lucio Vasquez (NPR):
    (03:51–04:31)

6. Nationwide Recall of Radioactive Shrimp

• Recall Expansion: After a Walmart recall earlier this week, South Wind Foods of California is recalling more frozen shrimp products due to possible radioactive contamination.
• Origin: The contamination is believed to stem from a single Indonesian supplier.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Tom Fletcher, UN:

  “It is a famine that we could have prevented if we had been allowed. Yet food stacks up at borders because of systematic obstruction by Israel.” (00:49)

• James Comer, House Oversight:

  “Victims names will be redacted from the Epstein records before releasing the files to the public.” (01:33)

• Unidentified Politician:

  “We're going to be transparent. We're doing what we said we would do.” (01:42)

• Scott Horsley (NPR):

  “Since then, policymakers have gotten a painful reminder of how scarring it can be when inflation gets out of control.” (02:34)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Famine in Gaza: 00:16 – 01:08
• Epstein Files Update: 01:08 – 02:17
• Jerome Powell Speech Preview: 02:17 – 03:13
• President Trump Visits D.C. National Guard: 03:13 – 03:51
• Texas Flood Recovery Efforts: 03:51 – 04:31
• Frozen Shrimp Recall: 04:31 – 04:55

This episode delivers succinct updates on stories of international crisis, domestic political maneuvering, economic policy anticipation, disaster recovery, and food safety—all in NPR’s signature straightforward, fact-driven tone.