NPR News Now – August 23, 2025, 10PM EDT

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Date: August 24, 2025
Duration: 5 minutes

Overview

This episode of NPR News Now provides succinct updates on major national stories from immigration and White House renovations to ongoing wildfires, a pivotal Supreme Court ruling on research grant funding, and the latest activity from Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s Deportation Controversy

• Summary: The U.S. government now plans to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Uganda, following a series of complicated legal and bureaucratic mishaps.

• Details:

  • Abrego Garcia was previously wrongfully deported to El Salvador earlier in the year and spent time in a notorious prison there.
  • Upon return, he was charged with human smuggling, a charge he denies. He has not been convicted.
  • After release from a Tennessee jail, DHS referred to him as a "monster," while prosecutors offered an alternative: plead guilty for deportation to Costa Rica.
  • Now, lawyers claim officials are coercively forcing deportation to Uganda.

• Notable Quote:

  • "Now immigration officials say he will face deportation to Uganda, a choice the lawyers call coercive." — Camila Domonosky (00:55)

2. White House Rose Garden Renovation

• Summary: President Trump replaced the White House Rose Garden’s grass with stone, citing maintenance reasons and personal preference.

• Details:

  • The transformation includes new patio tables and umbrellas resembling those at Mar-a-Lago.
  • Rose bushes remain on the perimeter.
  • The renovation costs $1.9 million, funded privately.
  • President Trump is frequently present, playing Beatles music over outdoor speakers from his iPad.

• Notable Quote:

  • "Trump said the grass had to go because it got too soggy for fine footwear." — Tamara Keith (01:34)
  • "He can play DJ from his iPad, just like in Florida." — Tamara Keith (01:47)

3. Picket Fire in Northern California

• Summary: Over 1,200 emergency personnel are battling the ongoing Picket Fire in Napa County.

• Details:

  • The fire has burned more than 4,600 acres and is only 7% contained as of Saturday evening.
  • New evacuation orders are in place as the fire spreads.
  • The region suffered severe damage from the Glass Fire five years ago.
  • Full containment is expected to take weeks.

• Notable Quote:

  • "That's one of the objectives of today, is to work on fortifying the control lines that are around that side to keep it out of those areas." — Jason Clay, Cal Fire Sonoma Lake Napa (02:49)

• Timestamps:

  • Fire update report begins (02:16)
  • Containment status and official quote (02:49)

4. Supreme Court Pauses NIH Diversity Grant Funding

• Summary: The Supreme Court allows the NIH to pause nearly $800 million in grants, a move seen as a major blow by the research community.

• Details:

  • The grants supported research in diversity, transgender issues, and health equity, topics not favored by the current administration.
  • A lower court ruled the grants were improperly terminated, but the Supreme Court’s action pauses payouts while appeals proceed.
  • Advocates, including the ACLU, plan to keep fighting for grant restoration.

• Notable Quote:

  • "We think that that decision is a setback for public health, but we will continue to pursue any and every option available to us to make sure that the unlawfully terminated grants continue to be restored." — Jesse Rossman, ACLU (04:02)

5. Kilauea Volcano Erupts Again in Hawaii

• Summary: Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano erupts for the 31st time since December, captivating scientists and tourists.

• Details:

  • Kilauea is one of the world’s most active volcanoes.
  • This is only the fourth instance in two centuries with repeated lava-fountain episodes.
  • Park officials anticipate increased visitor numbers to witness the spectacle.

• Timestamps:

  • Eruption details start (04:25)

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• "Trump said the grass had to go because it got too soggy for fine footwear." — Tamara Keith (01:34)
• "That's one of the objectives of today, is to work on fortifying the control lines ... to keep it out of those areas." — Jason Clay, Cal Fire (02:49)
• "We think that that decision is a setback for public health, but we will continue to pursue any and every option available to us..." — Jesse Rossman, ACLU (04:02)
• Description of President Trump as DJ in the Rose Garden, "He can play DJ from his iPad, just like in Florida." (01:47)

Additional References (Timestamps)

• Kilmar Abrego Garcia Deportation – 00:21–01:16
• White House Garden Renovation – 01:16–02:16
• Picket Fire Wildfire Update – 02:16–03:12
• NIH Grant Funding Pause – 03:12–04:25
• Kilauea Volcano Eruption – 04:25–04:57

This crisp five-minute NPR News Now delivers critical updates with insight and succinct reporting, capturing the major news priorities in the U.S. at this hour.