NPR News Now — August 23, 2025, 9PM EDT

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

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers concise updates on key global and national stories, focusing on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, changes to US election security funding, impacts of the ongoing US-China trade war on American farmers, adjustments to federal electric vehicle tax credits, and a halt to a major wind farm project off Rhode Island. Each segment offers the latest context, implications, and voices from affected communities or officials.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Gaza Crisis Deepens Amid Israeli Assault and Famine

• [00:11–01:13]
  • Situation: Israeli military strikes on Gaza killed at least 33 Palestinians, many of whom were seeking shelter or food amid famine in North Gaza.
  • Evacuations: Israel is urging residents, including those in medical facilities, to leave Gaza City ahead of an anticipated urban assault.
  • Humanitarian Challenge: With Gaza densely populated and border areas in crisis, NPR’s Jackie Northam highlights the dire lack of safe refuge:

    "The problem is, where do they go? The situation isn't any better in the south towards the Egyptian border. There's already a humanitarian crisis there."
    — Jackie Northam, 00:36

  • Historical Context: Many Gazans have been displaced multiple times since the 2023 Hamas attack on southern Israel, exhausting resources and deepening famine conditions.

2. Election Security Funding Tied to New Compliance Rules

• [01:13–02:14]
  • Policy Shift: The Trump administration is conditioning nearly $28 million in federal election security grants on states' compliance with new, stringent certification requirements.
  • Technical Barriers: New certification standards are so recent that no state currently possesses compliant equipment.
  • Verification Concerns: DHS is mandating a new tool for citizenship verification, yet has not demonstrated its effectiveness or explained data security protocols.
  • State Reaction:

    "NPR spoke with multiple state voting officials who say in many places the money just won't be spent because of the new rules."
    — Miles Parks, 02:07

  • Implication: Many states may forgo the funding altogether due to infeasibility of compliance.

3. Trade War Uncertainty and American Wheat Exports

• [02:14–03:11]
  • Context: US wheat farmers are concerned about ongoing trade tensions under President Trump and their impact on exports, particularly to Asian markets.
  • Farmers’ Worries:

    "We have the uncertainty of very difficult financial times with the uncertainty of our markets."
    — Jim Moyer (farmer, quoted by Jeanine Herbst), 02:45

  • Outreach Efforts: Farmers in Washington reassure trading partners about the reliability and quality of US wheat, emphasizing the stability of long-standing trade relationships.
  • Bottom Line: While tariffs target imports, retaliation or market shifts threaten US agricultural exporters.

4. Expiry and Guidance on Federal Electric Vehicle Tax Credits

• [03:11–04:15]
  • Policy Update: Federal tax credits for electric vehicle (EV) purchases are expiring September 30, 2025, following changes in Trump's domestic spending plan.
  • IRS Guidance: New clarification allows buyers to secure credits by signing a binding contract and making a deposit before the deadline, even if delivery is delayed.
  • Expert Insight:

    "It could be as simple as maybe you know the vehicle you want, but it's in another part of the country or it may need to be manufactured."
    — Andy Phillips, H&R Block, as paraphrased by Camila Domonoski, 03:57

  • Financial Impact: Tax credits are worth up to $7,500 for new EVs and up to $4,000 for used ones.

5. Trump Administration Halts Rhode Island Wind Farm

• [04:15–End]
  • Regulatory Action: Construction on the nearly complete Revolution Wind project is paused under an order from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, citing "national interests."
  • National Security Review: Commerce Department is investigating whether imported wind turbines/components pose a national security threat.
  • Context: Move reflects ongoing Trump administration scrutiny of the renewable energy sector.

    "President Trump is a longtime critic of the wind energy industry."
    — Jeanine Herbst, 04:40

  • Industry Impact: This follows a pattern of policy interventions affecting renewables.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "The problem is, where do they go? The situation isn't any better in the south towards the Egyptian border. There's already a humanitarian crisis there."
  — Jackie Northam on Gazan civilians’ dilemma, [00:36]
• "NPR spoke with multiple state voting officials who say in many places the money just won't be spent because of the new rules."
  — Miles Parks on inaccessible election funds, [02:07]
• "We have the uncertainty of very difficult financial times with the uncertainty of our markets."
  — Jim Moyer, wheat farmer, quoted by Jeanine Herbst, [02:45]
• "It could be as simple as maybe you know the vehicle you want, but it's in another part of the country or it may need to be manufactured."
  — Andy Phillips, H&R Block, via Camila Domonoski, [03:57]
• "President Trump is a longtime critic of the wind energy industry."
  — Jeanine Herbst, [04:40]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Start | |------------------------------------------------------|---------| | Gaza crisis and Israeli assault | 00:11 | | Election security funding and compliance controversy | 01:13 | | US wheat exporters face trade uncertainty | 02:14 | | Federal EV tax credits expiring, IRS clarification | 03:11 | | Wind farm halted, renewable energy industry scrutiny | 04:15 |

This episode is a rapid but informative summary of headline news, highlighting evolving crises, pivotal policy changes, and their real-world impact across domestic and global contexts.