NPR News Now – August 24, 2025, 5AM EDT

Episode Overview

This concise news update from NPR covers major domestic and international headlines in just under five minutes. Main topics include political tensions surrounding potential military deployment in Chicago, ongoing investigations into a deadly bus crash near Buffalo, wildfire developments in California, changes to international shipping rules between Europe and the U.S., recent Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian infrastructure, the health impacts of oil and gas pollution, and updates from the Little League World Series.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Political Tension Over Possible Military Deployment in Chicago

• [00:19]
  • Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker criticizes President Trump for what he describes as “attempting to manufacture a crisis.” This follows reports of Pentagon plans for a military deployment to Chicago.
  • The deployment would be an expansion of Trump’s approach already seen in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles.
  • While Trump claims this measure is necessary to crack down on crime, Chicago’s mayor contends that crime is actually down for the year.
  • Notable Quote:
    "President Trump is attempting to manufacture a crisis." — Gov. J.B. Pritzker via statement ([00:19])

2. Investigation Into Deadly Buffalo Bus Crash

• [00:59] – [01:26]
  • Five adults died and dozens were injured when a tour bus traveling from Niagara Falls to New York City rolled over.
  • NTSB official Tom Chapman highlights the investigation will focus on whether seatbelt use (or lack thereof) contributed to passenger ejection and fatalities.
  • New York State Police report no signs of driver impairment or bus mechanical failure.
  • Notable Quote:
    "Part of our investigation will be to determine the extent to which seat belts were being used and the extent to which the lack of seat belt use may have been a factor in some of the passengers being ejected." — Tom Chapman, NTSB ([01:15])

3. California Wildfire Update Amid Ongoing Heat Wave

• [01:39] – [02:01]
  • The Picket Fire in Napa County has burned over 6,000 acres, causing evacuations in rural communities. Firefighters are making progress, but there are ongoing concerns about its spread.
  • The Pacific Northwest remains under extreme heat warnings and watches.
  • Notable Quote:
    "There's still going to be more growth on this fire. We just don't want it in directions that we don't have." — Jason Clay, Cal Fire ([01:56])

4. New Rules Disrupting Transatlantic Parcel Shipping

• [02:01] – [03:11]
  • Several European postal services are temporarily halting shipments of business goods to the U.S. in response to the end of the "de minimis" rule, which had exempted packages under $800 from tariffs.
  • The Trump administration previously restricted this for China and Hong Kong; starting Friday, it will now apply to all countries.
  • Ordinary letters and parcels under $100 are not affected.
  • Notable Quote:
    "Some call it a loophole— the de minimis rule. An imported package worth less than $800 can carry no tariff at all." — Camila Domonosky, NPR ([02:33])

5. Ukraine's Independence Day Marked by Drone Attacks on Russia

• [03:11] – [03:53]
  • Russia accuses Ukraine of drone attacks on multiple power facilities, including causing a fire at a nuclear plant in the Kursk region.
  • The attacks coincide with Ukrainian Independence Day, commemorating its secession from the USSR in 1991.

6. Study on U.S. Oil and Gas Pollution Health Impacts

• [03:53] – [04:39]
  • A new study in Science Advances quantifies the severe health repercussions from pollution at every production stage of oil and gas.
  • The study attributes around 90,000 early U.S. deaths per year to this pollution, with impacts concentrated in communities of color and states like Texas and California.
  • Notable Quote:
    "Those pollutants are linked to a wide range of poor health outcomes, from asthma to cancer to preterm birth and even to premature death." — Alejandro Barunda, NPR ([04:13])

7. Little League World Series Finals Update

• [04:39] – [04:57]
  • Taiwan secures a spot in the title game after defeating Aruba and will face the Las Vegas team.
  • Las Vegas advances after beating Connecticut, aiming for Nevada's first championship.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Manufactured Crisis Assertion:
  "President Trump is attempting to manufacture a crisis." — Governor J.B. Pritzker ([00:19])

• Seat Belt Investigation Focus:
  "Part of our investigation will be to determine the extent to which seat belts were being used and the extent to which the lack of seat belt use may have been a factor in some of the passengers being ejected." — Tom Chapman, NTSB ([01:15])

• California Fire Containment Caution:
  "There's still going to be more growth on this fire. We just don't want it in directions that we don't have." — Jason Clay, Cal Fire ([01:56])

• Tariff Rule Change Impact:
  "Some call it a loophole— the de minimis rule. An imported package worth less than $800 can carry no tariff at all." — Camila Domonosky, NPR ([02:33])

• Pollution Health Consequences:
  "Those pollutants are linked to a wide range of poor health outcomes, from asthma to cancer to preterm birth and even to premature death." — Alejandro Barunda, NPR ([04:13])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Chicago Military Deployment Debate: [00:19]
• Buffalo Bus Crash Investigation: [00:59] – [01:26]
• California Wildfires & Heat Wave: [01:39] – [02:01]
• Changes in U.S.-Europe Parcel Shipping: [02:01] – [03:11]
• Ukrainian Drone Attacks on Russia: [03:11] – [03:53]
• Oil and Gas Pollution Study: [03:53] – [04:39]
• Little League World Series Update: [04:39] – [04:57]

This episode delivers a brisk but comprehensive roundup of major stories, blending domestic policy developments, safety investigations, international relations, environmental health insights, and cultural sports coverage.