NPR News: 08-24-2025 8PM EDT

Summary

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NPR News Now – August 24, 2025, 8PM EDT

Episode Overview

This concise five-minute NPR News Now update, hosted by Jeanine Hurst, provides the latest headlines in U.S. politics, extreme weather in the West, major developments in the tech industry, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on new kindergarteners, and the passing of a beloved television and stage actor.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. White House Denies Political Motivation in Investigations

Segment Begins: [00:20]

• Summary: The White House faces scrutiny over the appearance of politically motivated criminal investigations associated with the Trump administration, especially against vocal critics and former officials.
• Details:
  • The FBI searched the home and office of John Bolton, Trump’s former national security adviser.
  • On NBC’s Meet the Press, Vice President J.D. Vance denied the investigations target Trump critics.
• Notable Quotes:
  • J.D. Vance (Vice President):
    “We’re going to be careful about that. ... Maybe especially if they disagree with us politically. You shouldn't throw people willy nilly in prison.” [00:52]
  • Reporter Tamara Keith noted concurrent investigations:
    • “This investigation doesn’t come in isolation. Senator Adam Schiff ... and New York Attorney General Letitia James ... now both face highly publicized DOJ investigations into alleged mortgage fraud.” [01:03]

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2. Extreme Heat and Wildfire Risk in the West

Segment Begins: [01:22]

• Summary: Millions in California, Oregon, and Washington endure dangerous heat, with temperatures over 100°F and mounting wildfire threats.
• Details:
  • Watches and warnings remain in effect through at least Tuesday.
  • The Flat Fire in Oregon is a primary concern.
  • Officials stress challenging conditions for firefighting.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Eric Perkins (Operations Section Chief):
    “We are in a firefight and the weather’s not that favorable. It’s more favorable for the fire than the firefighters.” [01:56]
  • Public warning: Residents urged to stay cool and hydrated. [02:04]

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3. Big Tech and the State of the AI Boom

Segment Begins: [02:12]

• Summary: Investors await Nvidia’s earnings report, with implications for the AI industry and growing U.S. government oversight under President Trump.
• Details:
  • A new deal sees Nvidia providing the U.S. Government a cut of its sales in China in exchange for export permission for certain chips.
  • The arrangement underlines Trump’s assertive approach toward regulating private technology companies.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Maria Aspen (Reporter):
    “Nvidia has become a bellwether for the artificial intelligence frenzy. Now it’s also a big part of President Trump’s efforts to exert more control over U.S. business.” [02:29]

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4. Pandemic-Era Children Entering Kindergarten

Segment Begins: [03:14]

• Summary: The first “pandemic babies” are entering kindergarten, and recent studies indicate notable readiness gaps, particularly in reading.
• Details:
  • 3.6 million children born in 2020; many did not attend preschool due to COVID-19.
  • Only 81% of five-year-olds are kindergarten-ready in reading, down from 89% pre-pandemic (2019).
  • Educational experts emphasize the need for targeted support.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Kristin Huff (Curriculum Associates):
    • “Who were not in school because they were too young to be in kindergarten during the pandemic are less prepared.” [03:53]
    • “Just 81% of five year olds are arriving kindergarten ready and reading. That’s down from 89% in 2019.” [04:01]

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5. Remembering Jerry Adler

Segment Begins: [04:15]

• Summary: Character actor Jerry Adler has died at 96, capping a decades-long career in theater and television.
• Details:
  • Started behind the scenes, working on 50+ Broadway productions.
  • Gained prominence in his 60s on shows like The Sopranos and The Good Wife.
  • Returned to Broadway as a performer; his family included famed acting teacher Stella Adler.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “His acting career spanned more than 30 years, with appearances in shows like Northern Exposure, Rescue Me, and Mad About You, among others. ... His cousin was famed acting teacher Stella Adler, and his father worked in the theater.” [04:15]

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Notable Quotes

• J.D. Vance (Vice President):
  “You shouldn’t throw people willy nilly in prison.” [00:52]

• Eric Perkins (Fire Operations Chief):
  “It’s more favorable for the fire than the firefighters.” [01:56]

• Maria Aspen (NPR Reporter):
  “Nvidia has become a bellwether for the artificial intelligence frenzy.” [02:29]

• Kristin Huff (Curriculum Associates):
  “Just 81% of five year olds are arriving kindergarten ready and reading. That’s down from 89% in 2019.” [04:01]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:20 — White House denies politically motivated investigations (Tamara Keith)
• 01:22 — Western U.S. extreme heat and wildfire alerts (Chandelyse Duster)
• 02:12 — Nvidia and U.S. government AI policy (Maria Aspen)
• 03:14 — Pandemic-affected children struggle with kindergarten readiness (Vanessa Romo)
• 04:15 — Jerry Adler obituary and career highlights (Jeanine Hurst)

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This episode provides a brisk, informative overview of political, environmental, technological, educational, and cultural news—each segment delivered with clarity and context for its significance in 2025 America.

Transcript

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[Jeanine Hurst]

Live from NPR News, I'm Jeanine Hurst. The White House is denying that the Trump administration is carrying out politically motivated probes. NPR's Tamara Keith this even as investigations into Trump's political enemies pile up.

[Tamara Keith]

On Friday, the FBI searched the home and office of Trump's first term national security adviser John Bolton. On NBC's Meet the Press, Vice President J.D. vance was asked if Bolton is being targeted because he is a vocal Trump critic, and Vance denied it.

[Interviewee / Expert]

We're going to be careful about that. We're going to be deliberate about that because we don't think that we should throw people even if they disagree with us politically, maybe especially if they disagree with us politically. You shouldn't throw people willy nilly in prison.

[Tamara Keith]

This investigation doesn't come in isolation. Senator Adam Schiff, who led a Trump impeachment, and New York Attorney General Letitia James, who prosecuted Trump for fraud, now both face highly publicized DOJ investigations into alleged mortgage fraud. Tamara Keith, NPR News.

[Jeanine Hurst]

Millions of people in the west are facing dangerous heat that's increasing the risk of wildfires. NPR Chandelyse Duster has more extreme heat.

[Chandelyse Duster]

Watches and warnings are in effect for parts of California, Oregon and Washington state through at least Tuesday. The National Weather Service says some places will see temperatures surpassing 100 degrees with little relief at night. The heat coupled with dry conditions is also fueling wildfires such as the Flat Fire in Oregon. Operations section chief Eric Perkins says they are hopeful they can prevent the blaze from spreading, but weather is making it difficult.

[Interviewee / Expert]

We are in a firefight and the weather's not that favorable. It's more favorable for the fire than the firefighters. Today.

[Chandelyse Duster]

Officials are warning residents in places facing extreme heat to stay in cool areas and drink plenty of water. Shondalise Duster, NPR News.

[Jeanine Hurst]

It's a big week in Big Tech, which will be delivering a report card on the state of the AI boom. As NPR's Maria Aspen reports, investors will be closely watching Wednesday's earnings from Nvidia for updates on its business and its new deal with the US Government.

[Maria Aspen]

Nvidia has become a bellwether for the artificial intelligence frenzy. Now it's also a big part of President Trump's efforts to exert more control over US Business. Trump has announced that Nvidia will give the US Government a cut of its sales in China in exchange for permission to sell one of its computer chips there. The deal highlighted the extent to which Trump is wielding power over private companies. Nvidia sells the semiconductors that many big tech companies are using to power their investments in artificial intelligence. This week, investors will be listening for signs of optimism about those investments and about their eventual results. Maria Aspen, NPR News, New York.

[Jeanine Hurst]

US Futures contracts are trading flat at this hour. This is NPR News. Millions of children born during the global pandemic are starting kindergarten this year. But as NPR's Vanessa Romo reports, studies show they might not be ready.

[Vanessa Romo]

3.6 million children were born in 2020 as the coronavirus ushered in one of the most extraordinary periods in modern history, and experts are still trying to figure out its long term effects. Kristin Huff is head of measurement at Curriculum Associates, which provides national grade level testing. Its latest study looked at the 2023-24.

[Interviewee / Expert]

Who were not in school because they were too young to be in kindergarten during the pandemic are less prepared.

[Vanessa Romo]

Just 81% of five year olds are arriving kindergarten ready and reading. That's down from 89% in 2019. Hough says teachers and students can buck the trend with the right support. Vanessa Romo, NPR News.

[Jeanine Hurst]

Veteran character actor Jerry Adler has died at the age of 96. He started his career behind the scenes in theater, working on more than 50 Broadway productions productions. He later transitioned to acting in his 60s, gaining fame for roles on the HBO hit Sopranos and the Good Wife. His acting career spanned more than 30 years, with appearances in shows like Northern Exposure, Rescue Me and Mad about yout, among others. He also returned to Broadway on stage, though this time Adler came from an entertainment family. His cousin was famed acting teacher Stella Adler and his father worked in the theater. Hi, I'm Jeanine Herbst and you're listening to NPR News from Washington.

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