NPR News Now – August 26, 2025, 10AM EDT

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This concise episode delivers the latest national headlines, focusing on political tensions between President Trump and the Federal Reserve, media regulation battles, new SpaceX launch attempts, commemorations for Hurricane Katrina’s anniversary, key stock market updates, and a legal clash between Elon Musk, Apple, and OpenAI.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Escalating Pressure on the Federal Reserve

[00:18–01:19]

• Stock Market Opening:
  • Wall Street opens with mixed results; the Dow is up by 5 points.
• Presidential Power Struggle:
  • President Trump publicly claims he is firing Fed Governor Lisa Cook following a Trump ally’s allegation that she made false statements on a mortgage application.
  • Lisa Cook responds that the president holds no legal authority to remove her and pledges to continue her service.
  • Commentary highlights the Fed’s statutory independence, emphasizing the abnormality and controversy in Trump’s approach.
  • If Trump succeeds, he could appoint a majority to the seven-member board, shifting monetary policy influence.
• Economic Stats:
  • Orders for long-lasting manufactured goods declined again in July, mainly due to decreased demand for commercial aircraft—though potential reversals loom with large new international orders.

Notable Quote:
"By law, the central bank is supposed to operate free from White House pressure, but Trump has been outspoken in demanding the Fed lower interest rates."
— Scott Horsley, [00:37]

2. Trump Targets Media, FCC Investigates Broadcast Networks

[01:19–01:58]

• President Trump’s Media Campaign:
  • He intensifies rhetoric against ABC and NBC, demanding the FCC revoke their broadcast licenses due to perceived bias or opposition.
• FCC Chairman’s Conformance:
  • The FCC, traditionally semi-autonomous, is now launching investigations into nearly all major networks, seemingly aligning with Trump’s agenda.
• Legal Reality Check:
  • Most national networks don’t hold broadcast licenses—their local affiliates do, suggesting Trump’s threats may be more symbolic than actionable.

Notable Quote:
"You're seeing the FCC…really operate in line with the president's political agenda and also his personal agenda."
— David Folkenflick, [01:41]

3. SpaceX’s 10th Starship Launch Attempt Impacted by Weather

[01:58–03:03]

• Technical and Weather Challenges:
  • SpaceX was forced to cancel a planned launch due to oxygen line repairs and, on a subsequent attempt, because of anvil clouds near the Texas launch pad.
  • This 10th test flight aims to break a losing streak: the last three flights saw upper-stage failures on return.
  • SpaceX signals plans to keep trying.

Notable Quote:
"This time though, the trouble was anvil clouds. These thunderstorm clouds were too close to the launch pad, so the attempt had to be canceled."
— Nell Greenfield Boyce, [02:21]

4. Wall Street Market Update

[03:03–03:12]

• Dow down 9 points, NASDAQ up 7, S&P up 1—markets remain mixed amidst political and economic uncertainty.

5. 20th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina

[03:12–04:17]

• Commemoration Events:
  • In New Orleans and throughout the Gulf Coast, community organizations launch a week of arts and remembrance.
  • Highlights include the play "Swimming Upstream," "The Katrina Monologues," and the "A Neo Diaspora" art exhibit.
  • The events focus on centering the voices of those most affected—not letting survivors' stories be marginalized as in previous anniversaries.

Notable Quote:
"So many things that happened around Katrina 10 we didn’t want to happen around Katrina 20. Most importantly being that the voices of the people who actually experienced Katrina were not censored."
— Asali Devon Ecclesiastes, [03:55]

6. Elon Musk Sues Apple and OpenAI

[04:17–04:56]

• Antitrust & AI Concerns:
  • Musk’s lawsuit alleges Apple and OpenAI have colluded to reduce competition in the AI sector, specifically targeting Apple’s integration of ChatGPT into iPhones in lieu of its own AI technology.
  • OpenAI responds with a countersuit, accusing Musk of harassment.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On Federal Reserve independence:
  — "By law, the central bank is supposed to operate free from White House pressure..." (Scott Horsley, [00:37])
• On FCC agency behavior:
  — "You're seeing the FCC…really operate in line with the president's political agenda and also his personal agenda." (David Folkenflick, [01:41])
• On Katrina commemoration:
  — "Most importantly being that the voices of the people who actually experienced Katrina were not censored." (Asali Devon Ecclesiastes, [03:55])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Trump, Fed Governor Lisa Cook, and Wall Street: [00:18–01:19]
• Trump’s Media License Campaign & FCC investigation: [01:19–01:58]
• SpaceX Starship Launch Attempt: [01:58–03:03]
• Stock Market Update: [03:03–03:12]
• Hurricane Katrina 20th Anniversary Events: [03:12–04:17]
• Elon Musk Sues Apple & OpenAI: [04:17–04:56]

This episode provides a brisk but packed update on mounting political drama, space exploration hurdles, major tech litigation, and a reflective look at Katrina’s enduring legacy in American memory.