NPR News Now — August 26, 2025, 10PM EDT

Host: Giles Snyder
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode provides concise updates on major national and international news stories, including the SpaceX Starship test flight success, ongoing federal law enforcement deployment in Washington D.C., President Trump's attempt to dismiss a Federal Reserve governor, Australia severing diplomatic ties with Iran, new transportation funding threats, and Cracker Barrel’s logo reversal after political backlash.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. SpaceX Starship Achieves Milestone in Tenth Test Flight

• [00:13–01:25]
• Reporting: Nell Greenfield Boyce
• SpaceX successfully launched its two-stage, 400-foot Starship rocket from South Texas.
• Key milestones:
  • The upper stage reached space, opened its payload bay door, and deployed eight dummy satellites using a PEZ-dispenser-like device.
  • The spacecraft completed a controlled descent and landed in the Indian Ocean—significant due to prior failures.
  • Previous tests saw explosions or malfunctions, notably with the payload bay door on the last flight.
• Memorable Moment: Crowd of SpaceX employees cheering as the test succeeded where others failed.

Quote:
"Once the upper stage reached space, a payload bay door opened and a device similar to a big PEZ dispenser ejected eight dummy satellites. Then the spacecraft returned to Earth and made a controlled descent down into the Indian Ocean as planned."
— Nell Greenfield Boyce [00:54]

2. Mixed Reactions to Federal Law Enforcement Deployment in Washington, D.C.

• [01:25–02:16]
• Reporting: Frank Lankford
• Federal agents are present in Washington D.C. for over two weeks, sparking contrasting views:
  • Nancy Barnes welcomes the arrest of a rogue ATV driver and expresses hope for stricter enforcement against dangerous scooter and motorcycle activity.
  • Diana Fitzgerald (early childhood educator) voices skepticism about the true motive, suggesting the deployment is politically motivated to "look tough," not about crime reduction.
  • President Trump claims a “crackdown” has eliminated crime, which NPR reports as false.

Quote:
"I'm all for this arrest. Next, I hope there will be arrests for scooters and motorcycles on sidewalks. I have almost been hit countless times outside my home, and I'm sick of it."
— Nancy Barnes [01:43]

Quote:
"I don't think it has anything to do with crime in the city. I just think it's to make him look tough."
— Diana Fitzgerald [02:01]

3. Trump Moves to Fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook

• [02:16–03:04]
• Reporting: Maria Aspen
• President Trump seeks to dismiss Fed Governor Lisa Cook, citing alleged falsehoods on a mortgage application.
• Cook refuses to resign, asserting presidential overreach and plans to sue.
• This is the latest in President Trump’s efforts to exert control over the Federal Reserve, which is designed to operate independently.
• Wall Street appears unfazed, with little reaction from investors.
• NPR notes the president's ongoing pressure campaign to lower interest rates.

Quote:
“Trump says he's dismissing Cook in response to allegations that she had made false statements on a mortgage application, but she says he has no authority to do so and that she won't resign.”
— Maria Aspen [02:25]

4. Australia Cuts Ties with Iran Over Arson Attacks

• [03:04–03:53]
• Reporting: Giles Snyder (anchor summary)
• Australia expels Iran’s ambassador, giving him seven days to leave, after confirming Iranian involvement in anti-Semitic arson attacks in Melbourne and Sydney.
• Marks Australia's first diplomatic expulsion since World War II.
• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese cites intelligence evidence as the basis for the dramatic move.

5. Threat to Cut Federal Funding Over Language Requirements for Truckers

• [03:53–04:17]
• Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy threatens to withhold federal funds from California, Washington, and New Mexico.
• The threat is over lack of enforcement of English language requirements for truck drivers, with a 30-day compliance deadline and potential loss of millions in funding.

6. Cracker Barrel Restores Classic Logo After Political and Public Backlash

• [04:17–04:57]
• Reporting: Mariana Bacchiol (WPLN)
• Cracker Barrel reverts to its traditional “old man and barrel” logo after a failed attempt at modern rebranding.
• The minimalist redesign was met with stock drops and strong criticism, particularly from MAGA supporters and even President Trump, who opposed the “woke” change.
• Demonstrates the intersection of branding, tradition, and politics.
• "The fried chicken and biscuits never left," reporter quips, highlighting constancy amid change.

Quote:
"What followed could be a case study in the perils of rebranding and cultural polarization."
— Mariana Bacchiol [04:18]

Quote:
"President Donald Trump weighed in, asking Cracker Barrel to bring back the old design. And now Cracker Barrel has confirmed that its beloved old timer and his barrel will be back."
— Mariana Bacchiol [04:44]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “The smooth test flight had SpaceX employees cheering. The last three flights saw the upper stage explode or disintegrate.” — Nell Greenfield Boyce [01:15]
• “At the same time, Barnes says there’s no justification for sending in the National Guard.” — Frank Lankford [01:52]
• “Yet investors are mostly shrugging off the latest threats to the Fed's independence.” — Maria Aspen [02:52]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:13 — Headline: Starship’s successful 10th test flight (Nell Greenfield Boyce)
• 01:25 — Federal presence in D.C.: public reactions (Frank Lankford)
• 02:16 — Trump attempts to fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook (Maria Aspen)
• 03:04 — Cook to sue after firing move; International: Australia–Iran fallout announced
• 03:53 — Federal funding threats over trucker language requirements
• 04:17 — Cracker Barrel logo about-face after backlash (Mariana Bacchiol)

This episode captures the fast pace and complexity of today’s major news, blending science, politics, international diplomacy, policy, and the unexpected collision between branding and national politics.