NPR News Now – August 27, 2025 | 5AM EDT

Host: Dave Mattingly
Length: 5 minutes
Theme: Morning news roundup with updates on trade, politics, space exploration, public health, higher education, and business.

Main Theme / Purpose

This episode delivers a concise overview of major national and international news events: the implementation of tariffs between the U.S. and India, controversial redistricting in Texas, a milestone SpaceX test flight, Phoenix’s progress on heat-related deaths, declining international student numbers on U.S. campuses, and updates on Cracker Barrel’s logo controversy and Nvidia’s anticipated earnings.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S.-India Trade Tariffs

• [00:11] Effective today, 50% tariffs are in place on U.S. imports from India.
• The tariffs impact over half of India’s exports to the U.S., specifically including textiles.
• No comment from Indian officials included.

2. Texas Congressional Map Lawsuit

• [00:25] The NAACP and a coalition of lawyers filed suit to challenge the new congressional map in Texas.
• The lawsuit alleges Republican lawmakers engaged in racial gerrymandering to disenfranchise Black voters.
• The map was approved after significant debate in the Texas legislature.
• President Trump advocated for changes “as a way to help Republicans maintain control of the House in next year’s congressional midterm elections.”
• Quote:
  • “…engaging in racial gerrymandering to try to prevent Black voters from electing candidates they support.”
    — Dave Mattingly, [00:21]

3. SpaceX Starship Test Flight Success

• [01:21-02:06] SpaceX achieved success with its 10th Starship test flight, following three recent failures.
• The 400-foot silver and black rocket launched from Starbase, Texas.
• In a notable innovation, the upper stage’s payload bay door opened and a dispenser released eight dummy satellites. The rocket then executed a controlled descent into the Indian Ocean.
• 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, [01:35]
• The smooth test flight sparked cheering among SpaceX employees, contrasting recent failures involving explosions or mechanical glitches.

4. Phoenix Area Heat-Related Deaths Decline

• [02:06-03:10] Despite extreme heat, Phoenix is on pace for fewer heat-related deaths than last year.
• Dr. Nick Staub, Maricopa County chief medical officer, attributes the tentative improvement to expanded cooling centers and longer hours.
• Quote:
  • “Just having the extended hours that have been provided over the last couple summers. I think that that is a useful tool and we’re seeing it bear out in lower numbers.”
    — Dr. Nick Staub, [02:51]
• Final numbers on heat-related deaths won’t be available until early next year.

5. Fewer International Students on U.S. Campuses

• [03:10-04:18] Many universities report a decline in international students as fall classes begin.
• Main factor: Delays in student visa processing due to Trump administration policy changes.
• University at Buffalo expects 750 fewer international students, notably in STEM graduate programs.
• Similar declines are reported at Arizona State University and universities in Texas, Missouri, Illinois, and Massachusetts.
• The overall drop could reach 15%, with financial impacts for schools and the wider U.S. economy.
• Quote:
  • “The Trump administration temporarily paused and then revamped student visa interviews, leading to long delays and lots of anxiety for accepted students.”
    — Alyssa Nadworny, [03:50]

6. Cracker Barrel Logo Controversy

• [04:18-04:48] After public backlash—including from President Trump—the restaurant chain Cracker Barrel rescinds plans to change its iconic logo.
• The company’s stock rebounded after the announcement.
• Cracker Barrel operates 660 locations nationally.

7. Nvidia Earnings Report Preview

• [04:48-04:53] Investors await Nvidia’s quarterly earnings report, set to arrive after today’s closing bell.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On SpaceX’s latest success:

  “The smooth test flight had SpaceX employees cheering. The last three flights saw the upper stage explode or disintegrate. And the last time around, the payload bay door wouldn’t open.”
  — Nell Greenfield Boyce, [01:48]

• On Phoenix’s heat relief progress:

  “I think that … is a useful tool and we’re seeing it bear out in lower numbers.”
  — Dr. Nick Staub, [02:51]

• On the university enrollment drop:

  “…estimates that international enrollment overall could drop by about 15%, a big financial hit for universities and the U.S. economy.”
  — Alyssa Nadworny, [04:10]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• U.S.-India Tariffs: [00:11–00:21]
• Texas Redistricting Lawsuit: [00:21–01:21]
• SpaceX Starship Test: [01:21–02:06]
• Phoenix Heat Deaths: [02:06–03:10]
• International Student Visas: [03:10–04:18]
• Cracker Barrel Logo: [04:18–04:48]
• Nvidia Earnings Preview: [04:48–04:53]

Note: News is presented in NPR’s straightforward, factual language and tone, with occasional sound clips and direct attributions to key speakers. Ads, intros, and outros are omitted from this summary.