NPR News Now: August 28, 2025 – 11PM EDT

Main Theme:
This concise, five-minute NPR News Now episode delivers key updates on recent national and international events, from a tragic school shooting in Minneapolis and a high-stakes legal battle over the Federal Reserve Board, to major shifts in U.S. foreign policy and European diplomatic initiatives toward Iran.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Minneapolis Catholic School Shooting

• Victims Identified: Authorities named the two child victims: 10-year-old Harper Lillian Moisky, described as bright and beloved, and 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel, fondly remembered for his enthusiasm in cooking, fishing, and all sports ([00:33]–[01:11]).
• Community Reflections:
  • Michael Burt (family friend): “A larger than life personality of joy and magnetism, energy that. Oh, and same with the boy. Talk about a little boy's boy.” ([00:47])
• Status Update: One of the 18 injured remains hospitalized in critical condition.
  (Reporting by Liz Baker, Minneapolis)

2. Fed vs. Trump: Legal Showdown

• Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook Lawsuit:
  • President Trump has attempted to fire Lisa Cook over alleged mortgage fraud; she has not been criminally charged ([01:15]–[02:08]).
  • Legal Stakes: Cook’s lawsuit asks the courts to void the removal order, sparking a confrontation over presidential versus board independence.
  • Context: If Cook is ousted, Trump’s appointees would gain a Fed majority; the issue is likely headed to the Supreme Court.
  • “The outcome will have major implications on the independence of the Federal Reserve as well as the power of the presidency.” – Franco Ordonez ([01:47])

3. Firefighters Arrested by Border Patrol during Bear Gulch Fire

• Incident Overview: Two firefighters (visa workers) were arrested while working the Bear Gulch wildfire in Washington ([02:08]–[03:04]).
• Crew Composition: Teams include Mexican visa workers, U.S. citizens, and Umatilla tribal members.
• Statement:
  • David Buenos Diaz (crew boss): “Everybody works, you know, no matter what intensity you are. We're all there for the same thing. We're all there to help the communities out, help the forest and, you know, just protect and serve...” ([02:38])
• Sequence of Events: The men were cutting wood when Border Patrol checked and made the arrests. (Reporting by Gustavo Segreto, Seattle)

4. Wall Street Update

• Stock Movement: Dow up 71 points; U.S. futures flat pending new inflation data ([03:04]).

5. Ukraine: Major Russian Attack, European Response

• Details of Attack: Russian offensive kills at least 23, wounds many more in Kyiv; involved nearly 600 drones and 300 missiles targeting an apartment building ([03:14]).
• Political Context: First such large-scale strike since Trump met with Putin.
• EU Reaction: Outrage pronounced among leaders; France, Germany, and UK coordinate sanctions on Iran as additional foreign policy measure.

6. Renewed Iran Sanctions Initiative

• UN Sanctions ‘Snapback’:
  • The EU’s move triggers a 30-day process for UN sanctions previously lifted post-Obama Iran deal ([03:51]–[04:36]).
• Diplomatic Statements:
  • British FM David Lammy: “Europeans have tried to negotiate in good faith with Iran and the ball is now in Iran's court.”
  • U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio: “Snapback of UN sanctions does not contradict [diplomacy].”
• Significance: Coupled with recent U.S. airstrikes in June, this marks a return to a pressure campaign while maintaining calls for further diplomacy. (Reporting by Michelle Kellerman, State Department)

7. Military Honors for Slain Capitol Rioter

• Ashley Babbitt Case:
  • The Trump administration grants military funeral honors and agrees to pay damages to the family of Ashley Babbitt, an Air Force veteran and participant in the January 6 Capitol riot ([04:36]–[04:54]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Community Loss:
  “A larger than life personality of joy and magnetism… and same with the boy. Talk about a little boy's boy.”
  – Michael Burt, Family Friend ([00:47])
• On Firefighter Solidarity:
  “We’re all there for the same thing. We’re all there to help the communities out, help the forest and, you know, just protect and serve...”
  – David Buenos Diaz, Crew Boss ([02:38])
• Legal Stakes at the Fed:
  “The outcome will have major implications on the independence of the Federal Reserve as well as the power of the presidency.”
  – Franco Ordonez, NPR Reporter ([01:47])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• School Shooting & Victim Tributes: [00:15]–[01:15]
• Lisa Cook Lawsuit & Federal Reserve Showdown: [01:15]–[02:08]
• Firefighters Arrested at Bear Gulch Fire: [02:08]–[03:04]
• Ukraine Attack & EU Response, Iran Sanctions: [03:14]–[04:36]
• Capitol Rioter Military Honors: [04:36]–[04:54]

This episode highlights a tense and tragic snapshot of current events, balancing national trauma and political battles within the U.S. with significant developments on the global stage, all packed into NPR’s signature tightly-edited news briefing.