NPR News Now — August 28, 2025, 5AM EDT: Episode Summary

Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now episode, hosted by Dave Mattingly, delivers a concise roundup of breaking national and international news. The episode’s main theme is the coverage of major overnight events, led by an update on the tragic mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis. It also highlights developments in US manufacturing policy, financial markets, the war in Ukraine, North Korea-China relations, and US-Mexico postal issues.

Key Stories and Discussion Points

1. Minneapolis Catholic Church Shooting

[00:15 - 01:55]

• Incident Details:

  • A 23-year-old shooter, Robin Westman, opened fire at Annunciation Catholic Church during Mass, starting from outside by firing through the windows.
  • Casualties:
    • Two children killed; 14 children (ages 6–15) and three elderly adults wounded.
    • Westman died from a self-inflicted gunshot.
  • Investigation:
    • No criminal history; weapons purchased legally.
    • Authorities reviewing Westman’s writings, called “disturbing” by Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara.

• Community & Religious Response:

  • Pope’s Statement:
    • Pope Leo, via the Vatican, offered “heartfelt condolences and the assurance of spiritual closeness.”
  • Local Church Leadership:
    • Archbishop Bernard Hebda condemned the violence and called for an end to gun violence:

      "Our community is rightfully outraged at such horrific acts of violence perpetuated against the vulnerable and innocent."
      (Jason DeRose quoting Hebda, 01:32)

  • Support Initiatives:
    • Archdiocese staff working with the church’s school to support families.

2. Vice President Vance to Promote Manufacturing Bill

[01:55 - 02:52]

• Event:

  • Vice President Vance scheduled to address steelworkers at Mid City Steel in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

• Policy Focus:

  • Promotion of the recently passed “so Big Beautiful” (SBBB) tax and spending bill aimed at bolstering US manufacturing.
  • Vance expected to highlight tax cuts for working families and businesses.

• Political Reactions:

  • Democrats argue the bill favors the wealthy and harms Medicaid recipients.
  • The area is politically significant, being the district of GOP Rep. Derek Van Orden, a key target for 2026.

3. Markets: Nvidia Earnings & S&P 500

[02:52 - 03:15]

• Stock Market Milestone:

  • S&P 500 hit a record high before Nvidia’s quarterly report.

• Nvidia’s Performance:

  • The tech giant’s sales and revenue each surged 56% in the second quarter.

4. Russian Airstrikes in Ukraine

[03:15 - 04:04]

• Latest Attacks:

  • Russian missile struck an apartment building in Kyiv, causing a collapse and multiple casualties.
  • Combined missile and drone attacks impacted several Ukrainian cities, including shopping centers and residential areas.

• Context:

  • Despite Kyiv's strong air defenses, strikes are still getting through.
  • Diplomatic efforts for peace remain stalled.

• Quote:

  "The capital has the most extensive air defenses of any Ukrainian city, but some Russian strikes still manage to get through."
  (Greg Myhre, 03:50)

5. North Korea’s Kim Jong Un to Attend Beijing Parade

[04:04 - 04:32]

• Upcoming Visit:
  • North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will visit China for the first time in six years to attend a World War II anniversary military parade in Beijing.
• Participants:
  • Over two dozen world leaders expected, including Vladimir Putin.
• Significance:
  • Marks 80th anniversary of the end of WWII and China’s resistance against Japan.

6. US-Mexico Postal Service Disruption

[04:32 - 04:53]

• Update:
  • Mexico’s postal service suspends package shipments to the US due to uncertainty over new Trump administration rules on duty-free parcels.
• Broader Impact:
  • Similar suspensions reportedly occurring in EU and other regions.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Chief O’Hara on Shooter’s Motive:

  Investigators are reviewing Westman’s writings, which the chief calls “disturbing.”
  (Dave Mattingly, 00:55)

• Pope Leo’s Response:

  "Heartfelt condolences and the assurance of spiritual closeness to all those affected, especially the families now grieving the loss of a child."
  (Jason DeRose quoting Vatican, 01:22)

• Archbishop Hebda’s Statement:

  "Our community is rightfully outraged at such horrific acts of violence perpetuated against the vulnerable and innocent."
  (Jason DeRose quoting Hebda, 01:32)

• Greg Myhre on Kyiv’s Defenses:

  "The capital has the most extensive air defenses of any Ukrainian city, but some Russian strikes still manage to get through."
  (Greg Myhre, 03:50)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Minneapolis Church Shooting — 00:15 to 01:55
• VP Vance in Wisconsin — 01:55 to 02:52
• S&P 500 & Nvidia — 02:52 to 03:15
• Russian Strikes on Ukraine — 03:15 to 04:04
• North Korea-China Parade — 04:04 to 04:32
• Mexico-US Postal Suspension — 04:32 to 04:53

This episode delivers a tightly packed overview of critical news spanning public safety, global politics, markets, and policy debates—essential listening for staying informed on major headlines in under five minutes.