NPR News Now – August 28, 2025, 7PM EDT

Host: Jeanine Herbst (with reporting by Joel Rose, Jason DeRose, Tamara Keith, Stephen Thompson)
Episode Purpose:
A concise news roundup covering top stories from Minnesota, national public health leadership, the continuing conflict in Ukraine, a cultural resurgence for Radiohead, and the latest Powerball update.

1. Tragedy at Minneapolis Catholic Church

[00:20 - 01:37]

Key Discussion Points:

• Mass Shooting Details:

  • Shooter opened fire during a school year's first mass at a Catholic church in Minneapolis.
  • Fired 116 rounds; left writings indicating hate for individuals and groups.

• Victim Impact:

  • Two children killed, including 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel.
  • Jesse Merkel, Fletcher’s father, emotionally requested his son not just be remembered as a victim.
    • Quote: “Fletcher loved his family, friends, fishing, cooking.” (Joel Rose recounting, 00:53)
  • 18 total wounded; three children still hospitalized (one in critical condition).
  • Law enforcement and school staff commended for quick action and protecting one another.
    • Quote: “Hospital staff today praised law enforcement for acting quickly and they praised students and teachers who protected each other when the shooting began...” (Jason DeRose, 01:20)

2. CDC Leadership Shakeup

[01:37 - 02:38]

Key Discussion Points:

• Firing of CDC Director Susan Menarez:
  • President Trump dismissed Menarez less than a month after her appointment.
  • Multiple CDC officials resigned in protest.
  • Lawyers claim Menarez was removed for refusing to endorse unscientific policies or fire experts.
    • Quote: “She was targeted...when she, quote, refused to rubber stamp unscientific, reckless directives and fire dedicated health experts.” (Tamara Keith, 02:00)
  • White House Position: Press Secretary Caroline Levitt affirmed loyalty to the President’s agenda is paramount.
    • Quote: “It was President Trump who was overwhelmingly reelected... This woman has never received a vote in her life and the president has the authority to fire those who are not aligned with his mission.” (Tamara Keith quoting Levitt, 02:12)
  • Health & Human Services Secretary Jim O’Neill named interim director.

3. Major Attack on Kyiv, Ukraine

[02:38 - 03:31]

Key Discussion Points:

• Russian Assault:
  • Largest combined missile and drone assault in weeks; 21 dead, dozens wounded.
  • Attack came amidst stalling U.S.-led peace efforts after Trump-Putin summit in Alaska earlier in August.
  • Used decoy drones, cruise and ballistic missiles to target 20+ locations across Kyiv.
    • Quote: “Ukraine says Russia launched decoy drones, cruise and ballistic missiles and struck at least 20 locations across seven districts in the city.” (Jeanine Herbst, 02:58)

4. Radiohead’s 'Let Down' Returns to the Charts

[03:31 - 04:20]

Key Discussion Points:

• Music Resurgence:
  • 1997 track “Let Down” from Radiohead re-enters at #91 on the Billboard Hot 100.
  • Only the fourth time a Radiohead song made the Hot 100 (“Creep” in 1994 remains their biggest hit).
  • Revival sparked by a sync on the TV show The Bear, then amplified on TikTok.
    • Quote: "Let Down enters this week’s chart at number 91. The song found a new audience thanks to its placement on an episode of the TV show The Bear, then later blew up through the magic of TikTok.” (Stephen Thompson, 03:45)

5. Powerball Jackpot Hits Nearly $1 Billion

[04:20 - 04:59]

Key Discussion Points:

• Lottery Update:
  • Powerball jackpot reaches $950 million (6th largest in game history) after rollover.
  • Lump sum option: $428 million before taxes.
  • Tickets available in 45 states plus D.C., Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands.
  • Odds of winning: 1 in 292,201,000.
    • Quote: “But, of course, the odds are astronomical, one in 292,201,000.” (Jeanine Herbst, 04:54)

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “Fletcher loved his family, friends, fishing, cooking.” (Joel Rose, 00:53, speaking about the young victim in Minneapolis)
• “She was targeted...when she, quote, refused to rubber stamp unscientific, reckless directives and fire dedicated health experts.” (Tamara Keith, 02:00)
• “Let Down enters this week’s chart at number 91...then later blew up through the magic of TikTok.” (Stephen Thompson, 03:45)
• “But of course, the odds are astronomical, one in 292,201,000.” (Jeanine Herbst, 04:54)

Feel free to revisit any of the segments for more details, as each story was reported succinctly with impactful eyewitness and official commentary.