NPR News Now: 08-28-2025 9AM EDT

Date: August 28, 2025
Host: Windsor Johnston
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This edition of NPR News Now delivers a concise roundup of major national stories, focusing on:

• Reactions to a tragic church shooting in Minneapolis
• Leadership turmoil at the CDC
• Louisiana’s reversal on defending its congressional map and its implications for the Voting Rights Act
• Congressional outreach during the August recess
• Amtrak’s new high-speed trains in the Northeast

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Minneapolis Church Shooting and Call for Gun Control

[00:16–01:11]

• Incident: Two children were killed and 17 others injured (14 of them children) during a shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and school in Minneapolis.
• Shooter: A 23-year-old male, who died by suicide after the attack.
• Authorities: The FBI is investigating the shooting as domestic terrorism and a hate crime.
• Political Response:
  • Mayor Jacob Fry appeared on NPR’s Morning Edition, emphasizing that condolences are necessary but insufficient.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “These kids were literally praying in church and it is on us right now not just to sit back, it's on all of us to take the necessary action so that this kind of thing doesn't happen again.”
      – Mayor Jacob Fry [00:37]
  • Mayor Fry is urging for tougher gun control laws.

2. CDC Turmoil and Leadership Tensions

[01:11–02:13]

• Situation: CDC director Susan Menaros refuses to step down after her firing was announced on social media.
• Context:
  • Menaros managed the agency through significant budget and staff cuts.
  • Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had been critical of CDC staff and dismissed a panel of vaccine experts, moving forward on policies without CDC input.
  • A meeting between Menaros and HHS leadership reportedly “went very badly.”
• Impact:
  • Resignations of several high-profile CDC leaders followed the announcement.
• Notable Moment:
  • The tension highlights deep divisions within federal public health leadership amid ongoing political pressures.

3. Louisiana’s Congressional Map and Voting Rights Act Challenge

[02:13–03:11]

• Background:
  • Louisiana told the Supreme Court it will no longer defend its congressional map, which was designed to comply with the Voting Rights Act (VRA).
• Legal Details:
  • A federal court had previously required Louisiana to draw two out of six districts favoring Black voters, based on demographic data.
  • State officials now argue that any use of race in redistricting is unconstitutional.
• Implications:
  • The Supreme Court will hold a rare second round of oral arguments in October.
  • Advocates fear this could set the stage for a ruling that would end long-standing VRA protections against racial discrimination in redistricting.
• Notable Quote:
  • “A series of rulings by the court's conservative majority have already weakened the landmark law.”
    – Hansi Lo Wang [02:51]

4. Congressional August Recess: GOP Town Halls in Missouri

[03:11–04:20]

• Trend:
  • Most Republican lawmakers are not holding town halls during the August recess.
  • Missouri Congressman Mark Alford is an exception, holding a 15-stop town hall tour in four days.
• Constituent Concerns:
  • Residents worry about National Guard deployments following the precedent of President Trump sending Missouri troops to other cities.
• Alford’s Position:
  • Supports deployments for safety, but questions sending National Guard to additional cities, citing local authority.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “I'm a big believer in states rights and local control and local authority, but I'm also a believer in making America safe again.”
      – Rep. Mark Alford [03:57]
• Political Context:
  • Alford’s seat is safely Republican but future redistricting could threaten the GOP’s dominance.

5. Amtrak's New High-Speed Trains on the Northeast Corridor

[04:20–04:55]

• Update:
  • Amtrak debuts the next-generation Acela trains on the Northeast Corridor.
  • Specs:
    • Top speed: 160 mph (10 mph faster than before)
    • Larger, lighter, and with 27% more seating
  • Context:
    • These speeds still fall short of the world's fastest trains in Europe and Asia (which exceed 200 mph).

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Mayor Jacob Fry on the urgency of gun reform:
  “It is on us right now not just to sit back, it's on all of us to take the necessary action so that this kind of thing doesn't happen again.” [00:37]
• Rep. Mark Alford on Guard deployments and state rights:
  “I'm a big believer in states rights and local control and local authority, but I'm also a believer in making America safe again.” [03:57]
• Hansi Lo Wang’s summary of Supreme Court trajectory on voting rights:
  “A series of rulings by the court's conservative majority have already weakened the landmark law.” [02:51]

Timestamps for Key Stories

• Minneapolis shooting & gun control: [00:16–01:11]
• CDC leadership turmoil: [01:11–02:13]
• Louisiana’s redistricting and Voting Rights Act: [02:13–03:11]
• Missouri GOP town halls and National Guard concerns: [03:11–04:20]
• Amtrak’s new Acela trains: [04:20–04:55]

This episode reflects a week marked by both tragedy and political tension, with urgent calls for reform, leadership battles, and the evolving landscape of both civil rights and public infrastructure.