NPR News Now – August 29, 2025, 3PM EDT

Episode Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now update, hosted by Lakshmi Singh, recaps the most pressing national and international news stories as of 3PM Eastern on August 29, 2025. Key stories include President Trump’s budget maneuvering, a high-profile Federal Reserve legal battle, the aftermath of a tragic incident in Minneapolis, a major immigration detention center closure in Florida, court decisions affecting migrants and clean energy, as well as political developments in North Korea.

Key News Segments & Insights

1. President Trump’s “Pocket Rescission” on Foreign Aid

[00:23]

• Headline: President Trump is bypassing congressional approval to retract nearly $5 billion in foreign aid using a tactic known as “pocket rescission.”
• Context: The move is late in the fiscal year, giving Congress little time to respond before funding runs out.
• Quote: No direct quote, but it's noted that this is a rare use of presidential power to redirect congressional appropriations.

2. Legal Battle Over Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook

[00:23 - 01:13]

• Background: A court heard arguments today over Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook’s plea to block President Trump from firing her. The dispute centers on allegations of mortgage fraud leveled by a Trump ally.
• Reporting by: Mike Regan, Bloomberg managing editor (guest contributor).
• Key Point: Cook’s lawyer claims she’s being denied due process.
• Quote:

  “Lisa Cook’s attorney is arguing that she had no due process. She hasn't been tried and convicted of anything, and that this is basically just a smear campaign in her defense lawyer's words, by a political operative in President Trump's administration.”
  — Scott Carter, summarizing Mike Regan's report [00:54]

3. Minneapolis Church Tragedy

[01:13 - 02:10]

• Incident: Two children killed and 18 injured during a back-to-school Mass at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis.
• Reporting by: Peter Cox, Minnesota Public Radio.
• Victims: 10-year-old Harper Moiske and 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel.
• Family Statement:

  “Harper was a bright, joyful and deeply loved 10 year old whose laughter, kindness and spirit touched everyone who knew her.”
  — Harper Moiske’s family statement [01:34]

• Memorable Moment:

  “I've heard many stories accounting the swift and heroic actions of children and adults alike from inside the church. Without these people and their selfless actions, this could have been a tragedy of many magnitudes. More for these people. I'm thankful.”
  — Jesse Merkel, father of Fletcher Merkel [01:52]

• Political Response: Minnesota Democrats and Congress members are calling for a federal ban on assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines.

4. Closure of “Alligator Alcatraz” Immigration Detention Center

[02:24 - 03:15]

• Headline: Florida must close the controversial immigration detention facility known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” following a federal judge’s ruling.
• Reporting by: Greg Allen, NPR.
• Reason for Closure:
  • Built hastily without public input or environmental review, violating federal law.
  • Judge Kathleen Williams ordered Florida to dismantle the facility and move detainees.
• Financial Impact:
  • The closure could cost Florida up to $218 million.
  • Ongoing compliance costs estimated at $15-20 million.
• Legal Status:
  • Both Florida and the Trump administration are appealing, but the facility is expected to be empty soon.

5. Migrant and Clean Energy Policy Updates

[03:15 - 04:09]

• TPS for Venezuelans:
  • A federal appeals court found the Trump administration likely acted unlawfully in removing Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans, restoring protections from the Biden era.
• Clean Energy Funding:
  • The Trump administration is cutting $679 million in grants for offshore wind projects in 11 states, including California and Maryland.

6. North Korea’s Diplomatic Engagement

[04:09 - 04:50]

• Reporting by: Anthony Kuhn, NPR, Seoul.
• Headline: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will attend a military parade in China, his first major multilateral diplomatic appearance since taking power.
• Occasion: Parade marks 80 years since Japan’s WWII surrender.
• Notable Development:
  • “The event is not only the first attended by the leaders of Russia, China and North Korea, it’s also the first multilateral diplomatic meeting that Kim has attended since taking power in 2011.”
    — Anthony Kuhn [04:17]
• U.S. Connection:
  • South Korea's Foreign Minister noted this may facilitate a Trump-Kim meeting; Trump has expressed interest in meeting Kim later this year.

7. Markets Update

[03:15 & 04:50]

• Dow Jones: Down 117 points
• Nasdaq: Down 252 points (>1%)
• S&P 500: Down 42 points (0.5%)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Lisa Cook’s Defense Amidst Political Pressure:

  “She hasn't been tried and convicted of anything, and that this is basically just a smear campaign … by a political operative in President Trump's administration.”
  — Scott Carter (summarizing attorney arguments) [00:54]

• Impact of Tragedy and Community Heroism:

  “Without these people and their selfless actions, this could have been a tragedy of many magnitudes. More for these people. I'm thankful.”
  — Jesse Merkel [01:52]

• Historic North Korean Diplomatic Shift:

  “It’s also the first multilateral diplomatic meeting that Kim has attended since taking power in 2011.”
  — Anthony Kuhn [04:17]

Segment Timestamps Overview

| Segment | Start | End | |-----------------------------------------------|---------|---------| | Trump’s Foreign Aid “Pocket Rescission” | 00:23 | 00:54 | | Fed Gov. Lisa Cook’s Legal Battle | 00:54 | 01:13 | | Minneapolis Church Tragedy | 01:13 | 02:10 | | Gun Reform Political Response | 02:10 | 02:24 | | Florida Immigration Detention Center Closure | 02:24 | 03:15 | | Migrant Protections & Offshore Wind Grants | 03:15 | 04:09 | | Kim Jong Un’s China Visit & Diplomacy | 04:09 | 04:50 | | Stock Market Update | 03:15 & 04:50| 05:01 |

Summary & Tone

The episode delivers urgent updates in a clear, neutral journalistic style typical of NPR. Despite the quick cadence, personal stories and pivotal quotes (especially those from bereaved families and international experts) give the brief news digest an unmistakable depth and humanity.