NPR News Now: August 29, 2025 – 7AM EDT

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode provides a brisk, five-minute update on key national stories, including a mass shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic church, remarks from Vice President J.D. Vance about federal crime-fighting efforts, a new trial ordered in the Tyre Nichols police beating case, Labor Day travel projections, and insights into American consumer resilience amid rising tariffs.

Major News Stories and Key Insights

Mass Shooting at Minneapolis Catholic Church

[00:16]–[01:09]

• Incident Summary:
  A mass shooting occurred during a Catholic Mass at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis. Worshippers were caught by surprise just after completing a psalm.
• Firsthand Accounts:
  Kathryn Spandel, an alumna of the church school, recounted her experience of hiding under the pews and praying with a church minister.
  • Quote:
    “As I lay there on the ground…I looked forward and the young woman, two rows ahead, who is our pastoral minister for the church…we reached towards each other and we prayed the Hail Mary together and we were both crying.”
    — Kathryn Spandel [00:58]
• Casualties:
  Eight-year-old Fletcher Merkel, one of two students killed; at least 18 other parishioners were injured, most of them children.

Federal Crackdown on Crime – Vice President J.D. Vance

[01:23]–[01:56]

• White House Policy:
  Vice President J.D. Vance defended the Trump Administration's stance that federal help to cities should be by invitation, but asserted a legal right to intervene.
• Quote:
  “The president of the United States is not going out there forcing this on anybody, though we do think that we have the legal right to clean up America's streets if we want to. But what the president has said is very simply, why don't you invite us in?”
  — J.D. Vance [01:36]
• Targeted Cities:
  Mentioned potential efforts in cities like Chicago and Milwaukee; praised ongoing federal actions in Washington, D.C.

New Trial Ordered in Tyre Nichols Case

[01:56]–[03:13]

• Case Developments:
  A federal judge has ordered a new trial for three former Memphis police officers convicted in the beating death of Tyre Nichols due to concerns over judicial bias.
• Key Details:
  Judge Mark Norris recused himself after a law clerk was shot in a robbery, and he voiced suspicions about police department infiltration by gangs.
• Quote:
  “He told a federal investigator that the Memphis Police Department was, quote, infiltrated to the top with gang members.”
  — Christopher Blank [02:31]
• New Proceedings:
  U.S. District Judge Cheryl Lippman cited high risk of bias and granted the new trial.

Labor Day Weekend Travel Projections

[03:13]–[03:43]

• Travel Surge:
  The TSA projects over 17 million passengers at airports through the holiday weekend.
• Top Destinations:
  Travelers are heading to Seattle, Orlando, New York City, Miami, Las Vegas, and Denver.
• Quote:
  “They want to go to Seattle, Orlando, New York City, Miami, Las Vegas, Denver. Those are the top destinations and you're going to be paying more if you want to go.”
  — Eixa Diaz, AAA [03:34]
• Travel Costs:
  Gas prices are slightly lower compared to last summer.

American Retail and Consumer Resilience Amid Tariffs

[03:43]–[04:48]

• Retail Outlook:
  Chains like Best Buy, Dollar General, and Dick's Sporting Goods report that Americans are still shopping despite higher prices from new tariffs.
• Corporate Strategies:
  Many retailers are absorbing some costs, keeping price hikes selective.
• Quote:
  “Big stores and their suppliers have also been absorb many of those costs. So price increases for shoppers have so far been sporadic and surgical.”
  — Alina Selyuk [04:05]
• Consumer Patterns:
  Shoppers are seeking deals but are still willing to spend on big-ticket items; visits and spending per trip are up.

Financial Snapshot

[04:48]

• Market Update:
  Dow futures were trading lower at the time of the report.

Notable Quotes and Moments

• Prayer Amid Gunfire:
  Kathryn Spandel recalls connecting with a pastor to pray during the church shooting:
  “We reached towards each other and we prayed the Hail Mary together and we were both crying.” [00:58]
• Legal Right to Federal Intervention:
  J.D. Vance on federal involvement:
  “We do think that we have the legal right to clean up America's streets if we want to.” [01:36]
• Judicial Bias Concern:
  Christopher Blank quotes Judge Norris's alleged statement:
  “The Memphis Police Department was, quote, infiltrated to the top with gang members.” [02:31]
• Travel Trends:
  Eixa Diaz on popular holiday destinations:
  “…you're going to be paying more if you want to go.” [03:34]
• Retailer Adaptation:
  Alina Selyuk explains how retailers are handling tariffs:
  “Price increases for shoppers have so far been sporadic and surgical.” [04:05]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Mass Shooting in Minneapolis: [00:16]–[01:09]
• V.P. Vance on Federal Crime Policies: [01:23]–[01:56]
• Tyre Nichols Case – New Trial Ordered: [01:56]–[03:13]
• Labor Day Travel Forecast: [03:13]–[03:43]
• Retail/Consumer Spending Amid Tariffs: [03:43]–[04:48]
• Wall Street Update: [04:48]

Overall Tone:
Urgent, informative, and empathetic, reflecting the gravity of national news and the everyday impacts on American communities.