NPR News Now – August 30, 2025, 6AM EDT

Host: Giles Snyder
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a concise roundup of the morning’s top national headlines, focusing on major legal, political, and social developments, as well as emergent trends and noteworthy incidents across the U.S. Topics include significant court decisions affecting Trump-era policies, a tragic church incident in Minneapolis, upheaval at the CDC, fast food automation backlash, and record holiday air travel.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Court Strikes Down Most Trump-Era Tariffs

• [00:20]–[01:11]
  • Federal appeals court ruled most of President Trump’s broad import tariffs invalid.
  • The 1970s law used by Trump did not originally reference tariffs, and this use was unprecedented.
  • The ruling is a major blow to Trump’s economic agenda and a victory for small businesses and states that challenged the tariffs.
  • Government to continue collecting tariffs for now pending a Supreme Court appeal.
  • "The government's been collecting about $30 billion a month in import taxes. Most of that revenue would be jeopardized if this ruling stands." — Scott Horsley [00:57]

2. Immigration Policy Setback for Trump Administration

• [01:11]–[01:50]
  • Federal judge in D.C. blocked expansion of “fast track” deportations, citing due process concerns.
  • The opinion described the expedited removal process as trampling on citizens’ rights.

3. Minneapolis Church Tragedy & Calls for Gun Control

• [01:50]–[02:38]
  • Memorials grow for Harper Moisky (10) and Fletcher Merkel (8), who died in a back-to-school incident at Annunciation Catholic Church.
  • Family and officials responded with grief and gratitude for heroic actions during the event.
  • Quote from Fletcher Merkel's father:
    • "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 am thankful." — Jesse Merkel [02:20]
  • Prominent Minnesota Democrats call for assault weapon and high-capacity magazine bans.

4. CDC Turmoil Following Firing of Director Susan Menarez

• [02:38]–[03:04]
  • CDC Director and three top officials resigned/fired, reportedly over conflicts between science and government directives.
  • Dr. Daniel Jernigan stated:
    • "Part of her firing was, in fact, that she was willing to stand up for us and not fire us. And so with her gone, I think our decisions were made for us. That resignation made the best sense." — Dr. Daniel Jernigan [02:53]
  • Outgoing director’s lawyers say she refused to endorse "unscientific, reckless directives."
  • Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy yet to comment, but scheduled for Congressional testimony.

5. Taco Bell Faces AI Drive-Thru Backlash

• [03:33]–[04:10]
  • Taco Bell uses AI chatbots at drive-thrus nationwide; customers report frustration and play pranks.
  • Popular social media pranks include demanding thousands of water cups or repeatedly asking for a human.
  • Sample exchange:
    • Customer: "No, I have a mobile order under Aaron."
    • AI: "Could you say the name again, please, Aaron?" — [03:42]
  • Company reportedly re-evaluating technology after public backlash.

6. Record Labor Day Air Travel Expected

• [04:10]–[04:54]
  • TSA preparing for busiest Labor Day weekend ever with 17.4 million travelers expected.
  • Eight of the ten busiest days on record for the TSA occurred this year; June set the single-day record.
  • Major airlines forecasting record passenger volume.
  • "Eight of the 10 busiest air travel days in the history of the TSA have happened this year, with a single day record of nearly 3.1 million travelers and crew set in June." — Joel Rose [04:28]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Scott Horsley on tariff revenue:
  "The government's been collecting about 30 billion a month in import taxes. Most of that revenue would be jeopardized if this ruling stands." [00:57]

• Jesse Merkel on heroic responses in Minneapolis tragedy:
  "Without these people and their selfless actions, this could have been a tragedy of many magnitudes more. For these people, I am thankful." [02:20]

• Dr. Daniel Jernigan on CDC resignations:
  "Part of her firing was, in fact, that she was willing to stand up for us and not fire us. And so with her gone, I think our decisions were made for us." [02:53]

• Chloe Veltman (via customer exchange) on Taco Bell AI:
  AI: "Could you say the name again, please, Aaron?"
  Customer: "No, I have a mobile order under Aaron." [03:42]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Trump tariffs court decision: [00:20]–[01:11]
• Immigration policy ruling: [01:11]–[01:50]
• Minneapolis church shooting & responses: [01:50]–[02:38]
• CDC leadership crisis: [02:38]–[03:04]
• Taco Bell AI backlash: [03:33]–[04:10]
• Labor Day travel surge: [04:10]–[04:54]

Tone:
Factual, concise, and empathetic where appropriate—typical of NPR’s journalistic style.

For listeners, this episode delivers a brisk and authoritative overview of significant news shaping the country this weekend, with on-the-ground reactions and insights into political, health, technology, and social issues.