NPR News Now: 08-30-2025 9PM EDT

Host: Dan Ronan
Date: August 31, 2025

Episode Overview

This five-minute episode of NPR News Now delivers concise updates on legal, social, and cultural events in the U.S. Coverage includes a legal battle over Trump-era tariffs, increased security at Minnesota churches following shootings, the case of violinist John Shin’s immigration detention, the college football season kickoff, Spirit Airlines’ bankruptcy, groundbreaking chocolate flavor research, and the passing of veteran White House correspondent Mark Knoller.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Court Rules Trump Tariffs Illegal, Supreme Court Appeal Looms

• [00:17] Dan Ronan relays breaking news: A federal appeals court has ruled most of former President Trump's tariffs illegal, though they will remain in effect until an anticipated Supreme Court review by mid-October.
• Ron Elving explains the legal significance:

  "Did Trump follow the law in his end run around Congress in setting these tariffs, or is he within his rights? That's been a crucial question all along."
  — Ron Elving, 00:36

• The appeals court’s full panel decision "raises the stakes," and the matter now returns to a trade court, pending Supreme Court involvement.

2. Minnesota’s Increased Security at Religious Sites After Shootings

• [01:05] State authorities respond to a shooting at a Catholic church and nearby school by increasing patrols, as reported by Jason DeRose.
• Most churches lack significant security; clergy and congregations appreciate police efforts. Pastor Jim DeBraker prepares to address the community’s trauma:

  "Some of his parishioners have children and grandchildren at Annunciation School. So he's planning a homily to address their grief."
  — Jason DeRose, 01:20

• Open mic session and litany of lament during Mass will help parishioners process grief:

  "Our parish is not afraid to express what they want to say."
  — Jim DeBraker via Ron Elving, 01:42

• Rituals normally reserved for funerals will be adapted this weekend for communal healing.

3. Music Community Rallies for Detained Violinist John Shin

• [01:58] The U.S. music community supports John Shin, a Korean-born professional violinist detained by ICE.
• Chloe Veltman reports musicians are protesting at the Utah State Capitol:

  "Shin's lawyer said Shin was abruptly arrested at a hotel parking lot while traveling in Colorado...held at a detention facility in Aurora." — Chloe Veltman, 02:16

• Shin, once protected by DACA, lost status due to a 2019 DUI, per DHS. A hearing is scheduled for September 2nd.
• The case highlights vulnerabilities faced by DACA recipients with minor convictions.

4. College Football Season Kicks Off with Upsets and Blowouts

• [02:58] Ohio State (defending champions) defeats Texas (147 points), Georgia dominates Marshall, and Florida State upsets Alabama.
• No detailed commentary, but scores reflect major early-season shifts.

5. Spirit Airlines Files for Second Bankruptcy in 2025

• [03:23] Spirit Airlines enters bankruptcy again, pledges uninterrupted service:

  "The company's CEO said previously...it was to reduce debt and raise capital. But he said clearly more work needs to be done."
  — Dan Ronan, 03:38

• Employee pay and flight operations will continue for now.

6. New Microbial Research on Chocolate Flavor

• [03:53] Emily Kwong reports scientists are exploring fermentation’s impact on chocolate flavor.

  "Chocolate, like coffee or wine, has different flavor profiles, but why it has to do with fermentation." — Emily Kwong, 03:53

• David Gopalchen’s University of Nottingham team engineered microbial communities for bean fermentation, replicating and improving traditional flavor development.
• Findings published in Nature Microbiology point to possible innovations in premium chocolate production.

7. Passing of Veteran White House Reporter Mark Knoller

• [04:27] Mark Knoller, celebrated for encyclopedic coverage of eight presidencies, has died at 73.
• CBS News President called him “the hardest working and most prolific White House correspondent of this generation.”
• Recognized for detailed record-keeping of every presidential move, Knoller’s legacy in political journalism is highlighted.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump Tariffs:

  "Did Trump follow the law in his end run around Congress in setting these tariffs, or is he within his rights?...Friday's ruling...raises the stakes."
  — Ron Elving, 00:36

• On Church Community Grief:

  "And our parish is not afraid to express what they want to say."
  — Jim DeBraker via Ron Elving, 01:42

• On John Shin’s Detention:

  "Musicians have been staging performances in protest at the Utah State Capitol since John Shin was detained by ICE."
  — Chloe Veltman, 02:16

• On Chocolate Flavor Science:

  "During fermentation, microbial communities emerge, giving rise to all kinds of flavor compounds."
  — Emily Kwong, 04:07

• On Mark Knoller’s Career:

  "He had almost an encyclopedic knowledge of every presidential activity..."
  — Dan Ronan, 04:27

Timestamps to Key Segments

• [00:17] Tariffs Ruling / SCOTUS Trajectory
• [01:05] Post-Shooting Church Response in Minnesota
• [01:58] John Shin Immigration Detention & Protests
• [02:58] College Football Season Begins
• [03:23] Spirit Airlines Second Bankruptcy Filing
• [03:53] Chocolate Flavor Scientific Breakthrough
• [04:27] Mark Knoller’s Legacy & Passing

This episode efficiently delivers top national news stories, touching on politics, public safety, immigration, economics, science, and journalism—demonstrating NPR’s trademark balance of breadth and depth in under five minutes.