NPR News Now — 08-31-2025, 6PM EDT

Host: Dan Ronan
Podcast: NPR News Now
Date: August 31, 2025

Overview

This concise five-minute news roundup from NPR brings listeners up to speed on pressing national and international issues. Topics include looming U.S. government funding deadlines, developments in Gaza, new federal limitations on COVID-19 vaccines, legal protection for migrant children, the passing of journalist Charles Bierbauer, new research about Yellowstone’s bison, and the latest on the massive Powerball jackpot.

Key Stories & Insights

1. Congress Faces Government Shutdown Deadline

[00:18-01:08]

• Situation: Congress returns from August recess with just under a month to pass spending bills before the fiscal year ends September 30th.
• Challenge: The regular appropriations process is behind schedule; House Republicans appear to favor a stopgap measure to maintain current funding levels.
• Insight: There’s skepticism about Congress completing the appropriations process in time and concerns over repeated shifts of “power of the purse” to the executive.

Notable Quote:

• Claudia Grisales:

  “Many say it's a fantasy they'll get there. For example, many House Republicans just want to approve another stopgap measure that will keep funding levels static. Then underlying all of this, we have seen this Republican led Congress cede their power of the purse to the president again and again.”
  [00:38-01:08]

2. Israeli Military Action & Hostage Update in Gaza

[01:08-02:07]

• Update: Israeli troops recovered the bodies of two hostages killed during Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack; the remains were taken to Gaza after the incident.
• Hostages Status: 48 hostages remain in Gaza, 20 believed alive. Negotiations for release have stalled, as Israel insists on the release of all, not half, of the captives.
• Military Strike: Israeli forces reportedly killed Hamas’s top spokesperson in an airstrike.

Notable Quote:

• Daniel Estrin:

  “Two weeks ago, Hamas agreed to a proposal by Egypt and Qatar to free half of the remaining hostages. Israel previously agreed to those terms, but Israel has not responded to the proposal. Israel says it wants all, not half, of the hostages.”
  [01:22-02:07]

3. New Federal Restrictions on COVID-19 Vaccines

[02:07-02:56]

• Vaccine Status: FDA approved updated Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech, and Novavax vaccines.
• New Restrictions: For the first time, only people at heightened risk (65+ or with specific health conditions) are automatically eligible.
• Access Issues: Many people may need a doctor’s prescription; availability will vary by state and insurance coverage is uncertain.

Notable Quote:

• Rob Stein:

  “For the first time, the FDA has only approved the vaccines for people who are at risk for serious complications because they're at least 65 or have some other health issue. That means many people may have to get a doctor's prescription to get vaccinated.”
  [02:22-02:40]

4. U.S. Judge Blocks Deportation of Unaccompanied Guatemalan Children

[02:56-03:17]

• Legal Ruling: A federal judge halted deportation of Guatemalan minors found unaccompanied at the border.
• Reason: Children were reportedly put on planes overnight, allegedly violating protections for migrant children.
• Current Status: Children are being returned to resettlement camps in the U.S.

5. Passing of Veteran Journalist Charles Bierbauer

[03:17-03:59]

• Career Highlights: Covered the White House and Pentagon for CNN during the Reagan and Bush Sr. eras; previously ABC News Moscow bureau chief.
• Post-Media Career: Became the first dean of the University of South Carolina's College of Mass Communication.
• Legacy: Remembered for decades of journalistic excellence; retired in 2017. Passed at age 83.

6. Yellowstone Bison Boost Grassland Health

[03:59-04:41]

• New Study: Research published in Science finds Yellowstone’s 5,000 bison improve grasslands by boosting soil microbes and increasing plant protein, benefitting other herbivores.
• Broader Findings: Suggests more roaming bison could further enhance grasslands across the region.

Notable Quote:

• Bill Hamilton (study author):

  “And crude protein is what the herbivores, the elk, the bison, the pronghorn, the deer are honing in on because they need that to put on fat to make it through winter and to breed.”
  [04:13-04:28]

7. Powerball Jackpot Climbs to $1.1 Billion

[04:41-04:56]

• No Winner: Saturday’s drawing went unclaimed.
• Current Prize: Estimated at $1.1 billion.
• Odds: 1 in 292 million for Monday’s draw.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On Congressional Deadlines:
  “Many say it’s a fantasy they’ll get there...” — Claudia Grisales [00:38]

• On Hostage Negotiations:
  “Israel says it wants all, not half, of the hostages.” — Daniel Estrin [01:53]

• On Bison and Grasslands:
  “Crude protein is what the herbivores ... are honing in on because they need that to put on fat...” — Bill Hamilton [04:13]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Congress and Potential Shutdown: 00:18–01:08
• Gaza Hostage Recovery & Military News: 01:08–02:07
• COVID-19 Vaccine Changes: 02:07–02:56
• Migrant Children Deportation Blocked: 02:56–03:17
• Charles Bierbauer Obituary: 03:17–03:59
• Yellowstone Bison Study: 03:59–04:41
• Powerball Update: 04:41–04:56

This summary omits sponsor advertisements, intros, and outros for clarity and brevity.