NPR News Now – August 31, 2025, 7PM EDT

Host: Dan Ronan, NPR News Anchor
Duration: 5 minutes
Purpose: Rapid-fire update on key national and international news events

Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers concise updates on major stories including Chicago's response to federal immigration enforcement, Rudy Giuliani's hospitalization, political unrest in Indonesia, a record Powerball jackpot, the reopening of LA's Lake Shrine post-fire, and a new executive order proposed by President Trump on voting regulations. The show provides critical context and direct reporting from several NPR correspondents.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Chicago Limits Police Cooperation with Federal Immigration Enforcement

• [00:15–01:15]

• Summary:

  • Mayor Brandon Johnson has signed an executive order restricting the Chicago Police Department’s collaboration with federal law enforcement on civil immigration enforcement.
  • The move comes after threats from the Trump administration to ramp up immigration crackdowns in Chicago.
  • Specifics:
    • Chicago police are now barred from working with federal officers on civil immigration cases or with US military personnel on patrols.
    • Officers must wear their uniforms and not masks to be clearly distinguished from federal agents.
  • Mayor Johnson's intention is to prevent Chicago police from being “deputized by Trump”.

• Notable Quote:

  • Joe Hernandez (Reporter):
    • "Johnson says he doesn't want the Chicago Police Department to be deputized by Trump." [01:10]

2. Rudy Giuliani Hospitalized After Car Accident

• [01:15–02:10]

• Summary:

  • Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani was injured in a high-speed collision on a New Hampshire highway.
  • He suffered multiple lacerations, a fractured thoracic vertebrae, and injuries to his arm and leg.
  • Despite the injuries, his spokesperson says Giuliani is “in good spirits and recovering tremendously.”
  • The spokesperson clarified that the crash was not a targeted attack.

• Notable Quote:

  • Chandelyse Duster (Reporter):
    • "Giuliani is in good spirits and recovering tremendously." [01:55]
    • "The spokesperson, who is also Giuliani's head of security, said the accident was not a targeted attack." [02:05]

3. Growing Political Unrest and Deadly Protests in Indonesia

• [02:10–03:08]

• Summary:

  • President Prabowo Subianto is facing major unrest after lawmakers granted themselves lavish housing allowances, over ten times the monthly minimum wage.
  • Widespread protests escalated following a police vehicle killing a motorcycle taxi driver.
  • Rioters ransacked officials’ homes and set fire to a local assembly building; fatalities occurred from the fire and from those trying to escape.
  • President Subianto cut short a trip to China to manage the crisis.

• Notable Quote:

  • Anthony Kuhn (Reporter):
    • "Rioters in the city of Makassar set fire to the local assembly building and three people were killed in the blaze or jumping from the building to escape it." [02:49]

4. Powerball Jackpot Surges & Labor Day on Wall Street

• [03:08–03:51]
• Summary:
  • No winner in the most recent Powerball drawing; jackpot now $1.1 billion, the game’s fifth-largest.
  • The odds to win remain at 1 in 292 million.
  • Wall Street will be closed for Labor Day.

5. LA’s Historic Lake Shrine Reopens After Wildfire

• [03:51–04:22]

• Summary:

  • The Self-Realization Fellowship’s Lake Shrine in Los Angeles is reopening after January’s Palisades fire.
  • Historic features include century-old Hollywood sets and some of Gandhi’s ashes.
  • Water pumped from the Shrine’s on-site lake protected much of the property.
  • Brother Satyananda, Lake Shrine’s minister, notes the site appears almost untouched.

• Notable Quote:

  • Brother Satyananda:
    • "Some of our neighbors have said, oh, wow, it doesn't seem like any disaster ever happened here." [04:10]

6. President Trump Proposes Sweeping Voter ID and Mail-in Restrictions

• [04:22–04:51]
• Summary:
  • President Trump announced plans to sign an executive order mandating ID for all voters and drastic limits on mail-in ballots, allowing exceptions only for the seriously ill or military personnel.
  • The report notes federal elections are run at state and local levels, so the legality and enforceability of the order remains uncertain.
  • The next midterm elections are set for November 3, 2026.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Chicago’s Sanctuary Policy:

  • “Johnson says he doesn't want the Chicago Police Department to be deputized by Trump.” — Joe Hernandez [01:10]

• Giuliani’s Condition:

  • “Giuliani is in good spirits and recovering tremendously.” — Chandelyse Duster [01:55]

• Indonesia’s Protests:

  • “Rioters...set fire to the local assembly building and three people were killed in the blaze or jumping from the building to escape it.” — Anthony Kuhn [02:49]

• Lake Shrine’s Recovery:

  • “Some of our neighbors have said, oh, wow, it doesn't seem like any disaster ever happened here.” — Brother Satyananda [04:10]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:15] Chicago’s executive order limiting police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement
• [01:15] Rudy Giuliani hospitalized after car accident, not a targeted attack
• [02:10] Deadly protests and political backlash in Indonesia
• [03:08] Powerball jackpot update and Labor Day market closure
• [03:51] Lake Shrine’s reopening after wildfire in LA
• [04:22] President Trump’s proposed executive order on voter ID and mail-in voting

For listeners seeking a snapshot of current events, this episode provides fast, clear reporting across domestic and international news—with first-hand updates and direct-source quotes anchoring each story.