NPR News Now — September 1, 2025, 10PM EDT

Host: Amy Held
Date: September 2, 2025
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This concise news update from NPR provides an overview of major U.S. and international headlines as of September 1, 2025. Key topics include nationwide Labor Day protests, new data on the decline of immigrant labor, congressional economic challenges, global appeals for press freedom in Gaza, record air travel, changes to USPS postmark practices, and a homicide investigation at Burning Man.

Main News Sections & Key Discussion Points

1. Labor Day Protests and Worker Rights

(00:18-01:15)

• Demonstrators across the U.S. protested on Labor Day, denouncing President Trump and supporting workers' rights.
• The protests aimed “to remind Americans of the power of the working class.” (Amy Held, 00:20)
• New Pew Research Center data shows a sharp decline in immigrant workers, reportedly linked to Trump’s immigration policies.
  • Notable statistic: Over 1.2 million immigrants left the U.S. labor force from January to July 2025, including both legal and undocumented workers.
  • Remittances to Mexico from the U.S. are down nearly 5% compared to July last year.
  • Quote: “Immigrants make up nearly 20% of the nation’s workforce, but after more than 50 years of rapid growth, that population is now in decline, and that's affecting the labor force.” (Vanessa Romo, 00:40)

2. Congressional Challenges: Economy, Medicaid Cuts & Shutdown Threat

(01:15-02:04)

• Lawmakers return to Capitol Hill following an August recess punctuated by constituent frustration.
• Town hall feedback focused on:
  • Rising prices, partly attributed to President Trump’s tariffs.
  • Concerns about possible actions at the Federal Reserve.
  • Pushback against President Trump’s summer bill, especially regarding Medicaid cuts and reduced government spending.
  • Fear of a government shutdown, as the September 30 deadline approaches.
  • Quote: “The hardest job on tap for lawmakers may be averting a government shutdown tied to a September 30 deadline.” (Claudia Grisales, 01:48)

3. Global Appeal for Protection of Journalists in Gaza

(02:04-03:14)

• Over 250 news outlets have signed an appeal urging protection for Palestinian journalists and calling for foreign press access to Gaza.
• Israel’s Foreign Ministry claims the appeal is evidence of media “bias against Israel.”
• Significant press casualties: At least 220 journalists have reportedly been killed by the Israeli army in Gaza during under two years of conflict.
• August was the deadliest month ever recorded for journalists worldwide.
  • Quote: “Last week, Israeli attacks killed five journalists at a hospital, including photographers for Reuters and the AP. Two more journalists were killed since then in other attacks.” (Aya Batrawi, 03:01)
  • News organizations are joining the appeal through actions such as blacking out front pages or reporting on journalist risks.

4. Record-Setting U.S. Labor Day Travel & Tourism Downturn

(03:14-03:54)

• TSA forecasts the busiest Labor Day weekend, with more than 17 million air travelers—capping a record-setting summer.
• In contrast, the U.S. expects 3 million fewer international arrivals in the year’s first seven months, indicating a downturn in foreign tourism.

5. USPS Changes & Voting By Mail Implications

(03:54-04:39)

• The U.S. Postal Service proposes to clarify its definition of “postmark date.”
  • A postmark may not coincide with the day a letter is mailed or accepted by a carrier.
  • This could affect bill payments and mail-in voting.
  • Change is prompted by a controversial USPS reorganization plan, causing potential delays in mail processing.
  • Advice: "To make sure a letter or package gets a postmark on the same day you mail it, USPS recommends asking for one at a post office.” (Hansi Lo Wang, 04:32)
  • Speaker note: USPS is a financial supporter of NPR.

6. Homicide Investigation at Burning Man

(04:39-04:57)

• Police are investigating the death of a man at the Burning Man festival in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert as a homicide.
  • The incident appears to be isolated.
  • Burning Man draws tens of thousands each year and ends today.
  • Quote: “Police say they're investigating the death of a man as a homicide. He was found this weekend in what police say appears to be an isolated incident.” (Amy Held, 04:39)

Notable Quotes

• On labor and immigration:
  “Immigrants make up nearly 20% of the nation’s workforce, but after more than 50 years of rapid growth, that population is now in decline, and that's affecting the labor force.”
  — Vanessa Romo (00:40)

• On pressure in Congress:
  “The hardest job on tap for lawmakers may be averting a government shutdown tied to a September 30 deadline.”
  — Claudia Grisales (01:48)

• On violence against journalists:
  “Last week, Israeli attacks killed five journalists at a hospital, including photographers for Reuters and the AP.”
  — Aya Batrawi (03:01)

• On USPS postmark changes:
  “To make sure a letter or package gets a postmark on the same day you mail it, USPS recommends asking for one at a post office.”
  — Hansi Lo Wang (04:32)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:18] Labor Day protests & immigrant workforce decline
• [01:15] Lawmakers face economic, legislative, and shutdown challenges
• [02:04] Global media appeals for Gaza journalists' protection
• [03:14] Record air travel for Labor Day; foreign tourism decline
• [03:54] USPS postmark standards change; implications for voters
• [04:39] Homicide under investigation at Burning Man festival

This summary highlights NPR News Now’s crisp coverage of major stories shaping the start of September 2025, with emphasis on social action, political tension, global press safety, changing travel patterns, postal policy shifts, and festival safety.