NPR News Now – September 3, 2025, 9PM EDT

Host: Windsor Johnston
Episode Date: September 4, 2025
Episode Length: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now update provides a concise summary of the latest national and international headlines. Topics include potential National Guard deployments in U.S. cities, Congressional debates over Jeffrey Epstein-related files, a notable exchange between the presidents of China and Russia, financial news from Macy’s, and new tax exemption rules for tip-based workers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. National Guard Deployment Proposals

• [00:11] President Trump announced the possibility of deploying the National Guard to New Orleans to combat crime, a move also considered for Chicago and Baltimore.
  • Louisiana’s Republican Governor supports the deployment.
  • Local officials in New Orleans are not aligned with the plan.
  • Insight: This highlights ongoing federal intervention debates in urban policing.

2. Epstein Records Legislation

• [00:11-01:47] Congressional lawmakers—bipartisan, though opposed by House GOP leaders—are pushing for the Justice Department to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
  • Four Republicans (notably Marjorie Taylor Greene) joined the petition to force a House vote.
  • Outside the Capitol, survivors and relatives, including Sky Roberts (brother of Virginia Giuffre), called for file release.
  • House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed skepticism, focusing on victim privacy.
  • Insight: Continued public and political demand for transparency regarding Epstein’s network and accountability for powerful offenders.

3. Notable Quotes

• Marjorie Taylor Greene (Republican Congresswoman) calls for comprehensive transparency:

  "I asked my Republican colleagues not to choose just one path for justice and transparency and accountability, but I asked my Republican colleagues to choose every path for justice and accountability and transparency."
  (01:02)

• Epstein Advocate (Sky Roberts), referencing his sister Virginia Giuffre:

  "She fought to expose a system that allowed the wealthy, the connected and the powerful to exploit and abuse girls and young women without consequence. She fought for every survivor who was silenced, doubted or discarded."
  (01:35)

4. China’s WWII Parade & Putin-Xi Hot Mic Moment

• [01:47-03:00] Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted an anniversary military parade, with North Korea and Russia in attendance.
  • A televised offhand conversation between Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin drew attention:
    • Xi: Aging now means past 70 is common; "at 71, still a child."
    • Putin replied that thanks to biotechnology, "human organs can be continuously transplanted," suggesting possible immortality.
  • Both leaders have changed their countries’ constitutions to potentially stay in power for life.
  • Insight: The hot mic exchange underscores themes of longevity and political power.
  • Charles Baines (NPR Moscow):

    "The exchange comes as the longtime leaders, both 72 years of age, have altered their countries constitutions to effectively remain in power for life."
    (02:16)

5. Financial News: Wall Street & Macy’s

• [03:00-03:32]
  • Stocks closed mixed: Dow down 24 points, NASDAQ up 218, S&P up 32.
• [03:32-04:13]
  • Macy’s reported its first sales growth since 2022, driven by Bloomingdale's and Bluemercury.
  • Ongoing store updates and new brands help, but tariffs drive up costs and necessitate price adjustments—a concern for both Macy’s and consumers.
  • Insight: Macy’s signals some retail sector resilience but also ongoing pressures from tariffs and shifting consumer habits.
  • Alina Selyuk (NPR):

    "Macy’s overall is still losing money as it's investing in updates, refreshing stores, closing some of them, adding more staff and new brands. But executives raised their financial forecast for the year, still predicting lower sales, but a bit less of a dip than they'd previously expected."
    (03:32)

6. New Tax Exemption for Tips

• [04:13-04:54]
  • The Treasury Department released a list of service jobs now exempt from income tax on tips: food service, salons, concierges, and many digital/remote jobs.
    • Applies to workers earning under $160,000/year.
    • Reported tips on W2s are eligible.
    • Enacted as a Trump campaign promise, expires 2028.
  • Analysts estimate this could add $40 billion to the national deficit.
  • Insight: A significant shift affecting millions in the service industry.

Important Timestamps

• [00:11] — National Guard deployment proposals in New Orleans
• [01:02] — Marjorie Taylor Greene on Epstein transparency
• [01:35] — Sky Roberts on his sister, Virginia Giuffre
• [02:16] — Xi-Putin hot mic: longevity and biotechnology
• [03:32] — Macy’s turnaround, tariff impact
• [04:13] — New tip tax exemption for service workers

Memorable Moments

• The poignant statement by Sky Roberts about his late sister’s activism comparing abuse survivors’ struggles to the need for legislative transparency.
• The lighthearted-yet-revealing hot mic exchange between Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping about living beyond 70 and the future possibility of “immortality.”

Tone & Style

The episode is direct, fact-focused, and brisk in its delivery, with brief but powerful quotes providing human perspective to headline events.

Summary by NPR News Now – 09-03-2025, 9PM EDT.