NPR News Now – September 5, 2025, 11AM EDT

Host: Korva Coleman
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This rapid-fire news update, hosted by Korva Coleman, covers major national and international stories from the morning of September 5, 2025. Key topics include the latest U.S. jobs report, a secretive military mission to North Korea, potential renaming of the Department of Defense, Missouri’s congressional redistricting efforts, a major immigration raid at a Hyundai plant, a new HIV prevention drug for low-income countries, and a record Powerball jackpot.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Latest U.S. Jobs Report

• [00:17] The Labor Department’s August jobs report shows only 22,000 new jobs created, falling short by about 50,000 compared to analysts’ expectations.

Secret Navy SEAL Mission in North Korea

• [00:17] The New York Times reports that during President Trump’s first term, he authorized a clandestine mission in North Korea.
  • In 2019, a Navy SEAL team landed on North Korean shores to plant a device intended to monitor leader Kim Jong Un’s communications.
  • The mission failed after an unexpected encounter with a civilian boat; the SEALs opened fire, killing those onboard.

Quote:

“They were expecting this shore to be empty... Instead, they encountered a boat that started flashing lights down at the submarines. The seals who were on the shore watching this didn’t know what to do and so they opened fire and killed everybody on the boat.”
— David Phillips, New York Times [01:02]

• Congressional leaders were reportedly not informed of the mission.

Department of Defense Renaming Proposal

• [01:20] President Trump is expected to change the name of the Department of Defense back to the "Department of War."
• Historical context: The U.S. had a War Department until 1947, when it was renamed Defense by President Truman.
• It is unclear if the president has authority to change the name without congressional approval; the process would also be costly.

Quote:

“Even just changing signs, seals, and titles could cost tens of millions of dollars.”
— Quill Lawrence, NPR [01:36]

Missouri Congressional Redistricting

• [02:14] Missouri Republicans are moving forward with redrawing the state's congressional maps, following a push by President Trump and mirroring actions in Texas.
• The revised lines would flip Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver’s Kansas City-based district to favor the GOP.
• Missouri Republicans hold supermajorities, making the change likely even without Democratic participation.

Quote:

“Not only are they wasting taxpayer money by doing this, but they’re actually subverting the will of most of our voters and the people of the United States whenever they do this.”
— Jeremy Dean, Democratic State Representative [02:57]

• Debate is scheduled to begin the following week.

Immigration Raid at Hyundai Plant

• [03:13] Over 450 people detained at a Hyundai plant construction site in Savannah, Georgia; officials state the workers are in the U.S. illegally.
• The incident has halted construction on a factory meant to produce EV batteries.

U.S. Supports Global HIV Prevention

• [03:55] The U.S. is partnering with the drugmaker Gilead and the Global Fund to help distribute Lenacapavir, a new injectable HIV prevention drug, in low-income countries.
• The aim is to reach millions over three years, despite prior sizable cuts in U.S. foreign aid.

Quote:

“Many of us were in a great deal of dismay and despair, but this announcement really brings a mixture of hope and relief.”
— Linda Gail Becker, University of Cape Town [04:22]

• The Trump administration is positioning this as a model for future global health policy.

Record Powerball Jackpot

• [04:43] The Powerball jackpot has climbed to approximately $1.7 billion, making it one of the largest in the game’s history. Next drawing is scheduled for tomorrow night.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• David Phillips on the failed North Korea mission:
  “They were expecting this shore to be empty...” [01:02]

• Quill Lawrence on the potential costs of renaming the Department of Defense:
  “Even just changing signs, seals, and titles could cost tens of millions of dollars.” [01:36]

• Rep. Jeremy Dean on Missouri redistricting:
  “...subverting the will of most of our voters and the people of the United States...” [02:57]

• Linda Gail Becker on new HIV drug aid:
  “This announcement really brings a mixture of hope and relief.” [04:22]

Timeline of Major Segments

• [00:17] Jobs report & secret North Korea mission
• [01:36] Department of Defense renaming proposal
• [02:31] Missouri redistricting controversy
• [03:13] Hyundai plant immigration raid
• [03:55] HIV prevention drug for low-income nations
• [04:43] Powerball jackpot update

This episode delivers a concise but comprehensive summary of the day's top news, highlighting significant political, economic, and global health developments with key voices from reporters and newsmakers.