Israel Expands War, Dems Enter Redistricting Fight, Setback For Asylum Seekers

Summary

Up First from NPR – Episode Summary: “Israel Expands War, Dems Enter Redistricting Fight, Setback For Asylum Seekers”
Release Date: August 9, 2025

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NPR's "Up First" delivers a comprehensive overview of the day's most pressing news in a succinct 10-minute format. In this episode, hosts Adrian Ma and Scott Simon delve into three major stories: Israel's intensified military actions in Gaza, the escalating redistricting battle between Texas Republicans and California Democrats, and recent setbacks faced by asylum seekers in the United States. Additionally, the episode pays tribute to astronaut Jim Lovell. Below is a detailed breakdown of each topic discussed.

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1. Israel's Expanded Offensive in Gaza

Overview:
Israel has announced plans to escalate its military operations in Gaza, aiming to take full control of Gaza City. This decision has sparked significant resistance both internationally and within Israeli society.

Key Points:

• Government Decision:
  Prime Minister Netanyahu's cabinet approved the expansion of the offensive, leading to widespread condemnation.

• International Reaction:
  Foreign ministers from Australia, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, and Britain have strongly condemned Israel's plan, citing potential violations of international humanitarian law.

  "The foreign ministers of Australia, Germany, Italy, New Zealand and Britain all strongly condemn Israel's government's decision to launch a new large scale military operation," (02:25).

• Impact on Israel's Allies:
  Germany, a longstanding supporter of Israel, has announced a halt in exporting military equipment that could be utilized in Gaza, a significant shift influenced by historical considerations related to the Holocaust.

  "Germany, one of Israel's staunchest longtime supporters, along with the US... said it will stop exporting military equipment to Israel that could be used in the Gaza Strip." (02:46)

• Israeli Public Response:
  Many Israelis express shock and opposition to the government's decision. Protests have emerged, including a notable Shabbat dinner protest where participants voiced their dissent and held symbolic vigils for hostages.

  "I think it's the most worst decision that our government has got ever. I think it's going to kill all the hostages. I see no reason to do it." – Yaffa Friedman, Israeli Retiree (03:35).

• Concerns for Civilians and Hostages:
  Past military operations, such as the 2019 raid in Rafah, resulted in casualties among hostages. Current fears suggest a similar or worse outcome if Israel proceeds with the offensive.

  "They decided to go inside Rafah and to move with enormous power of the IDF. And hostages were killed. My cousin was killed because of this decision." – Gil Dickman, Relative of a Former Hostage (04:10).

• Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza:
  The situation in Gaza is dire, with widespread suffering and shortages of essentials. Residents like Ali Abu Al Hanafi, who has lost his home and two children, express a lack of safe refuges.

  "There's nowhere to go," – Ali Abu Al Hanafi, Gaza Resident (04:57).

• Internal Israeli Criticism:
  A significant majority of Israelis (80%) reportedly desire an end to the war. Prominent voices within the country, including former intelligence officers and urban planners, advocate for cessation to prevent further civilian suffering.

  "500 former intelligence officers and military commanders of the IDF say there are no more military goals. So let's end this war." (06:09).

Conclusion:
The proposed escalation of military operations in Gaza has ignited a multifaceted debate within Israel and the international community, highlighting the complex interplay between security objectives and humanitarian concerns.

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2. Redistricting Battle: Texas Republicans vs. California Democrats

Overview:
As Texas Republicans attempt to redraw congressional maps to secure additional GOP seats, California Democrats, led by Governor Gavin Newsom, are crafting their own redistricting plan to gain more Democratic representation. This battle underscores the broader national struggle over gerrymandering and electoral fairness.

Key Points:

• Texas Republicans' Initiative:
  Texas Republicans have unveiled a plan to redraw congressional districts, aiming to gain five more GOP seats in the upcoming midterm elections.

• California Democrats' Response:
  In retaliation, California Democrats are developing a counter-plan to secure five additional Democratic seats.

  "Texas Republicans made the first move. Now California Democrats are responding with a plan of their own." (00:24).

• Ballot Proposition:
  The California plan will be put to voters in a special election scheduled for November. Democrats intend to propel their redistricting map through the ballot to override the existing nonpartisan commission system.

  "They are going to take it to the ballot in a special election in November." (07:11).

• Legislative Support and Strategy:
  Democratic leaders in California's state Senate and Assembly endorse Newsom's plan, emphasizing the need to counteract Republican gerrymandering efforts nationally.

  "Governors... say, 'We will not allow Trump's Republican Party to rig this system and take permanent control of the US House of Representatives.'" (06:53).

• Internal Democratic Dynamics:
  Initially, some California Democrats were skeptical about bypassing the independent commission due to its popularity and effective work. However, national concerns about gerrymandering have galvanized support for Newsom's approach.

  "Los Angeles Assemblymember Isaac Bryant spoke yesterday and he said... 'This is not a turn the other cheek moment.'" (08:14).

• California Republicans' Position:
  California Republicans oppose the Democratic-led redistricting plan but lack sufficient power to halt its progress given the Democratic supermajority in both the state Senate and Assembly.

  "They're not supportive of moving forward towards this plan that's going to favor Democrats, but they don't have the power to stop it." (09:21).

• Voter Sentiment and Potential Outcomes:
  While independent redistricting has historically been popular in California, the current partisan milieu may influence voter reception. The plan could lead to more competitive congressional races, aligning with recent trends.

  "There are communities that were previously split into multiple districts that have now been placed together... more competitive seats here than states like Texas and Florida." (10:19).

Conclusion:
The redistricting clash between Texas Republicans and California Democrats exemplifies the ongoing tug-of-war over electoral map drawing in the United States, with significant implications for future congressional control.

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3. Setbacks for Asylum Seekers in the United States

Overview:
Asylum seekers who have been residing in the United States for several years are now receiving notifications that their applications have been dismissed, forcing them to restart the process. This development marks a deterioration of protections for individuals fleeing persecution.

Key Points:

• Dismissal of Asylum Applications:
  Asylum seekers who entered the U.S. legally between 2019 and 2022 are being informed that their asylum applications have been dismissed, requiring them to begin the process anew.

  "In the last few weeks, several of their clients who entered the country between 2019 and 2022 are getting letters in the mail now telling them that their asylum applications are dismissed." (11:31).

• Failure to Conduct Credible Fear Interviews:
  These applicants were supposed to undergo credible fear interviews—assessments to validate their persecution claims—but many never had these interviews conducted due to administrative delays.

  "That is when federal officers assess whether someone's claims of persecution are valid... that interview didn't always happen." (12:32).

• Reasons for the Administrative Lapses:
  The primary factors contributing to the lack of interviews include insufficient resources and a surge in asylum applications, particularly during the Trump and Biden administrations.

  "Lack of resources... there aren't enough asylum officers to cover the workload." (13:14).

• Attorney Perspectives:
  Immigration attorneys argue that the government's retroactive measures are unjust, especially for individuals who have already integrated into American society over several years.

  "They're just doing the process that was legal and provided to them... now the government wants to retroactively go back." – Arno Lemus, Immigration Attorney (14:01).

• Impact on Asylum Seekers:
  The new policies introduce additional barriers, such as a $100 application fee and mandatory detention during the asylum process, increasing the risk of deportation and undermining the stability of long-standing residents.

  "This is a new system that takes people who have been waiting years... and puts them right back where they started." (14:56).

• Confusion and Fear Among Applicants:
  The notifications vary, some instructing applicants to await instructions from ICE, others directing them to self-report, and some providing no clear guidance, exacerbating uncertainty and fear of detention.

  "Different letters... Some tell applicants to wait to hear from ICE... others tell them to report to ICE themselves." (14:17).

Conclusion:
The recent administrative actions against asylum seekers represent a significant rollback of protections, placing vulnerable individuals at heightened risk and challenging the integrity of the U.S. asylum system.

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4. Tribute to Astronaut Jim Lovell

Overview:
The episode concludes with a heartfelt remembrance of astronaut Jim Lovell, celebrated for his courageous role as commander of Apollo 13 and his enduring legacy.

Key Points:

• Jim Lovell's Legacy:
  Lovell, who passed away at the age of 97, is renowned for piloting Apollo 13. The mission, famously depicted in the 1995 film where Tom Hanks portrays him, faced critical challenges when an oxygen tank exploded, but ultimately, Lovell and his crew safely returned to Earth.

• Iconic Phrase – "Houston, We've Had a Problem":
  Lovell recounts the circumstances leading to the famous declaration, clarifying often-misquoted versions of the phrase.

  "We have had a problem. We have had a problem. We have had a baby bus." – Jim Lovell (16:40).

• Personal Reflections:
  Lovell expressed nostalgia and humor regarding the mission's legacy, highlighting the phrase's pervasive presence in addressing challenges.

  "Every time someone has a problem, they say, Houston, we've had a problem. You ever catch yourself saying that around the house?" (17:36).

Conclusion:
Jim Lovell's contributions to space exploration and his memorable leadership during Apollo 13 continue to inspire and resonate, underscoring the human spirit's resilience in the face of adversity.

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Final Notes:
This episode of "Up First" effectively navigates complex international conflicts, domestic political struggles, and critical social issues, providing listeners with insightful analysis and diverse perspectives. The thoughtful inclusion of personal stories and expert commentary ensures a well-rounded understanding of each topic.

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Support NPR's Reporting:
To continue high-quality journalism, consider subscribing to Up First+ for an ad-free listening experience and to support your local NPR station here.

Transcript

[Scott Simon]

Israel says it will expand its war on Gaza and take full control of.

[Adrian Ma]

Gaza City, prompting a Shabbat dinner protest. I'm Adrian Ma.

[Scott Simon]

And I'm Scott Simon. And this is up first from NPR News. Moves and counter moves in the redistricting fight.

[Adrian Ma]

That's right, Texas Republicans made the first move. Now California Democrats are responding with a plan of their own.

[Scott Simon]

And some asylum seekers been in the US for years are getting letters saying their applications have been dismissed.

[Guy Maserati]

They're just doing the process that was legal. And now the government's wanting to retroactively go back.

[Adrian Ma]

What happens next?

[Scott Simon]

So please stay with us. We've got the news you need to start your weekend.

[NPR Sponsor]

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[Adrian Ma]

Israel's military is ramping up for another offensive into Gaza City.

[Scott Simon]

The move was approved by Prime Minister Netanyahu's cabinet yesterday and there has been resistance from around the world and within Israel.

[Adrian Ma]

The UN Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting and the foreign ministers of five countries have condemned Israel's plan.

[Scott Simon]

Miguel Auto, NPR's Eleanor Beardsley who's following this from Tel Aviv. Eleanor, thanks for being with us.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

Good to be with you, Scott.

[Scott Simon]

And tell us about this reaction to the Israeli government's decision.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

Well, the foreign ministers of Australia, Germany, Italy, New Zealand and Britain all strongly condemn Israel's government's decision to launch a new large scale military operation. They say it risks violating international humanitarian law. And Scott, Germany, one of Israel's staunchest longtime supporters, along with the US Obviously due to historical reasons, the Holocaust said it will stop exporting military equipment to Israel that could be used in the Gaza Strip. And Israelis I was talking to say that is huge.

[Scott Simon]

Tell us about what you hear from Israelis.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

Well, I can tell you many people are in shock. Yesterday I went to a town south of Tel Aviv where the families of hostages held a protest, Shabbat or Sabbath dinner, near the defense minister's home. And they shouted out in megaphones that they wished him a, quote, Black Sabbath. There was a tent set up and a place set at the table for 50 hostages, the one still in Gaza, alive and dead. And I spoke with 68 year old retiree Yaffa Friedman who lives here. She was a major in the Israeli army. Here she is. I think it's the most worst decision that our government has got ever.

[Scott Simon]

I think it's going to kill all the hostages. I see no reason to do it.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

If you ask me, let's stop the war. A year ago, you know, Scott, I also spoke with the cousin of former hostage Carmel Ghat. The 40 year old was shot by her Hamas captors last year when, when Israeli troops stormed the city of Rafah. And her cousin Gil Dickman told me the army is making the same mistake if it goes into Gaza City.

[Guy Maserati]

That's what they did in Rafah. They decided to go inside Rafah and to move with enormous power of the idf. And hostages were killed. My cousin was killed because of this decision.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

You know, both of these people also expressed alarm over the huge suffering that this new offensive will bring on civilians in Gaza.

[Scott Simon]

And tell us please about what people in Gaza are saying.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

Well, Scott, the suffering and starvation there is massive and will likely get worse. There are hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza City, one of the last parts of the enclave that is not occupied by Israeli forces. Now NPR's producer on the ground, Anas Baba spoke to 51 year old Ali Abu Al Hanafi, who's already lost his house and two children in the war. He says he's not leaving. He says, I fled south once already and it was full of torture. They've destroyed everything, people, houses, trees. There's nowhere to go, he said.

[Scott Simon]

And Eleanor, back to Israel, how do you see events playing out?

[Eleanor Beardsley]

Well, I'm going to refer back to Yaffa Friedman who was at that Sabbath dinner. I asked her, why is this happening if so many people seem to be against it? You know, Scott, a poll out last month found that 80% of Israelis want the war to end. And she said to me, quote, the country is being held hostage by a few far right extre, extremist ministers. These are the ones Netanyahu relies on for the survival of his government. And they've made no secret, Scott, of the fact that they want Palestinians to leave Gaza and they want to build Jewish settlements there. Now Netanyahu's government put out a statement with five principles of this plan, which include disarming Hamas and establishing an alternative civil administration there that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority. Scott. Already 500 former intelligence officers and military commanders of the IDF say there are no more military goals. So let's end this war. And today, Scott, 300 Israeli architects and urban planners have called to stop the destruction and to rebuild Gaza. They say 300,000 homes have been destroyed, as well as hospitals, schools, mosques, farmland, and the list goes on.

[Scott Simon]

NPR's Eleanor Beardsley in Tel Aviv. Thanks so much for being with us.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

You're welcome.

[Scott Simon]

Democratic leaders in the California legislature say they support Governor Gavin Newsom and his plan to enter the redistricting fight that President Trump has set off around the country.

[Adrian Ma]

First, Texas Republicans devised a plan to redraw their congressional map to get five more GOP seats in next year's midterms.

[Scott Simon]

Now Governor Newsom wants to counter by mapping out five more seats for Democrats in California.

[Adrian Ma]

Texas Democrats who fled their home state were in Sacramento yesterday with California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas.

[Scott Simon]

We will not allow Trump's Republican Party to rig this system and take permanent.

[Guy Maserati]

Control of the US House of Representatives.

[Scott Simon]

We're joined by Guy Maserati, California politics and government correspondent at KQED in San Francisco. Guy, thanks for being with us.

[Guy Maserati]

Good morning, Scott.

[Scott Simon]

And what did California Democrats announce yesterday?

[Guy Maserati]

Well, we heard from Democratic leaders in both the state Senate and the state assembly that they are behind Newsom's redistricting plan and they're going to take it to the ballot in a special election in November. That's necessary here in California because the voters here have created this nonpartisan commission to draw political lines. So it would have to go back to the voters. It would have to be voters to hand the power back to the legislature. So here's kind of the outlines of the plan we heard yesterday from Democratic leaders. They're going to release a proposed map with new congressional lines next week. And and then it's a really tight sprint. The legislature returns to session on August 18th. They're going to have just a few days to place this on the ballot. August 22nd is the deadline. And then there would likely be a separate vote on the actual map. And then also setting up a trigger where this California plan only goes into effect if Texas or other Republican states follow through with their gerrymanders.

[Scott Simon]

Democratic leaders and legislature support the governor. What about rank and file Democrats. Can you tell?

[Guy Maserati]

Yeah, I think it looks like they're getting in line. Just a couple of weeks ago, I was hearing a lot of skepticism from some Democrats in the legislature. You know, they knew this independent commission was popular. I think they liked a lot of its work. And I think they were also worried about county workers and kind of having them scrambled together this election for November 4th, because this is a tighter timeline than we're used to seeing for a statewide election. But I think ultimately kind of national concerns won the day. Los Angeles Assemblymember Isaac Bryant spoke yesterday and he said, look, California, they can't stand by if Republican states are pursuing these gerrymandered districts. This is not a turn the other cheek moment. While they continue to send blow after blow to the foundations of democracy where I'm from in Los Angeles, when they go low, we squabble up. And this is kind of Ben Newsom's theory here all along, right? That Democratic voters want to see more fight from their elected leaders and that control of Congress at this moment is more important than, you know, quote, unquote, good government practices. That's kind of been Newsom's argument. And that argument appears to have won over state lawmakers.

[Scott Simon]

What's the reaction of California Republicans?

[Guy Maserati]

They're not supportive of moving forward towards this plan that's going to favor Democrats, but they don't have the power to stop it. Here in California, Democrats have a super majority in the state Senate and the state assembly in Washington. In Congress, we did see California Republican Congressmember Kevin Kiley introduce legislation and that would have stopped all mid decade redistricting nationwide. We should have voters choosing our representatives.

[Adrian Ma]

We shouldn't have representatives choosing their voters.

[Guy Maserati]

And we also heard Kylie call out House Speaker Mike Johnson, kind of asked him to step in, stop this escalation of gerrymandering that we're seeing across the country. Unclear where those efforts will go. And I think it's also worth saying, Scott, Kylie's one of the Republicans in California who I think is seen as particularly vulnerable in a potential map redraw. So he has a lot to lose here.

[Scott Simon]

Kai, do you have any sense of how California voters feel about setting aside an independent commission, something that the state used to be proud of?

[Guy Maserati]

Yeah, hard to say. I mean, independent redistricting has been popular in California. And I think the idea of, you know, politicians going to the voters, asking for them for this gerrymander, that might turn a segment of the electorate off. There's also, you know, the work of this independent commission has succeeded in a lot of ways. There's, there's communities that were previously split into multiple districts that have now been placed together in these new maps. You have a lot more compet competitive seats here races in California than states like Texas and Florida, if you just look at the House results over the last two years. But this is happening in this larger picture of a partisan war. And I think the extent to which Newsom can make this about red versus Blue, Democrats versus Republicans, I think you can see a clear path for his campaign to succeed here.

[Scott Simon]

Guy Marziroti from KQED in San Francisco, thanks so much for being on the job for us.

[Guy Maserati]

Thanks for having me.

[Scott Simon]

Immigrants applying for asylum in the US Often have to wait a very long time.

[Adrian Ma]

Now the Trump administration is telling some asylum seekers who've been in the country for years they might have to start from the beginning.

[Scott Simon]

It's the latest attempt to strip protections for those who came to the US Claiming they are fleeing persecution.

[Adrian Ma]

Here with the details is NPR's immigration policy reporter, Ximena Bustillo. Hi, Ximena.

[Ximena Bustillo]

Hey, Adrian.

[Adrian Ma]

So tell us, what have you found out about what's happening?

[Ximena Bustillo]

Immigration attorneys have recently told me that in the last few weeks, several of their clients who entered the country between 2019 and 2022 are getting letters in the mail now telling them that their asylum applications are dismissed. These clients often entered between legal ports of entry and then encountered immigration officers. What should have happened next is they should have been sent to an asylum officer to do what is called a credible fear interview. That is when federal officers assess whether someone's claims of persecution are valid. But in the later years of the first Trump administration, and mostly during the Biden administration, that interview didn't always happen. One attorney, Maria Florencia Garcia, told me she has clients whose interviews kept getting.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

Canceled, then it was impossible to get rescheduled. And now, years later, they're trying to schedule this when the asylum application has been pending for a couple years now.

[Ximena Bustillo]

Dozens of people went ahead with applying for asylum without the interview because that has to be done within a year of entering the country. So time was of the essence here. And even if the government was being slow on other parts of the process, U.S. citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS, told me that this process is not new and everyone who tries to claim asylum must first do the interview.

[Adrian Ma]

Okay, so typically people receive the interview, then they apply for asylum. Why weren't those interviews happening?

[Ximena Bustillo]

The short answer is lack of resources. I spoke with Morgan Bailey, a former USCIS official, during both President Trump's first term and former President Biden's term, there.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

Aren'T enough asylum officers to cover the workload. But there has also been such an increase in the number of asylum applications as well.

[Ximena Bustillo]

She noted that this still isn't necessarily how the problem has been resolved in the past in terms of mass notices being mailed out to dozens of people to restart their process. Immigration attorneys acknowledge that there was a step that was skipped, but they say that that's the government's fault and applicants who have been waiting five or six years shouldn't be the ones to face the consequences. Here's Arno Lemus, another immigration attorney.

[Guy Maserati]

They're just doing the process that was allotted to them, that was legal and provided to them the moment that they presented themselves in the US and now the government's wanting to retroactively go back.

[Adrian Ma]

So what are some of the ways people are navigating this?

[Ximena Bustillo]

It's kind of messy. Different letters that I reviewed say different things. Some tell applicants to wait to hear from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, also known as ice. Others tell them to report to ICE themselves. And some don't provide any next steps at all. And right now, there's a lot of fear of interacting with ice. Lawyers have pointed out that currently a lot of the credible fear interviews are happening after someone has been detained. And even if a person is found to have a valid fear of being returned to their home country, ICE has new policies mandating the detention of an immigrant while their case plays out. Here's Leamas again.

[Guy Maserati]

It's anything you go to court, you get detained, you go to your ICE appointment, you get detained, you go to work, you get detained, you apply for asylum, you're given that notice.

[Ximena Bustillo]

In addition, there's a new asylum application fee of $100 that would be applicable. And immigration advocates say that this is a new system that takes people who have been waiting years, working, going to school, and puts them right back where they started, and it leaves them at higher risk for detention and deportation.

[Adrian Ma]

NPR's immigration policy reporter Ximena Bustillo. Thanks for being here. Jimena.

[Ximena Bustillo]

Thank you.

[Scott Simon]

And now a moment to remember astronaut Jim Lovell, who died this week at the age of 97.

[Adrian Ma]

Lovell flew in space four times, including as commander of Apollo 13.

[Scott Simon]

You might remember that 1995 film. He was portrayed by Tom Hanks. An oxygen tank exploded aboard the spacecraft, and after enormous effort on the ground and in space, the three astronauts made it safely home.

[Adrian Ma]

And while it cost Lovell his only chance to land on the moon, he did get to coin one very iconic phrase.

[Scott Simon]

Our colleague Mary Louise Kelly spoke with Jim Lovell several years ago and asked him to tell the story on Apollo 13. Who actually said the famous words, I'll let you say it now, Houston.

[Jim Lovell]

The way this went was the fact the explosion occurred. Yeah, I was in the lunar module, going down into the command module, when Jack said, houston, we got a problem.

[Guy Maserati]

Okay, Houston, we've had a problem here.

[Jim Lovell]

And Jack Lousman down at Mission Control center said, say again, please, Mrs. Houston.

[Guy Maserati]

Say again, please.

[Jim Lovell]

By that time I got down there, saw that we lost two fuel cells, and I said, houston, we have a problem here.

[Scott Simon]

Houston, we've had a problem.

[Jim Lovell]

We have a main B bus interval.

[Scott Simon]

We've had a main B bus.

[Jim Lovell]

And that was how that all came down to pass. And of course, then they just said, houston, we have a problem. I kind of wish I copyrighted that I would be in my yacht right now in the Riviera.

[Scott Simon]

And I went back and looked because there's some controversy over. The official transcript reads, houston, we've had a problem. And then it got changed, misquoted.

[Jim Lovell]

We have had a problem. We have had a problem. We have had a baby bus. Honorable and of course, you know, it got picked up. And every time someone has a problem, they say, houston, we've had a problem.

[Scott Simon]

You ever catch yourself saying that around the house? Mary Louise Kelly speaking with Jim Lovell in 2018.

[Adrian Ma]

And that's up first for August 9, 2025. I'm Adrian Ma.

[Scott Simon]

And I'm Scott Simon. Today's podcast was produced by Michael Radcliffe and also Michael Radcliffe. He was very prolific this week, though.

[Adrian Ma]

He had some help from Andy Craig.

[Scott Simon]

Our editors this week have been Samantha Balaban, Hannah Block, Melissa Gray Acacia Squires, and Anna Yugenoff.

[Adrian Ma]

Which one of them will mail candy to you if you find an error?

[Scott Simon]

Well, let's hope all of them. That's my job. Though it's definitely not the job of David Greenberg. He is our technical director.

[Adrian Ma]

Thanks as well to our engineering support team, Tom Marchito, Nisha Hines, and Valentina Rodriguez Sanchez.

[Scott Simon]

Fernando Naro is making his solo debut directing this podcast, and he did it very well.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

Woo.

[Adrian Ma]

Shannon Rhodes is our acting senior supervising editor, Evie Stone is our executive producer, and Jim Cain is our deputy managing editor.

[Scott Simon]

That means we're most scared of him.

[Adrian Ma]

So we tell him, actually, I'm most scared of you, Scott.

[Scott Simon]

Well, no reason for that. I'm the kind of guy who collects coasters, and I have a French poodle who writes haiku.

[Adrian Ma]

Tomorrow on the Sunday Story Is it possible to ease parenting fears and streamline the rearing of children with technology Companies selling some high tech gadgets? Want you to think so, but at what cost? A conversation with author Amanda Hess about her new book, Second Life Having a Child in the Digital Age and for.

[Scott Simon]

More news, interviews and analysis. Sometimes just plain fun. You can tune in to Weekend Edition on your radio. You can go to stations.npr.org and find your local NPR station. Foreign.

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