NPR News Now - NPR News: 08-08-2025 8AM EDT

Episode Date: August 8, 2025

NPR News: 08-08-2025 8AM EDTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Live from NPR News in Washington on Corvick Coleman, Democratic state lawmakers from Texas remain out of their state. They're blocking a Republican effort to redraw state congressional maps. The GOP plan aims to put more Republicans in the U.S. House. Democratic officials in states such as California, New York, and Illinois are watching developments. They say they'll consider trying to redraw their districts to benefit Democrats in the House if Texas proceeds. The Texas House Democratic Caucus chair is Gene Wu. He says it's not about Republicans or Democrats, but about protecting communities that have built their own political influence. The real danger of this, if this spreads, if this goes on, if blue states do this, if red states do this, that is the end of our democracy because once people stop listening to us and they can win without doing what the people want, it's game over.

He spoke to NPR's Morning Edition. Social Security Administration has announced it's made changes to a new phone system. It was rerouting calls to local offices that could not help callers with their problems. Agency officials say that as of Wednesday evening, they fixed the problem. And P.R.'s Ashley Lopez reports. Disability advocates and social security employees had warned that a new phone sharing system among field offices was delaying help for some beneficiaries. That's because many times callers were being routed to an office that didn't have jurisdiction over their claim. Employees said they were physically unable to help with some requests.

Earlier this week, NPR reported on the issue, and now a spokesperson for the agency has confirmed that they rolled out an important update to their processing systems that now allows staff to assist anyone who calls. The agency says it addressed this matter after getting feedback from Social Security employees. Ashley Lopez, NPR News. The U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee,

says there are plans to increase the number of U.S.-funded food distribution sites in Gaza, from four to as many as 16. This comes as Gaza's hospitals say more people are being killed daily trying to get food aid than are being killed by Israeli airstrikes. And Piers Anas Baba has more. In a new report, Doctors Without Borders says its clinics in Gaza have been overruled by casualties from people trying to get food from the U.S. and Israeli-backed sites,

which are run by a group called the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Doctors Without Borders says they have seen cases like a 70-year-old woman killed by a gunshot to the head and many children shot trying to get food. Israel's military says its troops have only fired warning shots. The GHF denied shooting their sights. Doctors without Borders say the GHF system should be dismantled because it forces Palestinian to scramble for food. Well, quote, creating the illusion that sufficient aid is reaching Gaza. Annis Vobo, NPR News, Gozo. You're listening to NPR News from Washington.

President Trump plans to nominate White House economist Stephen Myron to fill a short-term vacancy on the Federal Reserve's Board of Governors. NPR Scott Horsley reports. In a post on social media, Trump says he wants Myron to fill the seat on the Fed's governing board being vacated by Adriana Coogler, whose term is set to expire early next year. Coogler announced last week she's stepping down early to return to a team. teaching post at Georgetown University. Myron is currently chairman of the President's Council of Economic Advisors. Trump says he's still searching for a nominee to fill the job of Fed Governor on a long-term basis. The President's been critical of Fed Chairman Jerome Powell and his colleagues for not moving

more aggressively to lower interest rates. Kugler's departure gives the President an early opportunity to put his stamp on the seven-member Fed governing board. Powell's term as Fed Chairman expires next May. Scott Horsley, Empire News, Washington. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is calling for the development. of a nuclear reactor on the moon. Supporters say this is a good idea

because nuclear power is a strong option for future astronauts. A lunar nighttime lasts for two weeks at a time, making solar power a more difficult option. Opponents say pivoting to nuclear power will deprive NASA of money it needs to track climate change and other vital programs. Wildfires continue to grow in the West. In California, the Gifford Fire in Southern California

has now spread to more than 150 square miles. Evacuations have been ordered in Santa Barbara and in San Luis Obispo counties. This fire is only 15% contained. I'm Corva Coleman, NPR News, in Washington.