NPR News Now - NPR News: 08-12-2025 6PM EDT

Episode Date: August 12, 2025

NPR News: 08-12-2025 6PM EDTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Live from NPR news in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. President Trump's federal takeover of law enforcement in Washington, D.C. is officially underway. The arrival of National Guard troops has some hopeful the city will see improvements, while others worry that a short-term blitz could do more harm than good. NPR's Brian Mann reports. I spent this day talking to people who are living on the street here in Washington. Many of them say they don't have any. any place to go. There aren't shelters that they feel comfortable staying in. Advocacy groups agree

that there are very few resources right now and there have been more deep cuts to the social programs that support people, especially with mental health and addiction issues. The concern now is that if this action moves forward, these people could be swept up. Many of them could wind up in jails or incarcerated. That's NPR's Brian Mann reporting. A small number of Russian troops has slipped through Ukraine's defensive lines on the main battlefront in the east of the country. NPR's Greg Mirey reports Ukraine acknowledges the breach but says it doesn't amount to a major Russian breakthrough. The Russian troops found a gap in Ukrainian lines outside the eastern city of Pachrosk, a key

battleground for the past year. Ukraine's military says the Russian forces are operating in small groups of 10 to 15 fighters and do not have sufficient numbers to take and hold territory. The Russians are advancing incrementally in several places, but have not been able to capture Pachrovsk or other cities in the past year. Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky says Russian leader Vladimir Putin may be talking about a possible peace deal. But Zelenskyy says all the signs point to additional military operations by Russia. Greg Myrie, NPR News, Kyiv. Authorities say the gunmen in the shooting at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

in Atlanta last Friday, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Shemaine Cruz from member station WABE reports, officials say the shooter had wanted to send a message against COVID-19 vaccines. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says 30-year-old Patrick Joseph White broke into a locked safe to get his father's weapons and used them to fire 500 shots with nearly 200 hitting 6 CDC buildings. White's family called the police several weeks before the shooting. he verbalized thoughts of suicide. GBI director Chris Hosey says authorities later found

written documents referencing the COVID-19 vaccine. There was no direct threat, but it was his making the public aware of his discontent with the vaccines. No CDC employees were hurt in the shooting, but a responding police officer was shot and killed. For NPR news, I'm Shemaine Cruz in Atlanta. At the close on Wall Street, the Dow was up 483 points. This is NPR News. The 48th Kennedy Center honorees will be announced on Wednesday. President Trump hosted the news today on social media. NPR's Elizabeth Blair reports the honors have long been considered prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards in the Arts. Traditionally, artistic excellence has been the main criterion for the awards. Past honorees include Steven Spielberg, Quincy Jones, and Rita Moreno.

honorees are usually living artists when they receive the award. Trump has floated the names Babe Ruth and Elvis Presley as possible recipients. Trump posted that, quote, tremendous work is being done to prepare for the honors, but the Kennedy Center staff was caught off guard by the announcement, according to a person familiar with the situation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of professional repercussions. They're worried they won't have enough time to sell tickets and sponsorships. The Kennedy Center honors has traditionally been the performing arts venue's biggest fundraiser. Elizabeth Blair, NPR News, Washington. YouTube says it's testing out a new age verification system in the U.S. that relies on artificial intelligence. The social media site says it will use the technology to distinguish between adults and minors based on the types of videos they watch. The system is designed to only work when users are logged into their accounts. It will also make its age assessments, regardless of the birthday, someone might have entered when signing up. Recapping stocks on Wall Street, the Dow up 483 points at the close today.

The NASDAQ rose 296. This is NPR.