NPR News Now - NPR News: 08-12-2025 8PM EDT

Episode Date: August 13, 2025

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Immigration raids, masked ice agents, Operation Patriot. Our podcast, Here and Now Anytime is looking at Trump's agenda of mass deportation through the eyes of one state. I'm coming to Boston. I'm bringing hell with me. Listen to the podcast, Here and Now Anytime from NPR and WBOR. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnson. Attorney General Pam Bondi met with city officials in Washington, D.C. today. Alex Coma from member station WAMU reports it marks her first day in control of D.C. police since President Trump moved to take over the department. Bondi described the meeting with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and police chief Pamela Smith as productive and emphasized that she would seek to work closely with D.C. police.

Smith stressed that she remains in charge of operational decisions for the department. Let us not have any controversy with that. OK, because I know people want to build upon and create division. We're here to work together with our federal partners, and that's what we're going to do. The White House says it sent hundreds of federal officers, agents, and National Guard troops into D.C. For NPR News, I'm Alex Koma in Washington, D.C. After months of delays, the State Department has released a slim-down version of the annual human rights report. Officials say it reflects the values of the Trump administration.

Critics say the congressionally mandated report has been politicized, as MPR's Michelle Kellerman explains. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce says the new version is more readable and captures some of the things the Trump administration cares about. We weren't going to release something compiled and written by the previous administration. It needed to change based on the point of view and the vision of the Trump administration. And so those changes were made. It no longer covers LGBTQ rights, but does cover what the Trump administration sees as the suppression of conservative voices in Europe. It criticizes Brazil for the case against former president, J.R. Bolsonaro, a Trump ally. And it criticizes South Africa for its treatment of white farmers.

Michelle Kellerman and PR News, the State Department. A tropical storm churning in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa could become the first hurricane of the 2025 season. As NPR's Joe Hernandez reports, forecasters expect Tropical Storm Erin to gain strength over the next few days. The National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm Erin could become a hurricane by late Thursday. The storm is on track to pick up wind speed and is quickly moving west toward the Caribbean and the U.S. Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the northern Leward Islands could see impacts from the storm. Forecasters say it may also be felt on the east coast. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says it expects to see an above-average Atlantic hurricane season in 2025.

That's due in part to warmer ocean temperatures and weak wind shear. Joe Hernandez, NPR News. Stocks traded higher today on Wall Street. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 483 points at the close at 44,000-458, the NASDAQ up 296. This is NPR News in Washington. Washington. A federal appeals court has ruled that Arkansas can move ahead with its ban on certain treatments for transgender minors. The decision relies heavily on a Supreme Court opinion earlier this year, upholding a similar law in Tennessee. Arkansas passed the ban in 2021, becoming the first

state in the country to outlaw puberty blockers and hormone therapy for minors. The law survived a veto from the Republican governor, but was blocked by the courts in 2023 until now. The White House has sent a letter to the Smithsonian Institution requesting a review of eight of its museums. NPR's Chloe Belkman reports it aims to bring the organization in line with President Trump's cultural directives ahead of the country's 250th anniversary celebrations. Addressed to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch and signed by White House officials Lindsay Halligan, Vince Haley and Russell Vote. The letter says the review is needed to, quote, celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions. The museums listed for review include the National Museums of American History, Natural History and African American History and Culture. The process will include an analysis of everything from exhibition texts and social media content to the curatorial process and exhibition planning. The Smithsonian did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Chloe Valtman, NPR News.

Recapping stocks on Wall Street, the Dow up 483 points today, the SMP up 72. This is NPR News from Washington.