NPR News Now - NPR News: 08-13-2025 3AM EDT

Episode Date: August 13, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dan Roman. Attorney General Pam Bondi met with City of officials in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday. Alex Como with member station WAMU reports it marks her first day in control of the district's police department since President Trump moved to take it over earlier this week. 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. mistressed that she remains in charge of operational decisions for the department. Let us not have any controversy with that, okay, 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. Business in the Texas House of Representatives remains as stands to this, as many of the state's Democratic lawmakers continue a quorum break from Houston Public Media. Alexandra Hart reports another special session appears to be imminent. Members, the roll has been called, and again, a quorum is not present. Texas State House Speaker Dustin Burroughs says he will make one more attempt to reach a quorum on Friday.

After that, the State House and State Senate will adjourn for now, also known as Signy Die, and another special session will be called. I spoke with Governor Abbott this morning. and he has made it clear. He is committed to calling us back again and again and again until our work is done. This special session to address redistricting and flood relief, among other things, was originally scheduled to end August 19th. Civil arrest warrants have been issued for the missing Democrats. I'm Alexandra Hart in Houston. Consumer prices were up 2.7% from a year ago, according to the Labor Department. The annual increase was similar to the one the month before.

rising prices on imported items such as toys and furniture contributed to the higher cost of living. But as NPR Scott Horsley reports, those increases were offset by a sharp drop in the price of gasoline. Gas prices have come down pretty significantly, both during the month and during the past year. Of course, we had OPEC and its allies announced earlier this month that they planned to boost production in September, so that's depressed global oil prices. So consumers are definitely saving when they go to. to gas up their cars. And that's one reason that the overall cost living grew at an annual rate of 2.7% in July, the same as the month before. Another indication of how the economy is doing

regarding inflation will come Thursday with the Producer Price Index report. The Kodak company, which revolutionized photography, is warning it may be forced out of business. After more than 130 years, the company leaders offered a bleak picture of their financial report. This is NPR news. The actor and singer Renee Rapp is a television actor and musical theater veteran. Now, she's a pop star. She's got her first top 10 album. NPR Stephen Thompson has more. At the top of this week's Billboard Albums chart, two very different records are vying for dominance.

At number one, for a 10th week is Morgan Wallin's country hit, On The Problem. Then at number two, you've got the soundtrack to the animated movie, K-pop, Demon Hunters, which has also spawned the week's number one single, Golden, by Huntricks. Those albums have been in the top ten for weeks, but debuting at number three is a new record by a star who's been rising for years, the singer and actress Renee Rapp. Her new album is called Bight Me. Two years ago, Rapp's debut album's Snow Angel peaked at number 44. Now she's bitten off her first ever top ten album. Stephen Thompson, NPR News.

As the U.S. prepares for its 250th anniversary next summer as a nation, President Trump is ordering the Smithsonian Museums to align its content with his interpretation of American history. In a letter to the Smithsonian's secretary on Tuesday, the White House outlined steps it once conducted in the review. The examination will assess public-facing content for tone and historical framing. Last month, the Smithsonian came under public criticism after it removed material concerning Trump's two impeachments in his first term, but they were later restored. From Washington, you're listening to NPR News. Support.