NPR News Now - NPR News: 08-20-2025 8PM EDT

Episode Date: August 21, 2025

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Hi, I'm Dave Isafe founder of StoryCorps. This message comes from NPR sponsor, Subaru, the largest corporate supporter of Adopticlassroom.org, by providing teachers with funding for supplies and resources. Subaru, more than a car company. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Top military officials from NATO countries met today as discussions move forward on potential security guarantees for post-conflict Ukraine. Terry Schultz reports European guys. Governments are considering whether and under what circumstances they be willing to commit resources to such a mission.

NATO's top military commander called the 32 Chiefs of Defense together for an update on the security situation in Ukraine and its implications for Europe. Following the session, Admiral Giuseppe Kavidugonez said unity among the allies was tangible and that their priority remains a just, credible, and durable peace for Ukraine. The extraordinary session comes after President Trump said the U.S. may be willing to provide air support to a European-led coalition expected to deploy to Ukraine once there's a ceasefire to monitor, but that no U.S. troops would be sent to Ukraine. U.S. officials have suggested Ukraine could be provided NATO-style security guarantees in a peace deal,

but it's not clear what kind of mutual defense obligations Washington would envision. For NPR News, I'm Terry Schultz, in Brussels. President Trump's spy chief Tulsi Gabbard says she'll cut her agency's budget by over 40 percent by the end of the 2025 fiscal year. NPR's Jenna McLaughlin reports it's one of her latest attempts to reorganize the intelligence community hub. Career intelligence officials say their mission

is to speak truth to power. However, the former Democratic lawmaker turned head of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, or ODNI, has expressed her commitment to aligning the agency with President Trump's policy goals. The OD&I was created after the September 11th terrorist attacks to foster intelligence sharing between, U.S. government agencies. Gabbard says she'll slash the agency's cost by over 40% by the end of

September, though she didn't identify specific cuts. In a statement, the Democratic Vice Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Mark Warner of Virginia, says he would welcome the chance to review Gabrit's plans, but expresses concern, arguing Gabbard has a track record of politicizing intelligence. Jen McLaughlin, NPR News. Emotional testimony today from the families whose children died in last month's flash flood at a Texas summer camp. Carrie Hannah lost her eight-year-old daughter Hadley in massive flooding that hit Camp Mystic. Our precious, hilarious, kind, caring, silly, loving little girl who always wanted to help others died because there was no plan. Because the sweet 18- and 19-year-old counselors did not have the training they needed. Instead, they were told to stay in

place, a rule that proved to be fatal. Parents urged lawmakers to pass. require in camps to submit evacuation plans and alerts during severe weather. More than 130 people were killed in the Texas Hill Country floods on July 4th. This is NPR News. A tropical storm warning has been issued for parts of North Carolina's outer banks. Hurricane Erin is roughly 300 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras. The storm is not expected to make landfall, but forecasters say Aaron could bring flooding and dangerous. storm surge. A federal judge in Texas has temporarily blocked a new state law that requires the

Ten Commandments be posted in every public school classroom. Gabriela Alcorda Solario from Texas Public Radio reports. U.S. District Court Judge Fred Beery held that Texas State Senate Bill 10 more than likely violates both the establishment and free exercise clauses of the First Amendment. Plaintiff Rabbi Mara Nathan argued children's religious beliefs should be instillings. by parents and faith communities, not politicians and public schools. The bill was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott in June and was supposed to go into effect on June 1st. The ruling only applies to the 11 districts listed in the lawsuit. The plaintiffs hope additional schools will adhere to the judge's ruling. I'm Gabriella Alcorta Solorio in San Antonio. Google is going up against Apple.

the tech giant is unveiling a new smartphone that leans heavily on artificial intelligence. Unlike Apple, Google isn't planning to raise prices on its new line of pixel phones, even as it adds AI to boost storage and sharpen photos in real time. Stocks traded mixed today on Wall Street at the close. The Dow was up 16 points. I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News in Washington. This message comes from Wise. the app for using money around the globe.

When you manage your money with Wise, you'll always get the mid-market exchange rate with no hidden fees. Join millions of customers and visit wise.com. Tease and Cs apply.