NPR News Now - NPR News: 08-21-2025 10AM EDT

Episode Date: August 21, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Corva Coleman. Israel's military is mobilizing tens of thousands of soldiers. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered military officials to speed up preparations to take control of Gaza City. NPR's Daniel Estrin reports from Tel Aviv. Israel's military says it's calling up 60,000 new reservist soldiers to report for duty beginning in September. That will bring the total number of mobilized reservists to 120,000. It's part of the military's plans to displace hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from Gaza City, encircle the city, and send soldiers to battle Hamas inside the city. It's one of the last major areas Israel has not yet taken over in Gaza.

Israel considers it a Hamas stronghold. Families of hostages are planning a protest outside Israel's military headquarters today against the planned offensive. They said it would endanger soldiers and hostages. Israel is considering a ceasefire deal Hamas. endorsed on Monday to release half of the hostages in Gaza. Daniel Estrin NPR News, Tel Aviv. The Texas House has passed a Republican plan to redraw the congressional districts in that state. The goal is to flip five Democratic seats in the U.S. Congress to Republican control, cutting Democratic power.

Texas state Democrats fled their state for two weeks trying to block the plan. They say the redistricting process will severely shrink or eliminate any power for black or Latino voters. Texas Republican Representative Katrina Pearson scolded the Democrats for their defiance. You can throw your tantrum. You can leave. You can run. And you can ignore the will of the rest of the voters. But it's honestly time to pick a new narrative. The racist rhetoric is old. The measure has gone to the Texas State Senate. Separately, California state lawmakers are meeting today to review a Democratic plan that would seek to flip five Republican districts. to Democratic control. This effort is opposed by California Republicans. Stocks open lower this morning as the National Association of Realtors reported a modest

uptick in home sales last month. NPR Scott Horsley reports the Dow Jones Industrials fell about 140 points in early trading. Sales of existing homes rose by 2% in July compared to the previous month. Sales were up just under 1% from this time last year. The average selling price showed little change at just over $422,000. Cautious shoppers continue to flock to Walmart for bargains. The retail giant reported better than expected sales in its most recent quarter, but profits fell shy of what forecasters had predicted. Walmart has raised some prices to cover the cost of President Trump's tariffs,

but so far the discounter has not passed all the cost of those import taxes on to consumers. New applications for unemployment benefits rose last week. Two under 35,000 people applied for jobless aid, 11,000 more than the previous. week. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington. This is NPR. The annual economic summit, sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, opens today. It's in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Economists, central bankers, and policy leaders will meet there. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will deliver a highly anticipated speech. Parole hearings get underway today in Southern California for the Menendez brothers. They were convicted of killing their parents in 1989 and have been behind bars for

more than 30 years. Steve Futterman reports from San Diego, supporters argue the two should be released, citing allegations the brothers were sexually abused by their father. From the prison here where Eric and Lyle Mnandez are being held, they will take part by video link in two days of hearings. Today's parole hearing is for Eric Menendez. Tomorrow, Lyle Menendez will appear before the board. Loyal of Law School professor Lori Levinson says the board will want to hear from both of them, but allegations of abuse will likely not be a key factor. The focus will not be so much on the nature of the crime, but really are they prepared to go into the outside world?

Relatives of the brothers will appear on their behalf. The L.A. County District Attorney opposes their release. Even if the board recommends release, it can still be vetoed by California Governor Gavin News. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in San Diego. Conservative Christian leader and founder of the organization on the family, James Dobson died today, according to a statement from the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute. In 2005, James Dobson was called the nation's most influential evangelical leader

by the New York Times. I'm Corva Coleman, NPR News.