NPR News Now - NPR News: 08-26-2025 11AM EDT

Episode Date: August 26, 2025

NPR News: 08-26-2025 11AM EDTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. President Trump has escalated his battle with the Federal Reserve by firing Governor Lisa Cook. This morning on CNBC, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik defended the move, saying Cook needs to leave the government if the allegations of mortgage fraud against her are true. Roa Chobra worked with two independent federal regulators with the Biden and Trump administrations. He was fired. by Trump earlier this year as the head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. He tells NPR's morning edition that Trump's move threatens the independence of the central bank. This is part of a broader trend to try and make these independent watchdogs essentially into obedient lap dogs. And I think when it comes to the Fed, the stakes are very high. Americans are really worried about higher prices in the grocery stores and new college grads are struggling to find jobs. Lisa Cook issued a statement last night, refusing to resign. Utah is up against a deadline to redraw its congressional district map ahead of next year's midterm elections.

NPR's Hansi Lowong reports. Utah is one of several states with new redistricting plans that may determine whether Republicans keep control of Congress. Utah's Republican-controlled legislature now has a month to come up with a congressional map to replace one they drew after repealing a ban on partisan gerrymandering under what's known as Proposition 4. Utah District Court Judge Diana Gibson ruled that repealing that ballot initiative approved by Utah voters violated the state's constitution. Other states are dealing with new legal challenges over congressional redistricting. A Texas map that the state's GOP control legislature passed at President Trump's request to help Republicans is facing claims that it discriminates against Latino and black voters.

In California, Republicans are asking that state's high court to review a Democratic-led effort to offset Texas's map. with a special election ballot measure that will allow a new map that could benefit Democrats. Anzi Luong, NPR News. The Democratic National Committee is holding its summer meeting this week in Minneapolis. NPR Stephen Fowler reports. DNC chair Ken Martin calls Trump a, quote, dictator-in-chief, whose agenda is, quote, fascism in a red tie.

He also says Democrats have to do more to fight back. Now look, folks, I'm sick and tired of this Democratic Party bringing a pencil to a knife fight. Martin's been head of the DNC for six months. He says one thing the party should do is stop trying to win arguments over policy and politics and do more to win future elections. That includes talking about tariffs and their impact on prices and the unpopular tax breaks and cuts to social services in the so-called one big beautiful bill. Stephen Fowler, NPR News, Minneapolis. Stocks are trading mixed on Wall Street at this hour. The Dow was down three points, then NASDAQ up 33. This is NPR News. in Washington. Elon Musk has filed a lawsuit against Apple accusing the company of favoring

OpenAI's chat GPT. MPR's Bobby Allen reports the latest legal challenge cites perceived discrimination against the tech billionaires companies. Musk's suit claims Apple's partnership with OpenAI is leading to the tech giant giving the chat GPT maker the upper hand. The deal between the two companies means only chat GPT is benefiting from the quote, billions of user prompts originating from hundreds of millions of iPhones. The lawsuit also says Apple is downranking chat GPT alternatives like XAI's GROC and Apple's App Store rankings. Musk was originally a co-founder and early funder of OpenAI, but since OpenAI's runaway success after Musk left, the billionaire has been on a legal assault against the AI lab.

He has a separate lawsuit alleging OpenAI has betrayed its non-profit founding principles. Open AI says Musk's latest suit is, consistent with Mr. Musk's ongoing pattern of harassment. Bobby Allen, NPR News. Today marks Women's Equality Day commemorating the certification of the 19th Amendment in 1920, which granted women in the U.S. the right to vote. The day serves as a reminder of the broader fights for gender equality, from pay to equity in the workplace.

And it's one of the earliest signs that summer is coming to an end. Starbucks is rolling out its fall menu today. headlining again is the pumpkin spice latte, beloved by some and mocked by others. I'm Windsor Johnston, and you're listening to NPR News in Washington.