NPR News Now - NPR News: 08-27-2025 6PM EDT

Episode Date: August 27, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Rom. Once again, a community is grieving this time over this morning's shooting during morning mass at a Catholic church in Minneapolis. Two children, ages 8 and 10, died in the pews where they sat. 17 others, 14 of them children, were wounded. NPR's Jason DeRose reports, church leaders are expressing their sorrow. In a statement issued by the Vatican, Pope Leo is offering his, quote, heartfelt condolences and the assurance of

spiritual closeness to all those affected, especially the families now grieving the loss of a child. Archbishop Bernard Hebda of the St. Paul Minneapolis Archdiocese issued a statement calling for the end to gun violence and saying, quote, our community is rightfully outraged at such horrific acts of violence perpetuated against the vulnerable and innocent. Archdiocese staff are working with Annunciation Catholic School to make sure families there have the resources they need. Jason DeRose, NPR News. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara says the guns used in the shootings were purchased recently and legally by the suspect who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Control of the House will come down to a handful of seats in 2026.

So the push from both parties for states to redraw congressional districts is picking up. NPR's Deirdre Walsh reports. President Trump escalated mid-decade redistricting by pushing Texas to create a new map, one that's expected to oust five Democrats. California Democrats responded with a move to get voters to approve a new map designed to get rid of five GOP districts. Sean Trendy and elections analysts with Real Clear Politics says increasing more solidly blue and red seats makes it even more difficult. So it almost compounds things when you have these super safe seats because you have members who have just zero interest in even taking like an 18th. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffrey

worries blames Trump and vows to take the fight coast to coast. They started it, but we're not going to let them finish it. States including Indiana, Missouri, and Maryland are now weighing new maps. Deirdre Walsh, NPR News. The Department of Transportation says it's taking over management of Union Station, a major transportation hub in Washington, D.C. NPR's Joel Rose reports. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says his department is taking management of Union Station back from Amtrak.

The station, which is within walking distance of the U.S. Capitol, has been owned by DOT since the 1980s. Duffy says the department will now reclaim management of the station, which he said will help to, quote, make this city safe and beautiful at a fraction of the cost. National Guard troops have been seen patrolling the station since the Trump administration sent the Guard and other federal law enforcement officials into Washington, though local police statistics show that violent crime in the District of Columbia has declined in recent years. Joel Rose, NPR News, Washington. This is NPR News. The city of Al-Fasher and Sudan has become an epicenter of child suffering, according to the United Nations Children's Agency.

As NPR's Jonathan Lampert explains, 17 months of fighting there have left thousands facing starvation, displacement, and violence. The capital city of Sudan's North Darfur region has been under siege by a paramilitary group for 500 days. The fighting has blocked aid from reaching the city, leaving 6,000 children suffering from severe malnutrition without treatment, according to the agency. More are threatened by fighting and an ongoing cholera outbreak. The conflict isn't restricted to Elfashir. Since 2023, a civil war has racked the country, displacing millions.

The World Health Organization estimates that over 770,000 children across Sudan are suffering from malnutrition, leaving tens of thousands with life-threatening conditions. Jonathan Lambert, NPR News. The Food and Drug Administration today approved the next round of COVID vaccines produced by Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax. They target a new version of the coronavirus. This time, the federal government is restricting who can obtain the shots. In previous years, the vaccine was available to anyone six months and older.

Now the vaccine will be available only to those at risk of serious complications from COVID, such as people 65 and older and those with other hands. health issues that put them at risk. Stalks edged higher today with technology stocks leading the way the NASDAQ composite index closed up 45 points. The Dow rose 147. I'm Nora Rom. NPR News.