NPR News Now - NPR News: 08-31-2025 12AM EDT

Episode Date: August 31, 2025

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You've probably seen some people going straight to the front of the line at airport security. I had like angry clouds darkening over my head. I was just sort of like starting to fume. On the Sunday story, we take a closer look at how the private sector has taken on what used to be the government's job at the airport. Listen now to the Sunday story on the Up First podcast from NPR. Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. A federal appeals court this week ruled that. many, a President Trump's sweeping tariffs are illegal because only Congress holds the right

to levy certain tariffs. Implementation of the ruling is delayed until October to give the Trump administration a chance to appeal to the Supreme Court. And Pierre's Ron Elving says it's no surprise why Republican members of Congress are not challenging Trump on the issue. Congress, at least so far, has shown no willingness to buck the president on any of these major policy matters, even when his moves seem to challenge or ignore the role of Congress itself. Now, with the midterms of 2026, just around the corner, right now is the season for members of Congress to worry about challengers, not just for their re-election, but for their renomination by their own party. And that's where Trump's influence over the Republican voting base can mean life or death for a member of Congress. That's NPR's Ron Elving.

Police in Minneapolis are stepping up patrols near schools and houses of worship over the next week, following Wednesday's shooting at a Catholic church that left two children dead. and at least 18 other people injured. Matt Seppig of Minnesota Public Radio has our reports. A 23-year-old former student at Annunciation Catholic School shot more than 100 rifle rounds through windows of the adjacent church on Wednesday as children gathered for mass to celebrate the first week of classes. Assistant Minneapolis Police Chief Christopher Gators says officers from his and other agencies are boosting their presence at schools and religious institutions.

Their downtime where they will be patrolling facilities of worship, school facilities, and making certain that they're being seen and people are being kept safe. The attacker who died by suicide did not enter the church. Police say its practice of locking doors after the start of services likely saved many lives. For NPR News, I'm Matt Seppick in Minneapolis. Thanks to a landmark deal with California Governor Gavin Newsom, more than 800,000 Uber and lift drivers will soon be able to unionize and collectively bargain for better pay and working conditions.

Rachel Myroof, Member Station, KQED, has more. Uber ushered in the modern era of gig labor. Companies spent hundreds of millions of dollars to protect their ability to classify drivers as independent contractors. In exchange for allowing drivers to unionize, the companies get legislation that dramatically shrinks their insurance coverage mandates. Assembly member Buffy Wicks of Oakland calls it a win-win-win. I think it's a win for the workers, obviously. it's a win for the companies because they won't have these fights all the time. And it's a win for consumers who will hopefully have cheaper rides.

In a statement, Uber's head of public policy for California wrote, the deal shows lawmakers, labor, and industry can work together to deliver, quote, practical solutions for the way people live, work, and move today. For NPR News, I'm Rachel Myro in San Francisco. And you're listening to NPR News. An angry mob set fire to a local parliament building in Indonesia Friday night. At least three people were killed and dozens of others were injured. Protests have been erupting across the country over the past week.

People are angry at reports of lawmakers receiving excessive housing allowances. The monthly allowances were more than the average Indonesian makes in a year. Trump administration official Kerry Lake says she's begun laying off hundreds of staffers at the voice of America and its federal parent. As NPR's David Falkinflick reports, this is part of her effort to reduce the federally funded international broadcaster to almost nothing. Carrie Lake has tried to do this several times before, making good an executive order from President Trump. Each time she has broken rules or laws in doing so. She fired all the contractors, most employees are now on paid leave instead. This time she told a judge in court papers Thursday, she was eliminating 486 jobs at the Voice of America and nearly 50 at the U.S. Agency for Global Media.

The agency started sending out notices to those affected Friday night. Three of those suing her say this, too, looks to be unlawful. Judge Royce Lamberth, who is overseeing their cases, said in a Monday court hearing that Lake is verging on contempt of court. David Fulkenflick, NPR News. Two fans were ejected from a game at the Eurobasket tournament that's underway right now in Finland this weekend for shouting racial abuse at a German player. One of the fans was banned from attending the rest of the basketball tournament,

because of his actions. German captain Dennis Schroeder, meanwhile, scored a game high 26 points to lead his team to a third tournament win. I'm Dale Wilman, NPR News. 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. T's and Cs apply.