NPR News Now - NPR News: 08-31-2025 1AM EDT

Episode Date: August 31, 2025

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With a major shift in our politics underway in this country, 1A is drilling down on what's at stake for you and our democracy. In our weekly series, If You Can Keep It, we put these changes into focus and answer your questions about the impact of the Trump administration on the U.S. Join us every Monday for If You Can Keep It on the 1A podcast from NPR and WAMU. Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. The European Union is criticizing the Trump administration's decision to block Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and other Palestinian officials from attending the United Nations General Assembly's annual meeting next month. As Terry Schultz reports, the U.S. move is believed to be a reaction to the plans by several countries, including European governments, to recognize a Palestinian state at the session. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and some 80 other Palestinian representatives may not attend the annual UN media. in New York due to actions, quote, undermining peace efforts with Israel and seeking recognition

of a Palestinian state. France, among other countries, intends to extend diplomatic recognition to a Palestinian state at the September session. EU foreign policy chief, Kayakalas, is calling on the State Department to change its mind. We all urge for this decision to be reconsidered, considering the international law and the way United Nations has been built up. Kallis is referring to the 1947 agreement governing the U.S. role as host of the U. UN headquarters, which does not allow it to block foreign officials from attending meetings there. For NPR News, I'm Terry Schultz, in Brussels. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has signed an executive order ahead of the possible deployment

of National Guard troops in the city by President Trump. Trump says the troops are needed to reduce crime in the city. The order is called the Protecting Chicago Initiative, and Johnson says it demands that Trump stop his deployment threat or face legal or legislative action. And it also says control of Chicago police will remain with the city. The sweeping executive order directs our Department of Law to pursue any and every legal mechanism to hold this administration accountable for violating the rights of Chicagoans. This order affirms that the Chicago Police Department will not collaborate

with military personnel on police patrols or civil immigration enforcement. Johnson also says the initiative will help residents understand their rights if they are stopped by immigration agents on the street. Authorities of Minneapolis say they're increasing patrols around schools and houses of worship. The increased enforcement comes after the mass shooting at a Catholic church in school this week. MPR's Jason DeRose has more on the story from Minneapolis.

Most churches don't have significant security measures in place, so they're welcoming, stepped up attention from police. Meanwhile, clergy are preparing for worship this weekend, mindful of a community and trauma. St. Joan of our Catholic Church is not far from Annunciation. Pastor Jim DeBaker says some of his parishioners have children and grandchildren at Annunciation School, so he's planning a homily to address their grief. And then we'll have open mics for people to come up and express what they want to say.

And our parish is not afraid to express what they want to say. DeBaker also plans to use a litany of lament during the Mass that he usually reserves for funerals. Jason DeRose, NPR News, Minneapolis. And you're listening to NPR News. News. Fire crews are trying this weekend to contain a fast-growing wildfire in Central California's Sierra National Forest. Since breaking out last Sunday, the Garnet Fire has burned 14 square miles of timber and grass in a remote area best known for campers and hikers.

In Central Oregon, meanwhile, rain and cooler temperatures are helping crews to make progress against the flat fire, which is now 13 percent contained. A new study finds that Bison and Yellowstone National Park are helping him. improve its grasslands. MPR's Nate Rot as our story. There are about 5,000 bison that roam Yellowstone moving back and forth over a 50-mile stretch, eating vegetation, and leaving manure. The new study published in the journal Science found bison boost soil microbes and increased the amount to protein available in the vegetation that grows back. Bill Hamilton is an author of the study and a professor at Washington and Lee University. And crude protein is what the herbivores, the elk, the bison, the prong,

and the deer are honing in on because they need that to put on fat to make it through winter. And to breed. The findings suggest larger populations of bison able to roam outside the confines of Yellowstone could help improve grassland health. Nate Roth, NPR News.

Nicholas Singleton ran for two touchdowns, and Penn State forced three turnovers as the number two Nittany Lions beat Nevada 46 to 11 on Saturday. In what became a surprisingly defensive battle, the defending champion Ohio State Buckeyes beat Texas, in the season opener for both teams, winning 14 to 7. Number 5, Georgia beat Marshall 45 to 7,

and Georgetown beat Davidson 51 to 14. I'm Dale Wilman and PR 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.