NPR News Now - NPR News: 09-01-2025 11AM EDT

Episode Date: September 1, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Lawmakers are back on Capitol Hill this week after an August recess that was marked by voter frustration. NPR's Claudia Grisales reports many constituents voice concerns over the economy and other hot-button issues at town hall meetings during the break. Lawmakers faced blowback from constituents to address rising prices fueled in part by President Trump's terrorist. and concerns that changes at the Federal Reserve could put further strain on the economy. Many also pushed back on Trump's signature bill passed this summer, concerned about cuts to Medicaid, and other government spending. However, the hardest job on tap for lawmakers may be averting a government shutdown tied to a September 30th deadline. Both parties are deeply divided and it's unclear if they can reach a deal.

Claudia Rizales, NPR News. President Trump says restaurants in Washington, D.C. are busier than ever in the wake of increased federal law enforcement in the city. NPR's Milton Gavada spoke with some locals about how they're feeling. Chef Rock Harper of Hill Prince Bar worries people are hesitant to go out. People think that there are checkpoints and FBI and National Guard on corners, slamming people. Other locals feel safer going to dinner. like political consultant, Rick Van Meter. I rode the metro today for the first time in three months,

and I was just pleasantly surprised at how safe it felt, how clean it felt. According to Open Table, compared to the same time last year, reservations dipped 31% the week Trump announced he was deploying extra federal security officers and National Guard troops. Milton Gavada and PR News, Washington. Officials in Bulgaria say they suspect Russia was behind an attack that disabled GPS navigation services at one of the country's airports. The plane was carrying European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

NPR's Rob Schmidt's reports the jet was forced to land using paper maps. The Bulgarian Air Traffic Services Authority said in a statement that GPS service at the airport in the city of Plovdiv went dark as a plane carrying Fonderlion was about to land Sunday afternoon. After circling the airport for an hour, the pilot decided to land. and using paper maps. Officials, Impliov, say that since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, there has been a notable increase in GPS jamming at the airport. The European Commission also confirmed the incident,

saying in a statement that it is aware and used to the threats and intimidation that are a, quote, regular component of Russia's hostile behavior. The spokesperson for the Kremlin denied Russia's involvement in the incident. Rob Schmitz, NPR News, Berlin. Wall Street is closed for the Labor Day holiday. trading resumes tomorrow. This is NPR. The Australian state of South Australia is banning the use of small fish-shaped plastic soy

sauce bottles. Christina Cuclia reports it's part of a wider push to curb plastic waste. The fish-shaped containers are popular in restaurants and takeaway shops worldwide. Now, South Australian businesses will no longer be allowed to sell or offer them to customers, along with any other pre-filled plastic containers with a lid or cap that contain less than one ounce of soy sauce. Other items on the ban list include plastic cutlery and plastic straws attached to food and drinks. The state government says banning single-use plastics will help reduce pollution, cut carbon emissions and protect marine life. Over the past four years, it has expanded the list of prohibited plastics,

which also includes coffee cups and take away food containers. For NPR News, I'm sorry. Christina Kukala in Melbourne, Australia. The Powerball Jackpot has skyrocketed to an estimated $1.1 billion after there was no winner in Saturday Night's Drawling. Tonight's drawing will be the fifth largest prize in the game's history and the 40th since the jackpot was last one in California back in May. The Multistate Lottery Association says the odds of winning the grand prize are about one

in $292 million. If someone matches all of the numbers, they can choose between a $1.1 billion annuity or a one-time cash payment of $500 million. I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News, in Washington.