The NewsWorthy - Alligator Alcatraz Blocked, Health Research Cuts & College Football Returns – Friday, August 22, 2025

The news to know for Friday, August 22, 2025!

We’ll tell you why Florida is being told to undo the “Alligator Alcatraz” migrant facility, and how President Trump’s crackdown has already changed the demographics of the country.

Also, details of a new trade deal between the U.S. and Europe.

And a Supreme Court decision impacting health research funding.

Plus, the Grammy winner who was arrested and hospitalized, the teams to watch this college football season, and one girl’s unique backpack invention making a difference for the community.

 

Those stories and even more news to know in about 10 minutes! 

 

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What A Day - Why We’re In A Redistricting Race To The Bottom

On Thursday, California lawmakers passed a redistricting plan aimed at winning Democrats up to five more U.S. House seats in the 2026 elections. It was the latest escalation in a gerrymandering battle between red and blue states, after the GOP-controlled Texas House approved redrawn congressional maps Wednesday. Other states, like New York and Indiana, may soon follow. Former U.S. Representative and current Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, Colin Allred of Texas, breaks down what this means for the Lone Star State and the 2026 midterms.

And in headlines, Russia strikes an American-owned electronics plant in Ukraine, the Department of Justice goes after gender-affirming care for young people, and President Donald Trump thanks troops patrolling Washington, D.C.

Show Notes:

Pod Save America - Officer Trump Patrols Washington

Donald Trump heads out on "patrol" in Washington, JD Vance hosts a photo op with the National Guard at the Union Station Shake Shack, and Stephen Miller—taking a moment away from terrorizing immigrants—excoriates "communists" and "elderly white hippies" for daring to protest. Dan and Jon break down the latest news coming out of occupied Washington, including Trump's new history-erasing reforms at the Smithsonian, his new ideological screening program from green card applicants, and MAGA goon Bill Pulte's weaponization of the Federal Housing Finance Authority. Then, Congressman Jake Auchincloss stops by the studio to talk to Jon about why Democrats need to embrace big ideas again.

WSJ Tech News Briefing - Tech Giants Struggle to Live Up to Affordable Housing Promises

Meta Platforms, Google and Apple pledged billions of dollars to make housing more affordable in Silicon Valley. Six years later, the results haven’t lived up to expectations. WSJ reporter Nicole Friedman joins us to explain why. And WSJ personal tech columnist Nicole Nguyen shares how Google’s new Pixel 10 phone offers a glimpse into what the future of AI-powered smartphones could look like. Liz Young hosts.


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The Best One Yet - 💆‍♀️ “AI-ahhhhhh” – Equinox’s AI masseuse. Robinhood’s QB sneak. Millennials’ tantrum tax. +9/9/9 Hot Dog strategy.

Equinox is adding AI robot masseuses to 60 of their gym locations… and it’s actually good for the job market.

Robinhood launched football betting predictions… It’s a sports betting QB sneak.

Millennials are dropping up to $147K for 5 years of daycare… It’s the Childcare Tax.

Plus, trying the “9-9-9 Challenge” this weekend?… 9 beers, 9 hotdogs, in 9 baseball innings.


$HOOD $SBUX $JPM


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What Next | Daily News and Analysis - TBD | The CDC Under Fire

Two weeks ago, a gunman fired over 500 bullets at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention building in Atlanta. Between the anti-public health rhetoric coming from Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at the top, personnel cuts and firings, and now a literal shooting, many employees are reaching their breaking point.  

 

Guest: Lauren Weber, health science accountability reporter for the Washington Post.


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Short Wave - Could labs replace your natural chocolate?

Chocolate may fill grocery store shelves around the world, but the raw product that powers chocolate is far more selective. The majority of chocolate farms are found in West Africa and South America – just 20 degrees north or south of the equator. Each farm produces chocolate of a different flavor. Some cocoa tastes fruitier; others, more floral. Nutty. Earthy. Spicy. But what drives these different flavor profiles? And can it be recreated in a lab? 

A team led by scientists at the University of Nottingham in the UK sought to find out and published their results in the journal Nature Microbiology this week. 

Curious about other ways science intersects with food? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.

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NPR's Book of the Day - ‘Cook Once, Eat Twice’ and ‘Accidentally on Purpose’ are new books from cooking stars

Nadiya Hussain and Kristen Kish are winners of two of the most popular cooking shows on television – and they’re both out with new books about life and food. First, Hussain won The Great British Baking Show in 2015. Her latest cookbook Cook Once, Eat Twice is about simplicity, efficiency, and turning one dish into two different meals. In today’s episode, she speaks with NPR’s Sarah McCammon about a two-part recipe from her cookbook. Then, Kristen Kish won season 10 of Top Chef, but says she wasn’t always comfortable being showcased. Her new memoir Accidentally on Purpose tells the story of that journey. In today’s episode, she talks with Here & Now’s Jane Clayson about growing up adopted, working at fast food restaurants, and filling in for Padma Lakshmi on Top Chef.


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What Could Go Right? - The Progress Report: We’re Divorcing Like It’s 1959

This week on The Progress Report, Zachary and Emma cut through the doom and gloom to deliver feel-good news. This episode covers stories from the USDA’s hilariously unconventional wolf-deterring tactics (hint: it involves Scarlett Johansson) to an inspiring drop in U.S. divorce rates, America’s hidden fitness boom, and a remarkable victory over poverty in Mexico. Join Zachary and Emma as they guard the walls of optimism and spotlight underreported wins from around the world!

What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The Podglomerate.

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