NPR News Now: January 22, 2025, 1PM EST

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Immigration Enforcement Policy Changes

Change in ICE Operations Guidelines

At 00:14, Lakshmi Singh reported significant changes in immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. The administration has authorized Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to conduct operations in previously restricted areas such as schools, churches, and hospitals. Joel Rose elaborated, stating:

“Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America's schools and churches to avoid arrest.” (00:31)

This shift reverses a 2011 policy that limited ICE operations in sensitive locations, allowing arrests only with prior permission. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) justified the change by arguing that previous restrictions hindered ICE’s effectiveness in apprehending undocumented migrants.

DOJ Memo on Cooperation with ICE

Federal Prosecution for Non-Cooperation

Continuing the immigration discourse, Lakshmi Singh highlighted a new Department of Justice (DOJ) memo aimed at federal prosecutors. The memo instructs these prosecutors to investigate and potentially prosecute state or local officials who fail to cooperate with federal ICE operations. This move signals a tougher stance on local governments that resist federal immigration enforcement efforts.

Abortion-Related Policies and Website Issues

Stagnant Abortion Information on HHS Website

At 01:05, Selena Simmons Duffin addressed ongoing developments related to abortion policies. She noted that a search for "abortion" on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) website predominantly returns information from previous years, specifically from the Trump administration era. She observed:

“The results reflect a focus on the rights of religious organizations that object to abortion.” (01:32)

Additionally, Duffin pointed out that the Biden administration’s reproductive rights website, previously launched in response to the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade, is now a broken link. Users can still access its content through the Internet Archive, indicating potential gaps in up-to-date information dissemination on reproductive rights.

Winter Storm Impacting Gulf Coast and North Carolina

Record-Breaking Winter Storm Effects

Rachel Keith provided an update on the severe winter storm affecting the U.S. Gulf Coast and parts of North Carolina. At 02:15, she described how the storm has left tens of thousands without power. In Wilmington, NC, the National Weather Service forecasted 5 to 6 inches of snow, a rare event for the area.

Young resident Ellie Scarborough shared her excitement:

“I'm sledding with like surfboards.” (02:43)

Keith warned of ongoing threats from the storm, including rapidly melting snow that refreezes overnight, creating icy conditions on rivers and roadways. She advised drivers to exercise caution and preferably avoid traveling until conditions improve by Thursday.

President Trump's Call for Sanctions on Russia

Demand for an End to the Russia-Ukraine War

At 03:10, Lakshmi Singh reported that President Trump has called on Russia to cease its military actions in Ukraine. He has threatened imposing high levels of taxes, tariffs, and sanctions on Russian exports to the United States and allied countries if Russia does not comply. Singh referenced Trump’s historical position during his campaign:

“Russian President Vladimir Putin would never have invaded had Trump been president.” (03:10)

Despite Trump’s claims of being able to resolve the conflict swiftly—a promise he reiterated from his campaign—the effectiveness of additional economic penalties remains uncertain. The Biden administration has already implemented various sanctions targeting Russia’s economic sectors without halting the conflict.

FDA Approves Spravato as Standalone Depression Treatment

Expanded Approval for Depression Medication

Transitioning to health news, John Hamilton reported at 04:05 that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded the approval of Spravato, an antidepressant nasal spray. Initially approved in 2019 for adults with major depressive disorder unresponsive to at least two other antidepressants, Spravato can now be used as a standalone treatment. Hamilton explained:

“The drug can be used on its own. The decision came after a large study found that Spravato alone worked better than a placebo.” (04:05)

Spravato, composed of esketamine, one of the mirror image molecules of ketamine, generated approximately $780 million in sales for Johnson & Johnson in the first nine months of 2024. This expansion may increase accessibility for patients seeking effective depression treatments.

Stock Market Update

Nasdaq and Dow Show Gains

In the final segment, Lakshmi Singh provided a brief stock market update at 04:43:

“The Nasdaq composite index is up 1.4%, or 286 points. The Dow has climbed more than 100 points.” (04:43)

This positive movement in major stock indices indicates a day of gains in the financial markets.

This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the January 22, 2025 episode of NPR News Now, offering a comprehensive overview for listeners and readers alike.