NPR News Now: January 23, 2025, 9 AM EST
Hosted by Korva Coleman
1. Immigration Policy Shifts: House Passes Lake and Riley Act
NPR's Ximena Bustillo reports on significant developments in U.S. immigration policy. The House of Representatives has passed the Lake and Riley Act with the support of 46 Democrats, a notable shift from the party's previous opposition. This action propels the bill to President Donald Trump for his signature.
"The measure would make it easier for federal immigration officials to detain and deport those without legal status who are charged with crimes ranging from minor burglary offenses to more serious crimes involving bodily harm, death or harm to law enforcement officers," Bustillo explains (00:33). The bipartisan support, including twelve Democrats who recently backed the bill in the Senate, underscores a changing political landscape post-election. If signed promptly, the act could be enacted as early as this week, signaling a new direction in immigration enforcement priorities.
2. President Trump's Stance on the Russia-Ukraine Conflict
NPR's Franco Ordonez delves into President Trump's latest statements regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine. Trump has issued a stern warning to Russia, threatening "high levels of tariffs and sanctions" if a peace deal is not reached.
Reflecting on his campaign promises, Trump stated, "President Zelensky would like to have peace. He's told me that very strongly he'd like to have peace, but it takes two to tango. We'll see what happens" (01:29). Emphasizing his intent, he added, "It's time to end the ridiculous war... we can do this the easy way or the hard way, and the easy way is always better." These remarks suggest Trump's readiness to leverage economic measures to influence the conflict's resolution, positioning himself as a mediator keen on minimizing further loss of life and economic disruption.
3. Federal Pardons and Communication Freeze Post-Capitol Attack
In a segment highlighted by Korva Coleman, the podcast discusses President Trump's controversial decision to issue blanket pardons to approximately 1,500 individuals convicted or charged in connection with the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol. Among the pardoned is Stuart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers, who has since appeared on Capitol Hill advocating for the release of a remaining imprisoned rioter.
Additionally, the Trump administration has mandated that all federal health agencies cease public communications until a review by a Trump appointee is completed. NPR's Selena Simmons-Duffin reports on the ramifications of this directive:
"These are not the kinds of meetings that can easily be rescheduled. There are a lot of moving parts, different institutions, different timetables. And a delay, especially an indefinite delay like this one, could really have a negative impact on important cancer research," Simmons-Duffin explains (02:45). Scientists across various biomedical fields express concern that such disruptions could hinder crucial research advancements, highlighting the tension between administrative oversight and scientific progress.
4. Tragic High School Shooting in Nashville
The podcast covers a heartbreaking incident in Nashville, Tennessee, where a male student fatally shot a female peer in the school cafeteria. A third student was injured, grazed by a bullet. Authorities are currently investigating the motive behind this senseless act of violence, striving to provide answers and support to the affected community in the wake of the tragedy (03:06).
5. Surge in U.S. College Enrollment Signals Recovery
Amidst ongoing debates about higher education, NPR's Alyssa Nadworny shares encouraging news: U.S. college enrollment has rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. After a significant decline in the fall of 2020, enrollment numbers have surged by 4.5% this past fall, according to data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. Notably, freshman enrollment at community colleges has increased by over 5%.
Professor Talani Britton from the University of California, Berkeley, comments on this trend:
"The fact that students are both seeing the value in college and enrolling, I think is really great news. It actually points to a recovery," Britton states (04:05). This resurgence indicates a renewed confidence among students in the importance of higher education, reflecting broader economic and social factors that encourage investment in academic pursuits.
6. Academy Awards Nominees Announced
Adding a lighter note, Korva Coleman announces the initial batch of nominees for the year's Academy Awards, specifically highlighting the Best Supporting Actress category. The nominees include:
- Monica Barbaro for A Complete Unknown
- Felicity Jones for The Brutalist
- Ariana Grande for Wicked
- Isabella Rossellini for Conclave
- Zoe Saldana for Emilia Perez
This announcement marks the beginning of the awards season buzz, celebrating outstanding performances in the film industry (04:22).
This summary was crafted using the transcript from NPR News Now's episode released on January 23, 2025. For comprehensive coverage, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full podcast.