NPR News Now: April 15, 2025, 3PM EDT

Hosted by NPR, this episode of NPR News Now delivers the latest news in five minutes, updated hourly. On April 15, 2025, the episode covers a range of topics from First Amendment rights under the Trump administration to significant developments in the corporate and sporting worlds.

First Amendment Rights Under the Trump Administration

The episode opens with a discussion on the state of free speech in America amidst the Trump administration. The First Amendment remains a pivotal element of American democracy, but opinions on its current state are divided.

• Conservative Voice on Free Speech: A Conservative Commentator states, "Conservatives are just much more willing to speak their mind" (00:09).

• Challenges to Open Dialogue: Contrastingly, a Political Analyst points out, "They just shut down the conversation by saying, I'm putting you on a list" (00:12).

This juxtaposition highlights the tension between emboldened voices and those feeling silenced, setting the stage for deeper exploration into free speech dynamics under the current administration.

Trump Administration's Conflict with Harvard University

Continuing the theme of governmental influence, Windsor Johnston reports on the escalating conflict between the Trump administration and Harvard University.

• Federal Funding Freeze: The administration has frozen over $2 billion in federal funding to Harvard, citing non-compliance with federal laws concerning discrimination based on race.

• White House's Stance: Caroline Levitt, White House Press Secretary, emphasizes, "Follow federal law, no longer break Title six, which was passed by Congress to ensure no student can be discriminated against on the basis of race, and you will receive federal funding. Unfortunately, Harvard has not taken the president, the administration's demands seriously. All the president is asking don't break federal law and then you can have your federal funding" (00:46).

• Harvard's Demands: Harvard refuses to comply with demands to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, ban certain student groups, and alter admissions policies. This standoff underscores the broader national debate on freedom of speech and institutional policies.

Meta's Antitrust Trial and Mark Zuckerberg's Testimony

In the corporate arena, Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, is under scrutiny in a significant antitrust trial.

• Federal Trade Commission's Case: Brought forth by the Trump administration, the case aims to dismantle Meta's extensive media empire valued at $1.3 billion.

• Zuckerberg's Defense: During his testimony, Zuckerberg addressed the FTC's accusations of a "buy or bury" strategy used to maintain Meta's monopoly. He explained his acquisition decisions, notably Instagram and WhatsApp, stating, "...I thought it was better to buy them" (01:38).

• FTC's Demand: The FTC seeks to have Meta spin off Instagram and WhatsApp. However, Zuckerberg argues that these deals were pre-approved a decade ago and points to increased competition from platforms like TikTok as evidence that Meta no longer holds a monopoly.

70th Anniversary of Tax Day

April 15 marks 70 years since the IRS established the tax filing deadline, shifting it from March to April to provide more preparation time for taxpayers and the agency.

• Current Filing Status: Scott Horsley reports that as the deadline approaches at midnight, over 100 million people have filed their taxes, with more than two-thirds receiving refunds averaging over $3,100 (02:32).

• Filing Extensions: While taxpayers can request a six-month extension, any owed taxes must still be paid by the deadline.

Wall Street Update

The financial markets faced a downturn with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling by 91 points and the Nasdaq dropping 20 points (03:13). Later updates indicate continued losses, with the Dow down 80 points and the Nasdaq decreasing by 10 points, while the S&P 500 declined by three points (04:48).

WNBA Draft: Paige Beckers Selected as Top Pick

In sports news, Paige Beckers from the University of Connecticut was selected as the number one pick in this year's WNBA draft.

• Beckers' Accomplishments: Beckers, who recently led the UConn Huskies to a national championship, has been a standout player since high school. Despite facing injuries, she secured national player of the year awards in 2021 and reached four Final Fours before clinching the national title earlier in April (03:13).

• Beckers' Reaction: Expressing her emotions upon being drafted, Beckers shared, "Nothing is guaranteed, sort of for this moment to be here, it's nerve wracking. You just have a level of excitement" (04:35).

• Future Prospects: Beckers will begin her professional career with the Dallas Wings as the WNBA season kicks off in mid-May (04:43).

This episode of NPR News Now provides a comprehensive overview of pressing national issues, corporate legal battles, financial market movements, and noteworthy moments in sports, ensuring listeners stay informed with the latest developments.