NPR News Now: April 17, 2025, 2PM EDT

NPR News Now delivers a comprehensive update on the latest national and international events. This summary encapsulates the key stories covered in the April 17, 2025, episode, providing insights into significant incidents and developments shaping the current landscape.

1. Active Shooter at Florida State University

[00:26]
Jeanine Herbst reports a harrowing incident at Florida State University in Tallahassee, where an active shooter has left six individuals hospitalized, with one in critical condition. The campus authorities have issued a shelter-in-place directive as law enforcement agencies work diligently to secure the area.

[00:43]
A commentator expresses deep sorrow over the tragedy, stating, "It's a shame. It's a horrible thing. Horrible that things like this take place."

[00:48]
President Trump addressed the nation from the White House, acknowledging the incident. As authorities continue to manage the situation, the focus shifts to the broader implications of safety on educational campuses.

2. Escalating Standoff Between Trump Administration and Federal Courts Over Immigration

[00:48]
The episode delves into the intensifying conflict between the Trump administration and the federal judiciary, centered on immigration policies.

[01:06]
Kristen Wright outlines the crux of the disagreement, highlighting that two federal judges overseeing separate deportation cases are challenging the administration's adherence to judicial mandates. One notable case involves Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was deported illegally from Maryland to a Salvadoran prison. The administration faces imminent deadlines to comply with Supreme Court orders facilitating Garcia's return to the U.S., or it risks contempt charges.

This standoff underscores the tension between the executive and judicial branches regarding constitutional authority over immigration enforcement.

3. Whistleblower Allegations Against Elon Musk’s DOGE Regarding Data Handling

[01:47]
Jeanine Herbst brings to light serious concerns raised by a whistleblower about Elon Musk's tech entity, DOGE. The whistleblower has approached Congress, alleging mishandling of sensitive data by DOGE.

[02:02]
Janet McLaughlin reports on Daniel Baroulis from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) who disclosed that DOGE had accessed the agency's sensitive data shortly before a significant portion was removed and records were deleted.

[02:24]
A commentator questions the deliberate nature of the data removal: "Why was that done? And that's a purposeful effort that doesn't just happen. Logs don't just disappear."

[02:29]
Despite the NLRB's assertion of no record of DOGE's access and claims of no security breaches following an internal investigation, Baroulis insists that the suspicious activities warrant further scrutiny. This raises alarms about data security and the potential misuse of information by influential tech entities.

4. Federal Reserve and Economic Impact of Tariffs

[02:44]
Jeanine Herbst reports on President Trump urging Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to reduce interest rates. This call comes in response to the European Central Bank's (ECB) decision to cut its rates as a countermeasure to the economic impact of Trump's imposed tariffs.

[02:57]
An Economic Analyst observes a marked decline in consumer and business sentiment in the U.S., attributing this downturn to uncertainties surrounding trade policies.

[03:09]
Further developments include Powell addressing the economic implications in Chicago, where he acknowledges the potential price increases due to tariffs. Contrarily, ECB head Christine Lagarde has publicly supported Powell's stance. On the Wall Street front, mixed results emerge with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping by 307 points, while the NASDAQ rises by 41 points, reflecting the volatile market reactions to ongoing trade tensions.

5. Advancements in GLP1 Medication for Type 2 Diabetes

[03:09]
The discussion shifts to medical advancements, specifically the impact of GLP1 medications on weight loss and diabetes management.

[03:48]
Sydney Lupkin outlines Eli Lilly's promising phase 3 clinical trial results for a new GLP1 pill designed to treat type 2 diabetes. The trial demonstrated that the pill significantly reduced A1C levels—a key marker of blood sugar control—better than a placebo over 40 weeks. The safety and efficacy profiles were comparable to existing injectable GLP1 treatments like Ozempic. Additionally, the once-daily pill, Zepbound, also aided patients in losing weight effectively. Eli Lilly plans to present these findings at the upcoming American Diabetes Association conference and publish the results in a peer-reviewed medical journal, potentially revolutionizing diabetes treatment by offering a more patient-friendly oral alternative.

6. Power Blackout in Puerto Rico and Its Aftermath

[04:25]
Jeanine Herbst reports on the gradual restoration of power in Puerto Rico following the island's second blackout in nearly four months. Approximately half of the 1.4 million power customers and 80% of the 400,000 water customers have had their services restored. The cause of the blackout remains undetermined, with Governor Jennifer Gonzalez anticipating preliminary reports within days.

The outage has had substantial repercussions, disrupting traffic flow, impacting businesses, straining hospital operations, and affecting the airport. Additionally, hotels accommodating Easter vacationers faced significant challenges, highlighting the critical need for robust infrastructure resilience in the territory.

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