NPR News: 04-17-2025 5PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: April 17, 2025, 5PM EDT

Host: Jack Spear

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Florida State University Shooting Incident

Timestamp: [00:26 - 01:13]

In a tragic event unfolding in Tallahassee, Florida, a shooting at Florida State University (FSU) has resulted in the deaths of at least two individuals, with five others injured. The suspected shooter, a 20-year-old FSU student and the son of a deputy sheriff, was apprehended by authorities and is currently hospitalized. Jason Trombower, the chief of police at FSU, confirmed that the victims were not enrolled students.

Jack Spear reported, “[Students] described a chaotic scene, with one saying he and around 30 others hid in a bowling alley inside the student union. Classes at the university are canceled through tomorrow.”

At approximately 11:50 AM on Thursday, April 17, the gunman targeted the main campus near the student union building. FSU police responded swiftly, neutralizing and arresting the shooter, thereby preventing further casualties.

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President Trump’s Controversial Deportation Plan

Timestamp: [01:13 - 02:22]

President Donald Trump has proposed a contentious plan to deport U.S. citizens involved in criminal activities and incarcerate them overseas. This proposal has sparked significant debate among legal scholars and constitutional experts.

Brian Mann, NPR correspondent, explained, “TRUMP has repeatedly raised the idea of deporting Americans involved in criminal activity and jailing them outside the US this week, he urged El Salvador's president to build more prisons to house U.S. citizens.”

David Beer from the Cato Institute expressed grave concerns, stating, “[07:59] That’s the real fear that we have now is that he is going to try to evade judicial review of deportations of US Citizens.”

Additionally, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor voiced her apprehensions about the constitutional implications of such a move. In contrast, Attorney General Pam Bondi defended the proposal on Fox News, suggesting it “could reduce crime.”

Legal experts unanimously agree that the plan is unconstitutional, fearing that President Trump might proceed despite potential court challenges and judicial opposition.

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UnitedHealth Group’s Financial Downturn

Timestamp: [02:22 - 03:18]

UnitedHealth Group, the largest healthcare company in the United States, has significantly reduced its earnings forecast for the year, leading to a sharp decline in its stock price by more than 22%. This downturn follows the tragic shooting and death of one of its executives in December.

Maria Aspen, NPR’s health correspondent, reported, “UnitedHealth has become a lightning rod for consumer anger over health care costs and denied insurance claims.” The company attributes its financial struggles to rising costs in its Medicare division and an unexpected influx of senior patients seeking medical care.

CEO Andrew Witte has pledged to address these challenges, assuring consumers that his company is committed to “fixing the system.” Despite these promises, Wall Street remains disappointed with the company’s financial performance.

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Wall Street Update

Timestamp: [03:18 - 03:43]

The stock market faced a downturn today, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling by 527 points. This decline reflects broader market uncertainties, including the recent developments in the healthcare sector and geopolitical tensions.

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Breakthrough in Weight Loss Medication: GLP1 Pill

Timestamp: [03:43 - 04:19]

Advancements in diabetes and weight loss treatments continue as Eli Lilly announces promising results from a phase 3 clinical trial of its GLP1 pill. Unlike existing injectable GLP1 medications such as Ozempic, this new pill offers a more convenient oral option for patients.

Sydney Lupkin, NPR’s health reporter, highlighted, “Eli Lilly is announcing that early results from a phase 3 clinical trial of its GLP1 pill show it reduced participants' A1C, a measure of blood sugar control, better than placebo.”

The trial, which spanned 40 weeks, demonstrated that the pill not only effectively managed blood sugar levels but also aided patients in losing up to 16 pounds. The safety and efficacy profiles were consistent with Lilly’s injectable GLP1 drugs, Zepbound and Mounjaro. The company plans to present these findings at the upcoming American Diabetes Association conference and publish them in a peer-reviewed medical journal later this year.

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Positive Developments for Endangered Sea Turtles

Timestamp: [04:19 - 05:04]

Environmental scientists have reported encouraging signs of recovery in certain endangered sea turtle populations worldwide. A comprehensive study examining 48 sea turtle populations revealed a decline in major threats such as hunting, pollution, and climate change in approximately half of the examined areas.

While Atlantic Ocean turtles are showing more robust recovery compared to their Pacific counterparts, leatherback turtles remain vulnerable and are not recovering at the same rate as other species. Researchers emphasize that continued conservation efforts are essential to sustain these positive trends.

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Crude Oil Prices Rise Amid Trade Deal Optimism

Timestamp: [04:19 - 05:04]

Crude oil markets experienced an uptick today, with prices increasing by $2.21 per barrel to close at $64.68. This rise is partly attributed to optimistic speculation surrounding a potential trade agreement between the United States and the European Union, which could stabilize and potentially boost global oil demand.

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This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the key topics discussed in the April 17, 2025, episode of NPR News Now. For more detailed information, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full episode.

Transcript

[Unknown Host]

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[Jack Spear]

In Washington, I'm Jack Spear. Authorities in Florida now say a suspect in custody following a shooting at Florida State University that has left at least two people dead. They were apparently not students. At least five others were injured or wounded. The alleged shooter is also hospitalized, described as a 20 year old FSU student who officials say is the son of a deputy sheriff and had access to a weapon. Jason Trombower is the chief of police at Florida State University.

[Unknown Reporter]

At approximately 11:50am Thursday, April 17, a gunman opened fire on the main campus of Florida State University in Tallahassee, shooting multiple individuals in the vicinity of the student union building. FSU police responded immediately, engaged, neutralized and apprehended the shooter.

[Jack Spear]

Students described a chaotic scene, with one saying he and around 30 others hid in a bowling alley inside the student union. Classes at the university are canceled through tomorrow. President Trump says his team is exploring a plan to deport U.S. citizens and lock them up in prisons overseas. Legal scholars say the idea is unconstitutional, but they fear Trump may move ahead even if courts and judges object. Here's NPR's Brian Mann.

[Brian Mann]

TRUMP has repeatedly raised the idea of deporting Americans involved in criminal activity and jailing them outside the US this week, he urged El Salvador's president to build more prisons to house U.S. citizens. Constitutional experts including David Beer at the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, told NPR that would be unconstitutional, but they believe it could happen.

[Unknown Expert]

That's the real fear that we have now is that he is going to try to evade judicial review of deportations of US Citizens.

[Brian Mann]

In an opinion published last week, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor also voiced concern about possible deportation of US Citizens. Speaking on Fox News, Attorney General Pam Bondi said Trump's proposal could reduce crime. Brian Mann, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

More trouble with the country's largest healthcare company. As NPR's Maria Aspen reports, UnitedHealth Group slashed its earnings forecast for this year. Shares fell more than 22%.

[Maria Aspen]

As one of the world's largest companies, UnitedHealth Group owns the largest US health insurer and a sprawling mass of other healthcare operations. So its financial results and public reputation tend to affect its entire industry. Since one of its executives was shot and killed in December. UnitedHealth has become a lightning rod for consumer ang over health care costs and denied insurance claims. CEO Andrew Witte is promising consumers that his company can help fix the system, but its latest earnings have shocked and disappointed Wall Street. UnitedHealth blames surging costs in its Medicare business and said more senior patients than it expected are seeking medical care from doctors and hospitals. Maria Aspen, NPR News, New York.

[Jack Spear]

On Wall street, The Dow fell 527 points. You're listening to NPR. Medications known as GLP1 have revolutionized the way doctors treat weight loss. That started largely with Ozempic. It's Novo Nordisk blockbuster diabetes drug. But most of the current options on the market are injectables. These can be intimidating for patients. NPR's Sydney Lupkin reports. A pill is now on the horizon.

[Sydney Lupkin]

Eli Lilly is announcing that early results from a phase 3 clinical trial of its GLP1 pill show it reduced participants A1C, a measure of blood sugar control better than placebo. The trial lasted, lasted 40 weeks and was only for people with type 2 diabetes. According to the company, the safety and efficacy was consistent with its injectable GLP1 drugs, Zepbound and Mounjaro. The once daily pill also helped patients lose up to £16. The company plans to report the results at the American Diabetes association conference and publish them in a peer reviewed medical journal later this year. Sidney Lufkin, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

There's some good news in terms of the ability of some endangered types of sea turtles to bounce back worldwide, so scientists say there are exceptions. A study looked at 48 populations of sea turtles, measuring impacts of threats like hunting, pollution and climate change in around half the areas examined. Overall threats are declining. However, Atlantic Ocean turtles were doing a bit better than those in Pacific waters. Scientists say leatherback turtles are not recovering as well as some other species. Crude oil futures prices moved higher today amid some hopes for a possible trade deal between the U.S. and the European Union. Oil was up $2.21 a barrel to end the session at $64.68 a bar. In New York, I'm Jack Spear, NPR News, in Washington.

[Unknown Announcer]

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