NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of April 18, 2025 Episode

Release Date: April 18, 2025
Host: Shea Stevens

1. Senator Murkowski Opposes Trump’s Federal Agency Cuts Despite Fear of Retribution

[00:16 - 00:51]

Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski is distinguishing herself from her Republican peers by voicing strong opposition to President Donald Trump's efforts to downsize federal agencies. Speaking in Anchorage, Murkowski addressed a forum of nonprofit leaders where she expressed her concerns about the potential erosion of the social safety net due to proposed funding cuts.

Murkowski acknowledged the prevalent fear among her Republican colleagues, revealing, "We are all afraid." [00:50] She detailed the climate of intimidation, explaining that many Republicans are hesitant to speak out against Trump’s policies for fear of political retribution or becoming targets of mockery. This atmosphere of fear has led to a significant silence within the party. In a bold move, Murkowski later opened her office to anti-Trump protesters, encouraging them to persist in their efforts. Her actions underscore her commitment to standing against policies she believes are detrimental to the community and the nation.

2. Senator Van Hollen Visits Deported Maryland Man in El Salvador

[01:14 - 01:42]

Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen traveled to El Salvador to meet with Kilmore Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident who was mistakenly deported and is currently being held in a local prison. The visit highlights the ongoing complications and human stories behind immigration enforcement. Despite Van Hollen's intervention, both U.S. and Salvadoran officials have indicated that there are no immediate plans to return Abrego Garcia to the United States, leaving his future uncertain.

3. Trump Criticizes Federal Reserve, Targets Jerome Powell

[01:42 - 02:24]

President Donald Trump has intensified his public criticism of the Federal Reserve, specifically targeting Chairman Jerome Powell. In a recent social media post, Trump lambasted Powell for not lowering interest rates, a tool traditionally used by central banks to stimulate the economy. He stated, "Powell's termination cannot come fast enough." **[01:42] This marks a significant escalation in Trump's ongoing feud with the Fed, despite Powell's leadership being supported across different administrations. Powell, reappointed by President Joe Biden in 2022, faces a contentious term that extends until May 2026. During a recent speech, Powell acknowledged the challenging economic landscape, noting the difficult balance between addressing inflation and promoting growth, especially in the context of Trump's tariffs. Despite the Federal Reserve's independence, Trump's persistent criticisms highlight the tension between the administration and the central bank.

4. Gunman Attack at Florida State University Results in Fatalities

[02:24 - 03:08]

A tragic shooting occurred at Florida State University (FSU) yesterday, where a gunman, identified as 20-year-old Phoenix Eichner, killed two individuals and injured five others. Law enforcement responded swiftly, with Sheriff Walter McNeil confirming that Eichner was apprehended after being injured by officers. Disturbingly, it was revealed that Eichner is the son of Deputy Eichner, a longtime member of the Leon County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff McNeil remarked, "Our deputy, Deputy Eichner has been with the Leon County Sheriff's office for over 18 years. She has a tremendous job that she's done. Her service to this community has been exceptional. Unfortunately, her son had access to one of her weapons, and that was one of the weapons that was found at the scene." **[02:43] This incident has prompted FSU to cancel all events on its Tallahassee campus through Sunday, as the community grapples with the aftermath of the violence.

5. Supreme Court to Hear Trump’s Executive Order on Citizenship

[03:08 - 03:48]

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments scheduled for May 5 regarding President Donald Trump's controversial executive order that challenges the principle of birthright citizenship. Trump contends that the Constitution does not guarantee citizenship to everyone born in the United States, particularly targeting individuals whose parents were born in other countries. Lower courts have previously blocked this executive order, siding with the stance that birthright citizenship is constitutionally protected. The Supreme Court's decision to hear this case could have far-reaching implications for immigration policy and constitutional law.

6. Federal Judge Rules Google Holds Illegal Monopoly in Ad Tech

[03:48 - 04:26]

A significant antitrust ruling was made against Google, with a federal judge agreeing with the U.S. Department of Justice and 17 states that Google possesses an illegal monopoly in online advertising. Rachel Mairo of KQED reports that the judge's decision could compel Google to divest certain parts of its ad business, a move that comes at a time when other antitrust cases may lead to further breaks in the company's structure. Alison Rice from the nonprofit Accountable Tech expressed relief over the ruling, stating, "We're just really glad to see that this ruling came down and want to see solutions that permanently end Google's monopoly and the exploitation of consumer data." **[04:07] Google, however, plans to appeal the decision, with a company Vice President announcing on social media, "We won half of this case and we will appeal the other half." **[04:15] This case marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle against big tech monopolies.

7. Island-Wide Power Outage in Puerto Rico Investigated

[04:26 - 04:55]

Puerto Rico is currently grappling with a massive power outage that has affected over 1.4 million residents and tourists. The blackout has left approximately 400,000 people without access to clean water, and critical infrastructure such as hospitals, the main airport, and hotels have been forced to operate on generator power. Authorities have restored electricity to more than half of the island as of Thursday afternoon. This incident is part of a series of recurring blackouts since the devastating earthquake in 2017. Investigations are underway to determine the root cause of this latest outage, as the island continues to seek solutions to prevent future disruptions.

This summary encapsulates the key discussions and developments from the April 18, 2025 episode of NPR News Now, providing a comprehensive overview for listeners and readers alike.