NPR News Now: April 18, 2025, 7AM EDT

NPR's Korva Coleman brings you a comprehensive update on the latest national and international news, covering significant legal rulings, tragic events, economic debates, military actions, and environmental concerns.

Federal Appeals Court Ruling on Immigration Deportation

At the start of the episode, Korva Coleman reports on a significant legal decision impacting immigration policy. A federal appeals court has struck down the Trump administration's approach to deporting residents to foreign prisons. The U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals criticized the administration for "asserting a right to stash away residents of this country in foreign prisons without the semblance of due process" (00:16). This case has previously reached the U.S. Supreme Court and may return for further deliberation if the Trump administration decides to appeal the decision.

Deadly Mass Shooting at Florida State University

Tragedy struck Florida State University yesterday when a mass shooting resulted in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to six others. The suspect, a student and the son of a sheriff's deputy, was apprehended in Tallahassee, Florida. Authorities allege that the attack was carried out using his mother's former service weapon.

Detailed Coverage by Greg Allen:

Greg Allen provides an in-depth account of the incident, stating, "A campus-wide alert went out that an active shooter was reported near the student union building. Police responded quickly and began evacuating students. It sent the whole campus into lockdown" (01:08). By 3 PM, law enforcement secured the campus, concluding the threat. When confronted, the shooter did not surrender and was subsequently shot and wounded (01:08).

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell Under Political Pressure

Economists and central bankers are rallying around Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell amidst increasing pressure from President Trump. NPR's Scott Horsley reports on the administration's dissatisfaction with Powell's decision not to lower interest rates.

President Trump's Stance:

Trump expressed his frustration, stating, "Powell is going to have a lot of political pressure to cut borrowing costs, even though the Fed is designed to be insulated from politics" (01:42). He further criticized Powell on social media, claiming that "Powell's termination cannot come fast enough."

Economic Expert Insights:

Mark Zandi, Chief Economist at Moody's Analytics, warns of the potential fallout if Powell is removed prematurely: "I think that would be devastating if he's not able to remain in place until his term is over. I think that would be highly counterproductive and lead to more turmoil in financial markets and ultimately a much weaker economy" (02:02).

Powell has reiterated his commitment to serving out his term, which extends through May of next year (02:16).

U.S. Airstrikes in Yemen and Regional Tensions

The U.S. conducted airstrikes in Yemen that resulted in at least 38 fatalities, according to Yemeni officials. NPR's Hadil Al Shalchi reports that these strikes targeted the Ras Isa port along the Red Sea, a strategic location controlled by the Houthi rebel group.

Objectives and Consequences:

The U.S. military stated that the strikes aimed to "degrade their economic source of power" (02:34). However, Yemen's Health Ministry reported casualties among ambulance workers and medics, raising concerns about the humanitarian impact.

In retaliation, the Houthis launched a missile towards Israel early Friday, triggering sirens in Tel Aviv and other areas. This incident marks the continuation of the Houthis' missile attacks on U.S. warships since the onset of the conflict in Gaza. The U.S. has maintained a robust bombing campaign against the Houthis for the past month (02:34).

Indictment in the Murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson

A federal grand jury has indicted Luigi Mangione for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last December. The indictment includes four counts, one of which could make Mangione eligible for the federal death penalty if convicted. In addition to federal charges, Mangione faces murder and terrorism charges in New York state.

Government Response:

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi affirmed that President Trump has directed her agency to pursue the federal death penalty where appropriate (03:12).

Impact of Trump's Staffing Cuts on Federal Lands and Wildfire Management

The Trump administration's extensive staffing cuts at federal land agencies are heightening concerns in the drought-stricken Southwest. NPR's Kirk Siegler highlights the anxiety surrounding the management of wildfires, which pose an already severe threat.

Firefighting Challenges:

Despite claims that wildland firefighters remain exempt from the federal hiring freeze, many Forest Service staffers with "red cards"—which allow them to leave their day jobs to fight fires—were laid off in February. One such firefighter, referred to as Kayla, expressed her fears: "Yeah, I just feel like if it's a ticking time bomb, like, I feel like we were doing everything in our power to help prevent the cat catastrophic fires" (04:14).

Kayla was recently reinstated following a court ruling but reports that Forest Service staff are "walking on eggshells." She emphasized the critical nature of their work, stating, "all the work that goes into protecting communities and wildlife from wildfires is on hold" (04:25).

Forecasters have issued warnings about high winds and dry conditions in New Mexico and western Texas, creating critical fire weather conditions that could exacerbate any existing wildfires (04:38).

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