NPR News: 04-19-2025 3PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now – April 19, 2025, 3PM EDT

Nora Raum presents a comprehensive update on today’s most pressing issues, ranging from Supreme Court decisions and environmental policies to international conflicts, historical commemorations, and the latest in sports.

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Supreme Court Halts Deportations of Venezuelan Men

[00:26 - 01:29]

In a significant victory for immigrant rights, the Supreme Court has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deporting a group of Venezuelan men under the Alien Enemies Act, an old wartime statute. Nora Raum introduced the story, highlighting the administration's aggressive stance:

“The Trump administration accuses the group of men of being gang members,” Raum reported.

Juliana Kim provided further details, noting that the Supreme Court's intervention came after the American Civil Liberties Union alerted them to the rapid deportation efforts. Despite the Court imposing restrictions on the law’s usage, federal officials confirmed that approximately one hundred migrants have already been deported under this statute, including men detained and deported to El Salvador.

“Some hundred migrants have already been deported under the wartime statute,” Kim explained [00:46].

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Commercial Fishing Allowed in Protected Hawaiian Waters

[01:29 - 02:10]

Julia Simon covered President Trump's controversial decision to permit commercial fishing in one of the world’s largest ocean reserves located west of Hawaii. The region is home to endangered species such as whales, sea turtles, tropical seabirds, and black coral.

“This move to open the area for commercial fishing will help that industry,” Simon reported [01:41].

However, environmentalists argue the opposite, emphasizing that protected areas are crucial for the successful spawning of fish populations. The monument, originally established by President George W. Bush and expanded by President Obama, faces opposition as the Trump administration seeks to balance economic interests with environmental conservation.

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Cancellation of Offshore Wind Project Near Long Island

[02:10 - 02:41]

In energy news, the Trump administration has canceled a multi-billion dollar offshore wind project near Long Island, which was slated to supply electricity to half a million customers. Nora Raum reported that Interior Secretary Doug Burgum justified the cancellation by stating the project requires more comprehensive study:

“The project needs more study, that its approval by the Biden administration had been rushed,” Raum conveyed [02:10].

This decision marks a significant shift in renewable energy initiatives, raising questions about the administration’s commitment to sustainable energy sources.

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Putin Orders Easter Ceasefire in Ukraine Conflict

[02:41 - 03:21]

Charles Maynes brought updates from Moscow, where Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a temporary cessation of military operations in Ukraine to observe the Easter holiday. During a televised meeting with his top general, Putin ordered a ceasefire from Saturday evening through midnight Sunday.

“I am counting on Ukraine to follow suit,” Maynes reported quoting Putin [02:46].

However, Putin instructed his military to remain on high alert to counter any potential provocations by Kyiv. Russia's Defense Ministry affirmed their adherence to the ceasefire, contingent upon Ukraine reciprocating. Just before the truce, explosions were confirmed in Kyiv, highlighting the fragility of the ceasefire agreement.

This announcement follows the Trump administration’s recent warnings about potentially abandoning peace negotiations if there is no tangible progress, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing conflict.

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30th Anniversary of the Oklahoma City Bombing

[03:21 - 04:07]

Today marks the 30th anniversary of the deadliest homegrown terrorist attack in U.S. history. A truck bomb detonated outside a federal building in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995, resulting in the tragic loss of 168 lives, including 19 children.

A remembrance ceremony was held near the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum, where former President Bill Clinton delivered a poignant keynote address. Nora Raum highlighted Clinton’s message on the perils of political polarization:

“He cautioned about the polarizing nature of modern day politics and how divisiveness can lead to violence,” Raum noted [03:21].

Clinton’s remarks serve as a reminder of the enduring impact of hate-fueled actions and the importance of fostering unity in contemporary society.

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NHL Playoffs Kick Off

[04:07 - 04:46]

Becky Sullivan provided an in-depth preview of the National Hockey League’s postseason, where 16 teams compete for the Stanley Cup. She spotlighted several key teams:

• Winnipeg Jets: For the first time, the Jets reached the playoffs with a league-leading 56 wins, bolstered by exceptional goaltending from Connor Hellebæk. Despite their strong performance, they face a challenging first-round matchup against the St. Louis Blues.

“They have a tough first round matchup against the St. Louis Blues,” Sullivan explained [04:07].

• Washington Capitals: Energized by Alex Ovechkin’s pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time career goals record, the Capitals have been a formidable force. However, they are currently experiencing a slump, having lost eight of their last twelve games.

“They've lost eight of their last 12,” Sullivan noted [04:07].

• Toronto Maple Leafs: Viewed as the hottest team in the Eastern Conference, the Maple Leafs carry their own playoff challenges, having secured only one playoff series victory in the past two decades.

“They've only won one playoff series in the past 20 years,” Sullivan added [04:07].

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NBA Playoffs Begin

[04:46 - 05:04]

Turning to basketball, Nora Raum reported on the commencement of the NBA’s first-round playoffs. Four games took place today, with four more scheduled for tomorrow. The leading contenders include:

• Oklahoma Thunder: Holding the best record in the Western Conference as the number one seed.

  “The team with the best record is the Oklahoma Thunder,” Raum stated [04:46].

• Cleveland Cavaliers: Dominating the Eastern Conference, the Cavaliers are poised to advance further in the playoffs.

  “The Cleveland Cavaliers lead the Eastern Conference,” Raum continued [04:46].

Fans can expect intense matchups as these top-seeded teams vie for championship glory in their respective leagues.

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Stay informed with NPR News Now for the latest updates and in-depth coverage of today’s events.

Transcript

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[Nora Raum]

In Washington, I'm Nora Raum. The Supreme Court has temporarily blocked the Trump admin from deporting a group of Venezuelan men under an old wartime statute which allows the federal government to fast track deportations for foreigners deemed a threat by authorities. NPR's Juliana Kim reports.

[Juliana Kim]

The Supreme Court brief came early Saturday morning. It ordered the Trump administration to halt deportations for Venezuelans held in a detention center in northern Texas. The Trump administration accuses the group of men of being gang members. The Supreme Court stepped in after the American Civil Liberties Union alerted them that immigration authorities were moving to quickly prepare removals under the Alien Enemies act. Despite the Supreme Court placing restrictions on how it can use the law. Some hundred migrants have already been deported under the wartime statute, according to federal officials. That includes a group of men who were taken to prison in El Salvador. Juliana Kim, NPR News.

[Nora Raum]

President Trump says he will allow commercial fishing in one of the world's largest Ocean reserves. As NPR's Julia Simon reports, the area west of Hawaii has many endangered species.

[Julia Simon]

Endangered whales and sea turtles, tropical seabirds and black coral live in the vast area. In the Pacific, President George W. Bush originally established the monument and President Obama expanded it, while the Trump administration argues that this move to open the area for commercial fishing will help that industry. So some ecologists argue the opposite. That's because protected areas can allow space for fish to spawn more successfully. Julia Simon, NPR News.

[Nora Raum]

The Trump administration has canceled the construction of a multi billion dollar offshore wind project near Long island that's being designed to supply electricity to half a million customers. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the project needs more study, that its approval by the Biden administration had been rushed. Russian President Vladimir Putin says he's ordered his military to absorb an Easter Day ceasefire in Ukraine and has called on Ukrainian forces to do the same. NPR's Charles Maynes reports from Moscow.

[Charles Maynes]

In a televised meeting with his top general, Putin ordered all military operations to cease beginning Saturday evening through midnight Sunday in honor of the Easter holiday. Putin said he was counting on Ukraine to follow suit, but told his military to remain on alert to respond to provocations by Kyiv. Separately, Russia's Defense Ministry confirmed it would observe the ceasefire order on the condition that Ukraine do the same. NPR's Kyiv Bureau confirmed explosions in the Ukrainian capital in the hour before the truce was set to take hold. The Easter ceasefire announcement follows recent warnings by the Trump administration it may abandon efforts to negotiate an end to the war if it doesn't see progress towards peace. Charles Baines, NPR News, Moscow.

[Nora Raum]

This is NPR News. Today is the 30th anniversary of the deadliest homegrown attack in US history. A truck bomb exploded outside a federal building in Oklahoma City, killing 168 people, including 19 children. A remembrance ceremony was held today near the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum. Former President Bill Clinton, who was president that day, delivered the keynote address. He cautioned about the polarizing nature of modern day politics and how divisiveness can lead to violence. The National Hockey League's postseason is underway today. 16 teams will vie to be the one to hoist the Stanley Cup. In the end, NPR's Becky Sullivan has this preview.

[Becky Sullivan]

Not only have the Winnipeg jets never won a Stanley cup, they've never even appeared in the Stanley cup final. But this season, the jets finished with 56 wins, the most in the league, helped along by one of the best goaltending seasons ever from Connor Hellebuk. But they have a tough first round matchup against the St. Louis Blues, who come into the playoffs on a hot streak in the Eastern Conference, it's the Washington Capitals on top. All season, the team was energized by Alex Ovechkin's chase of Wayne Gretzky's all time career goals record. But the Caps are now in a slump. They've lost eight of their last 12. The hottest team in the east are the Toronto Maple Leafs. Although they've got playoff demons of their own, they've only won one playoff series in the past 20 years. Becky Sullivan, NPR News.

[Nora Raum]

In basketball, the first round of the NBA playoffs begins this weekend. There are four games today and four more tomorrow. The team with the best record is the Oklahoma Thunder, the number one seed in the West. The Cleveland Cavaliers lead the Eastern Conference. I'm Nora Rahm, NPR News, in Washington.

[Charles Maynes]

Listen to this podcast sponsor, free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR NewsNow +@ +npr.org.

[Julia Simon]

That'S +npr.org.