NPR News: 04-19-2025 4PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now

Episode: NPR News: 04-19-2025 4PM EDT
Release Date: April 19, 2025
Host: Nora Ramm

---

Supreme Court Blocks Deportation of Venezuelans Under Alien Enemies Act

Timestamp: [00:20]

In a significant ruling early Thursday morning, the Supreme Court ordered the Trump administration to halt the deportation of Venezuelan nationals detained at a Texas facility. This injunction is based on the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, which permits the government to deport foreigners deemed threats during wartime. However, the administration had previously transferred hundreds of migrants to a prison in El Salvador without confirming their threat level.

Meg Anderson elaborated, stating, “U.S. Courts have said that the people taken to El Salvador got limited or no due process before they were sent there, something they are legally entitled to. And now that they're in El Salvador, the administration is saying they no longer have control over what happens to them.” [00:55]

---

Widespread Protests Against President Trump's Policies

Timestamp: [01:11]

Across the United States, hundreds rallied to oppose President Trump's recent policies. Bruce Konweiser reported from New York, highlighting that while the crowd size had diminished compared to earlier protests, the fervor and concern remained palpable.

Jennifer Fisher, a protester, voiced her apprehensions: “I am worried for our democracy, so I have read that the best way to bring down attentive authoritarians is to take to the streets.” [01:32]

The demonstrators brandished American flags and placards, some targeting President Trump and his advisor, Elon Musk, with chants demanding Trump's incarceration and Musk's deportation. [01:43]

---

Commemoration of the Oklahoma City Bombing Anniversary

Timestamp: [01:56]

April 19 marks the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, the deadliest domestic terrorist attack in U.S. history that claimed 168 lives. President Bill Clinton addressed the Remembrance Service, reflecting on the motives behind the attack.

Bill Clinton remarked, “The domestic terrorists who did this awful thing believed that it would spark a nationwide upheaval against the American government.” [02:11]

He further emphasized the resilience of the community: “Instead, the people of Oklahoma City came together.” [02:26]

---

Renewed Iran-US Nuclear Negotiations

Timestamp: [02:26]

In a diplomatic development, Iran and the United States are set to engage in another round of nuclear talks next week. These discussions follow an indirect negotiation framework, utilizing an Omani official as an intermediary, similar to the recent talks in Muscat that both parties described as constructive.

Megan Williams reported from Rome, stating, “The US wants Iran to scale back uranium enrichment and allow tougher international inspections. Iran wants sanctions relief in return.” The negotiations revive direct engagement not seen since 2015 under President Barack Obama, despite internal pressures within the U.S. administration, particularly from Israel, urging a cessation of dialogue.

---

Putin Announces Temporary Easter Ceasefire in Ukraine

Timestamp: [03:21]

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine during the Easter period, effective from the evening through midnight the following day. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the announcement, characterizing it as another manipulative tactic by Putin.

Zelensky asserted, “Air raid alerts continue to sound across my country,” underscoring the ongoing volatility and scepticism surrounding the ceasefire. [03:21]

---

Measles Outbreak Confirmed in Montana After 35 Years

Timestamp: [03:21]

Montana has reported its first measles cases in 35 years, with five confirmed infections in Gallatin County. Erin Bolton from Montana Public Radio detailed that the affected individuals had recently traveled and were either unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination statuses. All cases have been isolated, but there is potential exposure within the community.

The state faces challenges in tracking vaccination rates due to a 2021 law that ceased the reporting of such data in schools. Attempts to reinstate data collection have stalled in the legislature, complicating public health responses. [03:56]

---

Celebrations Kick Off National Park Week

Timestamp: [04:37]

April 19 also marks the beginning of National Park Week, a month-long celebration by the National Park Service to honor over 400 national parks across the United States. This year, entrance fees are waived to encourage more visitors, especially those unable to travel extensively. The Park Service is encouraging enthusiasts to share their experiences on social media to foster a sense of community and appreciation for these natural treasures.

---

Note: This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the NPR News Now episode released on April 19, 2025. For detailed coverage, listeners are encouraged to access the full episode through NPR's platforms.

Transcript

[NPR Announcer]

Wait, wait, don't tell me. Fresh Air up first, NPR News. Now Planet Money TED Radio Hour Throughline the NPR Politics podcast Code Switch Embedded books we love Wildcard are just some of the podcasts you can enjoy. Sponsor free with NPR. Get all sorts of perks across more than 20 podcasts with the bundle option.

[Nora Ramm]

Learn more at plus.npr.org live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Nora Ramm. Earth early this morning, the Supreme Court ordered the Trump administration not to deport under the Alien Enemies act, any Venezuelans held in a Texas detention center until further order of the court. The 1798 law allows the government in wartime to deport foreigners deemed a threat. NPR's Meg Anderson reports. The U.S. has already sent hundreds of migrants to a prison in El Salvador without determining that they are a danger.

[Meg Anderson]

To the U.S. u.S. Courts have said that the people taken to El Salvador got limited or no due process before they were sent there, something they are legally entitled to. And now that they're in El Salvador, the administration is saying they no longer have control over what happens to them.

[Nora Ramm]

NPR's Meg Anderson. Hundreds of rallies and events are taking place across the US Today to protest President Trump's policies. Bruce Konweiser reports from New York.

[Bruce Konweiser]

The crowd was smaller than the hands off protest earlier this month, but they came with the same anger and trepid. Jennifer Fisher was among those concerned about the country's future.

[Jennifer Fisher]

I am worried for our democracy, so I have read that the best way to bring down attentive authoritarians is to take to the streets.

[Bruce Konweiser]

The crowd waved American flags and placards. Some mocked the president and his advisor, Elon Musk. Some called for Trump to be put in jail and for the South African born Musk to be deported. For NPR News, I'm Bruce Kahnfeiser in New York.

[Nora Ramm]

Today marks 30 years since the deadliest homegrown attack in U.S. history. A truck bomb exploded outside a federal building in Oklahoma City. 168 people were killed. The president at the time, Bill Clinton, spoke at the Remembrance Service this morning.

[Bill Clinton]

The domestic terrorists who did this awful thing believed that it would spark a nationwide upheaval against the American government.

[Nora Ramm]

Instead, he said, the people of Oklahoma City came together. Iran and the US Will hold another round of nuclear talks next week. The announcement came after indirect negotiation in Rome wrapped up today. Megan Williams reports.

[Megan Williams]

Iran's foreign Minister Abbas Arakchee and US Middle east envoy Steve Witkoff didn't meet directly here in Rome, but instead passed messages through an Omani official, as they did in last week's talks in Muscat, which both sides called constructive. The US Wants Iran to scale back uranium enrichment and allow tougher international inspections. Iran wants sanctions relief in return. There have been no direct negotiations between the two countries since 2015 under President Barack Obama. President Trump faces pressure from Israel to walk away, but for now, the diplomatic meetings continue. For NPR News, I'm Megan Williams in Rome.

[Nora Ramm]

This is NPR News. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced today he's ordered a temporary Easter ceasefire in Ukraine from tonight through midnight tomorrow. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the announcement as another attempt by Putin to play with human lives. He said that air raid alerts continue to sound across his country. Measles has been detected in Montana for the first time in 35 years. State health officials have confirmed five cases so far. From Montana Public Radio, Erin Bolton reports.

[Erin Bolton]

State health officials announced the cases in southwest Montana's Gallatin County Thursday evening. They say all five people were recently traveling but did not say where. The individuals are either unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccine status. County health officials say everyone has been isolated, but say people in the community were exposed. Montana only has estimates for current vaccination rates. That's because a 2021 state law told schools to stop reporting vaccination rates. Legislation to restart that data collection has stalled in the state legislature. For NPR News, I'm Erin Bolton in Columbia Falls, Montana.

[Nora Ramm]

Today's the first day of National Park Week. The Park Service says it's a time to celebrate everything parks, that there are more than 400 national parks of different shapes, sizes and kinds. Entrance fees are waived today for those who can't get out. The National Park Service suggests sharing their thoughts with other park lovers on social media. National parkweek, I'm Nora Ramm, NPR News, in Washington.

[NPR Announcer]

Listen to this podcast sponsor, free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR news [e-mail] that's plus NPR.org.