NPR News: 04-19-2025 5PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: April 19, 2025, 5PM EDT

Hosted by NPR, this episode of NPR News Now delivers the latest national and international news in a concise, five-minute update. Below is a detailed summary of the key topics discussed.

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Trump Administration's Federal Actions Since January

Since Donald Trump assumed office in January, significant changes have been implemented within the federal government. The White House Budget Office has imposed a pause on all federal grants and loans, signaling a shift in the administration's fiscal policies. Additionally, President Trump's tariffs are already impacting the economy as his administration endeavors to dramatically remake the federal government.

“The impact of the Trump administration's tariffs is already being felt in President Trump's efforts to radically remake the federal government,” [00:07] Unknown Speaker 2.

Supreme Court Halts Deportations of Venezuelan Men

In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deporting a group of Venezuelan men. These deportations were being expedited under an outdated wartime statute that allows for the removal of foreigners deemed threats by the government.

“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,” [00:47] Unknown Speaker 2.

The administration had accused the detainees of gang affiliations, but the court's intervention has paused these actions, highlighting concerns over the misuse of emergency statutes for immigration enforcement.

Putin Orders Easter Ceasefire in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a ceasefire for Easter Day in Ukraine, urging Ukrainian forces to reciprocate. This directive was issued during a televised meeting with his top military general.

“Putin said he was counting on Ukraine to follow suit, but told his military to remain on alert to respond to provocations by Kyiv,” [01:43] Charles Baines, NPR News, Moscow.

The Russian Defense Ministry has agreed to honor the ceasefire on the condition that Ukraine adheres to it as well. However, tensions remain high, with reports of explosions in Kyiv just before the truce was expected to commence. This move comes amid the Trump administration's recent statements questioning the progress of peace negotiations.

CDC Reports Decrease in Fentanyl Overdoses

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released new data indicating that fentanyl overdose deaths in the United States have reached their lowest levels in five years. In November 2024, fatal overdoses were reported at approximately 82,000, down from a peak of 114,000 in the summer of 2023.

“Addiction experts say factors likely causing the hopeful trend included the widespread use of the overdose reversal drug naloxone, better fentanyl purity, and improved public health and addiction treatment,” [02:36] Brian Mann, NPR News.

Virginia leads the charge with a 41% decrease in drug-related deaths, while states like Alaska, Nevada, and South Dakota have seen minor increases. The decline reflects successful public health strategies and increased access to life-saving interventions.

NHL Playoffs Kick Off with 16 Teams Competing for the Stanley Cup

The National Hockey League's (NHL) postseason has begun, featuring 16 teams vying for the prestigious Stanley Cup. The opening game is scheduled for 6 PM Eastern Time.

“The Winnipeg Jets have never won a Stanley Cup, but this season, they finished with 56 wins, the most in the league,” [03:40] Becky Sullivan, NPR News.

Despite their strong regular-season performance, the Jets face a challenging first-round matchup against the St. Louis Blues, who are currently on a winning streak. In the Eastern Conference, the Washington Capitals lead, driven by Alex Ovechkin's pursuit of Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal record. However, the Caps are currently struggling, having lost eight of their last twelve games. The Toronto Maple Leafs are also a formidable team in the east, though historical playoff challenges persist.

NBA Playoffs Begin with Exciting First-Round Matchups

The National Basketball Association (NBA) playoffs have commenced, featuring intense first-round games with key matchups scheduled over the next couple of days.

“The Oklahoma Thunder is the number one seed in the West with 68 wins this season,” [04:21] Jeanine Herbst, NPR News.

Highlighting recent performances, the Indiana Pacers triumphed over the Milwaukee Bucks with a score of 100-1798 (note: there appears to be a typographical error in the score). Upcoming games include the Detroit Pistons facing the New York Knicks at 6:00 PM Eastern. The Cleveland Cavaliers lead the Eastern Conference with 64 wins, positioning them as strong contenders despite only three number one seeds making it to the finals in the past five years. Both the Thunder and Cavaliers are expected to navigate a challenging path to the finals.

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Transcript

[Unknown Speaker 1]

Since Donald Trump took office in January, a lot has happened.

[Unknown Speaker 2]

The White House Budget Office ordered a.

[Unknown Speaker 1]

Pause on all federal grants and loans.

[Unknown Speaker 2]

The impact of the Trump administration's tariffs is already being felt in President Trump's efforts to radically remake the federal government.

[Unknown Speaker 1]

The NPR Politics podcast covers it all. Keep up with what's happening in Washington and beyond with the NPR Politics podcast.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Listen every day live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. The Supreme Court has temporarily blocked the Trump administration 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 has more.

[Unknown Speaker 2]

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.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Russian President Vladimir Putin says he's ordered his military to observe an Easter Day ceasefire in Ukraine and has called on Ukrainian forces to do the same. NPR's Charles mainnes has more from Moscow.

[Charles Baines]

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.

[Jeanine Herbst]

New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show US Deaths from fentanyl overdoses are at their lowest level in five years. NPR's Brian Mann has more.

[Brian Mann]

Drug deaths nationwide peaked in the summer of 2023 at a catastrophic level, roughly 114,000 fatal overdoses, but they've been falling rapidly ever since. The latest available data, gathered in November 2024 and just released by CDC, shows roughly 82,000 fatal overdoses in a 12 month period. Addiction experts say factors likely causing the hopeful trend included the widespread use of the overdose reversal drug naloxone also or fentanyl being sold on the streets and better public health and addiction treatment. The state with the biggest drop is Virginia, with drug deaths down more than 41%. Three states, Alaska, Nevada and South Dakota saw slight increases in fatal overdoses. Brian Mann, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

You're listening to NPR News from Washington. The National Hockey League's post season is Underway today and 16 teams are vying to be the one to hoist the Stanley cup in the end. The first game takes place at 6pm Eastern Time. NPR's Becky Sullivan has this preview.

[Unknown Speaker 1]

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 Hellebuck. 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. 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.

[Jeanine Herbst]

In basketball, the first round of the NBA playoffs got underway today. There are four games today, with four more tomorrow. Earlier today, the Indiana Pacers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 100 1798. And tonight at 6:00pm Eastern, the Detroit Pistons play the New York Knick. The team with the best record, though, is the Oklahoma Thunder, the number one seed in the West. The Cleveland Cavaliers lead the Eastern Conference. Only three number one seeds have reached the finals over the past five years. And this year is shaping up to be a tough road for the Thunder and the Cavs, who won 68 and 64 games this season, respectively. I'm Jeanine Herbst, NPR News, in Washington.

[Charles Baines]

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