NPR News Now Summary

Episode: NPR News: 04-20-2025 11AM EDT
Release Date: April 20, 2025
Host: Nora Ramm

1. Constitutional Concerns Over Deportation

Maryland Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen criticized the Trump administration for undermining the Constitution by forcibly deporting Kilmar Abrego Garcia to El Salvador. The Supreme Court had mandated Garcia's return, deeming his deportation illegal. Van Hollen emphasized the broader implications of this action on constitutional rights in the United States.

"If you can deny one person their constitutional rights, that is a threat to the constitutional rights of everybody who lives in the United States of America."
— Senator Chris Van Hollen (00:42)

Van Hollen revealed that the U.S. is financially supporting El Salvador in retaining the deported prisoners, a move he believes misuses American taxpayers' money by violating constitutional protections.

2. Protests in Juneau, Alaska

Tens of thousands rallied nationwide against President Trump's recent policies, with significant demonstrations in Juneau, Alaska. Organizer Megan Lingle highlighted the persistent efforts of protesters despite harsh weather conditions.

"We are going to keep showing up until they listen to us."
— Megan Lingle (01:35)

Another organizer, Aaron Brakel, pointed to the detrimental effects of Trump's policies on Alaska, particularly citing federal funding cuts affecting vital sectors like fishing, forestry, and weather forecasting.

"We're in a lot of trouble in this state because of Donald Trump's policies."
— Aaron Brakel (01:57)

3. Vatican: Pope Francis Meets Vice President JD Vance

In a notable development, Pope Francis engaged in a brief, private meeting with Vice President JD Vance at the Vatican. This encounter followed Vance's discussions with senior Vatican officials, during which tensions regarding immigration policies surfaced.

"The immigration policy is a major Crisis for the U.S."
— Pope Francis (02:17)

Despite recovering from pneumonia and not attending formal meetings, Pope Francis addressed the ongoing immigration crisis, labeling the Trump administration's crackdown as a "disgrace." He also indirectly criticized Vance for leveraging Christian values to support stringent immigration measures.

4. Weather and Safety: Flood Watch Issued

The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for extensive regions, including Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, and southern Illinois, in response to severe weather conditions. Yesterday's storms in Oklahoma resulted in tragic losses, with authorities reporting the deaths of a woman and a boy due to floodwaters.

5. Space News: ISS Crew Returns to Earth

NASA's longest-serving astronaut, alongside two Russian cosmonauts, successfully concluded their seven-month mission aboard the International Space Station, landing safely in Kazakhstan. The capsule touched down on schedule in the remote steppe area, where the crew underwent immediate post-landing procedures.

"By for touchdown and touchdown."
— Aaron Brakel (03:50)

Upon exiting the capsule, astronaut Don Pettit, celebrating his 70th birthday, appeared disoriented but showed no signs of major issues. One of the Russian cosmonauts humorously began peeling and eating an Easter egg provided by the crew during the landing process.

6. Lighthearted News: Juno Wins Corgi Derby in Scotland

In a heartwarming event celebrating the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II, the Juno, a Corgi—a breed favored by the late queen—triumphed in Scotland's Corgi Derby. The race, inaugurated in 2020 to honor the queen's 70-year reign, featured 16 dogs adorned in vibrant sweaters. Juno made a remarkable comeback in the final stretch to secure the trophy and dog treats, delighting spectators.

Additional Updates

• Pope Francis' Easter Celebrations: Although the 88-year-old pontiff did not conduct the Easter Mass due to his health, he made a touching appearance in St. Peter's Square via his popemobile, receiving cheers and blessings from attendees.

• NASA and Space Coordination: The smooth landing of the ISS crew highlights continued international collaboration in space exploration, maintaining the longstanding partnership between NASA and Russian space agencies.

This summary provides an overview of the key topics discussed in the April 20, 2025, episode of NPR News Now. For detailed information and further updates, please listen to the full episode.