NPR News: 04-24-2025 5AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: April 24, 2025, 5 AM EDT

Host: Dave Mattingly

In today's NPR News Now episode, host Dave Mattingly delivers a comprehensive update on pressing global and national issues. From escalating conflicts abroad to significant legal battles and social concerns domestically, this summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights shared during the broadcast.

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1. Escalating Conflict in Ukraine

Russian Assault on Kyiv: Officials in Ukraine have reported a devastating missile and drone attack on Kyiv by Russian forces overnight, resulting in at least nine deaths and numerous injuries. The assault has led to the destruction of at least one apartment building and ignition of multiple fires across the capital. Emergency services are actively searching the rubble for additional victims.

President Zelensky's Return: Amidst the turmoil, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is cutting his trip to South Africa short to attend to the crisis at home.

Political Fallout: Former President Donald Trump has criticized Zelensky for rejecting a proposal to recognize Russia's occupation of Crimea as part of a potential peace agreement with Moscow. This stance has further strained international diplomatic efforts.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio's Withdrawal: In response to the ongoing tensions, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has canceled his plans to attend talks in London, highlighting the deepening complexities of the Russia-Ukraine situation.

Notable Quote:

"Officials in Ukraine are reporting at least nine deaths and dozens of injuries in Kyiv after Russian forces attacked the capital with missiles and drones overnight."
— Dave Mattingly [00:15]

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2. Legal Challenges to President Trump's Tariff Policies

State-Level Lawsuits: A coalition of twelve states, led by Democratic attorneys general from New York, Illinois, Oregon, and Arizona, has filed lawsuits challenging President Trump's sweeping tariffs. These states argue that the imposition of tariffs infringes upon Congressional powers, asserting that only Congress holds the authority to levy such taxes.

Legal Arguments: The lawsuit contends that while the president may enact tariffs during emergencies, the current actions exceed legal bounds and lack proper declaration. The case is co-led by Arizona Attorney General Chris Mays.

Expert Commentary: An unnamed legal expert criticized the administration's actions, stating:

"We are facing an unprecedented and lawless presidency, one that has made a habit over the last three months of disregarding the separation of powers and ignoring the two other co-equal branches of government."
— Unnamed Legal Expert [01:38]

Impact on Americans: The attorneys general highlighted that the tariffs could result in significant financial burdens for American citizens, increasing the cost of goods and affecting the overall economy.

Notable Quote:

"The attorneys general are specifically challenging four of Trump's executive orders and argued the tariffs will leave Americans shouldering high costs."
— Cameron Sanchez [01:55]

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3. Illegal Deportation Case Under Scrutiny

Deportation Controversy: A federal judge has granted the Trump administration an additional week to provide details regarding the illegal deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from the United States to El Salvador. Judge Paul Zinis had previously accused the administration of "willful and bad faith refusal to comply" with her instructions to address the case.

Administration's Stance: The Justice Department has acknowledged that Garcia's deportation last month resulted from an administrative error. However, they maintain that they cannot facilitate his return as he remains in the custody of El Salvador.

Notable Quote:

"Federal District Judge Paul Ozinis had ordered the Trump administration to explain what it's doing to seek the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the US."
— Joel Rose [02:06]

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4. Preparations for Pope Francis's Funeral

Massive Public Attendance: The Vatican has reported that tens of thousands have gathered at St. Peter's Basilica to pay their respects to Pope Francis, whose body lies in state ahead of his funeral scheduled for Saturday.

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5. Rising Juvenile Incarceration Rates in the US

Historical Lows Reversed: During the COVID-19 pandemic, juvenile incarceration rates in the United States plummeted to historic lows. However, recent federal data indicate a troubling resurgence, with rates climbing back up.

Disparities Among Racial Groups: The data reveals that in 2023, black children were nearly six times more likely to be incarcerated than their white peers, while Native American children faced incarceration rates nearly four times higher than those of white children.

Long-Term Effects: Nate Bayless from the Annie E. Casey Foundation emphasized the detrimental impacts of juvenile detention:

"The longer young people stay in detention, the less likely they are to, for example, enroll in school, far less likely to ever graduate, more likely to be rearrested than young people who are not detained."
— Nate Bayless [04:05]

Bayless advocates for a juvenile justice system that guides youth towards positive paths, arguing that reliance on detention undermines these efforts.

Notable Quote:

"They're also more likely to wind up in the adult system. Bayless says juvenile justice should steer young people toward a different path and that relying on detention makes that harder."
— Meg Anderson [04:17]

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6. Passing of Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve McMichael

Legacy and Passing: Steve McMichael, a Pro Football Hall of Famer and 1985 Super Bowl champion with the Chicago Bears, has died at the age of 67 after battling ALS. His contributions to the NFL and his legacy in football are being honored nationwide.

NFL Draft Announcement: In related news, this year's NFL draft is set to take place tonight, with the Tennessee Titans holding the first pick. This event marks a significant moment for teams and players aspiring to make their mark in professional football.

Notable Quote:

"Pro Football Hall of Famer and 1985 Super Bowl champion Steve McMichael has died at the age of 67 following a battle with ALS."
— Dave Mattingly [04:31]

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Conclusion

Today's episode of NPR News Now provides a thorough overview of critical events shaping the world and the United States. From the intensifying conflict in Ukraine and significant legal challenges to presidential policies, to pressing social issues like juvenile incarceration and the loss of a sports legend, the broadcast ensures listeners are well-informed on the latest developments.

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For more detailed reports and continuous updates, tune into NPR News Now or visit NPR's official website.

Transcript

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[Dave Mattingly]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dave Mattingley. Officials in Ukraine are reporting at least nine deaths and dozens of injuries in Kyiv after Russian forces attacked the capital with missiles and drones overnight. Authorities are searching the rubble for additional victims. At least one apartment building was leveled and fires broke out in some areas. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is cutting short his trip to South Africa to return to his country. President Trump is criticizing Zelensky for rejecting a proposal to recognize Russia's occupation of Crimea as part of a potential peace agreement with Moscow. Secretary of State Marco Rubio canceled plans to attend talks in London yesterday over Russia and Ukraine. A dozen states are suing to try to block President Trump's sweeping tariffs, alleging they're illegal. As Cameron Sanchez with member station KJZZ reports, the lawsuit was filed by Democratic attorneys general in states that include New York, Illinois, and Oregon.

[Cameron Sanchez]

The 12 attorneys general argue that Congress, not the president, holds the power to impose tariffs. The suit notes that in emergencies, the president has the power to create tariffs, but says that Trump is overstepping his bounds and illegally declaring tariffs at his wh. The lawsuit is co led by Arizona Attorney General Chris Mays.

[Unnamed Legal Expert]

We are facing an unprecedented and lawless presidency, one that has made a habit over the last three months of disregarding the separation of powers and ignoring the two other co equal branches of government.

[Cameron Sanchez]

The attorneys general are specifically challenging four of Trump's executive orders and argued the tariffs will leave Americans shouldering high costs. For NPR News, I'm Cameron Sanchez in Phoenix.

[Dave Mattingly]

A federal judge is giving the Trump administration another week to provide details about the illegal deportation of a man from the US to El Salvador. As NPR's Joel Rose reports, the reprieve comes a day after the judge accused the administration of flouting her order.

[Judge Paul Zinis]

Federal District Judge Paul Ozinis had ordered the Trump administration to explain what it's doing to seek the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the US In a scathing order on Tuesday, Zinis accused the Trump administration of, quote, willful and bad faith refusal to comply with her instructions. In response, the Justice Department filed a sealed motion requesting a stay for seven days, and Judge Zinis agreed to extend the deadline for a week. The Trump administration has conceded that Abrego Garcia was deported last month because of an administrative error, but has argued it cannot bring him back because he is in the custody of El Salvador. Joel Rose, NPR News, Washington.

[Dave Mattingly]

The Vatican says tens of thousands of people have paid their respects to Pope Francis at St. Peter's Basilica. The pope's body is lying in state ahead of Saturday's funeral. This is NPR News. Later today, the state of Alabama is scheduled to execute a death row inmate convicted of capital murder. The 55 year old inmate admits he raped and killed a woman in 2010. He'll be put to death by lethal injection. Juvenile incarceration rates in the US Dropped to historic lows during the coronavirus pandemic, but federal data show those numbers are rising again. As NPR's Meg Anderson reports, the gap among black and Native American children and their white counterparts is the widest it's been in decades.

[Meg Anderson]

In 2023, the most recent year for which data is available, black children were nearly six times more likely to be held behind bars than white children. Native children were nearly four times more likely. Nate Bayless of the Annie E. Casey foundation says being incarcerated as a child can have lasting effects.

[Nate Bayless]

The longer young people stay in detention, the less likely they are to, for example, enroll in school, far less likely to ever graduate, more likely to be rearrested than young people who are not detained.

[Meg Anderson]

They're also more likely to wind up in the adult system. Bayless says juvenile justice should steer young people toward a different path and that relying on detention makes that harder. Meg Anderson, NPR News.

[Dave Mattingly]

Pro Football hall of famer and 1985 Super bowl champion Steve McMichael has died at the age of 67 following a battle with ALS. He played most of his NFL career with the Chicago Bears. This year's NFL draft takes place tonight. The Tennessee Titans have the first pick. I'm Dave Mattingly, NPR News, in Washington.

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