NPR News Now: 04-24-2026 10PM EDT

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Date: April 25, 2026

Episode Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now segment provides a concise roundup of significant national and international news, with reports on U.S.-Iran diplomatic developments, actions affecting global oil supplies, federal reviews of psychedelic drugs for mental health, a key legal challenge to U.S. asylum policy, and a surprising uptick in in-person religious service attendance. The episode also briefly summarizes Wall Street's closing numbers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S.-Iran Negotiations & Ceasefire Extension

Segment: [00:01–01:19]

• The White House announces that American negotiators will travel to Islamabad for talks with Iran after President Trump indefinitely extends the U.S.-Israeli war ceasefire in Iran.
• White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt underscores presidential flexibility on the ceasefire and signals openness to dialogue:
  • Quote: "The president was flexible in granting an extension of the ceasefire throughout this time. The president has decided to dispatch special envoy Witkoff and Jared Kushner back to Islamabad. The Iranians want to talk. They want to talk in person." (Caroline Levitt, 00:19)
• However, Tehran offers a different account: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aradchi is in Islamabad for talks with Russia and Oman, and a spokesperson claims there are no scheduled U.S.-Iran meetings.
• Both the U.S. and Iran continue blockading the Strait of Hormuz, threatening the flow of 20% of global oil supplies.

2. Jones Act Waiver and Domestic Fuel Supply

Segment: [01:19–01:59]

• The U.S. extends its Jones Act waiver through August to ease domestic oil movements in light of the Iran war.
• NPR’s Camila Domonosky explains the act and the practical impact:
  • Quote: "The Jones act requires goods shipped from one US Port to another to be sent on a US Built ship with a US Crew... The initial 60 day waiver...was meant to help companies adapt to the global disruption in oil supplies caused by the Iran war. Experts say it does make it easier to ship fuels from U.S. refineries to U.S. customers. But the effect on gasoline prices for consumers is minimal. By some estimates, as little as a fraction fraction of a penny." (Camila Domonosky, 01:19)
• The waiver is not expected to significantly lower gas prices for consumers.

3. FDA Fast-Tracks Psychedelic Drug Reviews

Segment: [01:59–02:56]

• The FDA is expediting review of several psychedelic drugs for mental health disorders, following President Trump’s order to prioritize such research.
• NPR’s Will Stone highlights:
  • Three companies are submitting applications: two for psilocybin (for depression) and one for an MDMA-like substance (for PTSD).
  • The FDA is issuing special priority vouchers but has not granted approval for any drugs yet.
  • Quote: "This comes on the heels of an executive order from President Trump that directs federal health agencies to prioritize research on psychedelics. Scientific interest in these drugs for treating mental health has grown substantially in the last few years, though an effort to get MDMA approved for treating PTSD fell short in 2024." (Will Stone, 02:36)

4. Appeals Court Blocks Asylum Ban at Southern Border

Segment: [02:56–03:44]

• A federal appeals court has blocked President Trump’s executive order suspending asylum at the U.S. southern border.
• The court reaffirms asylum rights provided by federal law and says the president cannot override them.
• The Trump administration intends to continue legal battles over the matter.

5. U.S. Worship Attendance Rises Post-Pandemic

Segment: [03:44–04:25]

• NPR’s Jason DeRose reports on a new study revealing that for the first time in decades, in-person worship attendance is rising:
  • Median weekly attendance is now 70 people, up from the pandemic low (45) and slightly higher than pre-pandemic figures.
  • The study is based on surveys of 7,500 diverse congregations and finds upticks in volunteering, giving, and clergy well-being.
  • Quote: "Researchers caution these changes don't make up for a decades long decline. The median U.S. congregation is about half the size it was in the year 2000." (Jason DeRose, 04:08)

6. Wall Street Closing Numbers

Segment: [04:25–04:40]

• The Dow Jones closed down 79 points.
• S&P 500 rose 56 points; Nasdaq climbed 300 points.
• Both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed at record highs.

Memorable Quotes

• "The Iranians want to talk. They want to talk in person." (Caroline Levitt, 00:25)
• "The effect on gasoline prices for consumers is minimal. By some estimates, as little as a fraction of a penny." (Camila Domonosky, 01:55)
• "This comes on the heels of an executive order from President Trump that directs federal health agencies to prioritize research on psychedelics." (Will Stone, 02:36)
• "Researchers caution these changes don't make up for a decades long decline. The median U.S. congregation is about half the size it was in the year 2000." (Jason DeRose, 04:08)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• US-Iran Negotiations & Ceasefire — [00:01–01:19]
• Jones Act Waiver — [01:19–01:59]
• FDA Psychedelic Review — [01:59–02:56]
• Asylum Ban Blocked — [02:56–03:44]
• Rise in Worship Attendance — [03:44–04:25]
• Wall Street Recap — [04:25–04:40]

This NPR News Now episode delivers a brisk yet comprehensive update spanning diplomacy, energy, healthcare policy, immigration law, religious trends, and the financial markets, with insights from multiple NPR correspondents and government voices.