NPR News Now - April 25, 2026, 6PM EDT

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode delivers succinct updates on major national and international news stories of the day. Coverage includes U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, changes in police immigration enforcement in Texas, developments in a high-profile Florida murder case, the Michael Jackson biopic’s box office performance, and falling mortgage rates.

Key News Stories & Highlights

1. Tensions in the Middle East: U.S., Israel, and Iran

• [00:00] President Trump again cancels plans to send U.S. negotiators to Pakistan for talks with Iran.
• [00:05] Israel threatens force against Hezbollah in Lebanon despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire.
• [00:18] On-the-ground perspective from Tel Aviv as Israelis protest against Prime Minister Netanyahu.
  • Danny Cohen (protester):
    • “On the one hand it's clear that Iran and Hezbol are building their powers and declaring their intention to eliminate Israel.” (00:28)
    • “At the same time, personally, I don't trust the current government, that they are genuinely doing it for the best interest of the country rather than their own personal political needs.” (00:42)
    • Concludes with uncertainty about the future, saying he trusts the U.S. government more than his own.
  • Reporting: Eleanor Beardsley from Tel Aviv.

2. President Trump and the White House Correspondents Dinner

• [01:00] President Trump's first appearance as president at the annual White House Correspondents’ dinner in Washington, D.C.
• [01:09] Tamara Keith summarizes the history:
  • References Trump's 2011 attendance as a celebrity, when he was publicly pushing conspiracy theories and was mocked by President Obama and comedian Seth Meyers.
  • Notes Trump skipped the dinner throughout his first term.
  • Notable Moment:
    • The association hires a mentalist rather than a comedian this year—a break with tradition.
    • Press Secretary Caroline Levitt:
      • “His speech will be very entertaining. That is what I will tell you, so everyone should tune in.” (01:45)
  • The event’s stated purpose: to "celebrate a free and independent press."

3. Texas Police Departments Shift Policy on Immigration Enforcement

• [01:55] Reporting from Dominic Anthony Walsh (Houston Public Media):
  • Following pressure and threats to revoke state funding from Governor Greg Abbott, Houston and Dallas police update their policies.
    • Officers now have greater discretion to detain individuals on civil immigration warrants.
    • Houston risked losing over $110 million, and Dallas over $30 million—including public safety funding tied to the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
  • Controversy:
    • Civil rights advocates criticize the policy changes.
    • Abbott expects other Texas cities to follow suit.
  • Quote:
    • “After the threat, both cities gave officers more discretion to hold people for immigration warrants. Civil rights advocates criticized the changes, while Abbott says he expects other cities to follow suit.” (02:32)

4. Murder Charges in Florida: Missing Bangladeshi Students

• [02:53] Update on the disappearance of two Bangladeshi graduate students at the University of South Florida.
  • The male victim’s roommate, Hisham Abu Gharb (26), charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
  • One body has been recovered; the other is still missing.
  • Abu Gharb surrendered after barricading himself in his family home.

5. Michael Jackson Biopic Breaks Box Office Records

• [03:37] Bob Mondello reports on the surprising box office success of Antoine Fuqua’s biopic Michael despite negative critical reviews:
  • Opening weekend domestic earnings projected at $100 million, plus another $100 million overseas.
  • Easily becomes a record-breaking debut for a pop music biopic.
  • Notable Insights:
    • “Critics weighed in, talking about a troubled production history and mostly trashing the film as a sanitized PR pitch by the Jackson estate. And audiences apparently decided they didn’t care.” (03:47)

6. Economic Update: Mortgage Rates

• [04:19] Freddie Mac reports the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is now 6.23%—the third consecutive week of decline and the lowest since mid-March.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Danny Cohen, Tel Aviv protester:

  • “On the one hand it's clear that Iran and Hezbol are building their powers... at the same time, personally, I don't trust the current government...” (00:28 – 00:42)

• Caroline Levitt, White House Press Secretary:

  • “His speech will be very entertaining. That is what I will tell you, so everyone should tune in.” (01:45)

• Bob Mondello, on the ‘Michael’ biopic:

  • “Audiences apparently decided they didn’t care.” (03:47)

Timestamps for Main Segments

• 00:00 — U.S., Israel, and Iran tensions; on-the-ground from Tel Aviv
• 01:00 — White House Correspondents’ Dinner: Trump’s attendance
• 01:55 — Immigration policy changes in Houston and Dallas
• 02:53 — Update on Florida murder case involving Bangladeshi graduate students
• 03:37 — ‘Michael’ biopic’s box office performance
• 04:19 — Mortgage rates update

This concise episode offers a broad scan of both urgent headlines and cultural developments, maintaining NPR’s trademark straightforward and informative tone.