NPR News: 04-26-2025 9PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: April 27, 2025 - 9 PM EDT

Host: NPR
Title: NPR News Now
Description: The latest news in five minutes. Updated hourly.
Episode: NPR News: 04-26-2025 9PM EDT
Release Date: April 27, 2025

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1. US-Ukraine Relations: A Pivotal Meeting

In today's leading story, Jeanine Herbst reports from Washington on a significant meeting between former President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Held ahead of Pope Francis's funeral, the White House described the discussion as "very productive."

Joanna Kakissis provides further insights, highlighting the complexities surrounding the meeting. Zelensky expressed optimism, stating the encounter "could turn out to be historic." However, tensions persist as Trump criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin's actions on social media. At [00:33], Trump remarked on his own platform, Truth Social, "It makes me think he doesn't want to stop the war... he's just tapping me along." This statement underscores the strained dynamics as the US continues to navigate its support for Ukraine amidst Russian aggression. Furthermore, Trump conveyed a controversial stance to Time magazine, asserting that "Russia can keep the southern Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea," a territory annexed in 2014, despite Zelensky's firm refusal to recognize Russian-occupied lands as part of Russia.

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2. Honoring Pope Francis: A Nation in Mourning

As the United States bids farewell to Pope Francis, Catholic communities across the nation reflect on his enduring legacy. Windsor Johnston reports from New York City, where hundreds gathered at St. Patrick's Cathedral for a solemn mass. The service was officiated by Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, the Holy See's permanent observer to the United Nations.

Archbishop Caccia poignantly stated at [01:49], "Your servant Pope Francis... he still lives," emphasizing the lasting spiritual impact of the late pontiff. In a gesture of respect, New York City Mayor Eric Adams ordered that flags at city buildings be flown at half-staff [02:03], symbolizing the city's collective mourning.

Looking ahead, after a nine-day mourning period, a conclave of 135 cardinals is set to convene to elect a new pope, marking a significant transition for the Catholic Church.

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3. Education Policy Shifts: Scaling Back the Nation's Report Card

Turning to education, Janaki Mehta explores recent developments surrounding the Department of Education's flagship student achievement assessment, known as the Nation's Report Card. Contrary to Secretary Linda McMahon's assurances of preserving the report card, significant cuts have been announced, particularly affecting components not mandated by law.

At [02:30], Mehta explains that long-standing elements like the Long Term Trend Test, which has monitored student progress since the 1970s, will see reductions. Subjects such as 12th-grade science, history, and math, along with assessments for younger students, are slated for elimination. These changes are part of broader cost-cutting measures implemented by the Trump administration, aiming to reduce federal expenditures. The reduction of these assessments raises concerns about the future ability to track and address student achievement comprehensively.

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4. Remembering Alexis Herman: A Trailblazer in Labor and Civil Rights

In a heartfelt tribute, NPR's Tom Dreisbach reports on the passing of Alexis Herman, the first Black Secretary of Labor in U.S. history. Born in Mobile, Alabama, in 1947 during the Jim Crow era, Herman's career was marked by unwavering commitment to civil rights and social justice.

Dreisbach highlights Herman's tenure in both the Carter and Clinton administrations, where she championed workers' rights and equality. In her 2016 commencement address, Herman emphasized the importance of continued advocacy, stating at [04:00], "I fought for civil rights, I fought for voting rights. I fought for women's rights in the 70s, but now it is your turn."

Herman's legacy as a trailblazer inspires future generations to engage in political and social activism. She passed away at the age of 77, leaving behind a profound impact on labor policies and civil rights advancements.

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5. Titanic History Resurrected: Archibald Gracie's Rare Letter Auctioned

In a fascinating historical note, Jeanine Herbst shares that a letter penned by Archibald Gracie, one of the Titanic's most renowned survivors, has been sold at auction for nearly $400,000. This letter, written mere days before the ship's ill-fated maiden voyage, offers a unique firsthand perspective.

In the correspondence, Gracie describes the Titanic as "a fine one" but prudently states he would "wait until my trip was over to pass judgment" [04:14]. This letter is believed to be the only surviving communication from Gracie aboard the Titanic, which tragically sank after hitting an iceberg, resulting in the loss of approximately 1,500 lives.

Gracie's detailed account in "The Truth About the Titanic" provides invaluable insights into the disaster and his survival. The auction of this letter not only marks a significant event for Titanic historians but also preserves a poignant piece of maritime history.

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Conclusion

Today's NPR News Now episode provided comprehensive coverage of pivotal international relations, national mourning rituals, significant policy changes in education, heartfelt tributes to a civil rights icon, and a captivating glimpse into historical artifacts. Each segment offered depth and perspective, ensuring listeners remain informed on the diverse and critical issues shaping our world.

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Note: Advertisements from Mint Mobile and Viking Cruises were present in the transcript but have been excluded from this summary as per the guidelines.

Transcript

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[Jeanine Herbst]

News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. Ahead of Pope Francis funeral today, President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky Matthew met for a discussion that the White House says was very productive. NPR's Joanna Kakissis has more writing on social media.

[Joanna Kakissis]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this meeting could turn out to be historic. Trump wrote his own post criticizing Russian President Volodymyr Putin for attacking Ukrainian civilians. It makes me think he doesn't want to stop the war, trump wrote on Truth Social, his social media network. He's just tapping me along. The meeting comes after a week of US Pressure on Zelensky to concede territory. Zelensky said says he will never recognize Russian occupied Ukrainian land as part of Russia. Trump told Time magazine that Russia can keep the southern Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea, which it illegally annexed in 2014. Joanna Kakissis, NPR News, Kyiv.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Catholic churches in the United States are remembering the life and legacy of Pope Francis today. NPR's Windsor Johnston reports. A mass was held at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City.

[Unknown Speaker]

Hallelujah.

[Windsor Johnston]

Hundreds of people filled the cathedral to pay their final respects to Pope Francis. Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, permanent observer of the Holy See to the United nations, presided over the service. He said even though the pope has passed over from this life to the next, he still lives.

[Archbishop Gabriele Caccia]

Your servant Pope Francis, who presided over your church in charity through our Lord Jesus Christ, your son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

[Windsor Johnston]

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has directed flags at city buildings to be flown at half staff. Windsor Johnston, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

And after a nine day mourning period, a conclave of 135 cardinals will gather to select a new pope. This week it became clear that a congressionally required student achievement test, called the Nation's report card, will be shrinking in the years to come. NPR's Janaki Mehta has more.

[Janaki Mehta]

As Doge paved the way to have the Department of Education's workforce. In recent weeks, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon repeatedly promised the nation's report card would be preserved. It is required by Congress and is considered the gold standard of student achievement tests. But this week, the board that oversees it announced cuts to many parts of the test that aren't strictly required by law that includes the next Long Term Trend Test, which has been tracking student achievement since the 1970s. 12th grade science, history and math will eventually be scrapped along with other subjects for younger students. These changes come as the Trump administration says it needs to cut costs across the federal government. Janaki Mehta, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

You're listening to NPR News from Washington. The first black secretary of labor in the country's history has died. As NPR's Tom Dreisbach reports, Alexis Herman is being praised as a trailblazer for civil rights who served in the administrations of both Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.

[Tom Dreisbach]

Alexis Herman was born in mobile, Alabama, in 1947 during Jim Crow. After graduating from Xavier University in Louisiana, she worked to desegregate schools, became a social worker. She served in the administration of President Jimmy Carter. And under President Bill Clinton, she became the country's first black secretary of labor. Throughout her career in politics, Herman encouraged young people to get more involved, like in this 2016 commencement address.

[Alexis Herman]

I fought for civil rights, I fought for voting rights. I fought for women's rights in the 70s, but now it is your turn.

[Tom Dreisbach]

Herman was 77 years old. Tom Dreisbach, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

A letter written by one of the Titanic's most well known survivors from onboard the ship days before it sank has sold for nearly $400,000 at auction. In the note, first class passenger Archibald Gracie wrote to his great uncle about the ship, saying it was a fine one, but that he'd wait until his trip was over to pass judgment. It's believed to be the only surviving letter from Gracie from aboard that ship. He survived the sinking of the titanic, which killed 1500 people after it hit an iceberg on its maiden voyage. He went on to write the truth about the Titanic, an account of his experiences when he returned to New York City. I'm Jeanine Herbst, NPR News, in Washington.

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