NPR News Now – April 26, 2026, 6PM EDT

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Duration: ~5 minutes
Theme: Key national and international news highlights, covering the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting, Israeli political developments, bird migration conservation advisories, and the weekend box office.

White House Correspondents’ Dinner Shooting

Main Development:

• The top story details ongoing investigations following a shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Hilton in Washington, D.C., targeting Trump administration officials.
• The perpetrator, identified as Cole Allen (31, Los Angeles area), is in custody and faces federal charges.
• President Trump responds to the incident and links it to ongoing security debates in D.C.

Key Points & Quotes:

• Motivation and Investigation (00:25–00:58)
  • Authorities believe administration officials were the target.
  • Acting Attorney General Todd Blanch states:

  “We are actively combing through all the evidence ... and if he did not act alone or if folks knew what he was doing or helped him along the way, we will find that out.” — Todd Blanch (00:41)

  • Cole Allen is to be arraigned soon on weapons charges and assault on a federal officer.
• Security Concerns & Trump’s Response (00:58–02:05)
  • President Trump considered continuing the dinner but left for safety.
  • He criticized the Hilton’s security and promoted the pending White House ballroom:

  “Well, it’s always tough when you have a thousand rooms... people come down in elevators and they’re right over the top of where you’re speaking... as you know, we’re building a big, beautiful, very, very secure ballroom... with massive bulletproof glass that's almost 4 inches thick.” — Donald Trump (01:44)

  • The White House ballroom faces legal hurdles on its construction and use.

Israeli Political Alliance Formed Ahead of October Elections

Main Development:

• Former Prime Ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid announce a coalition to oppose Benjamin Netanyahu in the next elections.

Key Points & Quotes:

• Background and Implications (02:18–03:19)
  • Bennett and Lapid, despite ideological differences, aim to unite the center-right.
  • Bennett: Orthodox, hardline on Palestinians; Lapid: secular, more moderate.
  • Both previously broke Netanyahu’s long tenure during 2021-22.
  • Protests against Netanyahu in Tel Aviv; his poll numbers have dropped following an inconclusive US-Israeli military campaign against Iran.

  “Bennett is an Orthodox Jew with a hardline view towards Palestinians. Lapid is secular and seen as more moderate... Both have already served as prime minister in a previous coalition government...” — Eleanor Beardsley (02:30)

Spring Bird Migration and Light Pollution

Main Development:

• Conservationists urge the public to reduce nighttime lighting to protect millions of migrating birds.

Key Points & Quotes:

• Nature and Call to Action (03:19–04:10)
  • Nearly 250 million birds are currently migrating, primarily at night.
  • Artificial lights can interfere with their navigation.
  • Major hotspots: South, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, West Coast.
  • Residents are asked to dim or turn off non-essential lights overnight for several weeks.

  “It’s the annual spring migration. Almost 250 million birds are traveling across the US right now. Most birds migrate at night... Artificial lights like from buildings can interfere with their navigation...” — Lauren Sommer (03:38)

Weekend Box Office Recap

Main Development:

• “Michael,” a Michael Jackson biopic, takes the top spot at the weekend box office.

Key Points & Quotes:

• Box Office Details (04:10–05:04)
  • "Michael" earns $97 million, defying poor reviews and production problems, but avoids Jackson’s controversies.
  • “Super Mario Galaxy” comes second ($21M; $445M global).
  • “Project Hail Mary” takes third ($13M; $613M global).
  • "Rounding the Drama" earns $2M; "Hoppers" $1M.
  • “His [Jackson's] reputation had been tarnished by allegations of sexual abuse of children, which Jackson denied.” — Jeanine Herbst (04:10)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Shooting at Correspondents’ Dinner / Trump Response: 00:25–02:18
• Israeli Political Coalition News: 02:18–03:19
• Spring Bird Migration Advisory: 03:19–04:10
• Box Office Rundown: 04:10–05:04

For those who missed this broadcast, the episode provides a snapshot of critical news across national security, international politics, environmental conservation, and pop culture, with concise reporting and direct quotations from key figures.