NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of Episode Released on April 28, 2025

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Episode: NPR News: 04-28-2025 3PM EDT
Release Date: April 28, 2025

1. Trump Administration Celebrates First 100 Days with Immigration Policy Claims

Lakshmi Singh opens the episode by reporting on the Trump administration's commemoration of its first 100 days in office, focusing on fulfilling its campaign promise to tackle illegal immigration.

• President's Border Czar, Tom Homan, at the White House, declared the border secure:

  "[...] if you arrive at our border without proper documentation, you shall be detained, not, maybe not think about it shall. And that's what President Trump's doing, catching leases over. That's what the law says and that's what we've done." (00:54)

• To reinforce this message, the administration has displayed placards featuring images of arrested migrants accused of serious offenses, including the distribution of fentanyl, rape, and murder.

• Judicial Concerns: Several federal judges have expressed issues with the administration's immigration enforcement, particularly regarding the denial of due process to deportees. Advocates argue that some individuals, including U.S. citizens and legally status holders, have been wrongfully deported.

• Political Developments: President Trump met with House Speaker Mike Johnson as lawmakers return from a two-week recess to advance Trump's budget agenda.

2. Federal Government Halts $11 Billion in University Research Funding

Elisinad Warning reports on significant cuts to university research funding by the federal government, amounting to approximately $11 billion over the past three months.

• Impacted Sectors: The funding cuts affect a wide range of research areas, including cancer research, wearable technology, jet engines, and agricultural solutions.

• Affected Institutions: Dozens of colleges and universities have had their research funds frozen due to the shutdown of federal departments like USAID and accusations of anti-Semitism on campuses.

• Expert Opinion:

  "Industry is focused on outputs, what they can sell, whereas government is investing in innovation in order to benefit society and the US at large."
  — Sabrina Howell, Professor of Finance at NYU (01:55)

• Potential Consequences: Researchers warn that without federal support, there are no alternative entities to maintain the current level of research funding, potentially stalling critical scientific advancements.

3. Massive Power Outage Strikes Spain, Portugal, and Southern France

Eleanor Beardsley reports on a widespread electricity outage affecting the Iberian Peninsula and parts of southern France.

• Extent of the Outage: Over 50 million people experienced disruptions, leading to halted subways, disrupted phone services, non-functional traffic lights, and inoperative ATM machines.

• Government Response:

  • Spain's National Security Council and the Portuguese cabinet held emergency meetings.
  • The Portuguese National Cyber Security Center stated there is no evidence the outage resulted from a cyber attack.

• Critical Services Maintained: Backup systems ensured the continuity of power for essential facilities such as hospitals, nuclear plants, and prisons.

  "Backup systems kept power going at priority sites such as hospitals, nuclear plants and prisons."
  — Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Paris (02:46)

• Restoration Efforts: Electricity restoration is underway across affected regions, with ongoing assessments to prevent future occurrences.

4. Wall Street Faces Volatility Amid Trump's Tariffs

Maria Aspen provides an update on the stock market's recent performance amidst the uncertainty caused by President Trump's import tariffs.

• Market Movements:

  • Dow Jones Industrial Average: Up 16 points
  • S&P 500: Down 13 points
  • Nasdaq: Down 83 points (approximately half a percent) (03:20)

• Tariffs Announcement: In early April, President Trump introduced significant tariffs on nearly all imports, leading to fluctuating investor confidence between optimism and pessimism.

• Economic Impact: The tariffs are expected to raise consumer prices and potentially weaken the U.S. economy.

• Corporate Reactions: Major companies like Pepsi, Intel, and Tesla have warned that the tariffs will negatively impact their businesses. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and Trump advisor, is among those expressing concerns.

• Future Outlook: As major corporations such as Apple, Amazon, and Meta prepare to release their quarterly results, further caution is anticipated in the market.

  "The tariffs will increase prices for consumers and are widely expected to weaken the U.S. economy."
  — Maria Aspen, NPR News, New York (03:50)

• Current Sentiment: Investors are bracing for continued instability, marking an extraordinarily volatile period for the stock market.

5. NFL's Washington Commanders Secure $2.7 Billion Stadium Deal in D.C.

Lakshmi Singh covers the latest developments in the NFL's Washington Commanders' plans to move to a new stadium in the nation's capital.

• Stadium Proposal: The Commanders and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser have agreed to construct a new roof stadium on the RFK campus.

• Financial Commitments:

  • Commanders' Investment: At least $2.7 billion over five years.
  • District of Columbia's Contribution: $500 million.

• Significance: This deal is touted as the single largest private investment in D.C. history.

  "The commanders are calling it the single largest private investment in D.C. history."
  — Lakshmi Singh, NPR News (04:36)

• Economic Implications: The stadium is expected to boost the local economy, creating jobs and increasing economic activities in the surrounding areas.

• Market Update: Following this announcement, the Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced a slight increase of 13 points, bringing it to 40,126 (04:36).

6. Wall Street Summary

At the episode's close, Lakshmi Singh provides a succinct update on the stock market's status:

• Dow Jones Industrial Average: Up 13 points, totaling 40,126.
• S&P 500 and Nasdaq: Both indices experienced slight declines as previously detailed.

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights presented in the NPR News Now episode from April 28, 2025, providing listeners with a detailed overview of the day's most pressing news topics.