NPR News: 04-28-2026 6AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: 04-28-2026 6AM EDT — Episode Summary

Overview

This edition of NPR News Now provides a concise five-minute update on key global and national events, including developments following the assassination attempt on President Trump, ongoing funding battles over the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), international tensions involving Russia and Iran, wildfire crises in Georgia, the British Royal visit to Washington, policy rollbacks affecting transgender homelessness protections, and corporate updates from the airline industry.

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Major Stories & Key Insights

1. Attempted Assassination of President Trump & DHS Funding (00:00–01:05)

• News Summary:
  Cole Allen is formally charged with the attempted assassination of President Trump at the White House Correspondents Dinner. He also faces firearm charges.

• Political Fallout:
  Debate over DHS funding intensifies, splitting along party lines:

  • The Senate passed a bipartisan bill funding DHS but excluding immigration programs such as ICE.
  • Speaker Mike Johnson signals the House will change the bill, risking extension of a partial DHS shutdown.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Senate Majority Leader John Thune (00:37):

    “I very much hope that after this weekend's events, we can all agree that law enforcement agencies of the Department of Homeland Security and the entire department need to be funded as quickly as humanly possible.”

  • Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (00:54):

    “At this very moment, funding for Secret Service and so many other agencies is sitting idly in the House of Representatives, not waiting for Democrats. We don't run the House, waiting for Republicans.”

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2. Russia Voices Support for Iran Amid Conflict with U.S. & Israel (01:05–02:07)

• News Summary:
  Russian President Vladimir Putin hosts Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Arakchi in St. Petersburg, asserting Russian support for Iran during its conflict with the U.S. and Israel.

• Key Points:

  • Putin praises Iran’s stance and offers Russian support to bring about a "peace that served the interest of its allies in Tehran."
  • U.S. intelligence claims Russia is providing Iran with targeting data and drones to attack American military assets—claims publicly denied by Russia.
  • The Kremlin offers itself as mediator, suggesting storage of Iran's enriched uranium to address U.S. nuclear weapon concerns.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Charles Maynes, NPR (01:27):

    “The Russian leader added Moscow would do everything to help bring about a peace that served the interest of its allies in Tehran. U.S. Intelligence agencies say that includes providing Iran with targeting data and drones to strike American military assets in the Persian Gulf, a charge Russia denies publicly.”

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3. Georgia Wildfires and Impact on Communities (02:07–02:49)

• Update:
  Northern Georgia receives rain, but wildfires in the south continue, burning nearly 80 square miles. Dozens of homes destroyed, scores evacuated.

• Human Impact:
  Some residents allowed to return but warned they may need to evacuate again due to unpredictable conditions.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Brantley County Manager Joey Cason (02:37):

    “Just understand that safety is the biggest concern that this whole group is worried about... trying to make sure that we get folks back in their homes as soon as possible but safely as possible.”

  • Emily Jones, NPR (02:22):

    “Dozens of homes have been destroyed and scores of people have had to evacuate. Many are clamoring to get back home.”

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4. Royal Visit: King Charles and Queen Camilla in Washington (02:57–03:15)

• Event:
  The British royal couple meets President Trump and First Lady Melania for tea at the White House, marking the 250th birthday of the U.S.

• Upcoming:
  King Charles will address a joint session of Congress, and Trump will host a state dinner.

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5. Trump Administration Targets Protections for Transgender Homeless People (03:15–04:20)

• Policy Move:
  The Trump administration proposes a HUD rule to restrict shelter access based on sex assigned at birth, removing protections for transgender individuals.

• Rationale & Criticism:

  • The administration claims the move protects women’s safety.
  • Critics argue LGBTQ people, already at higher risk for homelessness, will be further endangered.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Jennifer Ludden, NPR (03:33):

    “A proposed rule would strike those words [‘regardless of people's gender identity’] along with sexual orientation from all HUD programs and replace them with sex defined as male or female… The agency's proposal threatens to withhold funding from providers who don't comply. Critics point out that LGBTQ people are at higher risk for homelessness and say the rule would leave more of them without housing.”

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6. Airline Merger Cancelled (04:20–04:40)

• Update:
  United Airlines’ CEO ends pursuit of a merger with American Airlines following public opposition from American about competition and consumer impact.

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Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Sen. John Thune’s call for bipartisan urgency after the Trump assassination attempt (00:37)
• Sen. Chuck Schumer rebutting GOP arguments on DHS funding (00:54)
• Brantley County official Joey Cason’s focus on safety for wildfire victims (02:37)
• Discussion of HUD's move to roll back transgender protections (03:33)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00 — Headlines and attempted assassination update
• 00:37 — Senate GOP statement: DHS funding urgency
• 00:54 — Senate Democrat counterstatement: House inaction
• 01:05 — DHS shutdown implications if bill is changed
• 01:27 — Russia-Iran alliance, U.S. intelligence allegations
• 02:07 — Georgia wildfire update
• 02:22 — Brantley County update: evacuees and safety
• 02:57 — British royal visit to Washington
• 03:33 — HUD transgender protection rollback discussion
• 04:20 — Airline merger canceled
• 04:40 onward — End of news content

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Conclusion

This episode delivers a brisk, information-rich bulletin highlighting intensifying political divides in Washington, unsettled international relations, domestic environmental crises, and the ongoing dispute over the rights of vulnerable Americans. Notably, it captures the tense atmosphere following an attempt on the President’s life and the resulting calls for swift government action amid broader debates over social and security policy.

Transcript

[A]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Federal prosecutors have charged Cole Allen with the attempted assassination of President Trump last weekend at the White House Correspondents Dinner. He also faces two firearms charges. House Speaker Mike Johnson says his chamber will have to change the Senate's funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security. The bipartisan bill passed by senators funds dhs, but not immigration programs such as ice. Senate Majority Leader John Thune says after last weekend's attempted attack on the president at the Correspondent's Dinner, Democrats need to help fund all of dhs.

[B]

I very much hope that after this weekend's events, we can all agree that law enforcement agencies of the Department of Homeland Security and the entire department need to be funded as quickly as humanly possible.

[A]

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer rejected the criticism.

[C]

At this very moment, funding for Secret Service and so many other agencies is sitting idly in the House of Representatives, not waiting for Democrats. We don't run the House waiting for Republicans.

[A]

If House Republicans change the bill the Senate passed, it means the partial shutdown at DHS will be extended. Russian President Vladimir Putin is voicing Moscow's strong support for Iran in the war with the U.S. and Israel. Putin spoke as he hosted Iran's top diplomat for talks in Russia. NPR's Charles mainnes reports.

[D]

Meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Arakchi in St. Petersburg, Putin praised the Iranian people for bravely and heroically defending their country against US And Israeli aggression. The Russian leader added Moscow would do everything to help bring about a peace that served the interest of its allies in Tehran. US Intelligence agencies say that includes providing Iran with targeting data and drones to strike American military assets in the Persian Gulf, a charge Russia denies publicly. The Kremlin insists it wants to mediate the conflict, a role that Russia says could include storing Iran's enriched uranium to allay US Concerns over Tehran's nuclear weapons program. Charles Maynes, NPR News.

[A]

Parts of northern Georgia are getting some badly needed rain today, but that's not reaching southern Georgia, where two large wildfires have burned nearly 80 square miles. From member station WABE, Emily Jones reports

[E]

Dozens of homes have been destroyed and scores of people have had to evacuate. Many are clamoring to get back home. Brantley County Manager Joey Cason says officials are allowing some people to return home, but they should be ready to evacuate again if necessary.

[F]

Just understand that safety is the biggest concern that this whole group is worried about trying to make sure that we get folks back in their homes as soon as possible but safely as possible.

[E]

Fire officials say they're expecting more wind later in the week, which could spread the fire farther. For NPR News, I'm Emily Jones in Atlanta.

[A]

This is npr. Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla met President Trump and first Lady Melania Trump at the White House yesterday for tea and a private meeting. The royal couple are on a state visit marking the 250th birthday of the U.S. the king will address a joint meeting of Congress later this afternoon. President Trump will host a state dinner tomorrow night for the king and queen. The Trump administration wants to roll back protections for transgender people who are homeless. NPR's Jennifer Ludden reports. A proposed rule would force some shelters to deny them access.

[G]

For a decade, the Department of Housing and Urban Development has offered services regardless of people's gender identity. But a proposed rule would strike those words along with sexual orientation from all HUD programs and replace them with sex defined as male or female. The move follows an executive order from President Trump on, quote, gender ideology, extremism. HUD says women's safety is at risk if they're in a shelter with biological males who identify as women. The agency's proposal threatens to withhold funding from providers who don't comply. Critics point out that LGBTQ people are at higher risk for homelessness and say the rule would leave more of them without housing. Jennifer Ludden, NPR News, Washington.

[A]

The CEO of United Airlines says he's dropping the carrier's effort to merge with rival American Airlines. In a statement earlier this month, American Airlines says a merger would be negative for competition and for consumers. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News, in Washington.

[H]

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