NPR News Now – April 28, 2026, 6PM EDT

Host: Ryland Barton | Source: NPR
Episode Theme:
A concise roundup of national and international news, including a high-profile indictment, shifts in energy policy, Disney’s accessible animation initiative, intensifying Israeli settler violence in the West Bank, and economic trends influenced by conflict in Iran.

Major News Headlines & Insights

1. Indictment of James Comey [00:00–01:05]

• Overview:
  Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted by a North Carolina grand jury for allegedly threatening President Trump. Comey denies the allegations.

• Key Details:

  • This is the second time the Trump-led DOJ has pursued criminal charges against Comey; the first case was dismissed due to issues with the prosecutor’s appointment.
  • The new indictment centers on a social media post where Comey arranged seashells in the numeric sequence “8647,” interpreted by some as a threat using the slang term “86” (meaning to get rid of).
  • Comey claims ignorance of the slang implication and maintains the post was harmless and subsequently deleted.
  • Legal experts quoted by NPR view the gesture as “political speech protected by the amendment.”

• Notable Quotes:

  • James Comey: “This is not how the Department of Justice is supposed to be.” [00:11]
  • Kerry Johnson (NPR):
    “Several legal experts say Comey's photo seems to fall in the bounds of political speech protected by the amendment.” [00:58]

2. Trump Administration’s Pivot from Offshore Wind to Fossil Fuels [01:05–01:57]

• Overview:
  The Trump administration has reached new agreements redirecting investment away from offshore wind energy projects in favor of fossil fuels.

• Key Details:

  • Offshore wind projects off New York, New Jersey, and California have been halted; companies will now invest in natural gas and other conventional energy sources.
  • In return, the government will refund nearly $900 million previously paid for offshore wind leases.
  • A similar agreement from March involved a near $1 billion government payment to steer a company toward fossil fuel projects instead of Atlantic Coast wind farms.
  • Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D) is investigating the legality of these agreements.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Michael Copley (NPR):
    “The administration announced a similar deal in March. It calls for the government to pay a company nearly a billion dollars to invest in fossil fuel projects instead of building wind farms off the Atlantic Coast.” [01:38]
    “Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse has said he's investigating whether the March agreement is legal.” [01:53]

3. Disney Releases Songs in American Sign Language [01:57–02:54]

• Overview:
  Disney Animation has debuted American Sign Language (ASL) renditions of songs from popular films for National Deaf History Month, sparking discussion in the Deaf community.

• Key Details:

  • Songs released in ASL: “We Don’t Talk about Bruno” (Encanto), “The Next Right Thing” (Frozen 2), and “What Lies Beyond” (Moana 2).
  • The initiative was a collaboration with Deaf West Theatre to “incorporate ASL gestures into the musical scenes.”
  • The move provoked debate online: While many applaud the effort, some—like prominent signer Rogan Shannon—expressed difficulty understanding the signs due to unclear representation in the animation.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Chloe Veltman (NPR):
    “Lifelong Signer Rogan Shannon says he applauds Disney for the effort it put into the challenging work of animating sign language. But he says he had trouble understanding the gestures because they were not represented clearly enough on screen.” [02:34]

4. Settler Attacks Escalate in West Bank Village [02:54–04:14]

• Overview:
  Israeli Jewish settlers have repeatedly attacked Palestinian homes, with the violence intensifying under Israel’s current right-wing government.

• Key Details:

  • Video footage documents settlers attacking the village of Jalood, including the arson of a Palestinian home.
  • UN reports: Since the Gaza war began (Oct 7, 2023), at least 36,000 Palestinians have been displaced and over 1,000 killed by settlers and the Israeli army in two and a half years.
  • Cabinet members openly advocate for expanding settlements and driving out Palestinians; more settlements were approved in the past year than the previous two decades.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Eleanor Beardsley (NPR):
    “A group of 20 or so settlers was caught on camera Monday as they ran down a hillside toward the village of Jalood…setting fire to a house as scared Palestinian women scream and huddle out front.” [03:30]
    “Two settlers in the Israeli cabinet have made no secret of the fact that they want to drive Palestinians from their land and increase settlements.” [03:56]

5. U.S. Consumer Confidence and Energy Prices [04:14–04:40]

• Overview:
  Despite heightened anxiety over soaring gas prices triggered by the war in Iran, American consumer confidence has risen slightly.

• Key Details:

  • National average for regular gas: $4.18/gal; California: $5.97/gal.
  • Similar price levels were last seen following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nearly four years prior.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• James Comey:
  “This is not how the Department of Justice is supposed to be.” [00:11]

• Kerry Johnson (NPR):
  “Several legal experts say Comey's photo seems to fall in the bounds of political speech protected by the amendment.” [00:58]

• Michael Copley (NPR):
  “The administration announced a similar deal in March. It calls for the government to pay a company nearly a billion dollars to invest in fossil fuel projects instead of building wind farms off the Atlantic Coast.” [01:38]

• Chloe Veltman (NPR), quoting Rogan Shannon:
  “He applauds Disney for the effort it put into the challenging work of animating sign language. But he says he had trouble understanding the gestures because they were not represented clearly enough on screen.” [02:34]

• Eleanor Beardsley (NPR):
  “A group of 20 or so settlers was caught on camera Monday as they ran down a hillside toward the village of Jalood…setting fire to a house as scared Palestinian women scream and huddle out front.” [03:30]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• James Comey Indictment: 00:00–01:05
• Energy Policy Shift (Wind to Fossil Fuels): 01:05–01:57
• Disney's Songs in ASL: 01:57–02:54
• Israeli Settler Violence: 02:54–04:14
• Economic Update (Consumer Confidence & Gas Prices): 04:14–04:40

This episode covered rapid-fire, high-impact stories with a focus on U.S. justice, political maneuvering on energy, advances (and controversies) in disability inclusion, Middle East conflict, and economic anxiety—all in NPR’s succinct, fact-based tone.