NPR News: 04-29-2026 8PM EDT

Summary

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NPR News Now – April 29, 2026, 8PM EDT

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode, hosted by Ryland Barton, provides a concise roundup of the day's top stories from national politics, business innovations, health guidelines, and human-interest news in just under five minutes. Major topics include the U.S. Supreme Court’s impacts on redistricting, Federal Reserve updates, legal developments involving James Comey, Uber’s strategic expansion, new hemorrhoid treatment guidelines, and Utah’s quirky new city mascot.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Supreme Court Ruling & Tennessee Redistricting

[00:19–01:17]

• The U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision that paves the way for Republican-driven redistricting ahead of the midterms.
• Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) urges lawmakers to redraw maps, potentially eliminating Memphis’ Democratic-leaning congressional seat.
• Context:
  • Nashville’s Democratic seat was eliminated in 2022; Memphis, a majority-black and Democratic city, had been federally protected from gerrymandering until now.
  • The new proposed district would stretch “roughly 200 miles,” connecting disparate regions.
• Controversy:
  • Democrats claim the redistricting would “dilute the power of black voters.”

Quote:
“Blackburn is proposing maps that would lump Memphis in the western corner of the state with R in the middle of the state, a district spanning roughly 200 miles.” – Mariana Bacall, [00:57]

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2. Federal Reserve Leadership Changes & Interest Rates

[01:17–02:12]

• Jerome Powell will remain on the Fed's board for an unspecified period after his chairmanship ends May 15.
• The Fed left its benchmark interest rate unchanged, despite pressure from President Trump.
• Powell’s successor as chair, Kevin Warsh, was confirmed by a Senate committee.
• Committee Divisions:
  • Some push for rate cuts; others oppose, amid economic uncertainty and “the war in Iran causing this sharp jump in energy prices.”

Quote:
“It is set by a committee of 12. And Powell says that can be tricky and contentious when you have an uncertain economy like we do right now with the war in Iran causing this sharp jump in energy prices.” – Scott Horsley, [01:58]

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3. New Charges Against Former FBI Director James Comey

[02:12–03:14]

• President Trump renewed attacks on James Comey after the DOJ charged Comey over an Instagram photo of seashells spelling "8647" (interpreted as “remove 47,” referencing Trump as the 47th President).
• Trump publicly alleges Comey’s posts endanger him.
• This marks the second indictment against Comey; the first—on false statements and obstruction—was previously dismissed.
• Notably, Trump’s direct response:

Quote:
“Probably, I don't know, you know, based on what I'm seeing out there. Yeah, the people like Comey have created tremendous danger, I think, for politicians and others.” – Donald Trump, [02:48]

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4. Uber Expands Offerings to Hotel Bookings

[03:14–03:33]

• Uber users can now book hotel rooms via the app, as part of the company’s goal to become an “everything app.”
• Hotel listings provided by Expedia; plans to add over 1 million VRBO properties later in 2026.

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5. New Hemorrhoid Prevention & Treatment Guidelines

[03:33–04:33]

• Up to half of people experience hemorrhoids by age 50; new guidelines from the American Gastroenterological Association offer best practices:
  • Don’t sit on the toilet for prolonged periods (“stop scrolling”).
  • Avoid straining.
  • Increase dietary fiber:
    • Men: 28–34g/day
    • Women: 25g/day
  • Seek a medical diagnosis before starting treatment.

Quote:
“Stop scrolling on the phone while they're sitting on the toilet. Straining is also a no, no. Instead, focus on boosting the amount of fiber in your diet.” – Maria Godoy, [04:04]

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6. Laverkin, Utah, Unveils the “Gherkin” Mascot

[04:33–04:57]

• The city of Laverkin adopted “Gherkin” (a small cucumber/pickle) as its official mascot.
  • Volunteers wear the “coveted pickle suit” at community events; their identities are kept anonymous.
  • Local news outlet KSL News covered the unveiling.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Blackburn is proposing maps that would lump Memphis… a district spanning roughly 200 miles.” – Mariana Bacall [00:57]
• “Interest rate policy is not dictated by the Fed chairman. It is set by a committee of 12.” – Scott Horsley [01:51]
• “Probably, I don't know, you know, based on what I'm seeing out there... people like Comey have created tremendous danger…” – Donald Trump [02:48]
• “Stop scrolling on the phone while they're sitting on the toilet. Straining is also a no, no.” – Maria Godoy [04:04]

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Timestamps of Major Segments

• [00:19] Supreme Court Redistricting & Tennessee Commentary
• [01:17] Federal Reserve Announcements & Succession
• [02:12] Trump & DOJ: Comey Instagram Charges
• [03:14] Uber Adds Hotel Booking Feature
• [03:50] Hemorrhoid Guidelines by American Gastroenterological Association
• [04:33] Laverkin, Utah: New “Gherkin” Mascot

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End of summary.

Transcript

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[NPR Host]

In Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. A U.S. supreme Court ruling has cleared the path for Republicans to redistrict more seats in their favor ahead of the November midterms. In Tennessee, Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn has called for lawmakers to draw new maps to eliminate the state's remaining Democratic seat in Congress. Mariana Bacall from member station WPLN reports.

[Mariana Bacall]

Tennessee Republicans got rid of Nashville's Democratic seat during redistricting in 2022, but left Memphis alone. The predominantly black and Democratic city had been protected by federal law that prohibited racial gerrymandering. Now, following the Supreme Court's ruling striking down Louisiana's map, Blackburn is proposing maps that would lump Memphis in the western corner of the state with R in the middle of the state, a district spanning roughly 200 miles. Democrats, meanwhile, have criticized the plan, saying it dilutes the power of black voters. For NPR News, I'm Mariana Bacallau in Nashville.

[NPR Host]

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell says he'll remain on the Fed's board as a governor for a period of time to be determined after stepping down when his term ends AS chair on May 15. Also today, the Fed left its benchmark interest rate unchanged despite pressure from President Trump. And a Senate committee approved Powell's successor as chair, Trump appointee Kevin Warsh. As NPR's Scott Horsley reports, interest rates aren't going anywhere just yet, probably not right away.

[Scott Horsley]

You know, Powell and his colleagues voted today to hold their benchmark interest rate steady. It was a divided committee. There was one member who did vote for a rate cut, but three others were sort of leaning in the opposite direction. And this just underscores that interest rate policy is not dictated by the Fed chairman. It is set by a committee of 12. And Powell says that can be tricky and contentious when you have an uncertain economy like we do right now with the war in Iran causing this sharp jump in energy prices.

[NPR Host]

NPR's Scott Horsley reporting. President Trump is attacking former FBI Director James Comey again. It comes a day after the Justice Department announced charges against Comey for allegedly making threats against Trump in an Instagram photo of seashells. NPR's Ryan Lucas reports.

[Ryan Lucas]

The charges against Comey stem from a photo he posted on social media last year showing seashells arranged to spell out 8647, 86 being slang for remove and 47 in apparent reference to Trump, the 47th president at the White House. Trump was asked whether he really thought his life was in danger because of Comey's post.

[Donald Trump]

Probably, I don't know, you know, based on based on what I'm seeing out there. Yeah, the people like Comey have created tremendous danger, I think, for politicians and others.

[Ryan Lucas]

Trump has publicly called for Comey to be prosecuted. The new indictment is, in fact, the second against Comey since Trump returned to office. The first for alleged false statements and obstruction, was thrown out by a judge. Ryan Lucas, NPR News, Washington.

[NPR Host]

This is NPR News. Uber is expanding to allow users to book hotel rooms, a step toward its goal of building an everything app that serves more customers needs. The company says it's using hotel listings provided by booking service Expedia, and it plans to add more than 1 million properties from vacation rental platform VRBO later this year. Hemorrhoids are a common problem, though not one that's usually discussed publicly. About half of all people experience the condition by age 50. As NPR's Maria Godoy reports, new guidelines offer advice on how to prevent and treat them.

[Maria Godoy]

Hemorrhoids are swollen, inflamed rectal veins. They're painful and uncomfortable, and they can be caused by chronic constipation. Sitting on the toilet for extended periods of time can also increase the risk. That's why new guidelines from the American Gastroenterological association recommend that people stop scrolling on the phone while they're sitting on the toilet. Straining is also a no, no. Instead, focus on boosting the amount of fiber in your diet. Most Americans don't get enough. The goal is at least 28 to 34 grams of fiber each day for men and at least 25 grams for women. If you do develop hemorrhoids, see a gastroenterologist for a proper diagnosis before starting treatment. Maria Godoy, NPR News.

[NPR Host]

And the southern Utah city of Laverkin has a new mascot, and it's pretty much the only word that rhymes with Laverkin Gherkin. Gherkin is a small cucumber often used to make pickles. According to KSL News, volunteers get to wear the now coveted pickle suit at community events, but those who do will remain anonymous. You're listening to NPR News from Washington.

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