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Peter Sagal
Imagine, if you will, a show from NPR that's not like npr, a show that focuses not on the important, but the stupid, which features stories about people smuggling animals in their pants, incompetent criminals and ridiculous science studies. And call it Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me, because the good names were taken. Listen to NPR's Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me. Yes, that is what it is called wherever you get your podcasts.
Jack Spear
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. The Homeland Security Department announced it will be giving a stipend to people who self deport. CNPR's Amanda Bastillo explains the administration has invested millions into encouraging people in the US without legal status to leave.
Amanda Bastillo
DHS said it will give $1,000 to people who use the CBP home app to return to their home countries. The money will allegedly be paid after they confirm their arrival through the app. They say this is a way to make it cheaper to remove people from the U.S. according to DHS, it costs $17,000 to arrest, detain and remove one person. But questions remain on the effectiveness of the program. Immigrant rights advocates say there is an incentive for immigrants to trust the administration will follow through on payments or the promise that they can return. Currently, someone may have to wait 10 years before trying to return. An illegal entry could adversely affect a future immigration application. Ximena Bustillo, NPR News, Washington.
Jack Spear
Today is the day the Department of Education says it will begin collections on defaulted federal student loans. More from NPR's Cory Turner.
Cory Turner
Education Secretary Linda McMahon said late last month that today the Education Department would resume what's known as the Treasury Offset program. That means the roughly 5 million borrowers who are now in default on their federal student loans and haven't made a payment in at least 270 days. Days could soon see the federal government seize a portion of their tax refunds or Social Security benefits. The department says this summer it will also begin garnishing the wages of borrowers in default. These measures are not unprecedented. They've just been paused for five years since the pandemic began. Borrowers can learn more about how to get out of default@studentaid.gov Cory Turner, NPR News.
Jack Spear
Roman Catholic cardinals will begin the process of selecting a new pope Wednesday. That's when the conclave gets underway at the Vatican to choose a successor to Pope Francis. NPR's Jason DeRose in Rome reports. On the final days leading up to the selection process, the cardinals have been.
Jason DeRose
Gathering in meetings called congregations. Among the issues they're discussing sexual abuse within the church, war and peace and how the church can be less insular. Cardinal Michael Czerny says these meetings are key to getting to know each other and the needs of the church throughout the world.
Peter Sagal
Learning to be church in our diversity is a real calling.
Jason DeRose
Czerny calls global Catholicism diversity a challenge, but also a gift. He's among the 133 cardinal electors who will enter the conclave Wednesday to determine the next leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics. Jason DeRose, NPR News, Rome.
Jack Spear
Francis died of heart failure last month following a stroke. He was 88 years old. Stocks closed lower on Wall street, breaking a nine day winning streak. The Dow fell 98 points to 41,218. The Nasdaq dropped 133 points. The S&P was down 30. This is NPR. ChatGPT maker OpenAI says it intends to continue operating as a not for profit entity. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and chair of OpenAI's nonprofit board, Brett Taylor, saying the board made the decision for the nonprofit to retain control of OpenAI instead of privatizing it. The nonprofit has a for profit arm, but that arm instead would be converted to a public benefit corporation. Some of the most fashionable people in the country will be at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Ton Met Gala is held annually on the first Monday in May. NPR's Jennifer Vanesco has a preview.
Jennifer Vanasco
It's known as the party of the year, filled with celebrities in creative and beautiful clothes. NBA star LeBron James is the honorary chair. The host committee includes luminaries like gymnast Simone Biles, director Spike Lee and the singer Usher. As always, the gala supports the museum's Costume Institute. The dress code this year is tailored for you, inspired by the museum's spring show, which is centered on suiting and menswear and focuses on black style. Individual tickets for the gala start at $75,000. Jennifer Vanasco, NPR News, New York.
Jack Spear
A strong showing this weekend for the new Marvel movie Thunderbolt at the box office, where the unconventional superhero flick took in an estimated $76 million in domestic ticket sales. That was a bit shy of some of the more spectacular Marvel movie though still a solid start. Other weekend openings include the Alec Baldwin western Russ, best known for the on set accidental shooting that claimed the life of its cinematographer. This is NPR News.
Cory Turner
Listen to this podcast sponsor, free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR News Now +@plus.NPR.org that's plus.NPR.org.
NPR News: May 5, 2025, 5 PM EDT – Detailed Summary
On the May 5, 2025 episode of NPR News Now, NPR delivers a comprehensive overview of the day's most pressing stories, ranging from immigration policies and education reforms to significant global and cultural events. Below is a detailed summary of the key topics discussed, complete with notable quotes and timestamps for reference.
Reporter: Amanda Bastillo
Timestamp: [00:25 - 01:22]
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) unveiled a new initiative aimed at encouraging individuals without legal status in the United States to return to their home countries. The program offers a $1,000 stipend to those who utilize the CBP Home App to confirm their departure.
Amanda Bastillo reports that DHS officials claim the program seeks to reduce costs associated with deportation, highlighting that it currently costs approximately $17,000 to arrest, detain, and remove an individual from the U.S. However, the initiative faces skepticism regarding its effectiveness. Immigrant rights advocates express concerns that the stipend may inadvertently encourage immigrants to trust the administration's promises, potentially jeopardizing their ability to return to the U.S. in the future due to the risks associated with illegal entry.
Notable Quote:
"They say this is a way to make it cheaper to remove people from the U.S." — Amanda Bastillo [00:43]
Reporter: Cory Turner
Timestamp: [01:22 - 02:11]
The Department of Education announced the resumption of the Treasury Offset Program, marking the return of aggressive collection efforts for federal student loans. Education Secretary Linda McMahon stated that starting today, the department will begin seizing portions of tax refunds and Social Security benefits from the estimated 5 million borrowers who are in default, having missed payments for at least 270 days.
Additionally, the department plans to initiate wage garnishments for borrowers in default this summer. These measures had been paused for five years due to the pandemic. Borrowers are encouraged to seek information on resolving their default status through the official website, studentaid.gov.
Notable Quote:
"These measures are not unprecedented. They've just been paused for five years since the pandemic began." — Cory Turner [01:30]
Reporter: Jason DeRose
Timestamp: [02:11 - 03:05]
In Vatican City, Roman Catholic cardinals commenced the conclave to elect a new pope following the recent passing of Pope Francis due to heart failure at age 88. The process involves 133 cardinal electors who are engaged in congregations—meetings focused on addressing critical issues facing the Church.
Key discussion topics include addressing sexual abuse within the Church, navigating global conflicts, and exploring ways to make the Church less insular. Cardinal Michael Czerny emphasized the importance of understanding the diverse needs of the global Catholic community.
Notable Quotes:
"Learning to be church in our diversity is a real calling." — Peter Sagal [02:43]
"Global Catholicism's diversity is a challenge, but also a gift." — Cardinal Michael Czerny, reported by Jason DeRose [02:48]
Reporter: Jack Spear, Jennifer Vanasco
Timestamp: [03:05 - 04:38]
Stock Market Declines: The stock market experienced a downturn, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 98 points to 41,218, the Nasdaq dropping 133 points, and the S&P 500 decreasing by 30 points, ending a nine-day winning streak.
OpenAI's Nonprofit Status: OpenAI announced plans to continue operating as a nonprofit entity. CEO Sam Altman and Brett Taylor, chair of OpenAI's nonprofit board, explained that the decision ensures the nonprofit retains control, with the for-profit arm being converted into a public benefit corporation.
Met Gala Preview: The annual Met Gala is set to take place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Jennifer Vanasco highlights that the event, often dubbed the "party of the year," will feature celebrities adorned in creative attire inspired by the museum's spring show focusing on suiting and menswear, with an emphasis on black style. Honorary chair LeBron James, alongside notable figures like Simone Biles, Spike Lee, and Usher, will lead the festivities. Individual tickets commence at $75,000.
Notable Quotes:
"The Met Gala is known as the party of the year, filled with celebrities in creative and beautiful clothes." — Jennifer Vanasco [03:59]
"OpenAI intends to continue operating as a not for profit entity." — Jack Spear [03:05]
Reporter: Jack Spear
Timestamp: [04:38 - 05:04]
The latest Marvel release, "Thunderbolt," has achieved a strong box office performance, grossing an estimated $76 million in domestic ticket sales over the weekend. While this figure falls slightly short of some of Marvel's blockbuster successes, it represents a solid start for the unconventional superhero film.
Additionally, a new western film starring Alec Baldwin titled "Russ" has opened, garnering attention partly due to Baldwin's involvement in a previous on-set incident that tragically resulted in the death of a cinematographer.
This comprehensive summary encapsulates the diverse range of topics covered in the May 5, 2025 episode of NPR News Now, providing listeners with an informative overview of current events and cultural happenings.