NPR News: 05-15-2025 1PM EDT

Summary

NPR News: May 15, 2025, 1 PM EDT

On this episode of NPR News Now, host Lakshmi Singh delivers a comprehensive update on the latest national and international developments. From significant Supreme Court deliberations to groundbreaking medical treatments, the episode covers a range of topics that shape our current landscape.

1. Supreme Court Reviews Birthright Citizenship Challenge

The U.S. Supreme Court is currently deliberating on a pivotal case brought forth by the Trump administration aiming to revoke birthright citizenship—a constitutional guarantee that grants automatic citizenship to all babies born on U.S. soil. Lakshmi Singh introduces the segment at [00:26]:

"The case challenges the constitutional provision that guarantees automatic citizenship to all babies born on US Soil today."

Representing state and local governments, Jeremy Feigenbaum, New Jersey's solicitor general, voices his opposition to the administration's stance. At [01:04], Feigenbaum asserts:

"Its argument that a single district court cannot decide birthright citizenship or that we need more percolation on that question for the nation, overlooks that this court already settled this exact constitutional question 127 years ago and that this EO is contrary to over a century of executive practice."

Feigenbaum emphasizes the historical precedence supporting birthright citizenship and questions the administration's attempt to overturn a long-standing executive practice.

2. Public Opinion on Immigration Policies

NPR's Joel Rose reports on a recent Ipsos poll that gauges American sentiment towards President Trump's immigration initiatives. As introduced by Lakshmi Singh at [01:21], the poll reveals nuanced public opinions:

"The NPR Ipsos poll finds that fewer than a third of Americans want to end birthright citizenship."

Despite significant opposition to ending birthright citizenship, other strict immigration measures garner substantial support. Joel Rose elaborates at [01:34]:

"For example, President Trump's push to quickly deport alleged gang members without giving them a chance to contest those allegations under an 18th century Wartime law called the Alien Enemies Act. Almost half of poll respondents say they're in favor of that."

Additionally, 40% of Americans support mass deportation of all individuals in the country without legal status, though this marks a slight decrease from 44% three months prior. Rose's analysis highlights a complex landscape where certain tough-on-immigration policies resonate more with the public than others.

3. Medical Breakthrough: Gene Editing Therapy for a Newborn

In a landmark medical achievement, doctors have administered a personalized gene editing therapy to an infant born with a rare genetic disorder. Lakshmi Singh introduces this story at [02:11], followed by Rob Stein's detailed report:

"The baby was born at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in August with a genetic disorder that causes toxic ammonia to build up in his body that can cause brain damage and even death."

In an urgent response, medical professionals developed a gene editing treatment tailored to correct the specific genetic defect. After three infusions starting in February, the child's condition has shown signs of improvement. Stein notes at [02:27]:

"Doctors say the baby will have to be followed for much longer to know how well the treatment ultimately works. But they hope this is the beginning of using bespoke gene editing treatments to help children born with very rare genetic disorders."

This advancement marks a significant step forward in personalized medicine, offering hope for treating previously untreatable genetic conditions.

4. Financial Markets Update

U.S. financial markets are experiencing upward momentum. Lakshmi Singh reports at [03:08]:

"U.S. stocks are trading higher this hour. The Dow Jones industrial average is now up nearly 200 points, or nearly half a percent, at 42,247."

This positive movement indicates investor confidence amidst the day's news developments.

5. Doping Sanctions Against Top Athletes

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has taken action against two of the world's premier athletes for doping violations. Lakshmi Singh transitions to this sports segment at [03:08]:

Marina Beketch Romanchuk of Ukraine, a world championship silver medalist, has been provisionally suspended due to the suspected use of testosterone. As a result, she will miss the upcoming Diamond League meet in Doha, Qatar.

Additionally, Kenyan runner Noah Kipiegon faces a three-year ban after admitting to using a banned substance. AIU spokesperson mentioned:

"Maya Kipiegon has been banned for three years from competition after he said he had used a banned substance."

These sanctions underscore the ongoing efforts to maintain fairness and integrity in athletics.

6. Treasure Hunt in San Francisco's Sutro Baths

An adventurous treasure hunt captivated San Franciscans after an anonymous Reddit post provided cryptic clues leading to a hidden chest. NPR's Chloe Veltman covers this intriguing story, starting at [03:08]:

The clues directed participants to the historic Sutro Baths near the Pacific Ocean. Eamon McLaughlin, alongside his friends, read one of the clues at [04:23]:

"18 bold letters preserved in a clearing cite a dark room's view of brave surfers reeling from dry ruins."

Although McLaughlin's group did not find the treasure, another team led by Austin Terrio, TJ Lee, and Eric Barry successfully located the chest after an hour of searching. The discovery included:

• A large gold nugget in a corked bottle filled with sand
• A Panama Pacific Exposition bronze coin
• Three collectible Barry Bonds baseball cards

The chest was buried beneath a bush near a hiking trail intersection more than five miles from Sutro Baths, showcasing the community's enthusiasm and teamwork in uncovering hidden treasures.

Closing Remarks

Lakshmi Singh wraps up the episode by reiterating the key updates from Washington and beyond. Listeners are left with a well-rounded understanding of the day's most pressing news stories, from legal battles and public opinion on immigration to medical innovations and exciting local adventures.

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This summary is based on the podcast episode released on May 15, 2025. For more detailed coverage, please listen to the full episode on NPR News Now.

Transcript

[NPR Host]

Know that fizzy feeling you get when you read something really good? Watch the movie everyone's been talking about, or catch the show that the Internet can't get over. At the Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast, we chase that feeling four times a week. We'll serve you recommendations and commentary on the buzziest movies, tv, music and more, from lowbrow to highbrow to the stuff in between. Catch the Pop Culture Happy Hour Podcast from NPR.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. The US Supreme Court is weighing arguments surrounding the Trump administration's bid to end birthright citizenship. The case challenges the constitutional provision that guarantees automatic citizenship to all babies born on US Soil today. The arguments also focused on the question of whether federal district court judges can rule against the Trump administration on a nationwide basis. Jeremy Feigenbaum, New Jersey's solicitor general, represents the state and local governments in the case.

[Jeremy Feigenbaum]

Its argument that a single district court cannot decide birthright citizenship or that we need more percolation on that question for the nation, overlooks that this court already settled this exact constitutional question 127 years ago and that this EO is contrary to over a century of executive practice.

[Lakshmi Singh]

That's Jeremy Feigenbaum addressing the nation's top court. And NPR's Joel Rose reports. A new poll shows a majority of Americans oppose President Trump's push to end birthright citizenship.

[Joel Rose]

The NPR Ipsos poll finds that fewer than a third of Americans want to end birthright citizenship. But the poll also finds that other parts of the White House's immigration crackdown do have broader support. For example, President Trump's push to quickly deport alleged gang members without giving them a chance to contest those allegations under an 18th century Wartime law called the Alien Enemies Act. Almost half of poll respondents say they're in favor of that. 40% of Americans support President Trump's push for mass deportation of everyone in the country without legal status, a slight drop from 44% support three months ago. Joel Rose, NPR News, Washington.

[Lakshmi Singh]

For the first time, doctors have treated a baby born with a rare but devastating genetic disorder with a gene editing therapy tailored to his specific condition. NPR's Rob Stein has more on this medical the baby was born at the.

[Rob Stein]

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in August with a genetic disorder that causes toxic ammonia to build up in his body that can cause brain damage and even death. So doctors raced to tailor make a gene editing treatment to correct his genetic defect. And after receiving three infusions beginning in February, the child appears to have improved. Doctors say the baby will have to be followed for much longer to know how well the treatment ultimately works. But they hope this is the beginning of using bespoke gene editing treatments to help children born with very rare genetic disorders. Rob stein, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

U.S. stocks are trading higher this hour. The Dow Jones industrial average is now up nearly 200 points, or nearly half a percent, at 42,247. From Washington, this is NPR News. Two of the world's top athletes are being punished for doping. The Athletics Integrity Unit has provisionally suspended jumper Marina Beck Romanchuk of Ukraine for the suspected presence or use of testosterone. The world championship silver medalists will no longer compete in tomorrow's diamond league meet in Doha, Qatar. Separately, the AIU said the popular Kenyan runner now Maya Kipiegon, had been banned for three years from competition after he said he had used a banned substance. But, quote, without knowing, some San Franciscans went in search of a chest containing about $10,000 worth of buried treasure Tuesday. NPR's Chloe Veltman says the hunt was prompted by an anonymous post sharing cryptic clues on Reddit.

[Chloe Veltman]

The clues led a lot of people on Reddit to Sutro Baths, a historic swimming pool complex by the Pacific Ocean. Eamon McLaughlin went there with his friends, and he read out the clues.

[Eamon McLaughlin]

18 bold letters preserved in a clearing cite a dark room's view of brave surfers reeling from dry ruins.

[Chloe Veltman]

His group didn't find the treasure, but another group did. Austin Terrio, TJ Lee and Eric Barry say they located the chest after just over an hour of searching. It contained a big gold nugget in a corked bottle with sand in it, a Panama Pacific Exposition bronze coin and three collectible Barry Bonds baseball cards, among other finds, all of it buried under a bush near a hiking trail intersection more than five miles away from Sutro Baths. Chloe Veltman, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

I'm Lakshmi Singh, NPR News, in Washington.

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