NPR News: 05-21-2025 11AM EDT

Summary

Justice Department Drops Lawsuits Against Louisville and Minneapolis Police Departments

In the latest developments from Washington, Korva Coleman reports that the Justice Department has decided to withdraw its lawsuits against the police departments in Louisville, Kentucky, and Minneapolis, Minnesota (00:16). The agency contends that the consent decrees initially imposed by the Biden administration on these departments were unwarranted. This action follows the tragic murder of George Floyd by former Minneapolis police officers, which had previously prompted the administration to enforce stricter oversight through consent decrees.

"The Biden administration imposed consent decrees on these departments that were unjustified." — Korva Coleman (00:16)

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to Meet President Trump Amid Strained Relations

Amid deteriorating ties between South Africa and the United States, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House later today. This high-stakes meeting also includes the attendance of billionaire Elon Musk, according to Kate Bartlett's report from Johannesburg (00:16). The negotiations come at a time when South Africans are anxious, recalling a previous tense encounter between President Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier this year.

South Africa has been critical of President Trump, who has accused Ramaphosa's government of unlawfully appropriating land from white farmers—claims that Ramaphosa has refuted as false. Despite the strained atmosphere, Ramaphosa remains optimistic about the discussions, emphasizing a focus on enhancing trade relations.

"The talks will focus on trade." — Cyril Ramaphosa (00:54)

Additionally, Ramaphosa is expected to discuss with Elon Musk the potential expansion of Starlink's satellite services in South Africa, aiming to bolster the country's technological infrastructure.

President Trump's DOGE Slashes Federal Jobs Across Agencies

Stephen Fowler reports on President Trump's cost-cutting initiative, known as DOGE, which has significantly reduced federal employment by targeting at least 40 agencies and groups (01:33). This sweeping reduction includes numerous small organizations, many established by Congress with specific funding and functions defined by law. Consequently, over a dozen lawsuits have emerged challenging DOGE's legality, arguing that the President overstepped his authority to unilaterally cut jobs and restructure these entities.

"There are more than a dozen lawsuits that have been filed related to DOGE efforts at these small organizations that say it's not legal." — Stephen Fowler (01:48)

These legal challenges highlight the complexities and limits of executive power, particularly concerning organizations with statutory mandates.

New Framework for Assessing Head Injuries Introduced

A significant advancement in medical protocols has been announced, aiming to provide a more precise assessment of head injuries. April Demboski reports from San Francisco that for the first time in 50 years, emergency room doctors will utilize a new framework outlined in the Lancet Neurology journal (02:14).

The current system categorizes traumatic brain injuries (TBI) into three broad categories: mild, moderate, and severe. However, UC San Francisco neurosurgeon Dr. Jeff Manley criticizes this approach as overly simplistic, noting that it often leads to inconsistent treatment outcomes.

"Six weeks later, they've got pounding headaches, they've got problems with their visual system. They're not sleeping well. So there's nothing mild about that." — Dr. Jeff Manley (02:50)

The new framework advocates for a more nuanced diagnostic process, incorporating blood tests, CT scans, and comprehensive patient medical histories. This nuanced approach aims to enhance the accuracy of TBI assessments, ensuring that patients receive appropriate and timely care.

Economic and Weather Updates

Stock Market Decline

On Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced a significant drop, falling by 350 points (03:10). This downturn reflects broader economic uncertainties and market volatility impacting investors nationwide.

Severe Storms and Tornadoes

Severe weather conditions have hit several states, with tornadoes reported from Illinois to Alabama. Northern Alabama bore the brunt of the storms, while Tennessee also experienced tornado-related damage. These extreme weather events have prompted emergency responses and heightened concerns among affected communities.

Concerns Over Education Support for Homeless Students

Amid efforts by the Trump administration to dissolve the U.S. Department of Education, educators are raising alarms about the potential impact on support systems for homeless students. Lee Gaines reports on the uncertainty surrounding the future of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, which provides crucial educational support, including transportation, for students lacking stable housing (03:10).

Last year, Congress allocated $129 million to fund this federal program. However, with the administration's plans still unclear, professionals like Susie Terry, who coordinates Homeless Education Services in San Diego County, express deep concern.

"I think the dismantling of the department and or the dismantling of the program, the funding for the program is probably my biggest concern right now." — Susie Terry (04:15)

The lack of a clear strategy from the Department of Education or the White House exacerbates the fears of educators striving to support vulnerable student populations.

Indianapolis 500 Hosts Unique Weenie576 Wienermobile Race

In lighter news, the iconic Indianapolis 500 auto race is set to take place this weekend. However, this Friday, the speedway will showcase a special event featuring the Weenie576—the collective name for the famed Oscar Mayer Wienermobiles competing against each other (04:33). Each Wienermobile will represent a different U.S. region, highlighting the local styles of hot dogs unique to their areas. This whimsical race adds a fun and regional flair to the traditional auto racing festivities.

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive overview of significant national and international events, ranging from high-stakes political meetings and federal policy changes to advancements in medical protocols and community concerns. By providing timely updates and in-depth reporting, NPR continues to inform listeners about the multifaceted issues shaping our world today.

Timestamps

• 00:16 – Korva Coleman on Justice Department lawsuits
• 00:54 – Kate Bartlett on South Africa-US meeting
• 01:33 – Korva Coleman on DOGE job cuts
• 01:48 – Stephen Fowler on legal challenges to DOGE
• 02:14 – Korva Coleman on new TBI framework
• 02:31 – April Demboski on medical assessment changes
• 02:50 – Dr. Jeff Manley’s insights on TBI
• 02:58 – April Demboski continues on TBI framework
• 03:10 – Korva Coleman on economic and weather updates
• 03:47 – Lee Gaines on education and homelessness
• 04:15 – Susie Terry’s concerns about education services
• 04:33 – Korva Coleman on Indianapolis Weenie576 event

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. The Justice Department has announced it's dropping lawsuits against police departments in Louisville, Kentucky and Minneapolis, Minnesota. The agency says the Biden administration imposed consent decrees on these departments that were unjustified. The Biden administration took that action after former police officers in Minnesota murdered George Floyd. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will meet President Trump for talks at the White House later today amid deteriorating ties between the countries. Kate Bartlett reports from Johannesburg. South Africa says billionaire Elon Musk will also join this meeting.

[Kate Bartlett]

D Day in D.C. was the headline in one local newspaper today. South Africans are watching anxiously as Cyril Ramaphosa meets President Trump, worried it could be a repeat of the Oval Office showdown earlier this year with Ukrainian leader Zelenskyy. Trump has repeatedly attacked South Africa, falsely accusing Ramaphosa's government of taking land from white farmers. But Ramaphosa was upbeat, speaking to reporters in Washington on Tuesday, saying the talks will focus on trade. He is also expected to speak to Trump's South African born advisor, Elon Musk about bringing his Starlink satellite service to the country. For NPR News, I'm Kate Bartlett in Johannesburg.

[Korva Coleman]

President Trump's cost cutting entity, Doge, has slashed tens of thousands of federal jobs at agencies. NPR's Stephen Fowler reports. A new analysis by NPR shows Doge has recently sought cuts in at least 40 agencies and groups.

[Stephen Fowler]

There are more than a dozen lawsuits that have been filed related to DOGE efforts at these small organizations that say it's not legal. By and large, these are places that have been created by Congress, many of them nonprofits. And nearly all of them do have their funding and functions spelled out by law, and some of those cases explicitly limiting the president's power to interact with them. That means President Trump can't always go in and fire people and make changes on his own.

[Korva Coleman]

NPR's Stephen Fowler reporting. For the first time in 50 years, emergency room doctors will have a new framework to assess people with head injuries. From member station kqed, April Demboski reports on the system outlined in the journal Lancet Neurology.

[April Demboski]

Current Assessment of Traumatic Brain Injury filters patients into three mild, moderate or severe. UC San Francisco neurosurgeon Jeff Manley says that's way too vague. He's seen severe patients taken off life support who could have recovered and and mild patients sent home with nothing.

[Jeff Manley]

Six weeks later, they've got pounding headaches, they've got problems with their visual system. They're not sleeping well. So there's nothing mild about that.

[April Demboski]

The new framework recommends using blood tests, CT scans and patient medical history to make diagnosis more detailed and precise. For NPR News, I'm April Demboski in San Francisco.

[Korva Coleman]

On Wall street, the Dow Jones industrials are down 350 points. It's NPR. Severe storms rolled through several states yesterday, and tornadoes were reported from Illinois to Alabama. Reports from northern Alabama say the storms were heaviest in that part of the state. Another reported tornado caused damage in Tennessee. Educators in the US Are expressing concern for students who are homeless. President Trump is working to close the US Department of Education. Lee Gaines reports. The agency has not said what will happen to its efforts to help these students.

[Lee Gaines]

The McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance act ensures extra educational support, like transportation to school for eligible students who don't have stable housing. Last year, Congress set aside $129 million for the federal program, which the Education Department oversees. But the Trump administration hasn't shared any plans for what will happen to the resource.

[Susie Terry]

All of it keeps me up at night.

[Lee Gaines]

Susie Terry coordinates Homeless Education Services in San Diego County.

[Susie Terry]

I think the dismantling of the department and or the dismantling of the program, the funding for the program is probably my biggest concern right now.

[Lee Gaines]

Neither the department nor the White house responded to NPR's request for comment. For NPR News, I'm Lee Gaines.

[Korva Coleman]

The iconic Indianapolis 500 auto race is this weekend, but this Friday, the speedway says it is hosting the Weenie576 of the famous Oscar Mayer Wienermobiles will race each other. Each wiener mobile will be designed to represent a different region of the U.S. based on their local style of hot dog. It's NPR.

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