NPR News Now: May 21, 2025, 5 PM EDT

Justice Department Shifts Strategy on Civil Rights Cases Against Police Departments

Timestamp: [00:18]

In a significant policy shift, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is withdrawing from pursuing civil rights lawsuits against the police departments of Minneapolis and Louisville, Kentucky. This decision arrives just days before the fifth anniversary of George Floyd's tragic death in Minneapolis.

Ryan Lucas, NPR’s reporter, explains that Harmeet Dhillon, head of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, emphasized that the move is unrelated to the anniversary. Instead, Dhillon cited "looming court deadlines" as the primary reason for dismissing the lawsuits (00:35). The DOJ is also closing investigations into six other police departments across the nation, including those in Phoenix, Trenton, Memphis, and Oklahoma City. Dhillon criticized consent decrees as being "too expensive, last too long and have been badly used" (00:35).

President Trump's Tax and Spending Cuts Package Faces Uncertainty

Timestamp: [01:14]

President Donald Trump's ambitious tax and spending reform, dubbed the "big, beautiful package," remains precarious despite late-night legislative sessions. House Speaker Mike Johnson, along with Republican holdouts, traveled to the White House in a last-ditch effort to salvage the over 1,000-page bill. However, Democrats have secured enough votes to block the measure.

Some conservative Republicans argue that the package is insufficient, highlighting concerns that it could exacerbate the federal deficit by "upwards of 3.8 trillion" (01:14). The uncertainty surrounding the bill continues to stir political tensions within the GOP and affects broader legislative agendas.

Netanyahu Commits to Full Israeli Control of Gaza Amid Global Criticism

Timestamp: [01:53]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the Israeli military has no intention of withdrawing from Gaza, stating plans to "fully occupy" the region. Speaking at a press conference, Netanyahu instructed his defense minister to "open another phase of the war in Gaza," aiming for complete security control over the Gaza Strip by the operation's end (01:53).

He dismissed international criticism from the United Kingdom and other European nations, labeling their condemnation as "abhorrent" and asserting that images of suffering children in Gaza are "false propaganda." Netanyahu also reaffirmed his stance against the establishment of a Palestinian state (01:53).

Push for Criminal Investigation into Former Governor Andrew Cuomo

Timestamp: [02:29]

Representative James Comer has publicly called for the DOJ to initiate a criminal investigation into former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. Comer, who chairs the House Oversight Committee, accused Cuomo of deceiving the public about the death toll in New York nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. He alleges that Cuomo "lied about the number of people who had died" under his administration’s oversight (02:29).

Cuomo, who is currently campaigning for the mayoralty of New York City, faces mounting pressure as Comer seeks accountability for his actions during the pandemic.

Stock Markets Experience Significant Decline Amid Economic Concerns

Timestamp: [02:29]

Financial markets took a steep downturn as bond market jitters, fueled by the absence of a federal budget deal, continued to unsettle investors. The Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted over 800 points, while other major indexes also saw declines of around 1%.

Economic uncertainties persist, with retailers like Target, TJ Maxx, and Lowe's reporting their quarterly earnings amidst fears of inflation and a potential recession. These factors are contributing to reduced consumer spending and heightened volatility in the stock market (02:29).

Evolutionary Biology: The Ancient Origins of Tooth Sensation

Timestamp: [03:46]

In a fascinating exploration of human biology, evolutionary biologist Yara Haridi from the University of Chicago reveals that the sensation of pain in our teeth can be traced back to ancient fish. Haridi explains that our teeth evolved from the "bumpy, armored exoskeletons of prehistoric fish" (03:46).

Further research indicates that these ancient armor structures provided not only defense but also sensory capabilities, allowing fish to "sense the water around them" (04:00). This evolutionary trait has been inherited by human teeth, granting us the ability to detect cold and pain (04:22).

NASA’s Perseverance Rover Captures Stunning Martian Dust Devil

Timestamp: [04:32]

NASA's Perseverance rover continues to deliver groundbreaking scientific discoveries from the Martian surface. In its latest update, the rover captured a mesmerizing image of a dust devil—a swirling dust storm—evolving just miles behind its current location. This "selfie" showcases the dynamic weather patterns on Mars and provides valuable data for ongoing research (04:32).

Notable Quotes

• Harmeet Dhillon, Head of DOJ’s Civil Rights Division: "Consent decrees are too expensive, last too long and have been badly used." (00:35)

• Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister: "By the end of this operation, the entire Gaza Strip will be under Israeli security control." (01:53)

• Representative James Comer: "I accuse Cuomo of lying about the number of people who had died in New York nursing homes under his watch." (02:29)

• Yara Haridi, Evolutionary Biologist: "Our teeth, which originated from that armor, have inherited the ability to sense cold and pain as well." (04:22)

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now provided a comprehensive overview of pressing national and international issues, including shifts in DOJ policies on police oversight, the precarious future of Trump’s legislative agenda, escalating tensions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, political investigations into former officials, significant movements in the financial markets, intriguing insights into human biology, and the latest achievements of NASA’s Perseverance rover on Mars. Each segment offered critical information and expert perspectives, ensuring listeners remain informed on key developments shaping our world.