NPR News: 05-22-2025 5PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: May 22, 2025, 5 PM EDT

Hosted by: Jack Spear
Release Date: May 22, 2025

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1. Supreme Court Blocks Establishment of Oklahoma’s First Religious Charter School

The Supreme Court has effectively prevented the creation of the United States' first religious charter school, maintaining the Oklahoma court's stance that such an institution would breach the separation of church and state.

Key Details:

• Court Ruling: The Supreme Court's deadlock leaves the Oklahoma Supreme Court's decision intact, keeping the Saint Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School closed.
• Legal Implications: The absence of a Supreme Court precedent allows for future cases to be brought before the highest court.
• Political Response:
  • Republican Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond hailed the Supreme Court's decision as a "positive for Oklahomans" (00:43).
  • Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself from the case without providing a reason, although she has connections to attorneys representing St. Isidore (01:16).

“The Supreme Court's deadlock means that Oklahoma's Saint Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School is still not allowed to open for now.”
— Zach Boblitt, NPR News (00:43)

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2. Supreme Court Grants Trump Administration’s Emergency Request on Regulatory Agencies

In a significant move, the Supreme Court approved the Trump administration's urgent request allowing President Trump to dismiss the heads of two independent agencies: the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB).

Key Developments:

• Legislation Passage: President Trump's expansive spending and tax cut package, dubbed the "big beautiful bill," narrowly passed the House by a single vote, solely with Republican support.
• House Speaker Mike Johnson’s Critique:

  “House Democrats voted against all of that. So everything that I just said, they voted the opposite. Clearly proves they actually they must want the largest tax increase in U.S. history on the American citizens… they must want Medicaid for illegal immigrants.”
  — Mike Johnson (01:53)

• Bill Provisions:
  • Funding for border security
  • Enhancements to the state and local tax deduction
  • Acceleration of work requirements for Medicaid
• Next Steps: The bill advances to the Senate for further consideration.
• Controversy Surrounding Trump’s Dinner: President Trump is set to host an exclusive dinner for top investors in his meme coin at his Washington, D.C. golf club. Critics, including ethics advisor Norm Eisen, express concerns about potential conflicts of interest and foreign influence.

“Foreigners and foreign governments are going to take advantage of that situation to put money in expecting things in return.”
— Norm Eisen, former ethics advisor to President Barack Obama (02:54)

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3. Strategic Shift: UK’s Sovereignty Transfer Over the Chagos Islands

The British government has finalized a deal to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, marking a significant moment as it relinquishes control over what is considered Britain's last colony.

Key Points:

• Geographical and Strategic Importance:
  • The Chagos Islands, located in the Indian Ocean, are home to Diego Garcia, a critical joint US-UK military base.
  • British Prime Minister Keir Starmer highlighted the base’s role in anti-terrorism efforts and its strategic value for military operations (04:17).
• Deal Specifics:
  • All islands except Diego Garcia are handed over to Mauritius.
  • Diego Garcia will remain under British and American control for 99 years.
• Historical Context: The islands were separated from Mauritius in 1965 during British colonial rule and later purchased by Britain for $4 million.

“Much of what the military base was used for is secret, but the strategic location of this base is of the utmost significance to Britain.”
— Scott Newman, NPR News (04:13)

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4. U.S. Legislative Updates: California’s Emission Standards Rollback

The U.S. Senate has moved to overturn California's pioneering regulation that bans the sale of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035. This resolution seeks to dismantle several emission control measures imposed on medium and heavy-duty vehicles.

Highlights:

• Legislative Progress:
  • The Senate passed a resolution to repeal California's vehicle emissions standards.
  • The initiative includes nullifying rules that limit tailpipe emissions and reduce nitrogen oxide pollution from trucks.
• House Approval: All three proposed changes had previously secured approval in the House.

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5. Market Movements and Economic Indicators

• Stock Market Performance:
  • The Dow Jones industrial average slightly declined by one point.
  • The Nasdaq Composite experienced a modest increase, rising by 53 points.
• Crude Oil Prices:
  • Oil prices decreased by 37 cents, settling at $61.20 per barrel.

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6. Additional Segment: Interview Snapshot

Ann Marie Baldonado shared insights from her conversation with actor Cole Escola about the Broadway play "O Mary," where Escola portrays Mary Todd Lincoln, an unconventional character balancing alcoholism and aspirations of cabaret performance. The full interview is available on the FRESH AIR podcast.

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Timestamps Reference

• 00:43 - Supreme Court blocks Oklahoma's religious charter school
• 01:16 - Justice Barrett's recusal
• 01:53 - Mike Johnson's remarks on the House bill
• 02:54 - Norm Eisen's critique on Trump's dinner
• 04:13 - Scott Newman on Diego Garcia's significance
• 04:17 - Keir Starmer on the military base

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Timestamp Anchors

<a id="timestamp-0043"></a> 00:43
<a id="timestamp-0116"></a> 01:16
<a id="timestamp-0153"></a> 01:53
<a id="timestamp-0254"></a> 02:54
<a id="timestamp-0413"></a> 04:13
<a id="timestamp-0417"></a> 04:17

Transcript

[Ann Marie Baldonado]

This is FRESH AIR contributor Ann Marie Baldonado. I talked with actor Cole Escola about their hit Broadway play, O Mary. Cole plays an unhinged alcoholic Mary Todd Lincoln who's an aspiring cabaret performer. If that makes no sense, that's part of the point. You can find my interview on the FRESH AIR podcast.

[Jack Spear]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Jack Spear. The Supreme Court has effectively blocked the creat of the country's first ever religious charter school. Zach Boblet of member station KWGS reports. It leaves in place an Oklahoma court's finding that such a school would violate separation of church and state.

[Zach Boblitt]

The Supreme Court's deadlock means that Oklahoma's Saint Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School is still not allowed to open for now. The ruling also means another case can be brought to the court as no legal precedent has been set. Republican Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond says the Supreme Court's lack of decision is a positive for oklahomans.

[Jack Spear]

The Supreme Court's 44 vote is an affirmation of the Oklahoma Supreme Court's finding that in at least Oklahoma, the rule of law continues to rule.

[Zach Boblitt]

Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself from the case without explanation. She does have ties to attorneys representing St. Isidore. For NPR News, I'm Zach Boblitt in Tulsa.

[Jack Spear]

And this just in. The Supreme Court has granted the Trump administration's emergency request to let him fire the heads of two independent the National Labor Relations Board and the Merit Systems Protection Board. President Trump's self described big beautiful bill squeaked through the House earlier today. The package of new spending and tax cuts passed by a single vote as House Speaker Mike Johnson managed to corral his fellow Republicans with no support from Democrats, whom he chastised after the vote.

[Mike Johnson]

House Democrats voted against all of that. So everything that I just said, they voted the opposite. Clearly proves they actually they must want the largest tax increase in U.S. history on the American citizens. They must want open borders. They've proven that over and over. They must they want must want Medicaid for illegal immigrants.

[Jack Spear]

More than thousand page bill includes funding for border security and other administration priorities. Among the last minute changes to the legislation boosting the state and local tax deduction and speeding up work requirements for Medicaid measure. Next heads to the Senate. President Trump is hosting an exclusive dinner tonight at his Washington, D.C. area golf club. Attendees are top investors in Trump's meme coin and purist Scott Newman reports companies.

[Scott Newman]

Tied to President Trump own about 80% of his meme coins. But on the guest list for this dinner are the next 220 top investors. An elite group at the very top will also get a private tour of the White House conducted by the president himself. Norm Eisen was an ethics advisor to President Barack Obama.

[Jack Spear]

Foreigners and foreign governments are going to take advantage of that situation to put money in expecting things in return.

[Scott Newman]

The White House says the president is working to secure good deals for all Americans, not for himself. Scott Newman, NPR News, Washington.

[Jack Spear]

Stocks close on a mixed note today. The Dow was down a point. The Nasdaq was up 53 points. You're listening to NPR. The British government has signed a deal to give up sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, an Indian Ocean archipelago south of South Africa that has been called Britain's last colony. The islands are home to one of the most important U.S. military bases in the world. St. Peter Satna Al Khasab reports.

[Fatima Al Kassab]

The Chagos Islands were separated from Mauritius in 1965 when Mauritius was still a British colony. Britain then bought the islands for $4 million, a thousand miles away from any mainland. They include the island of Diego Garcia, home to a joint US UK Military base. Under this deal, all of the other islands are being handed over to Mauritius, but Diego Garcia will stay in British American hands for 99 years. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said much of what the military base was used for is secret, but the strategic location.

[Scott Newman]

Of this base is of the utmost significance to Britain.

[Fatima Al Kassab]

Starmer said the base was important for defeating terrorists and reducing risks to British and US Servicemen and women. Fatima Al Kassab, NPR News, London.

[Jack Spear]

The Senate has moved to block California's proposed first in a nation rule banning the sale of new gas powered vehicles by 2035. Lawmakers today passed a resolution to roll back the state's vehicle emissions standards, including a rule that limits tailpipe emissions from medium and heavy duty vehicles, a fuel. The third measure would overturn rules on the emissions of smog forming nitrogen oxide pollution from trucks. All three changes were previously approved by the House. Crude oil futures prices settled lower today. Oil down 37 cents a barrel to 61, 20 a barrel. In New York, I'm Jack Speier, NPR News, in Washington. Listen to this podcast sponsor free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR news [e-mail] that's plus.NPR.