NPR News: 05-22-2025 7PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: May 22, 2025, 7 PM EDT – Comprehensive Episode Summary

On the May 22, 2025, episode of NPR News Now, listeners were presented with a variety of significant national and economic news stories, ranging from higher education policy changes to tragic incidents and market updates. This summary encapsulates the key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions drawn during the episode, providing a coherent overview for those who did not tune in.

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Harvard's International Student Enrollment Revoked

The episode opened with a startling development in higher education policy. Jack Spear reported from Washington at [00:18], highlighting that the Trump administration has taken decisive action against Harvard University by revoking its ability to enroll international students. This move was formalized through a letter from the Department of Homeland Security, signed by Secretary Kristi Noem at [00:32].

Alyssa Nadworney provided further details, explaining that the termination of Harvard's student exchange certification not only halts the admission of new international students but also disrupts the status of nearly 7,000 currently enrolled international students, constituting about a quarter of Harvard's student body. Nadworney emphasized the broader impact by noting, "More than a million international students study at U.S. colleges and universities, contributing more than $43 billion to the U.S. economy."

Secretary Noem justified the administration's action by accusing Harvard of fostering violence, anti-Semitism, and collaborating with the Chinese Communist Party. In response, Harvard has declared the government's actions unlawful, setting the stage for potential legal confrontations. This policy shift underscores the administration's broader stance on immigration and educational institutions' roles in societal issues.

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Tragic Shooting in Washington, D.C. Impacts Kansas Community

A tragic event unfolded in Washington, D.C., as Jack Spear reported at [01:11] on a fatal shooting that claimed the lives of Sarah Milgram and Yaron Lisciski outside the Capitol Jewish Museum. Salisa Kalakkal from Kansas City provided a poignant narrative at [01:23], revealing that Sarah Milgram, 26, hailed from Prairie Village, Kansas, and was an active member of her Jewish community. The couple, who met at the Israeli embassy where they worked, were on the verge of getting engaged at the time of the incident.

Sarah's father, Robert Milgram, shared a powerful message with KCUR at [01:47], stating, "I think education is important to stopping these acts of violence," highlighting the personal and communal loss felt by their Kansas suburb. The local synagogue mourned Sarah, describing her "commitment to Judaism as deeply personal" and lauding her as a "radiant presence." This heartbreaking incident not only affects the immediate families but also resonates within the broader Jewish and local communities, emphasizing the ongoing challenges of violence and hate.

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Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Stock Surge Amid Potential IPO Plans

In economic news, Jack Spear reported at [02:06] that shares of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac surged to their highest levels since the 2008 financial crisis. This spike follows President Trump's announcement about the possibility of taking these entities public, a move that could significantly benefit major investors aligned with the administration.

NPR's Chris Arnold provided an in-depth analysis at [02:20], explaining that Fannie and Freddie are pivotal players in the U.S. mortgage market, a multi-trillion-dollar industry. Since their government bailout in 2008, they have been under the control of the Treasury Department. President Trump's potential privatization of these institutions presents a lucrative opportunity for current investors holding old stock, including prominent figures like Bill Ackman, a known Trump supporter.

Arnold cautioned that the process of taking Fannie and Freddie public is fraught with complexities. Different approaches could either wipe out existing investors or reward them with billions, depending on how the IPO is structured. Moreover, a poorly executed public offering could destabilize both the stock and bond markets, underscoring the high stakes involved in this financial maneuver.

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Archdiocese of New Orleans Settlement on Clergy Sex Abuse Faces Scrutiny

Jack Spear shifted focus to the legal and social repercussions surrounding the Archdiocese of New Orleans. At [03:04], he reported that the Archdiocese has agreed to pay nearly $180 million to survivors of clergy sex abuse. However, this settlement is met with skepticism from survivors, who argue that it falls short of true accountability.

Drew Hawkins from the Gulf State Newsroom elaborated at [03:30], revealing that survivors and their legal representatives deem the $180 million payout a "backroom deal" that is approximately $100 million short of what they seek. Additionally, the settlement reportedly includes provisions that prevent the release of abuse records, further fueling criticism. Lawyer Rick Trahant expressed deep dissatisfaction, stating, "One of our goals was to expose all of this stuff," highlighting the survivors' desire for transparency and justice beyond financial compensation.

The agreement requires approval by a two-thirds majority, which Trahant doubts will be achieved, casting uncertainty over the settlement's future. Archbishop Gregory Amand's call for healing underscores the ongoing tension between institutional resolution and the demands of abuse survivors for genuine accountability and systemic change.

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Eco-Friendly Lawn Trends Gain Popularity in New Orleans

Shifting to lifestyle and environmental trends, Jack Spear reported at [04:07] on the growing movement among New Orleans homeowners to adopt eco-friendly lawn practices. Frustrated with the constant maintenance of traditional manicured lawns, many are embracing "no mow" lawns, allowing grass and wildflowers to grow naturally.

Supporters of this trend advocate for its environmental benefits, such as reducing fertilizer use—which can contaminate rivers and streams—and creating habitats for essential insects and pollinators during spring. Brandon Griffith, a Nashville homeowner featured at [04:20], shared his enthusiasm, saying, "I'm simply sick of mowing. My flower and grass-filled front yard is now home to insects, lizards, birds, and butterflies."

This shift not only reflects a growing awareness of environmental stewardship but also signifies a cultural change towards more sustainable and wildlife-friendly residential practices. The movement highlights how individual choices in landscaping can contribute to broader ecological health and biodiversity.

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Crude Oil Prices Decline Amid OPEC Production Increase Talks

Concluding the episode, Jack Spear provided an update on the energy markets at [04:30]. Crude oil futures prices settled lower as investors digested reports that OPEC is considering a production increase for July. This potential surge in oil supply could lead to an oversupply in the global market, exerting downward pressure on prices.

Specifically, oil prices dropped by 37 cents a barrel to $61.20 a barrel. This decline reflects investor concerns about a possible oil glut, which could impact both market stability and the profitability of oil-producing entities. The anticipation of increased production underscores the delicate balance between supply and demand that governs commodity markets, with significant implications for the global economy.

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Market Performance Overview

In addition to specific sector news, Jack Spear provided a brief overview of the stock market performance, noting that [03:04]:

• The Dow ended the session slightly down by one point.
• The Nasdaq closed up, reflecting gains in the technology sector.
• The S&P 500 rose by two points, indicating a modest overall market improvement.

This mixed performance illustrates the current volatility and uncertainty in financial markets, influenced by both domestic policies and international economic factors.

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Overall, the May 22, 2025, episode of NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive roundup of pressing issues, from controversial government actions affecting higher education to tragic violence impacting local communities, significant economic developments, and evolving lifestyle trends. Each story was presented with depth and context, enriched by direct quotes and on-the-ground reporting, ensuring that listeners received a well-rounded understanding of the day's most important news.

Transcript

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[Jack Spear]

In Washington, I'm Jack Spear. The Trump administration is revoking Harvard's ability to Enroll International students. NPR's listed ad warning reports. Details were sent in a letter to the school from the Department of Homeland Security.

[Alyssa Nadworney]

The letter, signed by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, says the administration is terminating Harvard's student exchange certification. That prevents Harvard from enrolling new students and pulls the rug out from under currently enrolled international students. In a statement, Noem says the administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, anti Semitism and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party. Harvard says the government's actions are unlawful. The University has nearly 7,000 international students, roughly one fourth of the student body. More than a million international students study at U.S. colleges and universities, contributing more than $43 billion to the U.S. economy. Alyssa Nadworney, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

One of the victims of a fatal shooting in Washington, D.C. last night grew up in a Kansas suburb and was an active member of her Jewish community there. Reporter Solisu Kalakkal from Kansas City has more.

[Salisa Kalakkal]

Police say a gunman shot and killed Sarah Milgram and Yaron Lisciski outside the Capitol Jewish Museum. The couple met at work at the Israeli embassy and they were on verge of getting engaged. Milgram, who was 26, grew up in Prairie Village, Kansas. Her father, Robert Milgram, told KCUR he thinks education is important to stopping these acts of violence.

[NPR Sponsor]

Many different people living in the US there's no reason to hate one another. This hate cannot divide us. We need to overcome it.

[Salisa Kalakkal]

The temple where Sarah worshiped said in a statement that her commitment to Judaism was deeply personal and described her as a radiant presence. For NPR News, I'm Salisa Kalakkal. In Kansas.

[Jack Spear]

Shares of the mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac hit their highest levels since 2008. That's after President Trump posted he may take them public. As NPR's Chris Arnold reports, that could make a lot of money for some big investors who are allies of the president.

[Chris Arnold]

Fannie and Freddie are the most powerful forces in the multi trillion dollar US Mortgage market and they've been prisoners of the Treasury Department ever since their bad investments forced a government bailout during the 2008 crash. So President Trump is basically talking about letting Fannie and Freddie. But a former official tells NPR that there's a way to do that where investors that hold the old Fannie and Freddie stock get wiped out, and another way to do it where those investors would make billions. The biggest holder of that old stock is reported to be Bill Ackman, a backer of President Trump. Taking Fannie and Freddie public would also be complicated, and if done wrong, it could cause turmoil in the stock and bond markets. Chris Arnold, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

On Wall street, stocks ended the session on a mixed note. The Dow was down a point. The Nasdaq closed up. The S&P 500 rose two points. You're listening to NPR. The Archdiocese of New Orleans has agreed to pay nearly $180 million to survivors of clergy sex abuse. But survivors say it averts accountability. And as the Gulf State Newsroom's Drew Hawkins reports, the deal may not go through.

[Drew Hawkins]

Lawyers representing a group of survivors of clergy sexual abuse call the proposed settlement a backroom deal and say it falls short by about $100 million. They say the also prevents records of the abuse from being released.

[Jack Spear]

One of our goals was to expose all of this stuff.

[Drew Hawkins]

Rick Trahant is a lawyer representing a group of survivors. Hundreds took part in a suit filed in 2020. The agreement has to be approved by two thirds. Trehantz says that is unlikely. In a statement, New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Amand called for healing for survivors. For NPR News, I'm Drew Hawkins.

[Jack Spear]

In New Orleans, homeowners sick of maintaining their immaculately manicured lawns are finding creative ways to forth alternatives. Themes like no mow may let it bloom June or leave the leaves. Supporters of the trend say it cuts down on the use of fertilizer and can often find its way into rivers and streams, along with providing a habitat for insects and pollinators during the crucial spring months. In Nashville, one homeowner who tried the trend says he was simply sick of mowing. Brandon Griffith says his flower and grass filled front yard is home to insects, lizards, birds and butterflies. Crude oil futures prices settled lower today as investors weigh to report OPEC is discussing a production increase for July, something that could lead to a glut of oil on markets. Oil dropped 37 cents a barrel to $61.20 a barrel. In New York, I'm Jack Spier, NPR News.

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