NPR News Now – May 23, 2025, 8 PM EDT
NPR's latest five-minute news roundup covers significant developments in U.S. politics, public health, international relations, and economic updates. Below is a detailed summary of the key topics discussed in the episode titled "NPR News: 05-22-2025 8PM EDT."
Supreme Court Limits Presidential Authority to Fire Independent Agency Heads
Host: Jack Speer
Timestamp: [00:17]
In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of the Trump administration's emergency request to allow the president to dismiss the heads of two independent agencies: the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and the Merit Systems Protection Board. This decision marks a significant shift from longstanding judicial precedent.
Nita Totenberg elaborated on the implications:
"It all but outright reverses the unanimous decision of the court 90 years ago, holding that a president then it was FDR, cannot fire agency leaders just because they disagree with those agency leaders' views and because these are agencies created by Congress to be bipartisan and independent."
[00:42]
This ruling challenges the 1935 court decision that limited presidential powers, emphasizing the agencies' role in maintaining bipartisan and independent oversight.
Senate Republicans Face Challenges with Tax and Spending Package
Host: Jack Speer
Timestamp: [01:06]
The Senate Republicans are grappling with advancing a substantial tax and spending bill crucial to President Trump's domestic agenda. The package, which narrowly passed the House by a single Republican vote, includes provisions to extend tax cuts, overhaul immigration policies, and potentially cut Medicaid coverage for millions.
Claudia Grosales provided insights into the Senate's predicament:
"Senate Republicans are already sharing plenty of skepticism about the House-approved plan key to President Trump's domestic agenda... Fiscal hawks blanch at adding $3 trillion in deficit spending, while moderate Republicans say cuts to Medicaid are a red line."
[01:28]
Key Points:
- Deficit Concerns: Fiscal conservatives oppose the additional $3 trillion in deficit spending.
- Medicaid Cuts: Moderate Republicans are unwilling to support substantial reductions in Medicaid.
- Leadership Challenge: Senate Majority Leader John Thune must balance these internal disagreements while addressing President Trump's demands.
- Timeline: The GOP aims to finalize the bill and present it to Trump by summer, incorporating a provision to raise the debt limit before a critical deadline.
FDA Advises New COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy Targeting JN1 Variant
Host: Jack Speer
Timestamp: [02:16]
A panel of independent FDA advisors has unanimously recommended that next fall's COVID-19 booster shots target the JN1 variant, reflecting the latest developments in the virus's evolution.
Nina Totenberg reported:
"After a day-long meeting, the FDA advisors unanimously recommended next fall's COVID-19 boosters target a version of the JN1 variant... The recommendation comes after the FDA announced a new approach for the COVID vaccines."
[02:25]
Rob Stein added that this new strategy would likely prioritize vaccine availability for high-risk groups, including individuals aged 65 and older and those with underlying health conditions that increase vulnerability to severe COVID-19 complications.
Israel Opens Land Crossing into Gaza Amidst Humanitarian Concerns
Host: Jack Speer
Timestamp: [03:04]
Israel has initiated the opening of a single land crossing into Gaza, permitting nearly 200 aid trucks to enter. However, the United Nations reports that only about half of these trucks have been collected, raising alarms about the adequacy of the aid reaching the region.
Anas Baba provided a comprehensive overview:
"The aid that has trickled into Gaza falls far short of what's needed to feed a population of 2 million people... UN experts warn that many are facing starvation and infants have been treated for malnourishment."
[03:36]
Key Details:
- Aid Contents: The trucks carried essential supplies like flour and baby food.
- Operational Limitations: Only a few bakeries in southern and central Gaza are currently operational, insufficient to meet the population's needs.
- Israel's Stance: The country is allowing only a minimal amount of food to mitigate hunger pressures while continuing its military operations against Hamas.
- International Response: European allies of Israel are increasingly urging an end to the conflict and the full lifting of the blockade to prevent a humanitarian crisis.
US Mint to Cease Production of Pennies, Saving Millions
Host: Jack Speer
Timestamp: [04:23]
The U.S. Mint announced it has placed the final order for penny blanks, signaling the end of penny production slated for February next year. This decision follows President Trump's directive to halt the production of the $0.01 coin.
"The holding production of the penny is expected to save about $56 million."
[04:23]
Additional Economic Updates:
- Circulation: Approximately 1.14 billion pennies remain in circulation, with many stored away in personal collections.
- Oil Prices: Crude oil futures saw a decline, dropping by 37 cents per barrel to settle at $61.20 in New York trading.
Market Brief
Host: Jack Speer
Summary:
- Dow Jones Industrial Average: Slight decrease by 1 point.
- Nasdaq Composite: Increased by 53 points.
- S&P 500: Reduced by 2 points.
Note: Advertisements and non-content segments have been excluded from this summary to focus solely on the newsworthy information presented in the episode.