NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of May 23, 2025 Episode

Published on May 23, 2025

Commemoration of Israeli Embassy Staffers

At the outset of the episode, host Shae Stevens reports on a somber vigil held outside the Capitol Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., honoring two Israeli embassy staffers tragically killed the previous day. The victims, 30-year-old Yaron Leschinsky and 26-year-old Sarah Milgram, were not only colleagues but also a couple on the brink of engagement. Their loss has deeply affected the community and raised concerns about diplomatic security.

The suspected assailant, Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, faces two counts of first-degree murder. Authorities have disclosed that Rodriguez shouted "Free Palestine" after his arrest, hinting at possible political or ideological motivations behind the attack. This incident underscores the escalating tensions and the vulnerabilities faced by diplomatic missions in volatile environments.

Legal Challenge to Trump Administration's Data Requests

Transitioning to domestic policy, NPR's Jude Joppe Block delves into a significant legal battle challenging the Trump administration's directive mandating that states share personal information of millions receiving food assistance. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has instructed states to provide sensitive data—including names, birth dates, Social Security numbers, and addresses—of individuals who have applied for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) since 2020.

Attorney Madeline Wiseman from the National Student Legal Defense Network criticizes the administration, stating, "This case is part of a pattern that we're seeing from the Trump administration of agencies reaching out and grabbing the personal data of Americans." (Timestamp: 01:26)

The lawsuit argues that the USDA failed to adhere to federal privacy laws in collecting this data, raising alarms about potential misuse for immigration enforcement purposes. Despite these concerns, the USDA has previously assured NPR that the data collection complies with existing privacy regulations, although they declined to comment further on the ongoing lawsuit.

Blockage of Department of Education Shutdown Executive Order

In a pivotal development concerning federal education policy, Shae Stevens reports that a federal judge in Boston has temporarily blocked an executive order aimed at shutting down the Department of Education. This injunction was sought by two Massachusetts school districts, the American Federation of Teachers, and 21 state attorneys general, signaling widespread opposition to the administration's plan.

NPR's esteemed legal correspondent, Nina Totenberg, provides an in-depth analysis: "The decision is technically temporary, but its tone is pretty final, allowing President Trump broad leeway to fire key independent and agency leaders at will. What's more, it all but outright reverses the Supreme Court's unanimous decision 90 years ago, holding that a president cannot fire agency leaders just because he disagrees with them." (Timestamp: 02:18)

Totenberg further explains that the Supreme Court has granted President Trump the authority to dismiss key federal agency leaders, a move that contradicts longstanding legal precedents established nearly a century ago. This shift could have profound implications for the balance of power between the executive branch and federal agencies.

Supreme Court Deadlock on Funding Religious Charter Schools

The episode also covers a significant Supreme Court decision that has left a critical issue unresolved. The Court reached a 4-4 deadlock on whether taxpayer money can be used to fund religious charter schools, effectively preventing the state of Oklahoma from allocating public funds to such institutions. This ruling follows the Oklahoma Supreme Court's earlier determination that the proposal was unconstitutional, emphasizing the ongoing debate over the separation of church and state in educational funding.

Penn State University Announces Campus Closures

In higher education news, Shae Stevens reports that the board of trustees at Penn State University has voted to close seven of its nineteen campuses by the end of the spring semester 2025. This drastic measure responds to a significant decline in enrollment, a trend that has plagued many public universities in recent years.

NPR's Janet Ujung Leib provides additional context, highlighting statements from Penn State University President Neeli Bendapudi: "At their meeting, Penn State University President Neeli Bendapudi urged the board of trustees to reimagine the Penn State ecosystem. Many are understandably hoping for a way to have it all, but honestly, the numbers tell a different story. Maintaining the status quo is not sustainable." (Timestamp: 03:39)

Bendapudi attributes the financial difficulties to an "enrollment cliff," characterized by fewer high school graduates pursuing higher education. The administration is committed to reallocating resources to support students across the remaining campuses and programs, marking this closure as the first step toward achieving long-term sustainability.

Conviction of Flight Stowaway

In a startling incident, the episode covers the case of 57-year-old Svetlana Dali from Russia, who successfully boarded a flight from New York to Paris without proper authorization. After slipping past security at JFK Airport five months ago, Dali was recently convicted on stowaway charges and faces six months in prison.

During her trial, Dali claimed, "No one asked for my boarding pass when I walked onto the plane." Prosecutors, however, contend that she was initially stopped by security but later joined a special security lane designated for flight crew members, raising questions about potential lapses in airport security protocols. This case highlights ongoing challenges in preventing unauthorized access to commercial flights.

Financial Markets Snapshot

The episode concludes with a brief overview of the financial markets: US futures remained flat in after-hours trading on Wall Street, while Asia Pacific markets showed mixed performance. This segment offers listeners a quick glance at the current state of global financial markets, reflecting the uncertain economic landscape.

Note: Advertisements and non-content segments from the episode have been excluded to focus solely on the substantive news topics discussed.