NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of May 25, 2025, 7 PM EDT Episode

Release Date: May 25, 2025

1. Senate Set to Review President Trump's Tax Cut and Spending Bill

Reporter: Jeanine Herbst

The U.S. Senate is poised to deliberate on President Donald Trump's significant tax reduction and spending legislation. This bill narrowly passed the House of Representatives last week by a single vote and is returning from the Memorial Day recess for further consideration.

• House Speaker Mike Johnson has cautioned the Senate against making alterations to the bill. Despite this, Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed confidence in the Senate's ability to shape the legislation independently. At [00:40], Thune stated, “I think the Senate is going to get there. I hope they're going to get there. I think they're going to have changes. Some will be minor and some will be, you know, fairly significant. But we've been working with the House all the way up.”

• President Trump has indicated his approval of the Senate's potential modifications, affirming alignment with the legislative process.

The proposed bill encompasses $3.8 trillion in tax cuts primarily benefiting the wealthy and envisions over $3 trillion in spending reductions, targeting social safety net programs. The narrow House passage underscores the contentious nature of the legislation, hinting at possible extensive negotiations in the Senate.

2. Commemorating Five Years Since George Floyd’s Death

Reporters: Jeanine Herbst and Matt Sepik

Today marks the fifth anniversary of George Floyd's tragic death in Minneapolis, a pivotal event that ignited a nationwide movement for racial justice. Communities are honoring Floyd and the broader racial justice movement through various events at George Floyd Square, the very intersection where the incident occurred.

• Matt Sepik of Minnesota Public Radio reported from the site: “The intersection where George Floyd was killed in 2020 soon became a gathering place for racial justice demonstrations and remains the site of a memorial.” [01:24]

Events include a religious service, gospel concert, and a candlelight vigil, serving as both remembrance and a call to continue the fight for equality.

Floyd's death resulted in court-ordered oversight of the Minneapolis Police Department. However, the Trump administration recently attempted to undermine this oversight by obstructing the establishment of a federal court-monitored consent decree, further intensifying debates around police reform.

3. North Korea Detains Shipyard Officials After Failed Navy Destroyer Launch

Reporter: Jeanine Herbst

In a significant development, North Korean authorities have detained three shipyard officials, including the chief engineer, following a disastrous launch of a newly constructed 5,000-ton Navy destroyer last week. State media reports indicate that satellite images reveal the ship was left on its side with parts submerged, highlighting the severity of the failure.

• Leader Kim Jong Un condemned the incident, attributing it to "criminal negligence" and vowed strict punishment for those responsible [02:02].

This incident underscores the ongoing challenges within North Korea's military-industrial complex and signals potential internal tensions as the regime seeks to maintain its naval capabilities amidst international scrutiny.

4. Reopening of Malibu’s Pacific Coast Highway Amid Rebuilding Efforts

Reporters: Jeanine Herbst and Liz Baker

After being closed since January due to the devastating Palisades Fire, a section of the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) in Malibu has reopened to the public. This reopening coincides with the holiday weekend, bringing a mix of hope and skepticism to the local community.

• Stephen McNellis, General Manager of Malibu Country Mart, observed increased traffic: “It was pretty devastating. It’s just been kind of a ghost town.” [02:37-02:46]

Despite the surge in visitors, Frank Miller, a fashion sneaker store employee, remains doubtful about the immediate benefits for local businesses: “A lot of that traffic is going to be people just taking in the terrible devastation. And it’s gonna be like a parking lot, probably for a little bit.” [02:58-03:04]

Liz Baker of NPR signs off from Malibu, highlighting that while the reopening may offer a temporary influx of visitors, the extensive rebuilding required post-fire cannot be accomplished overnight [03:12-03:04].

5. Texas House Advances Ten Commandments Display Bill in Public Schools

Reporter: Jeanine Herbst

In Texas, the House has successfully navigated a key legislative hurdle for a bill mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms, mirroring similar initiatives in Louisiana and Arkansas. This advancement follows a week of intense debates and strategic delays initiated by Democrats seeking to introduce amendments.

However, the legislation lacks explicit enforcement mechanisms. It remains uncertain what repercussions, if any, schools or individual teachers might face should they refuse compliance. Although the state Senate approved its version of the bill in March, it must now consider the House's iteration. The timeline for the Senate's vote remains unclear.

This development continues to fuel debates over the separation of church and state, educational policy, and the role of religious symbols in public institutions.

6. National Memorial Day Concert to Feature Gary Sinise and Isai Morales

Reporter: Elizabeth Blair

This year's National Memorial Day Concert is set to premiere live from the U.S. Capitol, co-hosted by acclaimed actors Gary Sinise and Isai Morales. Scheduled for an 8 PM Eastern broadcast on PBS, the event will pay special tribute to World War II veterans and the Vietnam War medical evacuation units, known as "dustoff" crews.

• Gary Sinise, who has been a long-time advocate for veterans, will honor his late son, Max Sinise, a composer who passed away from cancer last year. The concert will feature the National Symphony Orchestra performing one of Max's patriotic compositions, adding a personal and poignant element to the festivities [04:18-04:21].

Musical performances will include renowned gospel singer Yolanda Adams and country artist and veteran Scotty Hastings, ensuring a blend of heartfelt tributes and uplifting melodies. Additionally, the concert will be accessible via live streams on both PBS and YouTube, broadening its reach to honor and remember those who have served [04:04-04:21].

7. Wall Street Closure and Memorial Day Trading Schedule

Reporter: Jeanine Herbst

In observance of Memorial Day, Wall Street will remain closed tomorrow, resulting in a shortened trading week. Markets are scheduled to reopen on Tuesday, allowing traders and investors to honor the significance of the holiday while maintaining fiscal operations.

Notable Quotes:

• John Thune on Senate's role: “I think the Senate is going to get there. I hope they're going to get there. I think they're going to have changes. Some will be minor and some will be, you know, fairly significant. But we've been working with the House all the way up.” [00:40]

• Frank Miller expressing skepticism: “A lot of that traffic is going to be people just taking in the terrible devastation. And it’s gonna be like a parking lot, probably for a little bit.” [02:58-03:04]

This episode of NPR News Now provided a concise yet comprehensive overview of pivotal national and international events, ranging from legislative developments and social justice commemorations to significant international incidents and local community recoveries. Through insightful reporting and notable quotations, listeners gained a nuanced understanding of the current socio-political landscape.