NPR News: 05-25-2025 8AM EDT

Summary

Commemorating George Floyd: Minneapolis Marks Five Years

In Minneapolis, a series of events are taking place to honor the memory of George Floyd and the broader racial justice movement ignited by his tragic death five years ago. Giles Snyder reported from George Floyd Square, the intersection where Floyd was killed, highlighting the significance of the location as a hub for remembrance and activism.

Matt Sepic of Minnesota Public Radio detailed the weekend's activities, which include a religious service, a gospel concert, and a candlelight vigil. These gatherings aim to pay tribute to Floyd and reflect on the ongoing struggles for racial equality. The tragic incident involving Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man who died after a white policeman, Derek Chauvin, knelt on his neck and back for over nine minutes, continues to resonate deeply within the community. Chauvin is currently serving approximately 20 years in state and federal prison for his actions.

Texas Pushes for Ten Commandments in Public Schools

Giles Snyder transitioned to national news, reporting on a controversial development in Texas education policy. Andrew Schneider of Houston Public Media provided an in-depth look at the impending legislation that mandates the display of the Ten Commandments in all public school classrooms.

The bill specifically requires the King James Bible version of the Ten Commandments to be displayed, sparking significant debate. Democratic Representative John Bryant voiced strong opposition, stating, “[It] is not fair and it's not American and it's not Christian and it's not Jewish” (01:24). He argued that the bill discriminates against the nearly one-third of Texans who do not identify as Christian or Jewish.

Despite the backlash, the measure is slated for a final vote on Sunday and is anticipated to pass, with Governor Greg Abbott expected to sign it into law. Schneider noted that a similar law in Louisiana is currently on hold, pending review by the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, indicating potential legal challenges ahead.

Senate Democrats Scrutinize Health Policies Under Trump Administration

In a two-day forum, Senate Democrats engaged former officials from various health agencies to discuss the impact of policies implemented during the Trump administration. NPR's Ritu Chatterjee reported that mental health emerged as a primary focus among several lawmakers.

Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin raised concerns about recent budget cuts and proposed changes to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) (02:06). Baldwin questioned the repercussions of these adjustments, emphasizing the potential setbacks in combating overdose deaths.

Trina Dutta, the former chief of SAMHSA, responded by highlighting the adverse effects of these policy changes. She stated that shifting SAMHSA into a new, less defined agency would “push states to find other sources of funds for mental health and substance use care and could further reduce access to care” (02:14). These insights underscore the critical nature of sustained support for mental health services.

Federal Judge Blocks Mass Layoffs Amid Legal Battle

Turning to labor and legal matters, Giles Snyder reported that a federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order preventing government agencies from conducting mass layoffs. This decision comes amidst a lawsuit filed by unions, nonprofit organizations, and municipalities, who argue that President Trump lacks the authority to implement such layoffs without Congressional approval. The White House has responded by appealing the ruling, setting the stage for a prolonged legal dispute.

Russia and Ukraine Complete Final Phase of Prisoner Swap

In international news, Giles Snyder covered the completion of the final phase of a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine. After three days of negotiations, both nations exchanged a total of 1,000 prisoners each, along with 120 civilians from both sides. This exchange occurred shortly after Russia launched a second consecutive night of missile and drone attacks, highlighting the ongoing tensions and complex dynamics of the conflict.

Venezuela Heads to the Polls Amidst Political Tensions

Voters in Venezuela are casting ballots today to elect a new Congress and other officials, a move occurring amidst intense opposition calls to boycott the election. Maria Corinna Machado, a prominent opposition leader, has strongly urged citizens to abstain from voting, arguing that participating would “legitimize Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro”. This election follows the recent arrest of one of Machado's close allies, who is accused of leading a terrorist plot. The interior minister has confirmed the detention of dozens more individuals, escalating concerns about political repression and the electoral process's integrity.

North Korea Detains Shipyard Officials After Failed Navy Destroyer Launch

Giles Snyder also reported on developments from North Korea, where state media announced the detention of three shipyard officials. These detentions follow a botched launch of a Navy destroyer last week, which left the ship lying on its side with parts submerged, as revealed by satellite imagery. Leader Kim Jong Un attributed the failed launch to “criminal negligence”, further tightening the regime's grip on accountability and possibly indicating internal issues within the shipbuilding sector.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Acquires Historic Guitar Collection

In cultural news, Giles Snyder highlighted a significant addition to The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection. Neta Ulibi of NPR reported that the museum has acquired over 500 historic guitars, thanks to a generous donation from philanthropist Dirk Ziff. This collection spans nearly a century of American music history, featuring iconic instruments such as a Gibson played by Mississippi John Hurt, Roy Rogers' guitar, and a Les Paul used by Keith Richards during The Rolling Stones' 1964 appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show.

Previously, the Met was not renowned for 20th-century instruments, but a 2019 exhibition co-curated with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame successfully persuaded Ziff to contribute his extensive collection. This donation enriches the museum's cultural assets, offering visitors a unique glimpse into the evolution of American music through its finest stringed instruments.

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This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the NPR News Now episode released on May 25, 2025, providing a comprehensive overview for those who have not listened to the podcast.

Transcript

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[Giles Snyder]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. Events in Minneapolis are underway today to mark five years since the police killing of George Floyd. Matt Sepik of Minnesota Public Radio has more.

[Matt Sepik]

A religious service, gospel concert and candlelight visual round out a weekend of public gather to honor Floyd and the racial justice movement that his murder ignited. The 46 year old black man died after a white policeman kneeled on his neck and back for more than nine minutes. Former Officer Derek Chauvin is serving concurrent state and federal prison sentences of around 20 years.

[Giles Snyder]

The events honoring Floyd are being held at what is now called George Floyd Square, the intersection in Minneapolis where he was killed. Republican lawmakers in Texas on the verge of passing a law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in all public school classrooms. But he Houston Public Media's Andrew Schneider reports a measure is expected to be challenged in court.

[Andrew Schneider]

The bill would require Texas public school classrooms to display the King James Bible version of the Ten Commandments. During debate over the measure, Democratic Representative John Bryant argued the bill discriminates against the nearly one third of Texans who are neither Christian nor Jewish.

[John Bryant]

It's not fair and it's not American and this bill is not fair and it's not American and it's not Christian and it's not Jewish.

[Andrew Schneider]

The bill is scheduled for a final vote Sunday. It's expected to pass and be signed by Governor Greg Abbott. A similar law passed by Louisiana last year is on hold pending a review by the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. For NPR News, I'm Andrew Schneider in Houston.

[Giles Snyder]

In a two day forum, Senate Democrats questioned former officials from several health agencies about potential human impacts of Trump administration. NPR's Ritu Chatterjee reports that mental health was a focus for several lawmakers.

[Tammy Baldwin]

Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin asked about the recent cuts and proposed changes to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, or samhsa.

[Trina Dutta]

How will the firings of SAMHSA staff and the proposal to shift SAMHSA into a new agency that we know very little about harm the progress that we've been seeing in reducing overdose deaths?

[Tammy Baldwin]

The former chief of staff of samhsa, Trina Dutta, said it would push states to find other sources of funds for mental health and substance use care and could further reduce access to care. Ritu Chatterjee, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

A federal judge last week barred government agencies from mass layoffs pending the outcome of a lawsuit brought by unions, nonprofits and municipalities who say President Trump needs permission from Congress. The White House has appealed that ruling. On Friday, Russia and Ukraine completed the final phase of a three day prisoner swap today, hours after a second second consecutive night of a Russian missile and drone attack. A total of 1,000 prisoners from each side have been exchanged since Friday, along with 120 civilians each. This is NPR. Voters in Venezuela are going to the polls today. They're choosing a new Congress and other elected officials amid opposition calls for them to skip the election. Opposition leader Maria Corinna Machado argues that voting today would legitimize Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Today's election follows Friday's arrest of a close ally of Machado for allegedly leading a terrorist plot. The interior minister says dozens of others have been detained. State media in North Korea say authorities have detained three shipyard officials over last week's botched launch of a Navy destroyer. Satellite imagery shows the ship lying on its side with parts of it submerged. Leader Kim Jong Un has said the failed launch was caused by criminal negligence. The largest art museum in the country now owns an enviable collection of guitars. NPR's Neta Ulibi reports that a philanthropist has donated hundreds of histor historically significant instruments to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

[Neta Ulibi]

The guitars reflect nearly a century of American music history. More than 500 now belong to the Met, ranging from a Gibson played by Mississippi John Hurt to a guitar owned by Roy Rogers to the Les Paul Keith Richards used during The Rolling Stones 1964 appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. For all its many cultural riches, the Met has not been known for 20th century instruments. That changed after a 2019 exhibition co curated with the Rock and Roll hall of Fame that convinced billionaire Dirk Ziff, whose father started a magazine empire, to donate much of his massive guitar collection, Nada Ulabi, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

This is NPR News.

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