NPR News: 05-27-2025 10PM EDT

Summary

NPR News: May 27, 2025 | Summary

Host: NPR

On the May 27, 2025, episode of NPR News Now, a range of critical topics were discussed, spanning immigration policies, public health updates, local tragedies, financial market shifts, scientific discoveries, and unique cultural events. This summary captures the essential points, notable quotes, and insightful discussions from the episode.

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Immigration Policy and Supreme Court Appeal

Host: Jack Speier
Reporter: Amanda Bastille and Ximena Bustillo

The episode opened with a significant development in U.S. immigration policy. The Trump administration has appealed another immigration-related decision to the U.S. Supreme Court, seeking to uphold the deportation of migrants to South Sudan.

• Amanda Bastille reported that the administration aims for the Supreme Court to allow deportations to South Sudan, a country noted for its political instability.

• Ximena Bustillo elaborated on the legal challenges, stating, "The administration arranged for South Sudan, a politically unstable country in Africa, to take them in. But a Massachusetts federal judge ruled anyone deported to anywhere that's not their country of origin needs more time to contest their deportation." (00:37)

The ruling mandates that migrants must receive an interview to express if they might face violence or persecution in the designated country. The Trump administration contends that this pause on third-party deportations undermines foreign policy and national security, arguing that it encroaches upon the executive branch's immigration authority.

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Public Health Update: COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations

Host: Jack Speier
Reporter: Rob Stein

In health news, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a pivotal change in COVID-19 vaccination recommendations. Healthy pregnant women and children are no longer advised to receive routine COVID-19 vaccinations.

• Rob Stein detailed the announcement, noting that HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., alongside NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya and FDA Commissioner Martin Makary, declared the removal of COVID-19 vaccines from the CDC's recommended immunization schedule for these groups. (01:51)

• Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. stated, "I couldn't be more pleased to announce that as of today, the COVID vaccine for healthy children and healthy pregnant women has been removed from the CDC recommended immunization schedule." (01:51)

This decision was made without the typical consultation with independent advisors, raising questions about the process behind the policy change. The implications of this shift are expected to influence public health strategies moving forward.

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Tragic Loss in Kansas City: The Death of Sarah Milgram

Host: Jack Speier
Reporter: Celisa Kalakol

A heartbreaking story emerged from Kansas City as family and friends mourned the death of Sarah Milgram, who was shot and killed outside the Capitol Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., last week.

• Celisa Kalakol provided background on Sarah Milgram, highlighting her deep commitment to her Jewish faith and her role in fostering community ties. (02:23)

• Reflecting on Milgram's legacy, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. remarked, "At her core Sarah dedicated her life personally and professionally to strengthening her community, to building bridges and to bring people closer together." (02:47)

Sarah and her partner, Jaron Lisciski, whom she met through their work at the Israeli Embassy and who were planning to become engaged, were both tragically killed. The accused assailant faces first-degree murder charges, adding to the community's grief and raising concerns about safety and hate crimes.

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Financial Markets and Automotive Industry Update

Host: Jack Speier

The financial markets saw a significant uplift as the delay of threatened European Union tariffs led to a surge in stock values, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising by 740 points. However, not all sectors shared in this optimism.

• Jack Speier reported that electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla experienced a substantial decline in sales across Europe, with a 49% drop in April compared to the previous year. This downturn is attributed to mounting backlash against CEO Elon Musk's controversial far-right views and his involvement in cost-cutting measures during the Trump administration. The slump in Tesla's European sales underscores the broader challenges the company faces in maintaining its market position amid political and social pressures.

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Scientific Discovery: Evolution of California Hummingbirds

Host: Jack Speier
Reporter: Kat Lonsdorf
Expert: Alejandro Rico Guevara

In a fascinating look at evolutionary biology, a new study revealed that a species of hummingbirds in California has adapted to readily available backyard feeders.

• Kat Lonsdorf explained that Anna's hummingbirds have developed longer and more tapered beaks over several generations. This morphological change allows them to efficiently extract the homemade sugared water from hummingbird feeders, which have become widespread. (03:51)

• Alejandro Rico Guevara, a biology professor at the University of Washington and senior author of the study, commented, "You know, it's a demonstration of how evolution happens, like literally in front of our eyes, and we just need to pay attention to it." (04:19)

Additionally, the study noted that the hummingbirds' range has expanded from a concentrated area in Southern California up the coast into Canada, correlating with the increasing popularity of feeders. This real-time observation of evolutionary processes provides valuable insights into how species adapt to human-altered environments.

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Cultural Event: Manhattanhenge

Host: Jack Speier

Concluding the episode, a spotlight was placed on the unique cultural phenomenon known as Manhattanhenge. This event occurs twice a year when the setting sun aligns perfectly with Manhattan's street grid, creating a stunning visual spectacle as the sun sinks below the horizon amidst the city's skyscrapers.

• Jack Speier informed listeners that the next Manhattanhenge will take place the following day, with a slight variation occurring again on July 11th and 12th. The term was coined by astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson in a 1997 article, highlighting the blend of urban planning and astronomical alignment that defines this event.

Manhattanhenge serves as a testament to the intersection of natural phenomena and human-designed environments, offering residents and visitors alike a moment of awe amidst the bustling cityscape.

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This episode of NPR News Now provided listeners with comprehensive updates on pressing national and local issues, scientific advancements, and cultural events, ensuring a well-rounded overview of the day's news.

Transcript

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[Jack Speier]

News in Washington, I'm Jack Speier. The Trump administration appealed another immigration related decision to the U.S. supreme Court. This this time they're hoping the justices allow for the deportations of migrants to South Sudan. NPR's Amanda Bastille reports. The Homeland Security Department says some countries won't take the men back.

[Ximena Bustillo]

The administration arranged for South Sudan, a politically unstable country in Africa, to take them in. But a Massachusetts federal judge ruled anyone deported to anywhere that's not their country of origin needs more time to contest their deportation. Specifically, migrants should get an interview where they have a chance to say they may face violence or persecution if sent to a specific country. Trump officials hope the Supreme Court overrules this Massachusetts order, which applies nationwide. They argue the pause on these so called third party deportations hurts foreign policy and national security and intrudes on the executive branch's immigration policy powers. Ximena Bustillo, NPR News, Washington.

[Jack Speier]

Federal health officials say Covid vaccines are no longer being recommended for healthy pregnant women or children. NPR's Rob Stein has more on the decision from U.S. health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

[Rob Stein]

The Department of Health and Human Services posted a video on X announced the decision to remove healthy pregnant people and children from the list of those who should get routine vaccination against Covid. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Was flanked by National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya and Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Martin Makary in announcing the decision.

[Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.]

I couldn't be more pleased to announce that as of today, the COVID vaccine for healthy children and healthy pregnant women has been removed from the CDC recommended immunization schedule.

[Rob Stein]

The decision was made without the usual input from independent advisors. Rob Stein, NPR News.

[Jack Speier]

Family and friends gathered in Kansas today. The more the death of the woman who was shot and killed outside the Capitol Jewish museum in Washington, D.C. last week. Reporter Salisa Kalakkal has more from Kansas City.

[Celisa Kalakol]

Sarah Milgram was born and raised in Prairie Village, Kansas. Milgram and her partner, Jaron Lisciski, were fatally sh after attending an event for the American Jewish Committee. The couple met through their jobs at the Israeli Embassy and were about to get engaged. Jay Lewis, president of Kansas City's Jewish Federation, remembered Milgram as a bright young woman dedicated to her Jewish faith.

[Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.]

At her core Sarah dedicated her life personally and professionally to strengthening her community, to building bridges and to bring people closer together.

[Celisa Kalakol]

Her beloved Lisciski was a devout Christian from Israel. The man accused of ending their lives is charged with first degree murder. For NPR News, I'm Celisa Kalakol in Kansas City.

[Jack Speier]

A delay on threatened EU tariffs sent stocks soaring today. The Dow up 740 points. This is NPR. Electric vehicle maker Tesla continues to see its sales slump, this time in Europe, where the company says sales fell by almost half last month. New sales numbers are just the latest indication of the backl against billionaire CEO Elon Musk over some of his far right views and his role in Trump administration cost cutting efforts. Tesla sales in 32 European countries fell 49% in April compared to the same period last year. A species of hummingbirds in California has evolved with the use of popular backyard bird feeders. NPR's Kat Lahnsdorf has more in a new study out this month.

[Kat Lonsdorf]

The study found the beaks of Anna's hummingbirds have grown longer and more tapered over several generations in order to allow the birds to get more of the homemade sug water found inside hummingbird feeders that have become somewhat ubiquitous over that time. The study also found the hummingbirds range had spread from a small pocket in Southern California all the way up the coast into Canada as the feeder popularity grew. Alejandro Rico Guevara is a professor of biology at the University of Washington and senior author of the study.

[Alejandro Rico Guevara]

You know, it's a demonstration of how evolution happens, like literally in front of our eyes, and we just need to pay attention to it.

[Kat Lonsdorf]

Kat Lonsdorf, NPR News, Washington.

[Jack Speier]

It's no Stonehenge, but twice a year, residents of Manhattan get their own version when the setting sun aligns perfectly with the Manhattan street grid and sinks below the horizon framed by skyscrapers referred to as Manhattanhenge. The first occurrence will be sunset tomorrow, with a slight variation the next day. It will occur again July 11th and 12th. Astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson coined the term in a 1997 article. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News, in Washington.

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This message comes from Mint Mobile. Mint Mobile took what's wrong with wireless and made it right. They offer premium wireless plans for less. And all plans include high speed data, unlimited talk and text and nationwide coverage. See for [e-mail] Switch.