NPR News: May 28, 2025, 11 PM EDT
Host: Shea Stevens
Source: NPR News Now
1. Trump Administration Targets Harvard University Contracts
Reporter: Elissa Nadworny
Timestamp: [00:18]
The Trump administration has issued directives to federal agencies to terminate their remaining contracts with Harvard University, citing allegations of anti-Semitism within the Ivy League institution—a claim Harvard vehemently denies. The administration's move targets contracts valued at approximately $100 million.
“A letter from the U.S. General Services Administration dated Tuesday tells agencies to review current contracts with Harvard and terminate or find an alternative vendor,” Nadworny reports at [00:40].
In addition to these cancellations, the administration has previously frozen over $2 billion in contracts with Harvard. The university has responded by initiating legal action against the Trump administration, arguing that the sanctions are unlawful and pose a threat to academic freedom and First Amendment rights.
2. Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville Announces Run for Alabama Governor
Reporter: Joey Hudson
Timestamp: [01:17]
Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville has declared his candidacy for the governorship in the upcoming elections. Leveraging his background as a college football coach and his strong alignment with former President Trump, Tuberville aims to solidify his position within the state’s political landscape.
“He’s been behind me ever since,” Tuberville stated in an interview with FOX News at [01:31], expressing gratitude for Trump’s endorsement of his Senate campaign.
Tuberville's campaign strategy includes promoting Trump’s agenda, exemplified by his recent decision to block promotions for senior military positions. This action was in direct response to a policy permitting travel cost reimbursements for pregnant service members seeking legal abortions.
“At this point, we are kind of in a spin,” Tuberville commented during the fallout from the SpaceX Starship incident, as mentioned later in the episode at [04:42].
3. Russia Plans to Restart Occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant
Reporter: Hanna Palomarenko
Timestamp: [02:10]
Russia has announced intentions to resume operations at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which it has occupied for the past three years. This move has sparked significant concern among environmentalists and Ukrainian authorities.
“Greenpeace's satellite monitoring has revealed the construction of more than 56 miles of mines in the occupied territories,” Palomarenko explains at [02:23].
Petro Andryushenko, head of the Center for Occupation Studies, indicated that the integration of the plant into Russia’s power grid is nearing completion. The electricity generated is expected to support Russian power systems. However, environmentalists warn that restarting the reactors poses a high risk of accidents, especially given the plant’s militarized status.
4. Wall Street Sees Significant Gains
Timestamp: [03:06]
Wall Street experienced a robust close, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average surging by 740 points and the NASDAQ increasing by 461 points. This upward trend reflects investor confidence amidst ongoing geopolitical and economic developments.
5. Manhunt Underway in Connecticut After Mall Shooting
Timestamp: [03:06]
A violent incident at a mall in Waterbury, Connecticut, has led to a manhunt for the presumed shooter, a man in his 20s. Five individuals were injured during the attack, which apparently stemmed from a dispute that quickly escalated into violence.
Chief Fernando Spagnolo provided updates on the situation, confirming that the suspect remains unidentified and is actively being sought by law enforcement authorities.
6. CDC Alters COVID-19 Vaccination Recommendations
Timestamp: [03:06]
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revised its guidelines, no longer advocating for routine COVID-19 vaccinations for children and healthy pregnant women. This policy shift aligns with the latest data on vaccine efficacy and safety in these populations.
“Covid vaccines will be available as the administration gathers new data on whether they're still benefiting healthier people,” stated Dr. Vinay Prasad, who oversees the FDA's vaccine program, as reported at [03:06].
Concurrently, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent vaccine skeptic and health secretary, announced the immediate effectuation of the new policy.
7. SpaceX's Starship Ninth Test Flight Ends in Failure
Reporter: Jeff Brumfield
Timestamp: [04:10]
SpaceX conducted its ninth test flight of the Starship rocket from Texas. Initial phases of the launch were promising, with successful liftoff and separation from the booster rocket.
“That was better than the last two flights, which exploded shortly after launch,” Brumfield notes at [04:28].
However, approximately thirty minutes into the mission, the Starship began to lose control and tumbled, ultimately breaking apart over the Indian Ocean. This failure underscores the challenges SpaceX faces in perfecting its ambitious space exploration technologies.
“At this point, we are kind of in a spin,” Tuberville remarked at [04:42], reflecting broader concerns about technological and political instability.
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