NPR News: 05-28-2025 1AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of Episode Released on May 28, 2025

Host: Shea Stevens
Release Date: May 28, 2025

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1. Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration's Retaliation Against New York Over Manhattan Tolls

Timestamp: [00:20]

Shea Stevens opens the episode by reporting a significant legal development in New York. A federal judge has temporarily halted the Trump administration's efforts to retaliate against New York State for maintaining congestion tolls in Manhattan. This legal battle centers around the $9 toll imposed on vehicles entering Manhattan below 60th Street, a policy initially opposed by President Trump during his campaign.

Details:

• Steven Nessen from WNYC provides an in-depth report on the situation.
• In February, the Department of Transportation (DOT) rescinded its approval of New York's toll program, prompting the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to file a counter lawsuit.
• The toll program has been instrumental in generating millions for transit improvements and has effectively reduced traffic congestion in the area.
• Judge Louis Lyman has granted the federal government until June 9 to present further documentation in the case.
• A DOT spokesperson commented, “The tolls are unfair for working-class Americans,” signaling the administration's stance against the program.

Quote:

“The tolls are unfair for working-class Americans.” – DOT Spokesperson [00:41]

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2. President Trump Defends Proposed 50% Tariffs on European Union Goods Amid Policy Shifts

Timestamp: [01:24]

Shea Stevens transitions to international trade tensions, focusing on President Trump's fluctuating stance on tariffs.

Details:

• Daniel Kurtzleben reports that President Trump has been inconsistent on his tariff policy towards the European Union (EU). Initially proposing a 50% tariff starting June 1, Trump later postponed the implementation to July 9 following discussions with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
• Despite the delay, Trump remains firm on the high tariff rate, stating he is “extremely satisfied with the 50% tariff” and is prepared to enforce these rates if negotiations with the EU fail.
• The administration is also eyeing potential tariff increases on China and other countries, with deadlines set for the summer. Failure to reach agreements by these dates could see tariffs escalate further.

Quote:

“I am extremely satisfied with the 50% tariff... I will set rates if we and the EU are unable to make a deal.” – President Trump [01:37]

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3. King Charles Addresses Canadian Parliament on Global Challenges

Timestamp: [02:22]

In a rare ceremonial event, Britain's King Charles inaugurated a new session of the Canadian Parliament, delivering a speech that underscored pressing global issues.

Details:

• King Charles emphasized the importance of democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, self-determination, and freedom—values deeply cherished by Canadians.
• He encouraged Canadians to harness their skills and determination to develop solutions to global challenges, asserting that Canadians possess the resilience to “give themselves far more than any foreign power can ever take away.”

Quotes:

“Today, Canada faces another critical moment. Democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, self-determination, freedom are values which Canadians hold dear...” – King Charles [02:38]

“Canadians can seize the moment by recognizing that they can give themselves far more than any foreign power can ever take away.” – King Charles [02:57]

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4. Manhunt Underway for Escaped Convict Grant Hardin in Arkansas

Timestamp: [03:19]

Shea Stevens reports on an ongoing manhunt in Arkansas for Grant Hardin, an ex-police chief and convicted killer who recently escaped from a medium-security facility in Gateway.

Details:

• Hardin's escape occurred on Sunday, shortly after a separate incident where 10 inmates broke out of a New Orleans jail. While most of those escapees have been recaptured, Hardin remains at large.
• Authorities are intensifying efforts to locate him, raising concerns about public safety given his criminal background.

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5. Tributes Following the Deaths of Susan Brownmiller and Rick Derringer

Timestamp: [03:53]

The episode pays homage to two notable figures who recently passed away: feminist author Susan Brownmiller and musician Rick Derringer.

Susan Brownmiller:

• Elizabeth Blair reports the passing of Brownmiller at age 90. Renowned for her 1975 bestseller Against Our Will, Brownmiller was a pioneering feminist who explored rape as a weapon of war and critiqued the systemic biases against victims in law enforcement and the judiciary.
• In a 1975 interview with NPR, Brownmiller stated, “Unfortunately, a woman has to prove that she did not consent and in many states has to have independent corroborative proof of the act.” [04:09]
• Despite criticisms from civil rights activists regarding her chapter on race, her work achieved bestseller status and earned her recognition as one of Time magazine’s Women of the Year in 1975.

Rick Derringer:

• Elizabeth Blair also reports the death of Rick Derringer, a guitarist and singer famed for his 1965 hit "Hang On, Sloopy."
• Derringer contributed to the music industry not only with his band, the McCoys, but also through session work with notable artists like Steely Dan and Bonnie Tyler.
• He passed away on Monday in Florida, with no cause of death disclosed. [04:52]

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Market and Other Updates

• Shea Stevens briefly mentions that U.S. futures are flat in after-hours trading on Wall Street, and Asia-Pacific markets show mixed performances.

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This episode of NPR News Now provides comprehensive coverage of significant national and international events, offering listeners insightful analyses and updates on legal battles, international trade policies, ceremonial speeches, criminal investigations, and notable passings. Through detailed reporting and the inclusion of impactful quotes, the podcast ensures that even those who haven't listened can stay informed on these crucial topics.

Transcript

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[Shea Stevens]

LIVE from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. A federal judge is temporarily blocking the Trump administration from retaliating against New York state for refusing to end con tolls in Manhattan. From member station wnyc, Steven Nessen reports that the state could lose federal highway funding if it doesn't end the program.

[Steven Nessen]

One of President Trump's campaign promises was to eliminate the $9 toll for vehicles that enter Manhattan below 60th Street. In February, the Department of Transportation sent a letter to the state revoking its approval of the program, but the Metropolitan Transportation Authority was ready with a counter lawsuit. Since then, the feds have dragged their feet on filing evidence. The program has raised millions of dollars for transit improvements and has reduced traffic. Judge Louis Lyman is now giving the feds until June 9 to submit documents in the case. A spokesperson for the federal DOT says the agency will comply with the judge's request and says the tolls are unfair for working class Americans. For NPR News, I'm Stephen Nessen in New York.

[Shea Stevens]

And in a post on social media, President Trump is defending his proposed 50% tariffs on goods from the European Union. As NPR's Daniel Kurtzleben reports, the post came days after Trump delayed the higher tariff by a month.

[Daniel Kurtzleben]

Trump has used social media to create several days of tariff whiplash. On Friday, he floated the idea of 50% tariffs on EU goods starting June 1. Sunday, after EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she had spoken to Trump, he posted that he had agreed to postpone the tariffs to July 9th. Now he has written on social media he was, quote, extremely satisfied with the 50% tariff, adding he will set rates if he and the EU are unable to make a deal. Trump added that the EU has now reached out to set dates to negotiate tariff rates. His deadlines for tariffs on China and many other countries will come this summer. If deals are not reached by those dates, tariffs are set to ratchet upward. Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR News, the White House.

[Shea Stevens]

In a rare move, Britain's King Charles opened the Canadian Parliament's new session Tuesday and had a warning about current global challenges to peace and stability. Charles said Canadians have the skills and determination to generate a wealth of solutions to those problems.

[King Charles]

Today, Canada faces another critical moment. Democracy, pluralism, the rule of law, self determination, freedom are values which Canadians hold dear and ones which the government is determined to protect.

[Shea Stevens]

Charles says Canadians can seize the moment by recognizing that they can give themselves far more than any foreign power can ever take away. Canada is a member of the British Commonwealth. US Futures are flat in after hours trading on Wall Street. On Asia Pacific markets, shares are mixed. This is npr.

[Elizabeth Blair]

A manhunt continues in Arkansas for an.

[Shea Stevens]

Ex police chief and convicted killer who's escaped from prison. Grant Hardin slipped past guard Sunday at a medium security facility located in the town of Gateway, near the border with Missouri. Hardin's escape came days after 10 inmates fled a New Orleans jail. All but two of those escapees are back in custody. Feminist author and activist Susan Brownmiller has died at the age of 90. As NPR's Elizabeth Blair reports, Brownmiller wrote the 1975 bestseller Against Our Men, Women and Rape.

[Elizabeth Blair]

In Against Our Will, Susan Brownmiller looked at rape as a weapon of war and the bias against victims among police and juries. In 1975, she told NPR that unlike victims of other crimes, women had to prove they resisted.

[Susan Brownmiller]

Unfortunately, a woman has to prove that she did not consent and in many states has to have independent corroborative proof of the act.

[Elizabeth Blair]

Civil rights activists were critical of Brown Miller's chapter on race, but Against Our Will became a bestseller that's been translated into several languages. Time magazine named Brown Miller one of its Women of the year for 1975. Elizabeth Blair, NPR News.

[Rick Derringer]

Hang On, Stupid Snoopy, Hang On.

[Elizabeth Blair]

Guitarist and singer Rick Derringer has died. Derringer gained fame as a teenager when his band the McCoys recorded the 1965 hit song Hang On. Sloopy Behringer did session work for the band Steely Dan and solo artist Bonnie Tyler.

[Shea Stevens]

He died Monday in Florida. No cause of death was given. This is NPR News.

[Warby Parker]

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