NPR News: 05-28-2025 7PM EDT

Summary

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

1. President Trump Considers Pardons for Men Convicted in Governor Whitmer Kidnapping Plot 00:18 – 01:14

In a significant development from Washington, President Donald Trump announced his consideration of pardoning Barry Croft Jr. and Adam Fox, the two men convicted for attempting to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Host Jack Spear reported, “President Trump says he's considering pardons for the men convicted of conspiring to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer” (00:18).

NPR’s Franco Ordonez provided further insights, highlighting Trump’s critical view of the trial: “President Trump said the case against the two men appears to be somewhat of a, quote, railroad job” (00:33). Trump himself commented on the situation, stating, “I'll be honest with you, it looked to me like some people said some stupid things. You know, they were drinking and I think they said stupid things. But I'll take a look at that” (00:37).

Barry Croft Jr. received a nearly 20-year sentence, while Adam Fox was sentenced to 16 years. Their defense argued entrapment, claiming government informants influenced their actions. Despite these claims, a federal appeals court upheld their convictions last month (00:46).

2. Trump Optimistic About Iran Nuclear Negotiations 01:14 – 02:16

Continuing his briefing, President Trump expressed optimism regarding ongoing negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program. Speaking at the White House, Trump conveyed to reporters, “I told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a strike against Iran's nuclear facilities would be inappropriate to do right now given the pace of negotiations” (01:14).

However, this stance faces skepticism from the head of the UN's Atomic Watchdog Group, who remains uncertain about the progress of talks between the US and Tehran concerning Iran’s accelerating nuclear capabilities.

3. US Halts Student Visa Interviews, Impacting International Students and Universities 01:58 – 02:43

The Trump administration has temporarily suspended visa interviews for international students, a move with far-reaching consequences for US higher education. Miriam Feldblum, CEO of the President's Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, emphasized the gravity of this decision: “International students at public universities typically pay out of state tuition, more than double the rate for in-state students” (01:58).

Feldblum warned, “That will damage our reputation, our standing and the actual contributions that we'll see on our campuses, in our communities, in our regional economies, in our national economy” (02:16). The pause not only affects enrollment but also discourages top international talent, potentially leading students to seek education opportunities elsewhere (02:26).

4. Federal Reserve Holds Off on Interest Rate Changes Amid Tariff Impact Concerns 02:43 – 03:30

Federal Reserve officials have indicated a decision to delay adjustments to short-term interest rate targets as they assess the impact of the Trump administration's fluctuating tariff policies. The May meeting minutes revealed that “Almost all the 19 officials have participated say the tariffs do pose some inflation risk” (02:43).

The uncertainty surrounding the tariffs’ potential to trigger inflationary pressures or job losses has influenced this cautious approach. Consequently, the Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced a decline of 244 points, reflecting market concerns (02:56).

5. Texas Homeowners Upset Over AI and Aerial Photo Use by Insurers 03:30 – 04:12

In Texas, a growing number of homeowners are voicing their frustration with insurance companies employing aerial photography and artificial intelligence to make policy decisions. Audra McGlinchey from NPR’s member station KUT reported that since 2023, at least a dozen complaints have been filed regarding this practice.

One affected homeowner, Elena Callahan, received a notice threatening non-renewal of her insurance unless she replaced her roof—a demand she disputes, claiming her roof is only five years old and in good condition. Callahan expressed her concerns: “Where's the images? What images are they using?” (03:53).

Feldblum highlighted the broader implications, noting that these practices not only affect individual homeowners but also the overall regional and national economy by potentially driving talent abroad if clear policy signals are not established (03:56).

6. Flight Delays Caused by Pigeons and Rising Oil Prices 04:12 – 04:56

In lighter news, a Delta Airlines flight from Minneapolis to Madison, Wisconsin, experienced significant delays due to two pigeons boarding the aircraft. Passenger accounts detailed how the plane was forced to return to the gate twice, resulting in nearly an hour-long delay. Delta Airlines acknowledged the unusual incident, though the exact reason for the birds boarding the plane remains unclear (04:12).

On the economic front, oil prices edged higher, with crude oil settling at $61.84 per barrel—a 95-cent increase—following OPEC and its allies' decision to maintain current output levels (04:30).

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive overview of pivotal national and international issues, from presidential pardon considerations and nuclear negotiations to the impacts of immigration policy on higher education, economic decisions by the Federal Reserve, challenges in the insurance industry, and even unexpected aviation disruptions. Notable quotes and expert insights provided listeners with a nuanced understanding of each topic's complexities and ramifications.

Transcript

[NPR Sponsor]

This message comes from Amazon Business. Free your team from time consuming office tasks with smart business. Buying tools enable buyers to find and purchase items fast. Learn more about the technology, insights and Support [e-mail] Live from NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

In Washington, I'm Jack Spear. President Trump says he's considering pardons for the men convicted of conspiring to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who as NPR's Franco Ordonez reports, Trump said he's been watching the men's trial.

[Franco Ordonez]

President Trump said the case against the two men appears to be somewhat of a, quote, railroad job.

[Jack Spear]

I'll be honest with you, it looked to me like some people said some stupid things. You know, they were drinking and I think they said stupid things. But I'll take a look at that.

[Franco Ordonez]

Barry Croft Jr. Was sentenced to nearly 20 years, while Adam Fox was sentenced to 16 years after being convicted of leading a violent scheme to kidnap Governor Whitmer during the final stretch of the 2020. Presidential defense lawyers have claimed the men were victims of entrapment and that government informants egged them on. But last month, a federal appeals court upheld their convictions. Franco Ordonez, NPR News, the White House.

[Jack Spear]

President Trump continues to say he believes that we are very close to a solution in terms of discussion with Iran about its disputed nuclear program. And speaking at the White House today, Trump told reporters he told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a strike against Iran's nuclear facilities would be inappropriate to do right now given the pace of negotiations. Trump's comments come as the head of the UN's Atomic Watchdog Group says the jury's still out in terms of negotiations between the US And Tehran on the country's rapidly advancing nuclear capabilities. The Trump administration is temporarily halting visa interviews for students. NPR's Windsor Johnston reports. The order is leaving international students in limbo and threatening the bottom line for US Universities.

[Miriam Feldblum]

International students at public universities typically pay out of state tuition, more than double the rate for in state students. Miriam Feldblum is the CEO of the President's alliance on Higher Education and Immigration. She says the pause doesn't just impact enrollment, it also sends a broader message.

[Jack Spear]

That will damage our reputation, our standing and the actual contributions that we'll see on our campuses, in our communities, in.

[Miriam Feldblum]

Our regional economies, in our national economy. Feldbaum says many international students bring not only tuition dollars but also top talent in science and and without clear policy signals, some may choose to take their skills to other countries. Windsor Johnston, NPR News, Washington.

[Jack Spear]

Officials of the Federal Reserve pretty much signaled earlier this month their intention to hold off on any moves on short term interest rate targets while they evaluate effects of the Trump administration's economic policy. That includes the effects of the administration's on again, off again tariffs and whether they'll result in inflationary pressures or job loss. According to the minutes of the May meeting released today, Almost all the 19 officials have participated say the tariffs do pose some inflation risk. On Wall street, The Dow dropped 244 points today. You're listening to NPR. In Texas, home insurance companies are using aerial photos and artificial intelligence to decide if they want to keep insuring homes there. Member Station Kut Audrey McGlinchey reports that homeowners are increasingly upset.

[Audra McGlinchey]

Since 2023, the state of Texas has investigated at least a dozen complaints over the use of aerial photos. One resident, Elena Callahan, got a letter saying the insurance policy on her home near Houston would not be renewed unless she got a new roof. But Callahan says her roof is five years old and in good condition. Callahan worries her insurer was looking at the wrong house. She asked but never got copies of the aerial images.

[Miriam Feldblum]

Where's the images? What images are they using?

[Audra McGlinchey]

The use of aerial photos is one tool that insurers are using as more companies are choosing not to renew policies amid worsening storms. Federal data show that between 2020 and 2023, the nonrenewal rate in Texas nearly doubled. For NPR news, I'm Audra McGlinchey in Austin.

[Jack Spear]

Proving there is more than one way to take flight. A pair of wayward pigeons boarded a Delta Airlines passenger jet this last weekend en route from Minneapolis to Madison, Wisconsin. A passenger aboard the flight says the plane was forced to return to the gate not once but twice because of the birds on board. First pigeon was captured by a ground crew. The second bird was apparently nabbed by a pass. Delta says the result was nearly hour long delay in the flight. It's not entirely clear why the Byrds were on the plane. Crude oil futures prices moved higher today after OPEC and its allies opted for, at least for now, to leave output policy unchanged. Oil up 95 cents a barrel to settle at $61.84 barrel. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News, in Washington.

[NPR Sponsor]

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 N wide coverage. See for [e-mail] Switch.