NPR News: 05-28-2025 8AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now – May 28, 2025 Summary

Host: Korva Coleman

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Harvard University Protests Trump Administration’s Directives

Several hundred students rallied at Harvard University yesterday to oppose the Trump administration's stringent orders targeting international students. The administration has mandated that Harvard either expel its international students or face the loss of all federal funding. Additionally, President Trump accuses Harvard of fostering antisemitism—a claim that university officials firmly deny.

Jacob Miller, former president of Harvard Hillel, addressed the crowd, criticizing the administration's motives:

“The administration's excuse for these policies that they somehow address anti Semitism are so absurd. Let's be clear, this has nothing to do with combating antisemitism.”
— Jacob Miller [00:46]

The administration is also introducing plans to screen the social media histories of all international students applying to study in the United States. Critics argue that this move is designed to prevent the admission of students who might hold views contrary to those of the Trump administration.

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Missouri Supreme Court Ruling on Abortion Laws

In Missouri, the state Supreme Court has effectively imposed a near-total ban on abortions, overturning the recent constitutional amendment passed by voters that protected abortion rights. This ruling comes despite the amendment, which was narrowly approved in November.

Rachel Lipman of St. Louis Public Radio explains the situation:

“The high court agreed the judge had not used the proper legal standard in issuing her injunctions. The ruling effectively reinstates for now a near total ban on abortion.”
— Rachel Lipman [01:31]

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey hailed the decision as “a win for common sense,” while officials with Planned Parenthood described it as “devastating.” There is potential for the judge to reissue injunctions using alternative legal arguments, setting the stage for further legal battles next year.

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Federal Judge Blocks NYC’s Congestion Pricing Program

A federal judge has temporarily halted the Trump administration's efforts to terminate New York City's congestion pricing program, which requires motorists to pay tolls when entering the most congested areas of Manhattan. This temporary restraining order will keep the program in place until at least June 9.

Brian Mann reports:

“New York Governor Kathy Hochul calls the temporary restraining order a massive victory for New York commuters.”
— Brian Mann [02:30]

The congestion pricing initiative aims to encourage the use of mass transit, reduce traffic gridlock, and improve air quality in the city. The Trump administration has labeled the program a “cash grab” and has threatened to withhold federal transportation funds to shut it down. State officials are seeking to extend the court order as the dispute continues in federal court.

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Threats to Afterschool Programs Under the Trump Administration

Afterschool programs play a crucial role in low-income areas by providing free child care and supporting students in both academic and extracurricular pursuits. However, there are growing concerns that the Trump administration may seek to cut funding for these programs.

Janaki Mehta highlights the importance of these initiatives:

“In one rural school district in central Maine, students participate in cooking club after school as a way to learn all kinds of new skills.”
— Janaki Mehta [03:30]

These programs not only offer educational benefits but also help ensure that children remain engaged in constructive activities during school hours. Funded by federal grants, they are now at risk as the administration reviews its budget priorities, potentially jeopardizing their continuation.

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Passing of Musician Rick Derringer

Guitarist and singer-songwriter Rick Derringer has passed away at the age of 77. A friend and caretaker confirmed his death, noting that Derringer and his band, the McCoys, gained fame in 1965 with hits like “Hoochie Coo.” Beyond his work with the McCoys, Derringer earned a Grammy Award for producing Weird Al Yankovic's debut album and collaborated with renowned artists such as Steely Dan, Cyndi Lauper, Barbra Streisand, and Peter Frampton.

No funeral details have been announced at this time.

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and developments from the NPR News Now episode released on May 28, 2025, providing listeners who missed the broadcast with a detailed overview of the day's most pressing news stories.

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Several hundred people turned out yesterday at Harvard University. They protested the Trump administration's order the university's international students leave Harvard or face expulsion from the US President Trump is also seeking to strip all federal funding from the university. The administration claims Harvard fosters antisemitism, a claim university officials reject. Jacob Miller is a former president of the student Jewish group Harvard Hillel. He told rally goers the Trump administration directives are intended to drive people apart.

[Jacob Miller]

The administration's excuse for these policies that they somehow address anti Semitism are so absurd. Let's be clear, this has nothing to do with combatants.

[Korva Coleman]

The Trump administration is also planning to start screening the social media history of all international students who apply to study in the United States. Opponents claim this is intended to make sure none of the students disagree with the Trump administration. A new ruling by Missouri's state Supreme Court has effectively banned most abortions in that state. St. Louis Public Radio's Rachel Lipman reports. That's despite a new state constitutional amendment protecting abortion in Missouri.

[Rachel Lipman]

Missouri voters in November narrowly enshrined the right to abortion in the state's constitution. A judge then struck down the restrictions still on the books, allowing the procedure to resume ahead of a trial next year. State Attorney General Andrew Bailey argued the judge had thrown out important safety regulations. The high court agreed the judge had not used the proper legal standard in issuing her injunctions. The ruling effectively reinstates for now a near total ban on abortion. Bailey called the decision a win for common sense. Officials with Planned Parenthood called it devastating. The judge could reissue the injunctions using different legal reasoning. For NPR News, I'm Rachel Lipman in St. Louis.

[Korva Coleman]

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration's effort to end a New York City program. It requires motorists to pay tolls in the most congested areas of Manhattan. As NPR's Brian Mann reports, the the temporary restraining order keeps that program alive at least through June 9.

[Jacob Miller]

State officials in New York say the congestion pricing program launched earlier this year incentivizes mass transit, reduces gridlock and improves air quality. The Trump administration began trying to kill the program in February, threatening to withhold federal transportation dollars for New York state. Federal Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has called the program a cash grab. But this latest court order pauses the federal attack on the program. In a statement New York Governor Kathy Hochul calls the temporary restrict restraining order a massive victory for New York commuters. State officials are hoping to extend the order while the fight over congestion pricing plays out in federal court. Brian Mann, NPR News, New York.

[Korva Coleman]

On Wall street in premarket trading, Dow futures are slightly lower. This is npr. Afterschool programs aren't just essential in low income areas for free child care, they also help students meet academic and non academic goals. But as NPR's Janaki Mehta reports, some advocates worry such programs could be cut by the Trump administration.

[Janaki Mehta]

In one rural school district in central Maine, students participate in cooking club after school as a way to learn all kinds of new skills.

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You are going to be making parfait cups.

[Rachel Lipman]

We're making it like the French flag, red for strawberry, white for yogurt and blue for blueberry.

[Janaki Mehta]

They're learning about multicultural cuisine and and learning math and science as they measure and mix ingredients. Plus, after school programs are known to help kids attend school during the day. This program is funded by a federal grant for after school programs in low income areas. After President Trump released his initial budget proposal earlier this month, advocates for these programs began to worry that grant might go away. Janaki Mehta and PEER News.

[Korva Coleman]

Guitarist and singer songwriter Rick Derringer has died at the age of 77. According to a friend and caretaker. Derringer and his band the McCoys rocketed to fame in 1965 with this hit. Derringer also had a hit with Hoochie Coo, and he earned a Grammy Award for producing Weird Al Yankovic's debut album. He also worked with other artists including Steely Dan and Cyndi Lauper, as well as Barbra Streisand and Peter Frampton. No funeral details for Rick Derringer have yet been announced. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News.

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