NPR News Now: April 11, 2025, 8 PM EDT

Release Date: April 12, 2025

Hosted by NPR’s Jack Spear, this episode of "NPR News Now" delivers an in-depth overview of the day's most pressing news stories. From legal battles and public health crises to scientific breakthroughs and economic updates, the episode provides comprehensive coverage designed to inform and engage listeners. Below is a detailed summary of the key topics discussed.

Deportation Proceedings of Columbia Activist Mahmoud Khalil

[00:00 - 01:15]

The episode opens with a report by Jack Spear on the deportation case of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University activist. A Louisiana immigration judge has ruled that Khalil can be deported based on the federal government's assertion that he poses a national security risk. The judge stated that she does not have the legal authority to challenge the Secretary of State's determination.

Mark Vanderhoot, Khalil's attorney, vehemently opposed the government's accusation, arguing that the claim of Khalil being anti-Semitic is unfounded. At [00:48], Vanderhoot asserted, “The accusation that Khalil is anti-Semitic is baseless,” highlighting the lack of evidence supporting the government's claims. He emphasized that Khalil’s protests were not directed against Jews and that Khalil often spoke about the importance of Jewish participation in the movement for Palestinian rights. Despite requesting to question Senator Marco Rubio in court, Judge Jamie Comins denied the request, leaving Khalil's legal team seeking alternative avenues to challenge the deportation.

Key Points:

• Khalil's involvement in pro-Palestinian protests led to his detention in March.
• The federal government's rationale for deportation centers on alleged national security risks, not substantiated anti-Semitic actions.
• Legal limitations prevent the judge from overturning the Secretary of State's determination.

Milwaukee Faces Lead Contamination Crisis Amid CDC Support Withdrawal

[01:15 - 02:25]

Katherine Kochl from Milwaukee reports on a severe public health issue plaguing the city: elevated lead dust levels in schools. Seven schools have been temporarily closed due to lead dust concentrations reaching up to 32 times the EPA's acceptable limit, primarily caused by chipped lead paint.

Milwaukee officials sought assistance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in March to aid in outreach to vulnerable families and track cases of lead poisoning. However, the CDC declined to provide support, a decision attributed to significant budget cuts, including the elimination of the CDC’s lead program under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who recently cut 2,400 jobs at the agency.

At [01:45], Kochl reports, “Aaron Bernstein, the director of the CDC's National Center for Environmental Health, said he couldn't lend any help due to the complete loss of our lead program.” This withdrawal leaves Milwaukee grappling with the challenge of addressing lead contamination without federal assistance, exacerbating the health risks for children in affected schools.

Key Points:

• Elevated lead levels pose significant health risks, leading to school closures.
• CDC’s inability to assist is linked to substantial job cuts and program eliminations.
• Milwaukee must navigate the public health crisis with limited resources.

Setback in Pioneering Pig Kidney Transplant

[02:25 - 03:08]

Rob Stein reports on a significant setback in the field of xenotransplantation. Doctors in New York have had to remove a pig kidney from Tiwanalooni, an Alabama grandmother, after her body rejected the genetically modified organ. Despite the kidney functioning well initially, an infection required Tiwanalooni to reduce her anti-rejection medication, leading to organ rejection. Consequently, Tiwanalooni has returned to dialysis.

At [02:32], Stein explains, “Doctors say the kidney was working well, but was rejected after Looney had to cut back her anti rejection medication due to an infection.” This incident marks the failure of what was the world’s longest-lasting pig kidney transplant, which had been in place for over four months. However, medical professionals remain hopeful that advancements in genetic modification and immunosuppressive therapies could eventually make pig organs a viable solution to the chronic shortage of human organs for transplant.

Key Points:

• The transplant was a landmark operation in xenotransplantation.
• Rejection occurred due to necessary reductions in anti-rejection medication.
• Ongoing research aims to overcome these challenges to address organ shortages.

Wall Street Gains Amid Economic Shifts

[03:08 - 04:08]

Jack Spear provides an economic update, highlighting notable gains on Wall Street. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged by 619 points, while the Nasdaq increased by 337 points. These gains indicate a positive trend in the stock market, reflecting investor confidence and potential underlying economic strength.

Key Points:

• Significant gains in major stock indices signal a bullish market sentiment.
• The economic uplift may be influenced by various factors, including corporate earnings and macroeconomic policies.

Dismissal of US Space Force Base Commander in Greenland

[03:08 - 04:08]

The episode covers the recent dismissal of Colonel Susanna Meyer, the head of the US Space Force Base in Greenland. Her removal follows tensions with Vice President J.D. Vance, who, during a March visit, advocated for the United States to assume control over Greenland. This stance aligns with the Trump administration’s repeated interest in acquiring Greenland, despite clear indications from Greenlandic and Danish officials that the territory is not for sale.

At [03:08], Jack Spear reports, “Colonel Susanna Meyer... was removed from her command Thursday due to... a loss of confidence in her ability to lead.” The Space Force spokesperson cited Meyer's pushback against Vice President Vance’s comments as the reason for her dismissal. This incident underscores the ongoing geopolitical tensions and strategic interests of the United States in the Arctic region.

Key Points:

• Colonel Meyer’s dismissal is linked to political disputes over Greenland’s status.
• The Trump administration continues to express interest in expanding US influence over Greenland.
• Greenland remains an autonomous territory with no intention of changing its status.

Crows Exhibit Human-Like Geometric Intuition

[04:08 - 04:50]

Nell Greenfield Boyce explores a fascinating study revealing that crows possess an intuitive understanding of basic geometric shapes. Researchers from Germany, as reported in the journal Science Advances, trained crows to play a computer game in the lab, where the birds pecked at shapes on a touchscreen to receive rewards. The crows successfully distinguished regular geometric shapes such as squares and rectangles, demonstrating an innate sense of right angles, parallel lines, and symmetry.

At [04:08], Boyce notes, “These crows were able to correctly distinguish regular geometric shapes like squares and rectangles. Researchers say they clearly had a sense of right angles, parallel lines, and symmetry.” This discovery marks the first time scientists have identified such geometric intuition in an animal, highlighting the cognitive complexities of avian species and their capacity for recognizing spatial patterns.

Key Points:

• Crows demonstrated the ability to recognize and differentiate geometric shapes.
• The study indicates advanced cognitive abilities in avian species.
• Findings contribute to the broader understanding of animal intelligence and perception.

Oil Prices Rise to $61.50 a Barrel

[04:50 - 04:59]

Concluding the episode, Jack Spear updates listeners on the oil market, noting that prices increased by $1.43 per barrel, settling at $61.50. This rise reflects ongoing fluctuations in the global energy markets, influenced by factors such as supply and demand dynamics, geopolitical events, and economic indicators.

Key Points:

• Oil prices continue to experience upward trends.
• Market movements are driven by a combination of economic and geopolitical factors.

This episode of "NPR News Now" offers a comprehensive snapshot of current events, blending urgent news on legal and public health issues with intriguing scientific discoveries and economic updates. The inclusion of expert quotes and detailed reporting provides listeners with a nuanced understanding of each topic.