NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-23-2025 7PM EST

Episode Date: January 24, 2025

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On NPR's Wild Card podcast, comedian Michelle Butoh says she's glad she ignored the people who told her to lose weight. I'm just going to show you what it looks like to love my body, my double chin, my extra rolls, okay? My buckets of thighs. Sauce on the side, you can't afford it. I'm Rachel Martin. Michelle Butoh is on the Wild Card podcast, the show where cards control the conversation. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. A federal judge in Seattle is temporarily blocking President Donald Trump's executive order doing away with birthright citizenship.

The U.S. District Court judge ruling on the case brought by multiple states that such an order conflicts with the 14th Amendment, while Bonta is the attorney general of California and praised the judge's decision. It's blatantly unconstitutional. A judge found that today issuing a temporary restraining order in the state of Washington. On day one, President Trump, with his action, managed to trample over the U.S. Constitution, attack American citizens, attack children, and do something that's very un-American. Bonta estimates Trump's order could affect upwards of 25,000 children a year born in

California. Trump has sought to end the constitutional guarantee of birthright citizenship, regardless of the parents' immigration status. In addition to the constitutional argument, states also say previous case law. Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family have agreed to pay out $7.4 billion for their role in fueling the opioid epidemic. Caroline Lewis with WNYC in New York has details of the landmark deal. If and when the deal is finalized, it will be the largest settlement to date over a company's role in the opioid crisis.

The money would go to cities and states across the country to fund addiction services. But the thousands of claimants involved also have the option to opt out. New York Attorney General Letitia James celebrated the agreement, which caps years of litigation. It represents justice for untold victims who suffered because the Sacklers basically put profits over people. Under the terms of the settlement, the Sackler family would no longer control the company and the Sacklers would no longer be shielded from future lawsuits. For NPR News, I'm Caroline Lewis.

Americans who've applied for gender neutral passports may have to reapply. Trump administration has frozen all such applications as we hear from NPR's Michelle Kellerman. The State Department started issuing passports with male, female or ex markings in 2022 and said at the time that applicants could self-select their gender. But this week, President Trump issued an executive order banning that, saying the federal government's policy is that there are only two sexes, male and female.

According to the Guardian, Secretary of State Marco Rubio followed up, telling his staff to suspend any applications from Americans seeking to change their sex marker or requesting an X on their passport. The order is not retroactive. Current gender neutral passports remain valid, though Americans who have them may have difficulties when they renew. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, the State Department. The U.S. financial markets closed mostly higher, with the broad market notching another new

record high today in hopes of falling interest rates. The S&P 500 rose 32 points, the Dow closed up 408 points. This is NPR. Billionaire businessman and philanthropist Michael Bloomberg is apparently stepping into the breach amid threats by President Donald Trump to withdraw from the Paris climate deal. Bloomberg, who also serves as a UN special envoy on climate change, said through his philanthropic arm he'll pay the US contribution to the UN's leading climate body. Bloomberg's pledge would cover about 20% of the agency's annual $96.5 million budget. After several fire-related delays, the Motion Picture Academy's Oscar nominations have been announced today.

NPR's Bob Mandela reports the unorthodox musical Amelia Perez leads the best picture parade. Amelia Perez is a French and Spanish language gangster musical about trans identity. It led a field of unorthodox films with 13 nominations including Best Picture, another musical Wicked Part 1, and the three and a half hour epic The Brutalist about immigrant trauma followed with 10 nominations each. Joining them in the Best Picture race are the Vatican thriller Conclave and the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown with eight nominations each and the sex worker Romcom Anora with six. Also in the running, the sci-fi epic Dune Part II, the body horror

film The Substance, the Spanish language drama I'm Still Here, and The Nickel Boys set in a racist reform school. The Oscars telecast will be hosted by Conan O'Brien on March 2. Bob Mandelo, NPR News. Uncertainty over a request from President Trump that Saudi Arabian OPEC help bring down oil costs sent oil prices lower today. Crude Oil Futures fell 82 cents a barrel to settle at $74.62 a barrel in New York. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News in Washington. What's in store for the music, TV, and film industries

for 2025? We don't know, but we're making some fun, bold predictions for the new year. Listen now to the Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast from NPR.