NPR News Now - NPR News: 04-20-2025 3AM EDT

Episode Date: April 20, 2025

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Imagine, if you will, a show from NPR that's not like NPR, a show that focuses not on the important but the stupid, which features stories about people smuggling animals in their pants and competent criminals in ridiculous science studies, and call it Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me because the good names were taken. Listen to NPR's Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me. Yes, that is what it is called wherever You Get Your Podcast. Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. The Supreme Court early Saturday morning took issue with the Trump administration's use

of the Alien Enemies Act. As NPR's Jimena Bustillo reports, the order temporarily blocks the administration from deporting Venezuelans now held in the Blue Bonnet Detention Center in Texas. In a brief order issued after midnight Eastern, the justices wrote that the government is directed to not remove any member of the putative class of detainees from the United States until further order from this court. These would be some of the Venezuelan migrants being held at the Blue Bonnet facility in Texas.

Justice Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissented. The move comes after the Supreme Court previously ordered that the administration could remove people but that they had to get due process first. The ACLU argues that the administration violated that order when it gave some people less than a day's notice that they would be removed under the act. Homeland Security said it's complying with the Supreme Court's original ruling. Jimena Bustillo, NPR News, Washington. The Trump administration, meanwhile, has asked the Supreme Court to dissolve the temporary

stay. Russian President Vladimir Putin says he's ordered his military to observe an Easter Day ceasefire in Ukraine and has called on Ukrainian forces to do the same. NPR's Charles Maynes reports from Moscow. In a televised meeting with his top general, Putin ordered all military operations to cease beginning Saturday evening through midnight Sunday in honor of the Easter holiday. Putin said he was counting on Ukraine to follow suit, but told his military to remain on alert to respond to provocations by Kiev.

Separately Russia's Defense Ministry confirmed it would observe the ceasefire order on the condition that Ukraine do the same. NPR's Kiev bureau confirmed explosions in the Ukrainian capital in the hour before the truce was set to take hold. The Easter ceasefire announcement follows recent warnings by the Trump administration. It may abandon efforts to negotiate an end to the war if it doesn't see progress towards peace. Charles Baines, NPR News, Moscow.

Ukraine's president, meanwhile, says that some fighting is continuing across the country. Hundreds of people gathered in the Republican stronghold of Colorado Springs on Saturday to protest the Trump administration as part of the nationwide 50-51 movement, which refers to 50 protests in 50 states in one day. Colorado Public Radio's Stephanie Rivera reports. Cynthia Barron was one of those protesters braving the cold with a sign that read, Liberation through Public Education. The Colorado Springs resident uses a wheelchair.

She was at City Hall to protest cuts to the Department of Education. Barham fears such cuts would mean less access and equal rights for those with disabilities. So if there are a bunch of cuts to that, then there are going to be a whole bunch of people that don't get to go to school the way I did. And that kind of burns me up. Right now, as in other states, the future of federal funding for Colorado schools remains uncertain. For NPR News, I'm Stephanie Rivera in Colorado Springs.

And you're listening to NPR News. Early this month FEMA announced plans to cancel a suite of grants to help communities combat flooding. Across the country many municipalities have already invested millions to start the projects, but in North Carolina none have received any federal money. Zachary Turner for Member Station WFAE reports from Salisbury, North Carolina. This pump station serves 53,000 customers across Rowan County. But as flooding becomes more frequent due to sediment pollution and climate change,

Salisbury Rowan utilities director Jason Wilson says that water supply is at risk. We have a power plant that uses it for cooling water. So we have a lot of critical customers that rely on our water on a daily basis. FEMA awarded Salisbury a $22.5 million grant to relocate its pump station to higher ground. The city has already spent $3 million to apply for permits and develop a plan. Now the funds to finish this project may never come. FEMA had given the green light to more than 40 other such projects in North Carolina. For NPR News, I'm Zachary Turner.

In the first round of the NBA playoffs, the New York Knicks stunned the Detroit Pistons with a 21-0 run in the fourth quarter to take a 123-112 win on Saturday. Jalen Brunson scored 34 points. The Minnesota Timberwolves overcame Luca Donchich's 37 points to beat the Lakers 117 to 95. Anthony Edwards had 22 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. Never Nuggets slipped past the Clippers in overtime 112 to 110 while the Indiana Pacers overwhelmed Milwaukee 117 to 98.

I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.