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Episode Date: April 23, 2025

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This is out of her glass. In Lily's family, there's a story everybody knows by heart. If this story had never happened. All of us wouldn't be here right now. Sammy wouldn't be here. Nina wouldn't be here. Wally wouldn't be here. Anyone that we know wouldn't be here.

So what happens when Lily's mom tells her this story is not true? This American Life, surprising stories every week. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shae Stevens. President Trump says he does not plan to fire Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell. But as NPR's Franco Ordoniez reports, Trump continues to call for lower interest rates. President Trump has repeatedly criticized Powell for not taking more action to lower interest rates. Trump has even said his, quote, termination cannot come fast enough. But now Trump seems to want to quell concerns about the independence of the Federal Reserve.

Now I have no intention of firing him. I would like to see him be a little more active in terms of his idea to lower interest rates. This is a perfect time to lower interest rates. Trump has cited easing inflation and argues that lowering interest rates would stoke the economy. But the Fed has been hesitant to lower rates because of the uncertainty around Trump's tariffs and the expectation that they will increase prices. Franco Ordonez, NPR News. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has unveiled a plan to streamline his department.

As NPR's Michelle Kellerman reports, Rubio is slashing 132 offices and about 700 jobs at the State Department. Spokesperson Tammy Bruce says Rubio is trying to make the State Department great again. This is a reorganization plan. make the State Department great again. This is a reorganization plan. It is not something where people are being fired today.

They're not, you know, no one's going to be walking out of the building. It's not that kind of a dynamic. But the department is planning about a 15% cut in personnel and Rubio is abolishing some offices that he says have become a platform for left-wing activists. The ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Jean Jahin, says reforms must be done with care.

She warns that when America retreats, China and Russia fill the void. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, the State Department. A federal judge has agreed to block the Trump administration's effort to shut down Voice of America. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth has ordered VOA's agreed to block the Trump administration's effort to shut down Voice of America. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth has ordered VOA's parent to restore the international news service and its workforce. The body of Pope Francis will lie in state for three days at St. Pilar's Basilica. NPR's Ruth Sherlock reports that the pope will be in a much smaller, open casket than has been traditional for previous Popes.

For past papal funerals, the pontiff was laid inside three nested coffins, one of cypress wood, one of elm, and one of lead. They would be covered with a gold cloth and lion state on a raised pedestal in front of the altar in St. Peter's Basilica. Pope Francis has done away with the more ornate parts of this tradition, just as he advocated for simplicity in life, shunning the wealth and frills that come with the papacy. So he's done so in death. When people stream into St. Peter's Basilica, they will find him lying in a simple, single wood coffin lined with zinc. Ruth Sherlock, NPR News, Rome.

This is NPR News, Rome. This is NPR. Millionaire Elon Musk says he has no plans to leave his Department of Government Efficiency Office but says he will spend less time there. Musk defended his work with the White House Doge office during a call with investors this evening. He also dismissed concerns about anti-Tesla protests, suggesting that the activists were hired and that demand for the cars remained strong.

Before the meeting, Tesla reported a 71 percent decline in quarterly profits. U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says the FDA plans to ban synthetic food dyes by revoking authorizations and voluntary withdrawals. Kennedy says the move is necessary to address a possible link between food dyes and chronic disease in children. The Tony Awards nominations will be announced on Thursday. As Jeff London reports from New York, the nominations will cap an active Broadway season. The deadline for Tony-eligible productions is this Sunday, April 27th with two new musicals opening that day. Real Women Have Curves and Dead Outlaw.

Four days later, at 8.30 in the morning, Sarah Paulson and Wendell Pierce will read the announcements of what plays, musicals, actors and production personnel are nominated. There are only five slots in the major category of Best New Musical, which give shows an opportunity to strut their stuff for a national television audience. The Tonys will be broadcast on CBS on Sunday, June 8th with Cynthia Erivo as host. For NPR News, I'm Jeff London in New York. This is NPR News. You want to follow what's happening in Washington, D.C., but you don't want to be scrolling your

phone all day. I'm Scott Detro, and NPR has a podcast that can help. It's called Trump's Terms, stories about big changes the 47th president is pursuing on his own terms. They're short, they're focused episodes that tell you calmly, factually what is happening and what isn't. Listen to Trump's Terms from NPR.