NPR News Now - NPR News: 04-22-2025 6PM EDT

Episode Date: April 22, 2025

NPR News: 04-22-2025 6PM EDTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. The Supreme Court heard arguments today in a case that could affect schools around the country. That issue is whether parents are entitled to opt their children out of some classes, where discussion may involve books with LGBTQ characters. More from NPR's Nina Totenberg. The parents are invoking their rights to determine and guide their children's values. They contend that by using these books in the general curriculum, the school board is

violating their rights to the free exercise of religion. The school board counters that an opt-out is not required for mere exposure to ideas, and that if such opt-outs were required, the schools would likely face opt-out demands for science classes where evolution is taught or history classes where the role of women in the workplace is discussed, all of which, the school board says, would disrupt classes and lead to the balkanization of education. Nina Totenberg, NPR News, Washington. Lawyers for a Marilyn Mandi legally deported to El Salvador say the federal government

is blocking their requests for information on what they're doing to bring him back. More from NPR's Amanda Bustillo. Gilmer Abrego-Garcia's lawyers say they've made nearly 30 requests for information about what the government has done to quote facilitate Abrego-Garcia's return to the U.S. from detention in El Salvador. But the Justice Department is objecting to all the requests. That's despite a judge's order to uncover what they've done via a process known as expedited discovery. The Justice Department lawyers who are representing the administration say that they're operating in good faith, but Abrego Garcia's lawyers say the

government is quote, producing nothing of substance. They want a hearing to resolve the stalemate. Jimena Bustillo, NPR News, Washington. Hundreds of scholars say America is swiftly heading toward authoritarianism. NPR's Frank Langford reports on scholars say America is swiftly heading toward authoritarianism. NPR's Frank Langford reports on the findings of a benchmark survey by the group Brightline Watch. The survey of more than 500 political scientists around the country found that ratings of American democracy plunged by 12 percentage points between the November election and early February. Stephen Levitsky, a professor of government at Harvard, cites the Trump administration's attacks on law firms, universities, and the news media.

The degree of power that he has concentrated is really frightening. It should be frightening for anybody who believes in liberal democracy. But some scholars disagree and say Trump is using legitimate presidential powers to solve long-standing problems, including illegal immigration and job loss from trade. Frank Lankford, NPR News. A federal judge is ordering the Trump administration to halt its efforts to shut down the Voice of America, Radio Free Asia, and Middle East broadcasting networks. U.S. District Court judge saying today ordering the administration, or ordered the administration,

rather, to take all necessary steps to restore employees and contractors with the federally funded networks to their positions and resume radio, television and online news broadcasting. Stocks jumped in a widespread rally today. The Dow is up more than a thousand points. The NASDAQ rose 429 points. This is NPR. U.S. health officials now say they are looking to phase out eight petroleum-based dyes from the nation's food supply. The move is being endorsed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and head of the Food

and Drug Administration Marty Markery. The FDA currently allows 36 color additives, including eight synthetic dyes, in January. The FDA banned red dye number three. Many people in the U.S. are celebrating Earth Day today. NPR's Alina Hartounian spoke with two online networks about their sustainable solutions to combat climate change. Co-founder Lizelle Clark says the Buy Nothing project started with the question, how do you curb plastic waste?

Of the three Rs, there's reduce, reuse, recycle. Okay, how about refuse? The group's millions of members share everything from bread tags to sofas. This circular economy stops people from buying new goods and keeps old stuff out of landfills. Arizona based GardenExchangeStands.org is a network of neighborhood plant stands. People can pick up and drop off plants, seeds and other garden related items. Founder DeFayne Weaver says that promotes both sustainability and community. It's nice to just be able to bike down to your neighborhood stand, get your books, get

your plants and seeds, and then share what you have. As the group's website says, it's a lifestyle. Alina Hartounian, NPR News. The top producer of the CBS News program, 60 Minutes, says he's stepping down in a memo to staffers. Executive producer Bill Owens saying it's become clear he could no longer run the program as he has in the past and make independent decisions. President Trump has sued the network for $20 billion, claiming the news magazine deceptively edited an interview with Kamala Harris last

fall. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News in Washington.