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Episode Date: April 24, 2025

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A dozen states are suing to try to block President Trump's global tariffs, alleging these are illegal. From member station KJZZ, Cameron Sanchez reports, a coalition of Democratic attorneys general has filed a lawsuit. The 12 attorneys general argue that Congress, not the president, holds the power to impose tariffs. The suit notes that in emergencies, the president has the power to create tariffs, but says that Trump is overstepping his bounds and illegally declaring tariffs at his whim.

The lawsuit is co-led by Arizona Attorney General Chris Mays. We are facing an unprecedented and lawless presidency, one that has made a habit over the last three months of disregarding the separation of powers and ignoring the two other co-equal branches of government. The attorneys general are specifically challenging four of Trump's executive orders and argue the tariffs will leave Americans shouldering high costs. For NPR News, I'm Cameron Sanchez in Phoenix. A federal judge in Vermont has begun hearings on the detention of a Columbia University student by federal immigration authorities. The Trump administration wants to deport Mohsen Madhawi for his pro-Palestinian activism. NPR's Adrian

Florido reports immigration agents arrested Madhawi last week when he showed up for his U.S. citizenship test. Massant Madhavi was in the courtroom as his lawyers asked that he be granted bail. They argue the government is trying to deport him solely for his political activism, a violation of his First Amendment right to free speech. Lawyer Cyrus Mehta read a statement for Madhavi outside the Burlington courthouse. I don't want people to lose hope, stay positive, and believe in the inevitability of justice.

Government lawyers want Madhawi to remain in ICE custody in Vermont. The judge gave them a few days to file papers explaining why. He'll hold a second hearing next week. Adrienne Fletivo, NPR News. The retrial of disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein resumes today in New York. He is accused of sexually abusing three women. His earlier conviction was overturned by New York's highest court. Weinstein's lead attorney Arthur Idalla says the accusers are manipulative. The truth is there was some serious relationships that Mr. Weinstein had with these people that

were consensual. Prosecutors sharply disagree. So does Lindsay Goldbrew, the lawyer for one of the women. She says Weinstein's lawyer statements are offensive. And we're just simply mischaracterizations and outright mistruths as it is connected to the lives and the experiences of these women. Separately, Weinstein has been convicted of rape and sexual misconduct in California. He's been sentenced to 16 years in prison.

His lawyers are appealing. This is NPR. Today is Holocaust Remembrance Day in Israel. Earlier today, people in Israel stopped for two minutes of silence to remember the six million Jews murdered in World War II. This year's Holocaust Remembrance Day comes as Israel is at war with Hamas in Gaza. Israeli strikes have killed more than 50,000 Palestinians, including thousands of Palestinian children. The historic language of Ashkenazi Jews is Yiddish. It appears to be making a comeback. That's according to Yiddish experts who say Jews are returning to the language.

From member station KCRW in Santa Monica, Robin Estrin has more. Interest in Yiddish boomed nationwide during the pandemic, says Sarah Bunin Benor. She directs the Jewish language project at Hebrew Union College. There was a very strong spike in participating in Yiddish activities and Yiddish conversation groups and Duolingo and Yiddish wordal and that

interest appears to have held Duolingo. The language app said by email that more than 360,000 Yiddish Wordle. And that interest appears to have held. Duolingo, the language app, said by email that more than 360,000 Yiddish learners worldwide are on the platform today. Some Jews say they've turned to Yiddish to reconnect with their roots after generations of assimilation. Others who are critical of Israel say they're exploring Jewish identity outside of Zionism. For NPR News, I'm Robin Estrin. It was 35 years ago today that NASA launched the Hubble Space Telescope.

It has returned stunning images ever since. Researchers say they rely on the Hubble's data to prepare major scientific papers. It's NPR. This message comes from the Kresge Foundation. Established 100 years ago, the Kresge Foundation works to expand equity and opportunity in cities across America. A century of impact, a future of opportunity. More at kresge.org.