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Episode Date: April 25, 2025

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The scary new movie Sinners from the director of Black Panther finds Michael B. Jordan playing twin brothers. It's got vampires, it's got great music, and it's a fun one to see with a big crowd. This is the most excited I've been about a movie in a very long time. We'll tell you why you should see Sinners on the biggest screen you can. Listen to the Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast from NPR. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dave Mattingly. The Vatican says more than 100,000 people have paid their respects to Pope Francis at St. Peter's Basilica since his body began lying in state on Wednesday. Mourners have filed past the Pope's casket day and night ahead of Saturday's

funeral in St. Peter's Square. President Trump is among world leaders expected to arrive in Rome today for the funeral service. Francis died of heart failure on Monday at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke. Officials in Ukraine are reporting more deaths and injuries from attacks by Russian forces a day after a large-scale missile and drone assault by Russia targeting Kiev left 12 people dead. A federal judge is blocking President Trump's executive order that would require someone to provide proof of

citizenship to register to vote in the U.S. As NPR's Jude Jaffee Block reports, the judge says the president lacks the authority to make the change. Trump's March 25th order directs the Election Assistance Commission, which is an independent bipartisan body, to change the federal voter registration form to include a requirement that applicants show proof of citizenship. But a federal judge paused that provision, writing, quote, Our Constitution entrusts

Congress and the states, not the president, with the authority to regulate federal elections. The judge's ruling is a victory for voter registration groups and Democrats who say such a requirement could create barriers for millions of eligible voters. In a statement, White House spokesperson Harrison Field said the president will keep fighting for election integrity. Jude Jaffe Block, NPR News.

The Trump administration is targeting a small, lesser-known independent aid agency to make more reductions in U.S. foreign aid. Here's NPR's Jonathan Lambert. The Millennium Challenge Corporation is an independent aid agency started during the George W. Bush administration. It focuses on boosting the private sector in low to middle income countries through targeted investment projects like improving the electrical grid in Cote d'Ivoire or making it easier for Indonesian small businesses to get loans. That work could come to a halt. This week,

the Department of Government Efficiency directed the agency to drastically cut its staff of about 320 and end all its contracts. That would significantly reduce the scope of the agency, which has received broad bipartisan support for decades. Jonathan Lambert, NPR News. A judge in Illinois is sending Robert Cremo III to prison for life without the possibility of parole. The now 24-year-old opened fire at a July 4th parade in Highland Park nearly three years ago.

He killed seven people and left almost 50 others injured. Many of those killed were in their 60s, 70s, and 80s. The wounded included an eight-year-old boy left paralyzed. This is NPR News. Some American history museums and libraries in the U.S. are inviting people to share their birthday wishes in the run-up to the nation's 250th anniversary next year. As NPR's Chloe Veltman reports, the website on our250th.org launches today. Jacqueline of New Jersey writes, We hope to keep growing together and making our country a welcoming place for everyone.

Chase in New York wishes for a reduction in the price of snacks because, quote, I don't want to spend $10 on a bag of candy. Louise Mirror is the president and CEO of the New York Historical, the museum behind the initiative. We want young people, not so young people, people in blue states, red states and purple states to be reflective on this occasion. Messages can also be shared in person at participating museums starting this summer. Among them, the Atlanta History Center, Chicago History Museum and the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Chloe Valtman, NPR News.

The top pick in last night's NFL draft went as football analysts had been predicting. The Tennessee Titans select Cameron Ward, quarterback Miami. That's NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announcing the first draft selection before a crowd of football fans in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Cleveland Browns traded the second pick of the draft to the Jacksonville Jaguars, who chose two-way player Travis Hunter out of Colorado. Hunter plays both offense and defense

as a wide receiver and a cornerback. I'm Dave Mattingly, NPR News in Washington. Hey, it's Amartinez. Even as the host of a news show, it can be hard to keep up with the headlines. That is why we make the Up First Podcast. Every morning in under 15 minutes, we cover three major stories with context and analysis from reporters around the world so you can catch up on lo que está pasando while getting

ready, making desayuno, or going to work. So listen to the Up First Podcast from NPR.