NPR News Now - NPR News: 05-03-2025 10PM EDT

Episode Date: May 4, 2025

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Am I a propagandist? A truth teller? An influencer? There's probably no more contested profession in the world today than mine, journalism. I'm Brian Reed, and on my show, Question Everything, we dive head first into the conflicts we're all facing over truth and who gets to tell it. Listen now to Question Everything, part of the NPR Podcast Network. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Janene Herbst. President Trump is downplaying concerns about an economic slowdown. In an interview for NPCs Meet the Press, Trump says he isn't worried about a recession, but NPR's Tamara Keith reports he also acknowledged there could be short-term

pain for the country. NPCs Kristen Welker asked Trump about concerns being voiced by some on Wall Street that the U.S. could be headed for a recession. The economy had negative growth in the first quarter of this year, and that was before Trump launched his global trade war. Trump insisted there are others on Wall Street who say, quote, this will be the greatest windfall to ever happen. Is it okay in the short term to have a recession? Look, yeah, everything's okay. What we are, I said this is a transition period. I think we're going to do fantastically. Trump administration officials say they expect to strike trade deals soon, but so far none have materialized. Tamara Keith, NPR News. TAMARA KEITH, NPR NEWS ANCHOR Georgia Democrats have picked a new party

chair ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, which could have national implications. Rahul Bali with Member Station WABE has more. RAHUL BALI, WNP, WNP Charlie Bailey has run statewide for Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General losing both races by less than 5%. Bailey, like many attendees at the state party committee meeting, are focusing on what Democrats need to do to win. People have full cause to be angry at the Republicans, but we have not been fighting enough and people aren't just going to know all these things. We've got to communicate what our values are.

Bailey had the backing of U.S. Senator John Ossoff, who is the only incumbent Democratic senator running in a state won by President Donald Trump. Bailey says the bottom line is Democrats need to win and get power to change things. For NPR News, I'm Raul Bali in Atlanta. Supporters of Australia's governing Labor Party have been celebrating a resounding victory in the general election. The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, will return to office with an increased majority. He says Australians had voted for optimism and fairness. The BBC's Katie Watson has more from the Labour Party victory celebrations that took place in Sydney.

Katie Watson, BBC News, BBC News It was celebration, relief, and some disbelief too among Labour supporters that this win was called so quickly. This is quite the turnaround for Anthony Albanese. Going into these elections, it was a tight race. But Donald Trump changed that. Voters opted for an incumbent, a familiar face in an uncertain world. Attempts by the leader of the opposition coalition, Peter Dutton, to take from the Trump playbook,

such as forcing public servants to stop working from home, didn't work out. The BBC's Katie Watson reporting. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Supporters of...rather, the Trump administration is suing Denver and the state of Colorado accusing the city and state and their leaders of interfering with federal efforts to enforce immigration laws in what are known as sanctuary cities. The Justice Department suit names the governor and the mayor as defendants in the latest attempt by the White House to get local governments to cooperate with President Trump's immigration agenda. The suit argues Colorado's sanctuary policies allowed a prison gang from Venezuela to take over an apartment complex near Denver.

Local officials say that claim is exaggerated. Race Horse Sovereignty has won the 151st Kentucky Derby. Justin Hicks with Louisville Public Media has more from Churchill Downs in Louisville. It was a misty and muddy derby following a day of constant rain showers, but nearly 150,000 people showed up to watch as Sovereignty and Jockey Junior Alvarado took home the top prize. Sovereignty started the race at 9 to 1 odds. They win more than $3 million of the $5 million prize purse. It's trainer Bill Mott's second career derby win. The Morning Line favorite journalism had a strong showing midway through the race

but fell behind in the final stretch to come in second. It was followed by Baezza in third place. For NPR News, I'm Justin Hicks. At the Vatican, preparations are underway for the conclave to choose the next pope for the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, including the installation of the famous chimney atop the Sistine Chapel that will be used to burn the ballots cast by the cardinals. The conclave begins Wednesday. You're listening to NPR News. This message comes from WISE, the app for doing things and other currencies. With WISE, to NPR News.