NPR News Now - NPR News: 05-04-2025 1AM EDT

Episode Date: May 4, 2025

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This is Ira Glass, the host of This American Life. So much is changing so rapidly right now with President Trump in office. It feels good to pause for a moment sometimes and look around at what's what. To try and do that, we've been finding these incredible stories about right now that are funny and have feeling and you get to see people everywhere making sense of this new America that we find ourselves in. This American Life, wherever you get your podcasts. Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. President Trump released a budget outline this week

that offers $163 billion in cuts to domestic spending. His plan would slash the budget for the Centers for Disease Control by more than half and gut an initiative that helps low income Americans pay their energy bills. NPR's Ron Elving says there's already some grumbling on Capitol Hill over the proposal. In the House, you hear similar objections

to the ones we're hearing from the Senate, from Republicans in swing districts. But you're also hearing from the hardcore budget hawks who want Trump to go further. They want deep, long-term cuts, and now, while the political climate still feels like last fall, and they are afraid another budget cycle will go by and they'll have missed the chance for that fundamental change in what the government does.

NPR's Ron Elving. Supporters of Australia's governing Labour Party are celebrating a resounding victory in that country's general election. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will return to office with an increased majority. Speaking on Saturday, he said Australians had voted for optimism and fairness. The BBC's Katie Watson has more from the Labour Party victory celebration in Sydney. There 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. Colorado river experts are providing a roadmap for solving the region's water crisis. As Alex Hager of Member Station KUNC reports, they're nudging policymakers who are at an impasse about sharing the river's water. California, Arizona and Nevada have proposed relatively modest cutbacks to their water

use. Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Wyoming say they don modest cutbacks to their water use. Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Wyoming say they don't want to give up any water. Anne Castle, a co-author of the new recommendations, says all of the states need to engage in some shared pain. Anne Castle, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times,

New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New that needs to use less water. But in order to have a viable and politically viable agreement, everybody has to do a share.

The memo, written by academics and retired policy makers, also calls for better protections for tribes and the environment. They've long been left out of talks about sharing the river. For NPR News, I'm Alex Hager in Tucson. President Trump posted an AI-generated photo of him dressed as pope to his social media platforms this weekend. The post came as mourning continues after the death of Pope Francis last month. The image has received condemnation from some who say it's in poor taste.

A papal conclave to name a new pope is expected to begin Wednesday. This is NPR News. Pakistan test fired a ballistic missile this weekend. The surface-to-surface weapon has a range of about 280 miles. That's according to the Pakistani military. Officials say the test was aimed at assuring operational readiness of troops. The launch took place. Its tensions continue to grow between Pakistan and its neighbor India. Racehorse Sovereignty has won the 151st Kentucky Derby. Justin Hicks with

Louisville Public Media has more from Churchill Downs. 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 to1 odds. They win more than $3 million of the $5 million prize purse. It's trainer Bill Motts' 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. Arena Sebelinka beat American Cocoa Golf in straight sets on Saturday to win her record-tying third Madrid tennis open.

Sebelinka dominated the first set and edged golf in a tiebreaker for the win. The win is Sebelinka's 20th career title and her tour-leading third of the year. Golfer Jim Dent has died. Dent was one of the top black golfers of his generation. He won 12 times on the PGA Tour of Champions. He started as a caddy at the municipal course in Atlanta before finally making it onto the PGA Tour. He died just one week before his 86th birthday. I'm Dale Wilman, NPR News. You want to follow what's happening in Washington, D.C., but you don't want to be before his 86th birthday. I'm Dale Wilman, NPR News.