NPR News Now - NPR News: 05-27-2025 7PM EDT

Episode Date: May 27, 2025

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Know that fizzy feeling you get when you read something really good, watch the movie everyone's been talking about, or catch the show that the internet can't get over? At the Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast, we chase that feeling four times a week. We'll serve you recommendations and commentary on the buzziest movies, TV, music, and more. From lowbrow to highbrow to the stuff in between, catch the Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast from NPR. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. The State Department is planning to do a more thorough screening of social media posts of foreign students applying for visas.

NPR's Michelle Kalleman reports it could be tough to get an appointment in the near future because of that. Consulates should not add any additional student visa appointments until they get further guidance on how the new social media screening will work. That's according to a diplomatic cable seen by NPR that calls for, quote, extra vigilance in the student visa process. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce would not comment on the leaked cable. We will continue to use every tool we can to assess who it is that's coming here, whether

they are students or otherwise. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said he's canceled thousands of student feces, including for students who took part in protests against Israel's war in Gaza. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News, the State Department. NPR, along with three member stations from Colorado, filed suit today against President Donald Trump over the executive order that would purport to bar the use of federal funds for NPR and PBS. Suit naming not only the president but also White House Budget Director Russell Vogt, Treasury Secretary Scott Besson, and

others. NPR, Colorado Public Radio, Aspen Public Media, and KUTE Inc. argue the administration's move to slash funding violates the First Amendment. Trump issued the executive order last month calling for an end to funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Latest results from a long-term study find that cash aid to low-income mothers did not improve their child's development in the first four years of life. NPR's Jennifer Ludden reports the landmark project has tracked hundreds of poor children

across the country. Jennifer Ludden, NPR News Anchor, NPR News Anchor Researchers have compared babies whose mothers got more than $300 a month in cash aid with those who got just $20. They made headlines after the first year when the extra money appeared to boost brain activity. But now, three years later, they find no developmental differences. The study measured things like language, executive function, and social-emotional problems. Past research has linked higher scores on all of those with higher family income, but

it was not clear if the money itself made the difference. The study was published in the National Bureau of Economic Research. The cash aid continues for two more years when researchers will assess its impact again. Jennifer Ludden, NPR News, Washington. After five straight months of negative readings, consumers were a bit more confident this month. That's based on the latest reading from the nonprofit research group, the Conference Board. Its consumer confidence index for May was up more than 12 points from the lowest reading since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Consumers have had a somewhat pessimistic view of the economy, in part due to worries about the effect of President Trump's tariffs.

On Wall Street, the Dow is up 740 points today. This is NPR. 740 points today. This is NPR. An explosion at a chemical plant in eastern China has killed at least five people and injured 19 others. That's according to emergency management personnel there. Authorities say six people are still missing following the blast of the Guoshanmei Udao Chemical Company. The plant makes pesticides and chemicals for medical use. It's not initially clear what caused the explosion at the plant that knocked out windows as far

as two miles away. The cost of homeowners insurance has been shooting up in states where big tornado outbreaks are becoming more common. But NPR's Michael Copley reports hail not tornadoes as the big concern for insurers in the middle of the country. Insurers have been raising prices as the cost of extreme weather disasters grows. When tornadoes tear through communities, the destruction is staggering, but the damage is pretty confined. Hail storms hit much larger areas, breaking windows, tearing off siding,

and damaging roofs. Industry analysts say hail accounts for up to 80% of insurance claims from severe thunderstorms each year. The good news is people can protect their homes from hail by investing in fortified roofs if they can afford it. Tornadoes are a different story. Insurance experts say there's only so much stronger roofs and tougher building codes can do in the face of big tornadoes. Michael Copley, NPR News. For years one of the big selling points from Discount Airlines Southwest was its policy

of no checked bag fees, but that is going away after today. Today is the last day to book a flight on Southwest without being hit with a fee to check bags. Southwest says effective tomorrow, begin charging customers to check their baggage. The airline announced the change in policy back in March, abandoning its decade-long practice. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News in Washington.