NPR News: 04-27-2026 10PM EDT

This NPR News Now broadcast from April 27, 2026, leads with a major security incident tied to the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, alongside Trump administration actions drawing criticism, potential lapses in federal research funding, and lighter cultural updates.

Charges in White House Dinner Assassination Attempt

Authorities charged Cole Allen with attempted assassination of President Trump after he allegedly tried to storm the White House Correspondents' Association dinner armed with guns and knives. Prosecutors cited a letter Allen wrote to family members stating he was targeting administration officials. A Secret Service officer was shot during the incident but survived unharmed, thanks to a bullet-resistant vest. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanch addressed the media at the event, blaming journalists for contributing to political violence in the U.S. He argued that overly critical reporting—such as calling the president "horrible"—fuels such acts, placing some reporters "just as guilty as a lot of people on X." Blanch noted the media's role in heightening tensions, suggesting their rhetoric has real-world consequences.