NPR News: 07-21-2025 9PM EDT
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Why was former detective Brett Hankison sentenced to 33 months for Breonna Taylor's death?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Kristen Wright. A former Louisville police detective has been sentenced to 33 months in prison for his role in the deadly 2020 raid on Breonna Taylor's apartment. Brett Hankinson was convicted last year of violating Taylor's civil rights. Roberto Roldan with Louisville Public Media reports Taylor's family has mixed feelings.
U.S. District Court Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings said the Justice Department's recommendation that Brett Hankison get just one day in jail was inappropriate. Hankison will be on parole for three years after he gets out. Attorney Lenita Baker, who represents Breonna Taylor's family, said they feel they got some amount of justice. We were here today for a just sentence. And while 33 months in prison is not enough, it's more than they were asking for.
How did protesters react to the Breonna Taylor sentencing hearing?
Taylor's killing at the hands of police helped fuel racial justice protests in 2020. Four protesters were arrested during the hearing for blocking traffic outside the courthouse. For NPR News, I'm Roberto Roldan in Louisville.
Harvard was back in federal court today challenging the Trump administration's move to cut more than $2 billion in research funding. From member station GBH in Boston, Kirk Carrapeza reports many alumni say the case centers on academic freedom.
Veritas! Veritas! Veritas, absolutely.
Anurima Bhargava leads the Harvard alumni group Crimson Courage. At a rally after the hearing, she said the Trump administration has gone too far.
What is the Harvard alumni lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s research‑funding cuts?
They're saying that we can basically interfere whenever we feel like it without regard for the Constitution or federal laws and the procedures that are under them.
In court, lawyers for the administration argued that federal funding is a privilege, not a right. They said if Harvard fails to address alleged anti-Semitism, money stripped from the school could conceivably go to community colleges and historically black universities instead. For NPR News, I'm Kirk Carrapeza in Boston.
A federal judge in Boston has heard closing arguments in a trial challenging the Trump administration's efforts to deport pro-Palestinian student protesters. NPR's Adrienne Florido reports academic groups sued on free speech grounds.
The suit was filed by the American Association of University Professors, arguing the government has targeted non-citizen student protesters in order to stifle criticism of Israel and demands for Palestinian rights. They asked Judge William Young to order the government to stop trying to deport people because of their political views, saying that violates the First Amendment. The judge heard two weeks of testimony from State Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials charged with investigating student protesters, revoking visas, and arresting them. He also heard from academics who said they now self-censor, fearing they could be next.
How are pro‑Palestinian student protesters affected by the federal deportation lawsuit?
A ruling is expected in September. Adrian Flariva, NPR News.
You're listening to NPR News in Washington. Scientists say they may finally be getting closer to a goal that has frustrated researchers for decades, creating artificial blood. NPR's Rob Stein has the story.
Researchers based at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore say their experimental artificial blood appears to be showing promise in extensive testing in rabbits. The blood is made from the oxygen-carrying protein called hemoglobin that's extracted from outdated blood. It's enclosed in a bubble of fat and freeze-dried to a powder. These artificial red blood cells can then be mixed with water to be infused into hemorrhaging accident victims or soldiers, along with other components needed for clotting and blood pressure. The researchers say they're on track to begin human testing in about two years.
What breakthroughs are researchers making toward artificial blood for emergency use?
Rob Stein, NPR News.
Today, the Trump administration released records related to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., The digital files include more than 240,000 pages that had been under seal by the courts since 1977. President Trump signed an executive order on his first day back in office promising to declassify the records.
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Chapters
5 chapters
1
Why was former detective Brett Hankison sentenced to 33 months for Breonna Taylor's death?
0:01–0:51
2
How did protesters react to the Breonna Taylor sentencing hearing?
0:51–1:32
3
What is the Harvard alumni lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s research‑funding cuts?
1:32–2:51
4
How are pro‑Palestinian student protesters affected by the federal deportation lawsuit?
2:51–3:51
5
What breakthroughs are researchers making toward artificial blood for emergency use?
3:51–4:38