NPR News Now - NPR News: 02-14-2025 3AM EST

Episode Date: February 14, 2025

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On the Thru Line podcast, the myth linking autism and vaccines was decades in the making and was a major moment for vaccine hesitancy in America, tapping into fears involving the pharmaceutical industry and the federal government. No matter how many studies you do showing that this is not a problem, it's very hard to unring the bell. Listen to Thru Line from NPR, wherever you get your podcast. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shae Steenhams. President Trump has instructed aides to come up with a plan to raise tariffs on imports

from other countries to match the levies imposed on U.S. goods. As NPR's Scott Horsley reports, it would be in addition to the higher U.S. tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports. One argument that the administration is making is that these tariffs are a short-term tactic to get other companies to open their markets up to U.S. exports. Trump has also talked about using tariffs as a way to raise money for the government and possibly offset some of the cost of the tax cuts he also hopes to pass. The thing is, tariffs can't really do both those things.

Either they're a bargaining chip that would we hope to remove pretty quickly, or they're a revenue raiser that you plan on keeping around for a while. NPR's Scott Horsley reporting. At least 14 states are suing billionaire Elon Musk and Doge, the government efficiency office that he runs. The plaintiffs argue that Musk and Doge have no authority to close government agencies and lay off federal workers without congressional approval. President Trump appointed Musk to run Doge as part of an effort to drastically reduce

the size of government. The Trump administration has already begun firing thousands of federal employees. As NPR's Jeff Brumfield reports, some of those workers were responsible for sensitive nuclear secrets. Around 300 employees at the National Nuclear Security Administration were expected to lose their jobs, according to a source within the agency who was not authorized to speak to the press. Those jobs include overseeing the nation's stockpile of thousands of nuclear weapons,

reducing the global threat from weapons of mass destruction, and spearheading the government's emergency response to nuclear accidents. The terminations affect employees that have only been with the agency for a year or two. Many other agencies, including the Department of Education and the Small Business Administration, are reporting similar firings. Jeff Brumfield, NPR News, Washington. Apple and Google have restored TikTok to their mobile app stores. As NPR's Bobby Allen reports, the companies removed the service last month after a federal law banning TikTok went into effect.

Apple and Google removed China-based TikTok from their app stores nearly a month ago, since a law Congress passed could lead to billions of dollars in fines for hosting the video app. But Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote the tech giants a letter promising the Trump administration will not enforce the ban law. With TikTok back on app stores, the service can get software updates to fix bugs and security issues. As long as China controls TikTok, Apple and Google are technically in violation of federal law by working with the app. Legal experts say it's a risky bet since the Trump administration could reverse its decision and use the law against the companies. Talks are underway for Tick-tock's U.S. operations to be sold.

Bobbi Allen, NPR News. U.S. futures are flat in after hours trading on Wall Street. This is NPR. on Wall Street. This is NPR. Parts of Southern California are bracing for possible rock and mudslides following heavy rain in areas scarred by last month's wildfires. Mandatory evacuation orders are in effect for some areas at risk of mudslides. Jermia Small lives in Sierra Madre's upper canyon community where runoff canals are filling up. We're trying to do our own personal assessment of risk and not get caught up in the hype train,

but also not be, you know, casual about it either. A winter storm in the Pacific Northwest caused whiteout conditions Thursday. Several people were injured in a pileup along a major highway connecting Oregon and Idaho. In South Texas, a judge has ordered an election to decide whether Elon Musk's SpaceX Starship launch site should be incorporated as a new city. Texas Public Radio's Marianne Navarro has the story. The general manager of Starbase has said creating a new Texas city would make it easier to build

amenities for SpaceX employees and others living near the SpaceX launch site. SpaceX filed a petition in December to local officials asking to make Starbase an incorporated territory. Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino says the petition met all statutory requirements and was signed by at least 10 percent of qualified voters as required by law. The election will be held during the general May 3rd election in Brownsville. If approved, Starbase would be a Type C Texas municipality, which has less than 5,000 residents and functions with the mayor and two commissioners.

I'm Marianne Navarro in San Antonio. This is NPR News.