NPR News Now - NPR News: 03-06-2025 8AM EST

Episode Date: March 6, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. European leaders are holding an emergency summit today in Brussels. They're talking about how to raise defense spending for the continent by well over three quarters of a trillion dollars. They're also alarmed over fraying ties between the U.S. and Ukraine, as well as the shifting U.S. defense posture toward Europe. Terry Schultz reports from Brussels, European leaders are looking for ways to build internal support. French President Emmanuel Macron in an evening address said he'll call together European army chiefs to discuss a potential peacekeeping force and says he's even considering

extending the French nuclear deterrent over the rest of Europe. So EU leaders hope to decide some things about their future here in Brussels today. Terry Schultz reporting. Vice President Vance traveled to the southern U.S. border to highlight the Trump administration's efforts to cut illegal crossings and drug trafficking. In Piers Franco Ordoña's reports, Vance was joined by the defense secretary and the director of national intelligence.

The trip followed President Trump's joint address to Congress, where he touted a dramatic crackdown in border crossings. Vice President Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard received a helicopter tour of the Eagle Pass area on the border and also met with local law enforcement. Every single day that we continue to keep this border safe, that means less migrant crime, that means less fentanyl coming into our communities. That means more safety and security for the people of the United

States of America. Vance defended the administration against questions about interior enforcement. He said they are working on a plan to make it easier for those here legally to return of their own accord, but he did not give details. Franco Ordonez, NPR News. President Trump's 25 percent tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods mostly remain in effect, but yesterday he gave a one-month reprieve to the big three U.S. automakers. The auto company's leaders warned the Trump tariffs will increase the cost of their cars by thousands of dollars. Other Trump tariffs remain in place on many other goods. NPR's Windsor Johnston reports that includes on fresh produce.

The rise in fresh produce prices is expected to disproportionately affect low-income families who need a larger share of their income to cover essential goods like food. Increased grocery bills may force these households to adjust their spending habits, pushing them toward cheaper processed foods. The new 25 percent tariffs are expected to drive up the cost of fruits like avocados, tomatoes, and strawberries. Carrots and lettuce are also expected to get more expensive. More than 40 million people in the US rely on government food assistance programs like SNAP and WIC. According to the USDA, several states have high participation rates in SNAP, including Louisiana, Oregon, and

New Mexico. Windsor-Johnston, NPR News, Washington. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. President Trump may soon issue an executive action that calls on Education Secretary Linda McMahon to close her agency. NPR has obtained draft of the executive action. It calls on McMahon to act to the maximum extent appropriated and permitted by law to close the Education Department. A new report says that students are doing worse in math and reading. That's partly due to students missing school.

And Piers Janaki-Metha tells us the report shows that attendance rates are improving, but there are some exceptions. A group called School Status has been tracking over a million students in more than 143 districts across seven states. Most districts it tracks are in California. Its latest report looked at the first half of the current school year and found that average daily attendance rates for pre-K through 12 students is 93.45%.

Close to numbers before the pandemic, which averaged around 94%. But older students between 10th and 12th grade are chronically absent more often than younger students. And momentum toward more regular attendance has slowed this year compared to last. students between 10th and 12th grade are chronically absent more often than younger students, and momentum toward more regular attendance has slowed this year compared to last, raising concerns that if students don't get back in the classroom, their grades and their very futures could be at stake.

Janaki Mehta, NPR News. The company that makes the weight loss drug, Wegovi, says it'll offer the medication online to customers. The price will be $499 a month. But there are limitations. The company, Novo Nordisk, says patients will have to pay out of pocket for Wigobi and they cannot use their health insurance. I'm Korva Kuhlman, NPR News.