NPR News Now - NPR News: 04-01-2026 2AM EDT

Episode Date: April 1, 2026

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Live from NPR News, I'm Charles Snyder. President Trump is planning to address the nation. The White House says he will deliver an update on the Iran War Wednesday night. His address follows remarks Tuesday that the U.S. could end its attack soon. I would say that within two weeks, maybe, two weeks, maybe three, we're hitting them very hard. Last night, we knocked out tremendous amounts of missile-making facilities. President Trump speaking at the White House during the Senate. signing of an executive order cracking down on mail-in voting. The order would also create a national

voter list that is already facing threats of lawsuits and places restrictions on absentee ballots. Back on Iran, Trump also criticized allies that have not helped the U.S. war effort, saying the U.S. won't have anything to do with what happens next in the Strait of Pormuz. The U.S. average price of a gallon of regular gasoline has passed $4 a gallon up more than a dollar from before the Iran War. It's $589 in California. NPR Stephen Besaha reports that despite the high prices, people in the U.S. are still driving. Ken Davis said he didn't have much choice making the drive between Birmingham and Atlanta. Because this is something we needed to do for business. So, I mean, you know, when you're, when you have to do it, you have to do it. He stopped at Buckees

in Leeds, Alabama to refuel. And just about all the stores, 100 gas pumps were taken by driving. still paying high gas prices. My wife doesn't have that to deal with because she has an EV. So, you know, she's got a full tank every day. She leaves home. But, you know, me, I'm still going with gas. So I've got to pay the price for it. Eva said he is cutting back on personal trips.

Stephen Massaha, NPR News. Back in Washington, the Supreme Court is set to take up President Trump's challenge to birthright citizenship. The notion that all babies born in the U.S. are automatically entitled to citizenship. in PR's Nina Totenberg reports. Birth rights citizenship didn't make it into the Constitution until after the Civil War

when Congress and more than three quarters of the states approved a constitutional amendment that defined citizenship in the broadest terms. It says, quote, all persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof are citizens of the United States. President Trump, however, has long maintained

that the Constitution does not authorize birthright citizenship and on the first day of his second term, he issued an executive order barring citizenship for babies born in the U.S., whose parents entered the country illegally or who are living and working here legally on a temporary visa. So far, every judge to have heard the challenge to Trump's interpretation of the Constitution has disagreed. Now the Supreme Court will decide. Nina Totenberg, NPR News, Washington. And you're listening to NPR News. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the Army pilots who flew their attack helicopters near Singer Kid Rock's house over the weekend will not be punished. Hexseth made the announcement on social media Tuesday. Hems after the air crews involved in the incident had been suspended.

Kid Rock posted a social media video on Saturday showing him saluting one of the helicopters. Washington State has, for now, its first income tax. Governor Bob Ferguson signed attacks on high earners, also known as the billionaires tax into law this week. From member station KUOW, Sarah Mises Tan reports. The new law levies a 9.9% tax on all incomes over a million dollars and is expected to generate about $3 billion annually. But before the ink was even dry, opponents have promised lawsuits. Governor Ferguson says he's expecting challenges, but believes the tax will prevail.

When Washingtonians here, the benefits that flow to working families, to businesses, large and small to kids in schools with those free meals for child care services for thousands of Washington families, it's going to make a huge, huge difference. Opponents say any income tax, even if it's just on the wealthy, is against the state's constitution. Washington is one of just nine states in the country without one. For NPR news, I'm Sarah Mises Tan in Olympia. Iraq has qualified for soccer's World Cup. The Iraqi team secured the 48th and final spot with a two goals to one intercontinental

off win over Bolivia, Iraq heading to the Summer's World Cup after a 40-year absence. I'm Giles Snyder. This is NPR News.