NPR News Now - NPR News: 04-05-2025 11PM EDT

Episode Date: April 6, 2025

NPR News: 04-05-2025 11PM EDTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

This message comes from Mint Mobile. Mint Mobile took what's wrong with wireless and made it right. They offer premium wireless plans for less and all plans include high-speed data, unlimited talk and text, and nationwide coverage. See for yourself at mintmobile.com slash switch. Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. All across the US, hundreds of thousands of people today protested the Trump administration and his Department of Government Efficiency, or DOJ, their angry at administration efforts to dismantle parts of the federal government. Brian Bullough, Member Station KLCC in Eugene, Oregon, reports on a large gathering there at City Hall. Eugene Police estimate at its peak 2,500 people converged on the site waving signs and upside-down

American flags. A group called the Raging Grannies sang against actions by the Trump administration and advisor Elon Musk. Protester David Sanders and his wife Mary Jo were especially upset with the federal worker layoffs, which has disrupted the national park system. We met originally up at Mount Rainier National Park and so that's near and dear to our hearts and the staffing just is not going to be able to handle it because they put a freeze in place and now they can't hire seasonal employees.

What are they going to do? The passion up protests remain peaceful. For NPR News, I'm Brian Bull in Eugene. Congressional Republicans are continuing their efforts to enact key elements of President Trump's domestic policy. Early this morning, Senate Republicans started a long process known as budget reconciliation aimed at avoiding a Senate filibuster.

NPR's Claudia Graciales. This is a blueprint for a multi-trillion dollar measure that could become a hallmark of Trump's second term. It reimagines defense, energy, immigration, and tax policy spending. So lots of major elements here. That includes an extension of tax cuts passed during Trump's first term that are set to expire by year end. Republicans argue Americans would see their tax bills rise without it. But critics say it will come with a huge price tag. That's NPR's Claudia Grisales reporting. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called the Kremlin strike on a residential

area in his hometown proof that Russia doesn't want to stop the war. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports that the ballistic missile launched on Friday killed 18 people, including nine children. Video footage showed smoldering apartment blocks and a playground with civilians sprawled out on the ground dead, as well as screaming parents carrying lifeless children. Several days of mourning have been declared in the town of Kriviryh, about 300 miles southeast of Kyiv. Russia claims it was targeting a meeting of Ukrainian

military officials and Western advisors. Zelensky called that a total lie. Eleanor Beardsley in Pierre News, L'viv. The security force of the Canadian parliament has locked down the institution after a man barricaded himself in the East Block section today. They've also warned anyone in that section to seek shelter, lock doors and hide the East Block House's parliamentary offices. This is NPR News. Renowned guitarist and singer Amadou Bagayoko of the Mali musical duo Amadou and Mariam

has died. He was 70 years old. Officials say he died on Friday but gave no further details about his death. Magayoko performed with his wife Mariam Doumbia. Their music blends traditional African influences with elements of rock, blues and pop. Americans have a lot of health care debt. A blockbuster debt relief bill, a deal rather, will wipe out billions of dollars, but even backers say it's not enough. Noam Levy with NPR's partner KFF Health News reports.

A decade ago, a New York charity pioneered a strategy to use private donations and government funding to buy up old medical debts and relieve the burden on patients. The group, called Undo Medical Debt, just made its biggest purchase ever, a deal worth $30 billion. Allison Sesso leads the charity, which used to be called RIP Medical Debt. You've got to help people who are under the weight of the broken system today. These individuals cannot wait for change. The deal, with debt trading company Pendrick Capital Partners, will retire unpaid bills

for an estimated 20 million people. But America's medical debt problem is huge, and even a debt purchase this big will make only a small dent. One recent survey estimated that in the past year alone, Americans borrowed $74 billion to pay for health care. Carmella Anthony and Dwight Howard will be the latest inductees to the Basketball Hall of Fame later this year. They were announced as part of the newest class on Saturday, also selected were WNBA greats Sue Bird, Maya Moore, and Sylvia Fowles. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.

This message comes from Mint Mobile. Mint Mobile took what's wrong with wireless and made it right. They offer premium wireless plans for less, and all plans include high-speed data, unlimited talk and text, and nationwide coverage. See for yourself at mintmobile.com switch.