NPR News Now - NPR News: 04-05-2025 2AM EDT

Episode Date: April 5, 2025

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Starting point is 00:00:00 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. As President Trump's latest tariffs are about to take effect, California Governor Gavin Newsom is urging international trade partners to exempt California from retaliatory actions. Camp Radio's Laura Fitzgerald has more. California is the world's fifth largest economy and the largest importer in the U.S. As sweeping tariffs take effect, Newsom says his administration is looking for ways for California to maintain its global economic edge.
Starting point is 00:00:43 He posted remarks in a video on social media. I'll remind all our international trading partners, California is a stable trading partner and we hope you consider that as it relates to California made products. Newsom says he's looking for ways to preserve international trade relationships. He also asked partners to consider sparing California products from any retaliatory tariffs. For NPR News, I'm Laura Fitzgerald in Sacramento.
Starting point is 00:01:08 The Trump administration plans to end a VA mortgage program that, by the administration's own estimate, had saved 17,000 veterans from losing their homes. NPR's Quill Lawrence reports. During the pandemic, the Department of Veterans Affairs made an error implementing the VA home loan that left tens of thousands of veterans facing foreclosure through no fault of their own. VA finally stood up a fix called VASP late last year. Since then, it has rescued 17,000 veterans facing foreclosure. But some Republicans in Congress don't like the program because it means the VA takes
Starting point is 00:01:40 on the mortgages and the risk. They've proposed a different kind of rescue program. Now, VA says it will end the VAS program on May 1st, but has not yet announced any alternative to replace it. Housing advocates and the Mortgage Bankers Association have warned without any rescue program, thousands of veterans could lose their homes. Quill Lawrence, NPR News. The Trump administration has also announced plans to hold its first lease sale to auction offshore drilling rights off the Gulf Coast. And Paris Jeff Brady reports that this comes as oil prices have fallen because traders fear the
Starting point is 00:02:15 president's tariffs will slow economic growth and along with it the demand for oil. President Trump campaigned on more drilling for fossil fuels even though production already is at record highs. About 15% of the country's oil and gas production comes from the Gulf of Mexico, which Trump renamed the Gulf of America. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said on Fox News the sale will bring money from oil companies into the federal treasury. When they bid on that lease, they pay the federal government money, and then when they develop those minerals, they pay a royalty. All of that goes towards helping reducing our debt and reducing our deficit. The Interior Department says it expects to publish a lease sale notice in June. Jeff Brady, NPR News.
Starting point is 00:02:58 It was another terrible day on Wall Street as traders coped with the latest round of tariffs by President Trump on Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 2231 points. The Nasdaq closed down 962 points. The S&P 500 was down 322 points. This is NPR News. The number of measles cases continues to grow across the country. Five states have reported active outbreaks. In Oklahoma, health officials say the state now has 10 active cases.
Starting point is 00:03:24 16 other states have also had cases. In Oklahoma, health officials say the state now has 10 active cases. 16 other states have also had cases of measles so far this year. Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that spreads easily. It's preventable through long tested vaccines. Some encouraging news was released Friday
Starting point is 00:03:39 for Bruce Springsteen fans. This summer, the boss will put out a collection of seven previously unreleased albums. NPR's Isabella Gomez Sarmiento has more. Bruce Springsteen has announced that tracks two, The Lost Albums, will include dozens of previously unheard songs, including this one, Rain in the River. That's a song from an unreleased 2018 album. But the entire collection will span as far back as four decades, and it will connect
Starting point is 00:04:09 the dots between some of Springsteen's most notable projects, like Nebraska and Born in the USA. Lauren Anke is a professor of music at George Washington University. She says, Every little piece that can be revealed tells us more about his work as a songwriter and as a singer. Isabella Gomez-Tarmiento, NPR News. UConn is heading to the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship game after overwhelming UCLA Friday
Starting point is 00:04:34 night 85 to 51. Sarah Strong finished with 22 points and Isaiah Fudd scored all over 19 points in the first half for the Laskys. They'll be playing the defending national champion South Carolina. The Gamecocks easily beat Texas 74-57 in the other Final Four game. Freshman Joyce Edwards had 13 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News. Following the news out of Washington, D.C. can be overwhelming. I'm Scott Detrow, and NPR has a podcast that can help. It's called Trump's Terms, stories about big changes the 47th president is pursuing
Starting point is 00:05:08 on his own terms. Each episode is short, usually around five minutes or so. We keep it calm and factual. We help you follow what matters and we leave out what doesn't. Listen to Trump's Terms from NPR.

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