NPR News Now - NPR News: 04-23-2025 4AM EDT

Episode Date: April 23, 2025

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These days, there is a lot of news. It can be hard to keep up with what it means for you, your family, and your community. Consider This from NPR is a podcast that helps you make sense of the news. Six days a week, we bring you a deep dive on a story and provide the context, backstory, and analysis you need to understand our rapidly changing world. Listen to the Consider This Podcast from NPR. Shade Stevens Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shade Stevens. The Environmental Protection Agency has notified almost 300 staffers that they could be fired. That's according to an email obtained by NPR. Details from NPR's Nate Perez. Nate Perez The notices of intent went to employees who

work on environmental justice or on diversity, equity, and inclusion issues. The letters state workers could be fired by July 31. EPA spokesperson Molly Vaslou said, the move ensures that the agency is best positioned to protect human health and the environment. The union that represents EPA workers said in an email that it is, quote, interesting that the agency chose to send reduction in force notices a day before Earth Day. EPA staffers have been on paid administrative leave since February after Trump signed an

executive order targeting DEI programs. Nate Perez, NPR News. Millionaire Elon Musk says he has no plans to leave his Department of Government efficiency but says he will spend less time there. Musk defended his work with the White House Doge office during a call with investors Tuesday evening. He also dismissed concerns about anti-Tesla protests, suggesting the activists were hired and that demand for the cars remained strong.

Before the meeting, Tesla reported a 71 percent drop in quarterly profits. President Trump is no longer suggesting he wants to fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Trump says he still wants the Fed to lower its benchmark interest rate, noting that inflation is still decreasing. It's all coming down. The only thing that hasn't come down but hasn't gone up much are interest rates, and we think the Fed should lower the rate. We think that it's a perfect time to lower the rate and would like to see our chairman be early or on time as opposed to late.

Trump also noted Tuesday's gains on Wall Street. Global markets tumbled on his criticism of the Fed Monday and previously in response to his sweeping tariffs. Global markets are advancing after Wall Street's rebound. Shares in Asia are mostly higher in Wednesday trading. More from NPR's Giles Snyder. The major U.S. stock indexes saw a broad rally in Tuesday trading. The Dow rose 1016 points for a gain of 2.7%. The NASDAQ composite also closed up 2.7% and the S&P 500 climbed 2.5%.

The gains came after Treasury Secretary Scott Besson said he believes there will be a de-escalation of trade tensions with China. President Trump weighed in, saying he won't play hardball with China on trade. And he dialed back days of criticism leveled at Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, saying he has no intention of firing him. The markets were also boosted by Elon Musk's announcement that he will step away from Washington after his Tesla electric car company reported a steep drop in profits. Trial Snider, NPR News.

This is NPR. This is NPR. An 8,500-acre wildfire in Ocean County, New Jersey has forced thousands of people to evacuate. There are no immediate reports of injuries, but thick smoke from the blaze has prompted state officials to close a section of Garden State Parkway, one of New Jersey's busiest highways. Fire officials say the blaze is 10% contained. In Mississippi, Catholics hold an array of opinions about Pope Francis' legacy, and the Catholic Church's way forward. Shamir Mohammed with Mississippi Public Broadcasting has more.

As the world reacts to Pope Francis' death, there are mixed reactions to his legacy. At the Cathedral of St. Peter in Jackson, Mississippi, Bishop Joseph Kopass discusses views within his congregation. Well you have a range, right? And so there are some who just love his teachings and his, you could say his emphasis. And others feel he's too progressive. Joanne Foray is a congregant who says it's up to the cardinals to decide how the church will move forward. We can always hope for something that we want, but it's going to have to be their decision what they, the cardinals, are going to decide for the better of the people of the world. A funeral for Pope Francis will be held in Vatican City on Saturday.

For NPR News, I'm Shamir Mohammed in Jackson. The body of Pope Francis has been transferred to St. Peter's Basilica to lie in state until his funeral on Saturday. Francis is to be laid to rest at St. Mary Major Basilica outside of the Vatican. He died early Monday at the age of 88. This is NPR News. Hey, it's A. Martinez. Even as the host of a news show, it can be hard to keep up with the headlines. This is NPR News.