NPR News Now - NPR News: 09-04-2025 4AM EDT

Episode Date: September 4, 2025

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Immigration raids, masked ice agents, Operation Patriot. Our podcast, Here and Now Anytime is looking at Trump's agenda of mass deportation through the eyes of one state. I'm coming to Boston. I'm bringing hell with me. Listen to the podcast, Here and Now Anytime from NPR and WBOR. Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massey is asking his Republican colleagues to join a petition to release all files on the probe of late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He says that only two more signatures are needed. Massey was among members of Congress joining several Epstein accusers outside of the U.S. Capitol yesterday, including Haley Robson. I was a 16-year-old high school student athlete who made good grades and had high aspirations for college.

When I was recruited and asked by a classmate of mine alongside with a 20-year-old male if I wanted to. to give an old rich guy a massage. But what high school girl would not want to do that? That day changed my life forever. An attorney for the Epstein accusers says they are compiling a list of powerful people they met through Epstein and the financial institutions that enabled him. Senate Republicans say they're prepared to change the rules to circumvent a democratic blockade of President Trump's nominees.

According to AP, one proposal would allow confirmations of large numbers of nominees at once if a majority of senators agree. Democrats have blocked most of Trump's nominees, forcing Republicans to hold multiple procedural votes. The result has left many executive positions unfilled. In Florida, officials say they're preparing to eliminate all vaccine requirements in the state, including those for school children. The tales from NPR's Greg Allen.

Governor Ron DeSantis is asking the legislature to repeal a law requiring children to receive vaccines for polio, diphtheria, measles and mumps before entering school. Surgeon General Joseph Latipo says some vaccines, including those for chicken pox, hepatitis B, strep, and other infections are required only by the State Health Department and soon will no longer be required. You don't want to put whatever vaccines in your body, God bless you, and I hope you make an informed decision. The American Academy of Pediatrics says the announcement, quote, will put children in Florida public schools at higher risk for getting sick and have ripple effects across their community. Greg Allen,

PR News, Miami. Louisiana's governor said he would welcome National Guard troops if sent to New Orleans, as Aubrey U-Hass of member station, WWNO, reports, reaction from the city has been mixed. Crime in New Orleans spiked during the pandemic, but has since fallen. And the city's on pace to log a historic 50-year low in murders this year. City officials noted that decline. They thanked the federal government for its past help, including after January's terrorist attack, but didn't say whether they support the president's current offer. Councilmember Helena Moreno, the frontrunner in the race to be New Orleans next mayor, said in a statement she will fight to prevent any federal takeover of New Orleans and said Trump's offer was about scare tactics and politicizing public safety.

On X, Louisiana's governor, Jeff Landry, said he welcomes the president's help, not just in the city, but anywhere in the state. For NPR News, I'm Oprah Yuhas in New Orleans. U.S. futures are flat and after-hours trading. This is NPR. The Portuguese government has declared today a national day of mourning after 18 people were killed, 15 people were killed, and 23 others were injured in a streetcar derailment in downtown Lisbon. Witnesses say the rail cars careening down a hill and landed on its side. Emergency officials say some of the injured are foreigners, but the exact number is unclear.

The cause of the accident is being investigated. Federal tax credits for electric vehicles disappear at the end of the month. As Sam Brash of Colorado Public Radio reports, that's left some U.S. car dealers bracing to shift gears. Ed Olson sells cars with Boulder Nissan. His lot is currently packed with Nissan Arias, all electric SUVs he's currently leasing for as little as $99 a month. So I guess that's our main focus is helping people get these cars now and then transition into October into a new world of selling gas cars and used cars. The federal tax credit authorized in 2022 under then-President Joe Biden is worth up to $7,500. But it ends September 30th under the tax and spending plan President Trump signed in July. Rodium Group, a think tank focused on environmental issues, expects revoking the credit,

will result in up to 38% fewer EVs on U.S. roads by 2035. For NPR News, I'm Sam Brash in Boulder, Colorado. Again, U.S. futures are flat and after-hours trading on Wall Street. On Asia-Pacific markets, shares are mixed, up one and a half percent in Tokyo and down 1 percent in Shanghai. This is NPR News. Stars, they're just like us. John Legend goes to CBS. Well, that's because he has his own skincare line.

It was so exciting to actually go into one of those stores. We had the in-caps. Were you like, I don't want this locked up? John Legend is one of many stars riding the celebrity branding wave. He tells us about it on the East. Indicator from Planet Money. Listen in the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.