NPR News Now: February 13, 2025, 12 PM EST

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Release Date: February 13, 2025

1. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Confirmed as Secretary of Health and Human Services

Time Stamp: [00:17] – [01:17]

Lakshmi Singh announces the confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services. This decision was met with bipartisan support, except for Senator Mitch McConnell, the sole Republican dissenting vote.

Key Points:

• Controversial Nomination: Kennedy, known for his skepticism about vaccines, faced opposition from both political spectrums. The right criticized his past support for abortion rights, while the left opposed his promotion of conspiracy theories related to vaccines, HIV, and Lyme disease.
• Public Health Implications: Experts express concern that Kennedy’s appointment might undermine vaccine confidence nationwide. This is particularly alarming amidst a current measles outbreak in West Texas, which has resulted in 24 confirmed cases, all among unvaccinated children.

Notable Quote:

“Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. was one of President Trump's most controversial cabinet nominations,” explained Scott Horsley. [00:32]

2. Senate Advances Nominations for FBI Director and Secretary of Education

Time Stamp: [01:17] – [01:28]

A Senate committee has moved forward with approving Kash Patel's nomination for FBI Director. Concurrently, President Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, has commenced her confirmation process.

Key Points:

• Kash Patel: Known for his tenure in national security roles, Patel’s advancement indicates a smooth path towards confirmation.
• Linda McMahon: As a former wrestling magnate and current political figure, McMahon’s nomination will be closely scrutinized regarding her education policies.

3. President Trump to Announce New Tariffs Amid Inflation Concerns

Time Stamp: [01:28] – [02:05]

President Trump is set to introduce additional tariffs aimed at addressing inflation, a move reported by NPR's Scott Horsley.

Key Points:

• Reciprocal Tariffs: President Trump advocates for matching the import taxes that other nations impose on U.S. exports to protect domestic manufacturers.
• Economic Impact: While intended to bolster local industries, these tariffs may inadvertently lead to increased consumer prices. Deere and Company experienced a decline in stock value following warnings about slowing sales in North America.
• Agricultural Concerns: U.S. farmers, who derive over 20% of their income from exports, are vulnerable targets in this potential trade conflict.

Notable Quote:

“President Trump wants to impose what he calls reciprocal tariffs, matching the import taxes that other countries charge on US exports,” stated Kerry Johnson. [01:35]

4. DOJ Sues New York Over Immigration Enforcement Policies

Time Stamp: [02:05] – [03:00]

The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against New York State and its top officials regarding immigration enforcement, marking the second legal challenge initiated by the Trump administration against a Democratic-led jurisdiction.

Key Points:

• Legal Grounds: The DOJ criticizes New York’s "green light law," which permits undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses, labeling it unconstitutional.
• State Response: Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Tish James assert that the lawsuit is a publicity stunt and remain steadfast in their defense of the law.
• Federal Precedent: Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized that if other states do not adhere to federal immigration laws, the DOJ will pursue similar legal actions against them.

Notable Quotes:

“New York is prioritizing people in the country unlawfully over its own residents,” declared Pam Bondi. [02:20]
“Governor Hochul says the case is driven by publicity and she won't back down,” reported Selena Simmons Duffin. [02:20]

5. Munich Crowd Attack and Security Conference Preparations

Time Stamp: [03:00] – [03:46]

A vehicular attack in Munich resulted in at least 28 injuries as a car plowed into a crowd a day before a major global security conference. Authorities are investigating the motives behind the incident.

Key Points:

• Attack Details: The driver, a 24-year-old Afghan national, struck pedestrians mid-morning local time.
• Security Measures: U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, both attending the upcoming conference, were confirmed to have no protective impact from the incident.

Notable Quote:

“There was no protective impact to Vice President J.D. Vance, who is in Germany to attend the conference,” reported Selena Simmons Duffin. [03:02]

6. Yogurt Consumption Linked to Reduced Risk of Aggressive Colon Cancer

Time Stamp: [03:46] – [04:47]

A new study published in Gut Microbes suggests that regular consumption of yogurt may offer protection against certain aggressive forms of colon cancer.

Key Points:

• Research Findings: Conducted by Mass General Brigham in Boston, the study analyzed data from over 150,000 individuals over three decades. Those who consumed two or more servings of yogurt weekly exhibited lower rates of proximal colon cancer.
• Mechanism: Dr. Tomotaka Ugai explains that the beneficial bacteria in yogurt help maintain a healthy gut microbiome, which in turn may protect against colorectal cancer.
• Public Health Message: Dr. Ugai encourages yogurt consumption as a simple dietary habit to potentially reduce cancer risk.

Notable Quote:

“My kind of message is that if you like yogurt, go for it,” stated Dr. Tomotaka Ugai. [04:35]

7. Market Update and Global Incidents

Time Stamp: [03:00] – [03:02]

U.S. stock markets were trading higher at the time of the broadcast, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up by 111 points to reach 44,482.

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now covered a range of significant topics, from high-level political appointments and international incidents to groundbreaking health studies and economic policies. The confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has stirred debate regarding public health policies, while ongoing legal battles and potential tariff implementations highlight the dynamic interplay of federal and state powers. Additionally, global security concerns remain at the forefront with recent attacks in Munich, and new research provides hopeful insights into the role of diet in cancer prevention.

For more detailed coverage and updates, visit NPR News Now.