Loading summary
Transcript13 lines
- [00:01]
NPR Sponsor
Support for NPR and the following message come from IXL Learning. IXL Learning uses advanced algorithms to give the right help to each kid, no matter the age or personality. Get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when you sign up today@ixl.com NPR Live.
- [00:19]
Jack Spear
From NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. President Trump suggested today that his proposed tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods would be bumped out by another month. The taxes were initially supposed to go into effect on February 1, and Bureau's Danielle Kurtzleben has more.
- [00:36]
NPR Sponsor
The tariffs had been delayed until next week, but at his Cabinet meeting today, Trump seemed to say that his proposed 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico would now be delayed again April 2.
- [00:47]
Jack Spear
I was going to do it on April 1, but I'm a little bit superstitious. I made it April 2. The tariffs go on, not all of them, but a lot of them.
- [00:55]
NPR Sponsor
But it was also unclear how hard and fast that new deadline would be. Later, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick seemed to say it was contingent on Canada and Mexico slowing the flow of fentanyl. Trump has imposed a 10% tariff on Chinese goods, but has proposed many others. That uncertainty, economists say, can itself be harmful because it hampers business investment. Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR News.
- [01:19]
Jack Spear
The Trump administration has suspended the federal official who leads one of the country's most extensive student testing programs, as NPR's Alyssa Nadworny explains. Peggy Carr oversees what is known as the nation' report card.
- [01:31]
Alyssa Nadworny
It's considered the gold standard in assessment of student achievement. The data provide insights on how K12 students are faring in core subjects, including math and reading. Peggy Carr was appointed by President Joe Biden and had worked at the national center for Education Statistics, which runs the test for nearly three decades. The Education Department's press office confirmed her leave but did not provide any reason. The latest data released in January found some marginal improvements, but showed us 4th and 8th graders in 2024 still performing below pre pandemic levels in reading and math. The Trump White House called those results unacceptable and a major cause for concern. Alyssa Nadwiny, NPR News.
- [02:11]
Jack Spear
The Agriculture Department plans to invest up to a billion dollars to fight the avian flu outbreak that has pushed egg prices to record highs. NPR's Scott Horsley reports. Much of the money is aimed at protecting the nation's flock of egg laying hens.
- [02:25]
Scott Horsley
Egg prices jumped more than 15% last month, and panicked buyers emptied store shelves after farm to cull millions of laying hens in an effort to slow the spread of avian flu. The Agriculture Department says it will spend up to half a billion dollars boosting biosafety precautions at egg Farms. Another $400 million will go to speed the replacement of lost birds, although it can take six months to a year to raise a productive laying hen. The federal government is also exploring ways to temporarily boost the supply of imported eggs and possibly to vaccinate domestic chickens. Vaccination efforts are challenging. However, they can make it harder to export birds raised for meat. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.
- [03:05]
Jack Spear
On Wall street, stocks drifted to another mix close today. The dow was down 188 points. The NASDAQ closed up 48 points. The S&P 500 rose a fraction. You're listening to NPR News. The Senate has signed off on Jamison Greer to be the nation's top trade negotiator. Greer's nomination clearing the Senate by a 5643 vote today. A veteran of President Trump's first term economic battles with countries including China, Mexico and Canada, Greer will work with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutn. He'll help push Trump's aggressive trade agenda, including steep tariffs on foreign imports as part of a plan to protect US Industry and raise revenues for the Treasury. This week's Billboard charts are out and Drake has the number one album in the U.S. nPR's Stephen Thompson has the report.
- [03:52]
Stephen Thompson
Last week, Kendrick Lamar dominated the Billboard charts. He had the number one album and song in the country and many more of his works peppered the top 10. This week, he relinquishes the number one spot on the album's chart to a familiar nemesis, the rapper Drake, who in inspired several of Lamar's recent hits. Drake's album Some Sexy Songs for your is a collaboration with the producer Partynext Door. Kendrick Lamar still dominates the top of this week's singles chart with four of the week's top five songs. But just beneath him, Drake has set a new milestone with two songs debuting in the top 10. He's now had eight 80 top 10 hits. That's an all time record. Stephen Thompson, NPR News.
- [04:39]
Jack Spear
Rescuers say they've successfully freed a humpback whale in the Baltic Sea. They became entangled in fishing gear. The whale was spotted off the coast of Poland. A team of wildlife experts spent about an hour cutting and removing netting from the whale. Officials said the animal was stressed but appeared to appreciate the help. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News, in Washington.
- [04:58]
NPR Sponsor
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@mintmobile.com Switch.