NPR News: 04-02-2025 10AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: April 2, 2025, 10AM EDT

Host: Korva Coleman | Produced by NPR

---

Stock Market Declines Ahead of President Trump's Tariff Announcement

[00:16] Korva Coleman opens the episode by discussing the continued downward trend in the stock market as investors brace for President Donald Trump's imminent tariff announcement. The Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced a significant drop, falling approximately 110 points in early trading sessions.

[00:30] Scott Horsley provides further insight, highlighting that the stock market has been signaling concerns over the administration's trade policies for several weeks. Despite warnings from economists about the adverse effects of widespread tariffs—such as increased prices for businesses and consumers, slowed economic growth, and potential job losses—the White House remains resolute. Horsley reports, "President Trump is set to push ahead with a tariff announcement in the White House Rose Garden this afternoon."

Additionally, gasoline prices are on the rise, with the average pump price for regular gas reaching about $3.24 a gallon, marking a 9-cent increase from the previous week. However, this is still approximately 30 cents lower than last year at the same time.

---

Senator Cory Booker Breaks Filibuster Record

[01:11] In an unprecedented move, New Jersey Senator Cory Booker delivered the longest speech ever on the Senate floor, surpassing the previous record held by segregationist Senator Strom Thurmond. Booker's filibuster began a 25-hour speech on Monday evening, during which he invoked the legacy of the late civil rights leader John Lewis, emphasizing the importance of "doing good work through creating good trouble."

[01:31] Concluding his marathon speech, Booker stated, "This is a moral moment. It's not left or right. It's right or wrong. Let's get into trouble, my friend. Madam President, I yield the floor." His efforts highlight his commitment to civil rights and set a new benchmark for legislative advocacy.

---

Florida's Special Congressional Elections Show Shifting Dynamics

[01:41] The episode moves to the outcomes of the special congressional elections in Florida, where two Republican candidates secured decisive victories. These candidates were notably endorsed by President Trump, reflecting the President's influence in the races.

[02:02] Greg Allen reports on the results: In Florida's first congressional district on the panhandle, former Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Petronas defeated Democrat Gay Vallomont by 15 points—a narrower margin compared to Vallomont's previous run against Matt Gaetz. Similarly, in the sixth district on the east coast, Republican Randy Fine overcame Democrat Josh Wheel by approximately 14 points, significantly less than the 33-point victory secured by Democrat Mike Waltz in November.

Florida's Democratic Party chair described these outcomes as a "historic overperformance," suggesting that voters are increasingly opposing President Trump's agenda.

---

Wisconsin's State Supreme Court Election and Elon Musk's Involvement

[02:43] In Wisconsin, a pivotal nonpartisan election saw liberal candidate Susan Crawford win a seat on the state Supreme Court with a comfortable margin. This victory came despite significant financial interference from billionaire Elon Musk, who invested millions to support her conservative opponent. Crawford's success is notable in the broader context of efforts to influence judicial elections through substantial financial backing.

Musk's involvement also ties into broader electoral themes, including Wisconsin voters' recent decision to enshrine voter ID requirements into the state constitution, a move he continues to support.

---

Devastating Earthquake in Myanmar and Its Aftermath

[03:05] Tragedy struck Myanmar when a powerful earthquake hit last Friday, resulting in over 2,800 fatalities. The military government reported thousands of injuries, with rescue operations ongoing. A poignant moment was the rescue of a man from the rubble of a hotel in Yangon, Myanmar's capital, though hope remains slim for rescuing additional survivors.

The earthquake's impact extended to neighboring Thailand, where more than 20 lives were lost. The international community continues to monitor the situation, providing aid where possible.

---

Severe Storm Threatens Central United States

[03:45] The National Weather Service has issued warnings for a significant storm approaching the central United States. Forecasts indicate that Louisville, Kentucky, could experience substantial rainfall accompanied by wind gusts reaching up to 50 miles per hour. Meteorologists are closely monitoring the storm's progression to mitigate potential damages and ensure public safety.

---

Health Secretary Advocates for Restricting Food Aid from Purchasing Soda

[04:00] Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has proposed that states should prohibit the use of federal food aid funds to purchase sugary sodas. NPR's Katia Riddle explores this controversial stance, noting that while there is consensus among food policy experts that excessive sugary soda consumption contributes to chronic health issues in America, some argue that banning soda is not the most effective approach.

[04:17] Joel Berg, CEO of Hunger Free America, commented, "I think it's fair to say there are people who are, well meaning who are truly concerned about public health who support this. And it's also true that there are people who are not well meaning that just want to punish poor people."

Berg emphasizes that to genuinely improve public health, there needs to be increased accessibility and affordability of nutritious food, rather than restrictive measures on existing choices.

---

Passing of Actor Val Kilmer

[04:36] The episode concludes with the sad news of actor Val Kilmer's passing at the age of 65. His daughter confirmed that Kilmer died of pneumonia in Los Angeles. Kilmer had previously battled throat cancer and was renowned for his roles in iconic films such as Top Gun and The Doors. His contributions to the film industry are remembered fondly by fans and colleagues alike.

---

This summary excludes advertisements, introductions, and outros to focus solely on the news content presented in the NPR News Now episode from April 2, 2025.

Transcript

[Pemco Mutual Insurance]

This message comes from Pemco Mutual Insurance Company. Their mission is to help customers worry less and live more. So they're sharing prevention tips that empower you to prevent some of life's pitfalls before they happen. Visit pemco.com prevention live from NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Stocks continued their downward slide this morning in advance of President Trump's big tariff announcement this afternoon. NPR's Scott Horsley reports that the Dow Jones industrial average fell about 110 points in early trading.

[Scott Horsley]

The stock market has been flashing a warning sign about the president's trade policy for weeks, but so far the White House appears undeterred. Economists warn widespread tariffs will raise prices for businesses and consumers in the US While slowing economic growth and possibly costing jobs. Nevertheless, President Trump is set to push ahead with a tariff announcement in the White House Rose Garden this afternoon. Gasoline prices continue to climb as crude oil prices hover just above $70 a barrel. AAA says the average price at the pump for regular gas is about $3.24 a gallon. That's up 9 cents from a week ago, but still about 30 cents lower than this time last year. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

New Jersey Senator Cory Booker has set a record by giving the longest ever speech on the Senate floor. The Democrats started a 25 hour speech Monday evening by referencing the late civil rights leader John Lewis about doing good work through creating good trouble. Booker repeated himself last night when he concluded his record speech.

[Cory Booker]

This is a moral moment. It's not left or right. It's right or wrong. Let's get into trouble, my friend. Madam President, I yield the floor.

[Korva Coleman]

Booker, a black American, has surpassed the prior record of segregationist Senator strom Thurmond. In 1957, Thurmond filibustered for 24 hours against the Civil Rights Act. Two Republican candidates have won decisively in the special congressional elections in Florida. They were endorsed by President Trump. NPR's Greg Allen reports.

[Greg Allen]

In the first congressional district on Florida's panhandle, the state's former chief financial officer, Jimmy Petronas, defeated Democrat gay Vallomont by 15 points. That margin of victory is 17 points narrower than in November when when she ran against Matt Gaetz, who left Congress several weeks later. In the sixth District on Florida's east coast, Republican Randy Fine beat Democrat Josh wheel by about 14 points. That's a significantly narrower margin than that seen by then Congressman Mike Waltz in November, who defeated his Democratic opponent by 33 points. Florida's Democratic Party chair says that the results are quote, a historic over performance and that voters are rejecting Trump's agenda. Greg Allen, NPR News, Miami.

[Korva Coleman]

In another closely watched nonpartisan election, a liberal candidate has won election to Wisconsin's state Supreme Court. Susan Crawford won comfortably. Billionaire Elon Musk had poured millions of his own money into the race to support her conservative opponent. But Musk is also pointing to a measure Wisconsin voters passed to enshrine voter ID requirements into the Wisconsin state constitution. Again, on Wall street, the Dow was down about 113 points. This is NPR. The military government running the country of Myanmar now says more than 2,800 people have been killed in last Friday's earthquake. Thousands of others are injured. A man was pulled from the rubble of a hotel in Myanmar's capital, but hope he is fading for the rescue of others. The quake also killed more than 20 people in neighboring Thailand. In the US the National Weather Service says a significant storm is headed for the central part of the country. Forecasters in Kentucky say Louisville could get significant rain. They're also worried about wind gusts up to 50 miles per hour. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Says that states should stop letting people use federal food aid to buy soda. NPR's Katia Riddle reports. Some food policy experts are skeptical.

[Katia Riddle]

One thing most people who study this issue agree on, too much sugary soda is bad and it's contributing to chronic health problems in America. But some say that banning soda just isn't the most effective strategy to address this issue. Joel Berg is CEO of an organization called Hunger Free America.

[Joel Berg]

I think it's fair to say there are people who are, well meaning who are truly concerned about public health who support this. And it's also true that there are people who are not well meaning that just want to punish poor people.

[Katia Riddle]

Berg says to truly impact public health, nutritious food needs to be more accessible and affordable. Katie Riddle, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

Actor Val Kilmer has died at the age of 65. His daughter says Kilmer died of pneumonia in Los Angeles. He had previously recovered from throat cancer. Kilmer starred in numerous films, including Top Gun and the Doors. I'm Korba Kuhlman, NPR News.

[NPR Sponsor]

This message is brought to you by NPR sponsor Shopify. It's 2,025, a new year with new opportunities. The best time to start your new business is right now. Go to shopify. Com NPR allovercase to sign up for a $1 per month trial period today.