NPR News: 04-02-2025 12PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: April 2, 2025, 12 PM EDT

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Producer: NPR
Release Date: April 2, 2025

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1. President Trump to Announce New Tariffs

Timestamp: [00:23]

President Donald Trump is poised to unveil a significant new set of tariffs aimed at bolstering the U.S. economy. While the administration touts these tariffs as a means to strengthen domestic manufacturing, economists caution that American consumers will bear the brunt of the costs.

Tamara Keith reports, “President Trump has been hyping up this day for weeks, saying tariffs will boost the US Economy, even though most economists say the cost of tariffs will be paid by American consumers.”

Press Secretary Caroline Levitt elaborated on the administration's strategy: “If you make your product in America, you will pay no tariffs” (00:33). However, manufacturing domestically is typically more expensive, raising concerns about the overall economic impact.

While the tariffs are set to take effect immediately, Levitt indicated that President Trump remains open to negotiations, suggesting that the final details may evolve: “Whatever is announced today may not be where the tariffs ultimately land” (00:33).

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2. Wisconsin Supreme Court Maintains Liberal Majority Amid Elon Musk’s Intervention

Timestamp: [01:13]

In a notable judicial decision, Wisconsin's Supreme Court has upheld its liberal majority despite efforts by Elon Musk to install a conservative judge through a multimillion-dollar campaign. Judge Susan Crawford successfully defeated Judge Brad Schimmel, maintaining the court's current ideological balance.

Chuck Kernbach of WUWM explains, “This race, even though it was the court is nonpartisan. It was definitely a win for Democrats, and they're claiming victory against the president, his administration, and Musk” (01:33). Voters indicated discomfort with Musk’s approach, describing it as “too fast, too broad,” and highlighted that issues like reproductive rights were pivotal in their decision-making, reflecting ongoing national political tensions.

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3. Climate Scientists Criticize Western States’ Water Recycling Efforts

Timestamp: [01:59]

A recent study by UCLA climate scientists reveals that only Nevada and Arizona are effectively recycling and reusing water from the Colorado River, amidst increasing federal pressures on seven Western states to reduce water usage.

Kirk Sigler reports, “They found that Nevada is recycling 85% of its total wastewater. Las Vegas, after all, has been internationally recognized for this” (02:18). In stark contrast, California, the largest wastewater producer, recycles merely about a quarter of its water, and Colorado recycles less than 4%.

The study underscores a critical opportunity for enhanced water management before next year's federal deadline, beyond which mandatory cuts may be imposed if a new water-sharing agreement is not achieved.

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4. Passing of Actor Val Kilmer

Timestamp: [03:00]

The acting community mourns the loss of Val Kilmer, who died at the age of 65 due to pneumonia. Kilmer, celebrated for his versatile roles, leaves behind a legacy of memorable performances in blockbusters such as Top Gun (as Iceman), Batman Forever (as Batman), Tombstone, and portraying Jim Morrison in The Doors.

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5. Buena Vista Social Club Musical Shines on Broadway

Timestamp: [03:41]

Nearly three decades after captivating audiences worldwide, the Buena Vista Social Club story is now being brought to life on Broadway. This musical traces the journey of Cuban musicians from the 1950s Havana music scene to their resurgence in the 1990s, culminating in international fame.

Isabela Gomez Sarmiento details, “The Broadway musical takes creative liberties with the characters, but the music remains at the heart of their story” (03:41). Featuring legends like pianist Ruben Gonzalez, guitarist Compai Segundo, and singer Ibrahim Ferrer, the production celebrates their enduring legacy and cultural impact.

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6. Severe Weather Alerts Issued Across Central United States

Timestamp: [04:25]

A significant weather outbreak has prompted tornado alerts from central Oklahoma to northwestern Arkansas, extending up to northern Missouri. The National Weather Service warns of multiple twisters, including potentially violent EF3 tornadoes with wind speeds between 136 and 165 mph, capable of causing severe damage.

Additionally, the region faces the threat of heavy rainfall leading to floods, with risks also extending to Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. In the financial markets, the Dow Jones Industrial Average saw an increase of 61 points amidst these developments.

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Transcript

[NPR]

NPR informs and connects communities around the country, providing reliable information in times of crisis. Federal funding helps us fulfill our mission to create a more informed public and ensures that public radio remains available to everyone. Learn more about safeguarding the future of public media. Visit protectmypublicmedia.org.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Singh. President Trump is set to announce a raft of new tariffs later today. NPR's Tamara Keith with details.

[Tamara Keith]

President Trump has been hyping up this day for weeks, saying tariffs will boost the US Economy, even though most economists say the cost of tariffs will be paid by American consumers. Press Secretary Caroline Levitt says one of Trump's goals is to build back a domestic manufacturing base in the US it's simple. If you make your product in America, you will pay no tariffs. Manufacturing in the U.S. however, is generally more expensive. Levitt says tariffs will take effect immediately, though Trump has also said he is open to negotiation. So whatever is announced today may not be where the tariffs ultimately land. Tamara Keith, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

The White House liberals have retained their majority of the Wisconsin Supreme Court despite Elon Musk's multimillion dollar effort to get a conservative on the court. Judge Susan Crawford defeated Judge Brad Schimmel. Chuck Kernbach of member station WUWM reports a battle over the ideological balance of the court signal where voters might stand national politics.

[Chuck Kernbach]

This race, even though it was the court is nonpartisan. It was definitely a win for Democrats, and they're claiming victory against the president, his administration, and Musk. And I heard that from voters, too. They say Musk's doge effort is going too fast, too broadly from young voters, though I also heard a lot about reproductive rights, which was the big issue in the last state Supreme Court election we had here two years ago.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Chuck Kernbach reporting. Climate scientists in the Southwest say only two states, Nevada and Arizona, are doing meaningful work to recycle and reuse water from the drying Colorado River. NPR's Kirk Sigler reports on a new study that comes as seven states are under federal orders to negotiate a deal to use far less water.

[Kirk Sigler]

Climate scientists at UCLA crunched numbers from water districts across the seven Western states where 40 million people and countless farms depend on the Colorado River. They found that Nevada is recycling 85% of its total wastewater. Las Vegas, after all, has been internationally recognized for this. But despite a law passed, passed in 2009, California, the largest wastewater producer, only recycles about a quarter. Colorado and its booming population not even 4%. Scientists say these states are missing a huge opportunity to access more water ahead of a looming deadline of next year when federal regulators could order mandatory cuts if a new water sharing truce isn't brokered. Kirk Zigler, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Actor Val Kilmors died. He was 65. His daughter confirmed Kilmer passed away yesterday from pneumonia. Kilmer's roots were the stage, but fans are remembering roles in several blockbusters as well, including as Iceman and Top Gun, Batman, Tombstone and as Jim Morrison in the Doors. From Washington, this is NPR News. Nearly 30 years ago, listeners around the globe fell in love with the Buena Vista Social Club. The band featured Cuban musicians in their 70s and 80s playing old. Now their story is being told on Broadway, as NPR's Isabela Gomez Sarmiento reports.

[Isabela Gomez Sarmiento]

Like in real life, the musical behind Buena Vista Social Club is about a music producer trying to assemble a group of older musicians to record an album. Artists like pianist Ruben Gonzalez, guitarist Compai Segundo and singer Ibrahim Ferrer were all performers in 1950s Havana. But after the Cuban Revolution, many musicians had to look for other jobs to make a living. It wasn't until the 1990s, when they formed Buena Vista Social Club and released an album with the same name, that they achieved international success. The Broadway musical takes creative liberties with the characters, but the music remains at the heart of their story. Isabela Gomez Sarmiento, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Millions of people are under tornado alerts in effect from central Oklahoma to northwestern Arkansas, up to northern Missouri. The National Weather Service is projecting numerous twisters today and tonight. The outbreak may include EF3 intensity tornadoes with wind speeds between 136 and 165 mph. They can cause severe damage. The region's also under the threat of heavy flood generating rainfall, and that risk extends to Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio. The Dow is up 61 points. This is NPR News. Listen to this podcast sponsor free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app, by subscribing to npr news now +@ +npr.org that's +npr.org.