NPR News: 04-02-2025 9AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of April 2, 2025, 9AM EDT Episode

Host: Korva Coleman
Release Date: April 2, 2025
Duration: Approximately 5 minutes

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1. President Trump's Proposed Sweeping Tariffs and Economic Implications

In the opening segment, Korva Coleman reports that President Trump is set to introduce comprehensive new tariffs on products imported from all other countries. The President argues that these measures are essential for the United States to reclaim lost income and foster the creation of more American jobs. However, the move has garnered criticism from economists who warn of potential economic downturns.

Diane Swonk, Chief Economist for KPMG US, provides expert analysis on the situation:

"We know, for instance, from the 2018, 2019 tariffs, higher tariffs on steel did create more jobs in the steel sector, but at the expense of overall manufacturing jobs because inputs costs went up and manufacturers actually slipped into a manufacturing recession."
— Diane Swonk [00:43]

Swonk highlights that while specific sectors like steel may experience job growth, the broader manufacturing landscape could suffer due to increased input costs, potentially leading to a recession.

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2. U.S. House of Representatives Halts Business Over Parental Voting Bills

Two members of the U.S. House of Representatives, Florida Republican Anna Paulina Luna and Colorado Democrat Brittany Patterson, have disrupted the chamber's activities for the week to advocate for legislation that permits new parents to vote remotely.

Luna discusses the significance of their efforts:

"The vote also blocked action on all other bills scheduled for this week. [...] It's a win for parents."
— Anna Paulina Luna [01:17]

Brittany Patterson emphasizes the historical impact of their actions:

"Today is a pretty historical day for the entire conference. It's showing that the body has decided that parents deserve a voice in Washington and also to the importance of female members having a vote in Washington, D.C."
— Brittany Patterson [01:41]

Despite opposition from GOP leaders, Luna and Patterson successfully garnered support from nine Republicans and all House Democrats to defeat the measure aimed at removing the parental voting bills. House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed disappointment over the outcome, indicating that leadership would attempt to block similar measures in the future.

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3. Record-Breaking Wisconsin Supreme Court Judicial Race

The Wisconsin judicial race for an open seat on the state's Supreme Court has concluded, with the liberal-backed candidate Susan Crawford emerging victorious. This race was notably the most expensive judicial contest in American history, amassing over $100 million in expenditures.

Ayan Silver reports on the dynamics of the race:

"Voters like Serena Sato, who knocked on doors for Crawford, said that the message is that democracy wins and that Musk and Trump's actions are deeply unpopular."
— Serena Sato [02:50]

Brad Schimmel, Crawford's opponent, received significant backing from President Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, contributing at least $25 million to his campaign. Despite this substantial financial support, voter sentiment favored Crawford, who was praised for her common sense and experience representing organizations like Planned Parenthood and labor interests.

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4. Narrow Republican Victories in Florida's Special U.S. House Elections

In recent special elections in Florida, Republicans Jimmy Petronas and Randy Fine secured victories in two U.S. House seats. Both candidates were endorsed by President Trump. However, their margins of victory were notably slimmer compared to previous elections, indicating a potential shift in voter dynamics.

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5. Winter Storms Disrupt the Northern Plains and Great Lakes Region

Severe winter storms have prompted warnings and advisories across parts of the Northern Plains and the Great Lakes, including Michigan. The state is grappling with nearly 100,000 customers still without power following ice storms last weekend, which tragically resulted in seven fatalities, including three children.

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6. Buena Vista Social Club’s Musical Journey to Broadway

NPR's Isabel Gomez Sarmiento delves into the transformation of the beloved Buena Vista Social Club into a Broadway musical. The original band, consisting of Cuban musicians in their 70s and 80s, gained international acclaim in the 1990s for their rendition of classic Cuban music. The Broadway adaptation captures the essence of their journey, focusing on a music producer's efforts to reunite these seasoned artists to record a new album.

Gomez Sarmiento notes:

"The Broadway musical takes creative liberties with the characters, but the music remains at the heart of their story."
— Isabel Gomez Sarmiento [04:08]

The production pays homage to the musicians' resilience and the enduring power of their music, celebrating their contributions to both Cuban culture and the global music scene.

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now provides a comprehensive overview of significant national and regional events, ranging from economic policies and legislative battles to historic elections and cultural milestones. Through expert insights and firsthand accounts, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of the current landscape shaping the United States.

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. President Trump is poised to impose a set of sweeping new tariffs today on products from all other countries. He says this is the way for the US to regain income and create more American jobs. Many economists say these tariffs could lead to recession. Diane Swonk is chief economist for KPMG US she says tariffs also bring unintended consequences, just like some tariffs during Trump's first term in office.

[Diane Swonk]

We know, for instance, from the 2018, 2019 tariffs, higher tariffs on steel did create more jobs in the steel sector, but at the expense of overall manufacturing jobs because inputs costs went up and manufacturers actually slipped into a manufacturing recession.

[Korva Coleman]

She spoke to NPR's Morning two members of the U.S. house of Representatives have brought business in that chamber to a halt for the rest of the week. NPR's Georgia Walsh reports they're fighting to pass bills letting new parents cast votes remotely.

[Anna Paulina Luna]

In the House, Florida Republican Anna Paulina Luna and Colorado Democrat Brittany Patterson are trying to change House rules so that new parents could vote by proxy for up to 12 weeks around the birth of a child. GOP leaders opposed their bill and designed a measure to kill it, but nine Republicans joined all House Democrats to defeat their effort. Luna says it's a win for parents.

[Brittany Patterson]

Today is a pretty historical day for the entire conference. It's showing that the body has decided that parents deserve a voice in Washington and also to the importance of female members having a vote in Washington, D.C.

[Anna Paulina Luna]

The vote also blocked action on all other bills scheduled for this week. House Speaker Mike Johnson said he was disappointed. He said leaders would regroup and try again to block them next week. Deirdre Walsh, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

The Capitol voters in Wisconsin have chosen the liberal backed candidate to fill an open seat on the state's Supreme Court for member station wuwm. Mayan Silva reports on the Wisconsin judicial race that drew tens of millions of dollars in outside funding and attention from President Trump.

[Ayan Silver]

Susan Crawford touted her common sense and experience representing Planned Parenthood and labor interests. Her opposition, Brad Schimmel, was endorsed by Trump and funded to the tune of at least $25 million by billionaire Elon Musk. Voters like Serena Sato, who knocked on doors for Crawford, said that the message is that democracy wins and that Musk and Trump's actions are deeply unpopular.

[Serena Sato]

When we talk to people over and over, they were furious with what they are doing to the federal government, furious that Musk is trying to buy their vot.

[Ayan Silver]

Spending in the race is expected to tally in at more than $100 million, the most expensive judicial race in American history. For NPR News, I'm Ayan Silver in Milwaukee.

[Korva Coleman]

You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Republicans Jimmy Petronas and Randy Fine have won a pair of special U.S. house elections held yesterday in Florida. They were endorsed by President Trump, but the Republicans margins of victory against their Democratic opponents were much smaller than seen in prior elections. Parts of the Northern Plains and the Great Lakes are under winter storm warnings and advisories this morning. That includes Michigan. Nearly 100,000 Michigan customers are still out of power. They lost it last weekend in ice storms that left seven people dead in the region. Three of the victims were Michigan children. Nearly 30 years ago, listeners around the world fell in love with the Buena Vista Social Club. The band featured Cuban musicians in their 70s and 80s playing old classics. Now their story is being told on Broadway, as NPR's Isabel Gomez Sarmiento reports.

[Isabel 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 Ruan Gonzale, 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.

[Korva Coleman]

I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News.

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