NPR News: 04-07-2025 6PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: April 7, 2025, 6PM EDT

Host: Jack Spear
Publisher: NPR
Description: The latest news in five minutes. Updated hourly.

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1. Supreme Court Temporarily Blocks Deportation Order for Maryland Resident

Reporter: Jasmine Garz
Timestamp: [00:00 - 00:45]

The Supreme Court has intervened in a case involving Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador last month. Garcia, who has resided in Maryland with legal protection for over a decade, was returned to his home country due to an administrative error admitted by the Trump administration.

Jasmine Garz reports that despite acknowledging the mistake, the administration has continued to assert that Garcia is affiliated with a gang. However, U.S. District Judge Paula Zinis found "no evidence" supporting this claim and ordered the Trump administration to reinstate Garcia in the United States by midnight on the day of the report.

In response, the Trump administration sought a Supreme Court injunction, labeling the lower court's decision as "absurd." Chief Justice John Roberts issued a brief order, stating, “Zinni’s order is stayed until the Supreme Court weighs in on the case,” and set a deadline for responses by 5 PM on Tuesday.

Notable Quote:

• Chief Justice John Roberts: “Zinni’s order is stayed until the Supreme Court weighs in on the case.” [00:45]

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2. President Trump's Tariff Initiative Faces Legislative Pushback

Reporter: Claudio Grosales
Timestamp: [01:29 - 02:53]

Amidst global market instability, President Trump is steadfast in his commitment to imposing an additional 50% tariff on Chinese goods. This move comes after China retaliated with 34% tariffs against the U.S., sparking international concern and uncertainty.

Claudio Grosales reports that several countries, including Japan, Israel, South Korea, and Pakistan, are sending officials to Washington to address the escalating tensions. President Trump indicated ongoing communications, stating, “I've spoken to Japan's prime minister today.” [02:09]

In response to the tariff threats, Washington State Senator Maria Cantwell introduced legislation requiring the president to negotiate with Congress before implementing new tariffs. This bipartisan effort has garnered support from both Democrats and a number of Republicans, including prominent figures like former Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Susan Collins, and Lisa Murkowski. Although the legislation faces significant challenges in the Republican-controlled House, it signifies a notable rift within the party regarding Trump's trade policies.

Notable Quotes:

• President Trump: “I've spoken to Japan's prime minister today.” [02:09]

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3. Economic Indicators and Public Health Concerns

Reporter: Jack Spear
Timestamp: [02:53 - 03:59]

The spring housing market is showing signs of becoming more favorable for buyers, primarily due to a substantial increase in housing inventory compared to the previous year. However, elevated mortgage rates continue to pose affordability challenges. Concurrently, the stock market remains volatile amid ongoing tariff tensions, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping 349 points while the Nasdaq saw a minor increase of 15 points on the day.

In public health news, a measles outbreak has claimed three lives and spread across West Texas, New Mexico, Ohio, Kansas, and Oklahoma. The number of measles cases has more than doubled since last year, reversing the previous trend of eradication in the United States. Unvaccinated individuals, who are most vulnerable, face heightened risks as measles is a highly contagious airborne virus.

Notable Quote:

• Jack Spear: “The spring home buying market is shaping up to be a bit more favorable to buyers than perhaps it’s been that, of course, as long as they can afford to buy.” [02:53]

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4. 'All Boys Aren’t Blue' Becomes Most Challenged Book in Libraries

Reporter: Andrew Limbong
Timestamp: [03:59 - 04:42]

The American Library Association (ALA) has released its annual report on the most challenged books in American libraries, revealing that George M. Johnson's memoir, All Boys Aren’t Blue, has become the most challenged book of the year. Maya Kobabe's Genderqueer ranks second, while both Steph Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye are tied for third place.

The ALA's report highlights that over 70% of challenges to library materials originated from organized groups and elected officials, with parents and individual library users accounting for approximately 20%. This surge in book challenges coincides with President Trump's recent move to dissolve the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the agency responsible for federal funding to libraries.

Notable Quote:

• Andrew Limbong: “More than 70% of challenges... came from organized groups and elected officials.” [03:59]

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5. Weather Disrupts Annual Masters Tournament at Augusta

Reporter: Jack Spear
Timestamp: [04:42 - End]

The annual Masters Tournament at Augusta National has faced unexpected delays due to heavy rainfall and the threat of thunderstorms. Parking lots were closed, and a scheduled practice round was suspended, disrupting the event’s usual schedule. Despite the weather setbacks, conditions are expected to improve in the coming days, allowing the opening round of the storied golf tournament to proceed as planned on Thursday.

Notable Quote:

• Jack Spear: “The annual Masters tournament at Augusta National, heavy rain and a threat of thunderstorms closed parking lots and suspended today’s scheduled practice round.” [04:42]

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now provided a comprehensive overview of pressing national and international issues, ranging from legal battles and economic policies to public health crises and cultural debates. Through detailed reporting and insightful analysis, listeners are kept informed on the multifaceted developments shaping the current landscape.

Transcript

[Jack Spear]

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 live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Jack Spear. The Supreme Court has issued a stay of an order to return a Maryland man who mistakenly deported to El Salvador last month. Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia has been living in Maryland with legal protection for over 10 years. The Trump administration admitted it mistakenly deported him. NPR's Jasmine Garz reports.

[Jasmine Garz]

The Trump administration has said Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia's deportation was an administrative error, but has doubled down on saying he was a gang member. U.S. district Judge Paula Zinis says there's no evidence of that and gave the Trump administration a deadline of 12 midnight today to bring Abrego Garcia back to the U.S. the Trump administration quickly asked the Supreme Court to block the order, calling it absurd. Chief Justice John Roberts, in a brief order, says Zinni's order is stayed until the Supreme Court weighs in on the case and that responses should be filed by 5pm on Tuesday. Jasmine Garsd, NPR News, New York.

[Jack Spear]

Even as global markets shudder, President Trump continues to double down on his tariff initiative, threatening an additional 50% tariff against China after that country put in place 34% retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. other countries are scrambling to figure out how to respond. With the higher rates set to begin Wednesday. Some countries, including Japan, Israel, South Korea and Pakistan, have either sent or are sending officials to Washington. Trump says he's spoken to Japan's prime minister today. More than half a dozen Republican senators have signed onto legislation to try to rein in President Trump's tariffs. NPR's Claudio Grosales reports the bill is being led by a Senate Democrat.

[Claudio Grosales]

Washington State Senator Maria Cantwell filed legislation to force the president to negotiate with Congress before imposing tariffs. The Democrats plan has 13 co sponsors and a growing list of Senate Republicans signing on. This comes as President Trump's wave of tariffs is fueling havoc through global financial markets and raising worries of long term economic impacts. Several senior GOP senators are among the Republicans signing on, including former Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. The effort is not expected to get very far with stronger opposition in the Republican led House, but it sends a signal of a growing divide with the president. Claudi Grizzales, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

The spring home buying market is shaping up to be a bit more favorable to buyers than perhaps it's been that, of course, as long as they can afford to buy. While the inventory of homes on the market remains low by historical standards, it's up dramatically compared to last year. Home prices, meanwhile, have begun to rise more slowly. Mortgage rates, though, are still elevated. Stocks continue to be whipsawed by the Trump tariffs. Today, The Dow fell 349 points. The Nasdaq was up 15. This is NPR. The death toll from a measles outbreak that's hit West Texas, New Mexico, Ohio, Kansas and Oklahoma has now risen to 3. Since the outbreak began, the number of cases has more than doubled compared to a year ago, once thought to have been virtually eradicated in the US Cases began rising this year. Prim among unvaccinated individuals, measles is caused by a virus that is airborne and spreads easily. The memoir All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson is now the most challenged book in libraries. That's according to a new report from the American Library Association. NPR's Andrew Limbong has the story.

[Andrew Limbong]

The ALA has released its annual State of America's Library's report listing the most challenged books in school and public libraries. The second most challenged book of 2024 is Maya Kobabe's Genderqueer, and the third is a tie between Steph Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye. According to the report, more than 70% of challenges, I.e. any attempt to remove or restrict materials came from organized groups and elected officials, whereas parent and individual library users accounted for about 20%. This report comes after President Trump moved to dissolve the Institute of Museum and Library Services last week. That is the agency in charge of sending federal money to libraries. Andrew Limbong, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

One harbinger of spring is being affected by bad weather. The annual Masters tournament at Augusta national, heavy rain and a threat of thunderstorms closed parking lots and suspended. Today, scheduled practice round for the storied golf tournament. Things are looking a bit better in the days ahead, though. The opening round is Thursday. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News, in Washington. 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.