NPR News Now: April 9, 2025, 6AM EDT

Hosted by Korva Coleman

1. President Trump's Implementation of New Tariffs

At the outset of today's episode, Korva Coleman reports on President Trump's latest deployment of tariffs affecting dozens of nations, including China. Effective six hours prior to the airing, these tariffs are poised to impact U.S. businesses by increasing the costs of importing goods from key trading partners such as the European Union, Japan, and Vietnam. Notably, a staggering 104% tariff has been imposed on Chinese products.

Danielle Kurtzleben highlights the administration's mixed messages regarding the negotiability of these tariffs. On the eve of their implementation, President Trump communicated a willingness to engage in negotiations, emphasizing the potential for "tailored deals." At 00:57, Trump stated:

"Deals and we're doing very well in making, I call them tailored deals, not off the rack. These are tailored, highly tailored deals. Right now, Japan is flying here to make a deal, South Korea is flying here to make a deal, and others are flying here."

Despite this openness, the White House has yet to establish a clear timeline for any potential adjustments to these tariffs. The significant impact on international trade relations and domestic businesses remains a critical point of discussion.

2. Immigration Case: Mahmoud Khalil's Deportation Hearing

Shifting focus to immigration, Korva Coleman covers a high-profile case involving Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia graduate student facing deportation due to his pro-Palestinian activism. Held in Louisiana, Khalil is a lawful permanent resident married to an American citizen. Judge Jamie Coman has mandated that the Trump administration present evidence justifying Khalil's deportation by the end of the day.

At 01:42, Judge Coman asserts:

"She gave the government a day to submit its evidence to support the charge that Khalil poses a threat to the foreign policy interests of the United States and that he committed fraud on his green card application."

The judge has set a tight deadline, with a ruling expected two days later to determine Khalil's future in the country. NPR's Adrienne Florido provides further context, noting that despite being held for about a month, the administration has not publicly presented any evidence of wrongdoing on Khalil's part.

3. Cuts to Sexual Assault Prevention Programs Amid Awareness Month

April marks Sexual Assault Awareness Month, yet recent actions by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have sparked concern. Korva Coleman reports that the Trump administration has eliminated teams dedicated to sexual assault prevention as part of a broader federal health agency restructuring.

Selina Simmons Duffin elaborates at 02:27:

"The job cuts were part of a major restructuring of the federal health agencies. Last week, 10,000 employees were fired. Among them were the teams at CDC that help local advocacy groups and public health departments do work on rape prevention."

Former HHS Director of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Lynn Rosenthal, under the Biden administration, had spearheaded significant progress in this domain. The dissolution of the Division of Violence Prevention threatens decades of advancements, potentially undermining the $200 million allocated to the CDC's Rape Prevention and Education program. Local organizations express anxiety over their ability to access necessary funding without federal support.

4. Press Access and Language Services Under Scrutiny

In a notable development concerning press freedom, the National Weather Service (NWS) has ceased providing Spanish language translations for its weather alerts and emergency information. This decision stems from the Trump administration terminating a contract with the previous translation provider.

Additionally, a federal judge has ruled against the White House's exclusion of the Associated Press (AP) from covering certain news events. David Folkenflick reports that AP journalists were still denied access to a recent Trump speech, despite a ruling that declared such exclusions unlawful.

Judge Trevor McFadden, appointed by Trump, commented at 03:48:

"The AP's exclusion has been contrary to the First Amendment."

The judge found that excluding the AP hindered the agency's ability to perform its duties, asserting the importance of adhering to constitutional rights. The White House has yet to respond to this ruling.

5. Public Health and Environmental Incidents in Texas and North Dakota

The episode also touches on pressing public health and environmental issues. Texas is currently grappling with a measles outbreak, with over 500 reported cases spreading to new counties, including incidents at a daycare center in Lubbock. This surge poses significant public health challenges, particularly in protecting vulnerable populations such as children.

In environmental news, the Keystone oil pipeline in North Dakota has been shut down following an unexplained rupture that resulted in the spillage of approximately 3,500 barrels of oil into a field. Federal authorities are set to investigate the incident to determine its cause and prevent future occurrences.

Korva Coleman concludes the news segment by highlighting these critical issues, underscoring their impact on public health and environmental safety.

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and developments featured in the April 9, 2025, episode of NPR News Now. From international trade tensions and immigration battles to cuts in vital health programs and environmental concerns, the episode provides listeners with a thorough overview of the most pressing news of the day.