NPR News Now – April 10, 2025, 11 AM EDT

Hosted by NPR

Federal Government Budget Blueprint

Speaker: Korva Coleman

The House of Representatives is currently deliberating a budget blueprint for the federal government. House Speaker Mike Johnson is actively seeking support from FISC conservatives, who have expressed concerns that the proposed measure may not sufficiently reduce the national deficit. In response, Johnson asserts that the Republican Party will secure $1.5 trillion in savings. He emphasizes that these savings will safeguard essential programs, including Medicaid. However, Democrats challenge this assertion, arguing that the GOP's plan may jeopardize critical benefits for Americans who rely on them.

U.S.-China Trade Tensions and Market Impact

Speaker: Korva Coleman

Wall Street continues to experience significant declines, with markets falling further following President Trump's decision to halt some tariffs on multiple countries. In retaliation, the European Union has similarly paused certain tariffs. Nevertheless, President Trump has increased tariffs on China to at least 125%, intensifying the ongoing trade war between the two nations.

Quote:

Peter Navarro [01:14]: "We're in a beautiful position. For the next 90 days. We've got over 75 countries that are going to come in and negotiate with us. And what they're going to have to do without fail is they're going to have to lower their non-tariff barriers because those are the bigger ones than the tariff barriers. And we're going to get a great deal for America and a great deal for the world."

Economic Insights:

Economists warn that the escalating trade war is likely to sustain higher consumer prices. Scott Newman reports that the phenomenon of price stickiness—where prices rise rapidly but decrease slowly or not at all—could mean that tariffs will have a long-term impact on the cost of goods. Kenneth Lewy, Director of the Economic Research Institute of Erie at Penn State University, explains that tariffs can lead to "something known as price stickiness," causing sustained price hikes. Additionally, manufacturers might relocate their supply chains away from the U.S., passing increased costs onto consumers.

Quote:

Rebecca Hersher [02:03]: "When we have policies like tariffs, that's going to lead to an upward ratcheting of prices. If we look at the historical evidence."

Halting of the National Climate Assessment

Speaker: Korva Coleman

The Trump administration has suspended work on the National Climate Assessment, a crucial document mandated by Congress to provide comprehensive information on how climate change affects the United States. The next assessment was scheduled for release in 2027 and covers critical topics such as sea level rise and changing weather patterns. According to Rebecca Hersher, the cancellation affects a dedicated team of approximately 25 staff members who coordinate with hundreds of scientists contributing to the report. Government officials, speaking anonymously, cited fear of professional retaliation as the reason for their silence.

Quote:

Rebecca Hersher [02:36]: "The report includes the latest information about sea level rise, changing weather patterns and other climate change effects. It's written in plain language so everyone from farmers and fishermen to teachers and judges can use it."

Market Downturn and International Relations

Speaker: Korva Coleman

In today's stock market, the Dow Jones Industrial Average has plummeted by over 1,000 points, while the NASDAQ has decreased by more than 600 points. Concurrently, the United States and Russia have engaged in a prisoner exchange. Russia has released Ksenia Karolina, who was detained for donating less than $100 to a charity supporting Ukraine. In return, the U.S. has freed Russian-German citizen Arthur Petrov, who faced allegations of illegally exporting military-grade electronics.

Scientific Advancement in Pain Pathway Research

Speaker: Korva Coleman

In a groundbreaking study published in the journal Nature, scientists have successfully replicated a human pain-sensing pathway using nerve cells grown in a laboratory dish. Dr. Sergio Pasca from Stanford University explains that the team recreated the sequence of pain signal transmission—from nerve endings to the spinal cord, advancing to deeper brain areas, and finally reaching the brain's cortex.

Quote:

Dr. Sergio Pasca [03:56]: "Pain signals start at a nerve ending, then travel to the spinal cord, to an area deep in the brain, and finally to the brain's outer the cortex."

By exposing the nerve endings to a chemical found in chili peppers, the researchers activated the neurons responsible for pain signals. Dr. Pasca highlights the potential applications of this sensory pathway model in testing drugs designed to block pain, offering a new avenue for pain management research.

Quote:

Dr. Sergio Pasca [04:19]: "The neurons that send these signals get activated and they transmit that information to the next station and the next station all the way to the cortex."

Severe Flooding Across Multiple States

Speaker: Korva Coleman

Multiple states, ranging from Ohio to the Gulf Coast, are under flood warnings following a series of intense storms that began a week ago. The heavy rainfall has caused river levels to surge, reaching major flood stages. In Cincinnati, officials report that the Ohio River has crest at unprecedented levels not seen in decades, resulting in significant flooding in parts of downtown.

Conclusion

Today's NPR News Now provided a comprehensive overview of pressing national and international issues, from fiscal policy debates and trade tensions impacting global markets to advancements in scientific research and urgent environmental concerns. The ongoing developments in government budgeting, international relations, economic stability, and climate action underscore the complex challenges facing the United States today.