NPR News: 04-12-2026 10PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now – April 12, 2026, 10PM EDT

Host: Jeanine Herbst

Episode Overview

This edition of NPR News Now delivers a concise update on April 12, 2026’s key stories in U.S. and international news, politics, sports, and economics—all in five minutes. The top headlines include California’s governor race upheaval, heightened U.S.–Iran tensions, mass fuel shortages in Ireland due to protests, a historic Masters win for Rory McIlroy, and the impact of a cold snap on Pacific Northwest agriculture.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Eric Swalwell Ends California Gubernatorial Campaign

[00:36–01:38]

• Congressman Eric Swalwell suspends his campaign after allegations of sexual misconduct by former staffers.

• Despite earlier momentum, bipartisan calls for his resignation accelerated his exit.

• Swalwell issued a public apology for “mistakes in judgment,” while denying inappropriate sexual behavior.

• Adds “turmoil to a campaign with no clear leader” ahead of the June 2 election.

  “Swalwell said he was deeply sorry for what he called his mistakes in judgment, but he denies the allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior.”
  – Scott Schaefer, [01:22]

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2. U.S. to Blockade Strait of Hormuz amid US–Iran Tensions

[01:38–02:42]

• President Trump orders the U.S. Navy to block all ships at the Strait of Hormuz, effective tomorrow.

• Follows failed U.S.–Iran peace talks in Pakistan.

• Experts warn a blockade or ground troops could be a “political red line” and carry significant risk.

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signals further escalation possible if Iran does not yield on nuclear materials.

• Speculation on Trump’s next move includes potential negotiation, military escalation, or a declared “victory” without concessions.

  “I don’t know if a naval blockade is enough to forcibly open the straits... experts say that also would involve ground troops, which could be a red line politically for a lot of voters in the U.S.”
  – Mara Liasson, [02:07]

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3. Fuel Shortages and Political Unrest in Ireland

[02:42–03:31]

• Hundreds of petrol stations have run dry as truckers and farmers block roads, protesting fuel price hikes linked to the US and Israel’s war with Iran.

• Protests have crippled highways and city streets, including Dublin.

• Government promises increased support; opposition party Sinn Féin plans a no-confidence motion.

  “Protesters are demanding more support from the government as fuel prices continue to rise because of the US and Israel’s war against Iran.”
  – Fatima Al Kassab, [03:07]

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4. Rory McIlroy Makes Masters History

[03:31–04:18]

• Rory McIlroy wins the Masters for the second consecutive year.

• Sixth career major win; first golfer to repeat since Tiger Woods (2001–2002).

• McIlroy is only the fourth golfer to achieve back-to-back tournament victories.

• He takes home a $4.5 million prize.

  “He gets the green jacket, but he also gets to take home the four and half million dollar purse.”
  – Jeanine Herbst, [04:09]

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5. Pacific Northwest Crops Damaged by Cold Snap

[04:18–05:04]

• Unseasonably warm early spring led to cherry trees blooming early, which were then hit by frost.

• Damage includes sweet cherry blooms and some asparagus, affecting future yields.

• Advice from Washington State University: less aggressive pruning if frost damage is suspected.

• Warmer weather now expected to bring some recovery for vegetables.

  “If there’s still some pruning to do, you might be a little bit less aggressive... if you felt like you had significant frost damage.”
  – Matthew Whiting, [04:41]

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6. Economic Update

[05:04]

• Dow futures are down about 386 points at this hour.

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Memorable Quotes

• Scott Schaefer:
  “All that changed quickly and more than 50 former staff members called on Swalwell to resign his seat in Congress and quit the race for governor.”
  [01:15]

• Mara Liasson:
  “Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said recently that if Iran doesn’t turn over its enriched uranium, the US would go in and get it.”
  [02:15]

• Fatima Al Kassab:
  “Opposition party Sinn Fein says they will bring a motion of no confidence in the Irish government over the crisis.”
  [03:25]

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End of Update

Host: Jeanine Herbst wraps the episode with a quick financial markets check and closes the newscast.

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This summary covers all essential news topics from the April 12, 2026, 10PM EDT edition of NPR News Now, with precise timestamps and attributed quotes for further reference.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. California Congressman Eric Swalwell has ended his campaign for governor following allegations of sexual misconduct by former female staff members. From member station KQED in San Francisco, San Scott Schaefer has more.

[C]

In a post on X Sunday, Swalwell said he was suspending a campaign that has been imploding since multiple women alleged that the San Francisco Bay Area Democrat had sexually forced himself on them. Swalwell had been gaining momentum in the race, winning key endorsements and leading other Democrats in pre election polls. All that changed quickly and more than 50 former staff members called on Swalwell to resign his seat in Congress and quit the race for governor. In his post, Swalwell said he was deeply sorry for what he called his mistakes in judgment, but he denies the allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior. Swalwell's sudden departure adds even more turmoil to a campaign with no clear leader. The election is June 2nd. For NPR News, I'm Scott Schaeffer in San Francisco.

[B]

President Trump says the U.S. navy will block the Strait of Hormuz from all ships. And the US Military says that that starts tomorrow. This after peace talks between the US And Iran in Pakistan yesterday failed to produce a deal. And Piers Mar Eliasson has more on what happens next.

[D]

It's not clear. Maybe the naval blockade will cause Iran to say, okay, we'll agree to the Americans terms. They could start negotiations again or Donald Trump could decide to send in ground troops. I don't know if a naval blockade is enough to forcibly open the straits. And Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said recently that if Ron doesn't turn over its enriched uranium, the US Would go in and get it. But experts say that also would involve ground troops, which could be a red line politically for a lot of voters in the U.S. it also could be very risky. I guess another way this gets resolved is that Donald Trump declares victory. He's already been doing that and he leaves Iran without his major political goals accomplished. Without Iran giving up its nuclear program.

[B]

NPR's Mara Liasson reporting. Hundreds of petrol stations in Ireland have run out of fuel as protesters block roads and access to oil refineries, angry over rising fuel prices. NPR's Fatima Al Kassab has more.

[E]

For nearly a week, slow moving convoys of tractors and trucks have blocked major highways and roads across the country, including some of the busiest streets. In Ireland's capital, Dublin, protesters are demanding more support from the government as fuel prices continue to rise because of the US And Israel's war against Iran. The Irish government has been meeting with farmers and truckers over the weekend and say more support is coming, but opposition party Sinn Fein says they will bring a motion of no confidence in the Irish government over the crisis. Fatima Al Kassab, NPR News, London.

[B]

You're listening to NPR News. Rory McIlroy is donning a green jacket once again after winning the Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Georgia, his second in a row. He held off challenges from several players in the final round, including Scottie Scheffler. McIlroy now has won six majors. He's the first golfer to get back to back wins since Tiger woods in 2001-2002, and McIlroy's only the fourth golfer ever to win back to back tournaments. He gets the green jacket, but he also gets to take home the four and half million dollar purse. Cold temperatures have cut down sweet cherry blooms across much of central and eastern Washington and Oregon. Northwest Public Broadcasting's Anna King has more.

[F]

First, Northwest blooms were teased open by a mild winter and warm spring temperatures. Then whack, freezing temps hit, killing the blooms before they get pollinated. By Matthew Whiting is a professor who specializes in cherry trees at Washington State University Research Station in Prosser.

[G]

If there's still some pruning to do, you might be a little bit less aggressive with pruning. In other words, leaving a little bit more wood in those trees if you felt like you had significant frost damage.

[F]

The cold snaps also mowed down some asparagus. But with warmer temps now, farmers say they've got some fresh grass headed to market soon. For NPR News, I'm Anna King in Richland, Washington.

[B]

Uh, at this hour, Dow futures are down about 386 points. I'm Jeanine Herbst, NPR News, in Washington.