NPR News Now: April 29, 2025, 2 PM EDT – Comprehensive Summary

Hosted by NPR, this edition of NPR News Now delivers the latest developments across national and international headlines. Below is a detailed summary of the key topics discussed, enriched with notable quotes and timestamps for reference.

President Trump’s First 100 Days: Public Approval Dips

Poll Results Indicate Low Approval Ratings

At [00:18], Lakshmi Singh introduces a recent NPR PBS News Marist Poll assessing President Donald Trump’s performance during his first hundred days in office. According to NPR’s Domenico Montanaro, the results reveal a significant lack of public support:

• Overall Approval: Trump holds a 42% approval rating, marking the second lowest for a president's first hundred days in 80 years of polling.
• Grade Distribution:
  • 45% of respondents graded Trump's performance with an F.
  • 23% awarded an A.
• Party Breakdown:
  • 80% of Democrats and 49% of independents rated him an F.
  • In contrast, 54% of Republicans gave him an A.

Montanaro emphasizes the historical context: “Trump has just a 42% approval rating in the poll overall, the second worst score for a president's first hundred days in 80 years of polling,” highlighting the unprecedented challenge Trump faces early in his administration ([00:32]).

Corporation for Public Broadcasting Sues President Trump

Legal Battle Over Public Media Control

Continuing at [01:12], Lakshmi Singh reports on the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) initiating a lawsuit against President Trump. The CPB challenges Trump’s attempt to remove three of its five board members, accusing him of overstepping his authority. The CPB's filing references federal law and a Supreme Court ruling, asserting that Trump's actions undermine public media independence. This legal action signifies a new front in Trump's ongoing efforts to influence and control public media institutions.

Unauthorized Access to Classified Nuclear Networks

Security Breach at Department of Energy

At [01:39], NPR’s Jeff Brumfield unveils a concerning security issue within the Department of Energy’s DOGE entity. Two individuals, Adam Ramada and Luke Ferrator, were found to have accounts on classified networks used for transmitting nuclear secrets:

• Profiles:
  • Adam Ramada: A Miami-based venture capitalist.
  • Luke Ferrator: A 23-year-old former SpaceX intern.

Brumfield questions the necessity of their access, noting their limited experience with nuclear weapons or classified information. An Energy Department spokesperson clarified that while the accounts were created, neither Ramada nor Ferrator accessed the networks. The incident arises amid DOGE's ongoing reviews of government budgets and contracts, but the rationale behind granting such access remains unclear ([01:39]).

Cancellation of Women, Peace and Security Program

Defense Secretary Hegseth's Controversial Decision

Lakshmi Singh details at [02:23] the decision by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to cancel the Pentagon’s Women, Peace and Security program. Quill Lawrence provides further insight:

• Program’s Purpose: Focused on involving women in conflict prevention and resolution abroad.
• Historical Context: Initiated under the first Trump administration with bipartisan support and highlighted by the Trump campaign as a significant achievement for women.
• Hegseth’s Justification: Labeling the program as a “woke divisive social justice Biden initiative” and claiming that troops disapprove of it.

Quill Lawrence notes Hegseth has faced criticism for sharing sensitive military information in insecure channels. President Trump has publicly expressed confidence in Hegseth’s ability to "get it together," despite the backlash ([02:34]).

Tragic Car Crash in Illinois After-School Camp

Fatal Accident Claims Lives of Children

At [03:14], Lakshmi Singh covers a heartbreaking incident in Chatham, Illinois, where a car crashed through an after-school camp site:

• Casualties: Three young children and a teenager were killed; six others injured.
• Investigation Findings: Authorities believe the crash was not a targeted attack.

The community reels from the loss, and investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the accident to determine its cause and prevent future tragedies.

Novo Nordisk and HIMSS Partnership on Wegovy

Making Weight Loss Drug More Accessible

NPR’s Sydney Lupkin reports at [03:44] that Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of the weight loss drug Wegovy, is partnering with telehealth companies, including HIMSS, to enhance online availability:

• Offer Details: Patients without insurance can purchase Wegovy bundled with an injector pen and a HIMSS membership for approximately $600 monthly, a reduction from the drug’s standard price exceeding $1,000.
• Industry Context: Earlier criticism arose from HIMSS during the Super Bowl, where they highlighted high drug prices and positioned themselves as offering more affordable alternatives through compounded versions of branded drugs.
• FDA Restrictions: The Food and Drug Administration has limited the compounding of Wegovy due to its stable supply, affecting companies like HIMSS that rely on compounded formulations.

This partnership aims to make Wegovy more accessible to a broader patient base by addressing cost barriers ([03:44]).

UPS Announces Major Job Cuts Amid Amazon Tensions

Logistics Giant Plans Significant Workforce Reductions

Lakshmi Singh at [04:27] reports that UPS has revealed plans to cut approximately 20,000 jobs and close over 70 facilities by the end of June. This decision follows earlier announcements of reducing Amazon shipments significantly. Additional context includes:

• Relation to Amazon: While UPS denies reports of implementing tariff pricing on its website, the White House has labeled such a move as hostile.
• Presidential Involvement: Sources indicate that President Trump contacted Jeff Bezos, AWS's CEO, upon learning of these developments, underscoring the high-stakes tension between major logistics and e-commerce players.

The extensive job cuts and facility closures reflect UPS’s strategic response to evolving market dynamics and operational challenges posed by significant clients like Amazon ([04:27]).

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive overview of pressing issues ranging from political approval ratings and legal battles over public media, to significant security breaches and corporate restructuring. Each segment provided critical insights into the multifaceted landscape of current events, underscoring NPR’s commitment to keeping the public informed with timely and detailed reporting.