NPR News: 04-29-2025 7AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: April 29, 2025, 7AM EDT

1. Trump Administration Eases Tariffs on American Automakers Timestamp: 00:31

The Trump administration announced a new policy aimed at alleviating the burden of multiple tariffs on American automakers. Previously, automakers were facing a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum in addition to a forthcoming 25% tariff on auto parts. This change ensures that car manufacturers won't be subjected to both tariffs simultaneously, providing much-needed relief.

An administration official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the policy would prevent the stacking of tariffs. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick elaborated on the intent behind the policy, stating, “The goal is to provide runway to domestic manufacturers, giving them time to invest in more domestic plants.” This strategic move is seen as a preparation for President Trump’s upcoming rally in Detroit, signaling support for the auto industry’s future investments within the United States.

2. Mark Carney Elected as Canada’s Next Prime Minister Amidst Tensions with the U.S. Timestamp: 01:07

In a significant political shift, Canadian voters have elected Liberal Party leader Mark Carney as the country’s next Prime Minister. Carney, the former central bank governor, garnered substantial support as Canadian sentiment grew increasingly hostile toward President Trump’s aggressive stance on Canada. Notably, Trump’s provocative declaration that “Canada will become America’s 51st state” and the imposition of tariffs on Canadian goods played a pivotal role in influencing voters.

Additionally, an investigative report highlighted a security concern involving two employees from the government cost-cutting entity, DOGE, who were found with accounts on classified networks used for transmitting nuclear secrets. NPR's Jeff Brumfield reported that Adam Ramada, a Miami-based venture capitalist, and Luke Ferrator, a 23-year-old former SpaceX intern, appeared in a user directory for these sensitive networks. Despite the alarming discovery, the Energy Department confirmed that while the accounts existed, they were never utilized to access classified information.

3. National Survey Reveals Americans’ Attitudes Toward Alzheimer’s Disease Timestamp: 02:29

A comprehensive national survey conducted by the Alzheimer’s Association sheds light on Americans' desires regarding early detection and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The survey, which included 1,700 participants aged 45 and older, revealed that 79% of respondents would prefer to know they are in the early stages of Alzheimer’s before symptoms appear or affect daily activities.

Elizabeth Edgerly, a clinical psychologist with the Alzheimer’s Association, emphasized the clarity of the survey results: “The results were unequivocal.” Furthermore, over 90% expressed willingness to undergo a blood test to detect amyloid plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s. A significant majority also indicated they would opt for medication to slow the progression of the disease, even if it involved a moderate to high risk of side effects. This strong inclination towards early intervention comes in the wake of the Food and Drug Administration's approval of two drugs since 2023 that meet these treatment criteria.

4. Lin Manuel Miranda Announces New Baseball-Themed Project Timestamp: 03:12

Esteemed writer, actor, and director Lin Manuel Miranda is venturing into the world of sports cinema with a new project centered on the Molina brothers from his father’s hometown of De Galta, Puerto Rico. The Molina trio—Jose, Benji, and Yadier—are celebrated as the only set of brothers to have won World Series rings, marking a unique achievement in Major League Baseball (MLB).

During an interview at the Hispanic Federation gala, Miranda shared his excitement about the project: “I’m working on the Molina brothers, who are from my dad's hometown of De Galta, Puerto Rico.” While details regarding the timeline and his specific role in the film remain under wraps, Miranda is also juggling other creative endeavors, including a stage adaptation of "The Warriors" and a television portrayal of a hermit in a Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. NPR’s Jeff London reported from New York on Miranda’s multifaceted career developments.

5. Congressional Gold Medal to Be Awarded to Relatives of WWII’s All-Female Unit Timestamp: 04:23

House Speaker Mike Johnson, alongside fellow lawmakers, is set to bestow the prestigious Congressional Gold Medal upon the relatives of the 6888th, the only all-female African American unit to serve in Europe during World War II. This unit played a crucial role in addressing a significant manpower shortage by efficiently processing a backlog of 17 million pieces of mail within three months—accomplishing the task much faster than anticipated.

The 6888th’s remarkable achievements were dramatized in a Netflix film released last year, bringing wider recognition to their contributions. This honor serves to acknowledge and commemorate the vital service and impact of these women during a pivotal time in history.

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Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. The Trump administration will ease the effects of its tariffs on American automakers. The move, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, comes as Trump prepares for a rally tonight outside of Detroit. And NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben has more.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

The new policy is designed to keep American automakers from paying multiple of Trump's new tariffs simultaneously. For example, carmakers wouldn't have to pay the 25% steel and aluminum tariff on top of a 25% auto parts tariff taking effect later this week. An administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the policy to npr, though the administration has not yet released detailed information. In a statement, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said a goal is providing Runway to domestic manufacturers, giving them time to invest in more domestic plants. Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

Voters in Canada have chosen Liberal Party leader Mark Carney as the country's next prime minister. The former central bank governor gained support as Canadians sharply opposed President Trump's declaration that Canada will become America's 51st state. Trump's tariffs on Canadian goods were also a factor, NPR has learned. Two employees of the government cost cutting entity Doge have been given accounts on classified networks used to Send Nuclear Secrets. NPR's Jeff Brumfield has more.

[Jeff Brumfield]

Two sources told NPR that the Doge employees had appeared in a user directory for the classified networks. Their names are Adam Ramada and Luke Ferrator. Ramada is a Miami based venture capitalist. Feature ferrator is a 23 year old former intern at SpaceX. Neither seems to have much experience with either nuclear weapons or classified information. The networks are used at the Department of Energy to transfer restricted data about nuclear weapons designs and materials. It's unclear why Ramada and Faradur would need the access, though DOGE has been reviewing budgets and contracts across government. An Energy Department spokesperson acknowledged the accounts were created but said they were never used to access the networks. Jeff Brumfiel, NPR News Survey shows older.

[Korva Coleman]

Americans want to know if they are in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. NPR's John Hamilton has more.

[Elizabeth Edgerly]

The national survey of 1700Americans 45 and older was released by the Alzheimer's Association. Elizabeth Edgerly, a clinical psychologist with the group, says the results were unequivocal.

[Korva Coleman]

79% said that they would like to know before the symptoms appear or at.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

Least before the symptoms affect their daily activities.

[Elizabeth Edgerly]

More than 90% of respondents said they would take a blood test to detect the sticky amyloid plaques in the brain that are a hallmark of Alzheimer's. And a majority said they would take a drug to slow down the disease, even if it meant accepting a moderate to high risk of side effects. Since 2023, the Food and Drug Administration has approved two drugs that meet that description. John Hamilton, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Three children and a young adult were killed yesterday near Springfield, Illinois. A car plowed all the way through the building where their after school program was underway. Police are questioning the driver. Writer, actor and director Lin Manuel Miranda is working on a new project. It's a baseball movie about the Molina brothers, who are from his father's hometown in Puerto Rico. Jeff London reports. The Molinas are the only trio of brothers to have won World Series rings.

[Lin Manuel Miranda]

While walking the red carpet at the Hispanic Federation gala, Lin Manuel Miranda revealed his latest undertaking to a reporter.

[Progressive Insurance]

I'll tell you something I'm working on.

[Korva Coleman]

Which is the Molina brothers, who are.

[Progressive Insurance]

From my dad's hometown of De Galta, Puerto Rico.

[Lin Manuel Miranda]

Jose Benji and Yadier Molina all played in the major leagues in the 2000s to great success. Miranda didn't reveal any timeline or specifics about his involvement in the film. He's currently working on a stage adaptation of the warriors and playing a hermit in a television version of Percy Jackson and the Olympians. For NPR News, I'm Jeff London in New York.

[Korva Coleman]

House Speaker Mike Johnson and other lawmakers are scheduled to award the Congressional Gold Medal today to relatives of the only black all female unit to serve in Europe during World War II. They were known as the 6888. The troops solved a huge male crisis during the war, clearing out a backlog of 17 million pieces of desperately desired mail in three months. It was far faster than expected. Their achievements were recounted in a Netflix film last year. This is npr.

[Progressive Insurance]

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