NPR News Now: April 30, 2025, 3 AM EDT

NPR's quick five-minute update delivers the latest headlines and in-depth insights on pressing national and international issues. Below is a comprehensive summary of the key topics discussed in the April 30, 2025, episode.

President Trump's First 100 Days: Policies and Criticisms

Shea Stevens opened the episode by highlighting President Donald Trump's defense of his administration's policies during his first 100 days in office. In an interview with ABC, Trump addressed several contentious issues, including immigration, executive powers, and tariffs.

• Tariffs on China: Trump asserted the effectiveness of his tariffs on China, stating, "China probably will eat those tariffs, but at 145 they basically can't do much business with the United States. And they were making from us a trillion dollars a year. They were ripping us off like nobody's ever ripped us off." ([00:34])

• Auto Parts Tariffs: The President mentioned plans to ease some of the stringent tariffs on auto parts by reimbursing import levies for foreign parts used in cars assembled in the United States. This move aims to mitigate the impact on the automotive industry while maintaining pressure on international trade partners.

Despite these initiatives, the stock market has experienced volatility, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping over 7% since Trump's inauguration ([02:03]). Additionally, the Commerce Department reported a widening trade deficit in March, indicating that imports outpaced exports as businesses and consumers reacted to the administration's tariffs ([02:36]).

Suspension of Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Hannah Dugan

A significant legal development emerged from Wisconsin, where Shea Stevens reported on the suspension of Supreme Court Justice Hannah Dugan. Accused of assisting a defendant in evading immigration authorities, Dugan faces federal charges, including obstructing a proceeding.

• Federal Charges: Dugan is charged with two federal crimes, notably for directing a Mexican citizen defendant out of her courtroom during a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation ([01:15]).

• Court's Decision: The state's highest, liberal-controlled court decided to suspend Dugan, citing the need to protect public confidence in the judicial system ([01:15]). Barry Burden, a politics professor at UW Madison, commented on the unanimous decision, "hopefully, it brings down the temperature, lets this work its way through the legal system as it needs to, and we get a resolution from a court rather than through the media." ([01:45])

The case is now set to proceed to a grand jury in federal court to determine if the charges will continue ([01:54]).

UPS Announces Major Job Cuts and Facility Closures

Shea Stevens further reported on UPS's strategic move to reduce operational costs by trimming approximately 20,000 jobs and closing numerous facilities within the year ([02:03]). This decision aligns with UPS's earlier announcement to decrease Amazon delivery volumes by over 50% by mid-2026, citing the unprofitability of much of the Amazon business they are discontinuing.

Economic Indicators: Stock Market and Consumer Confidence

The economic landscape under Trump's administration remains turbulent. Scott Horsley provided an analysis of the stock market's downturn, linking it to the ongoing trade war aimed at reducing the nation's trade deficit. Contrary to Trump's goals, recent Commerce Department data revealed that both exports and imports increased in March, with imports growing at a significantly higher rate ([02:36]).

• Coca-Cola's Performance: Scott Horsley noted that while Coca-Cola experienced a 2% drop in sales during the latest quarter, profits remained up. The company expressed confidence that the tariffs' impact on their business would be manageable ([02:36]).

• Consumer Confidence Decline: Shea Stevens reported a nearly 8-point drop in U.S. consumer confidence last month, reaching its lowest level since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The decline is attributed to ongoing tariff concerns and fears of a potential recession ([04:40]).

Congress Passes Bipartisan Revenge Porn Legislation

In a significant move to address digital privacy violations, Congress approved and forwarded a bipartisan bill to President Trump targeting "revenge porn." The legislation criminalizes the intentional publication or threat to publish intimate images of individuals without their consent.

• Key Provisions: Victims will have the authority to request the removal of unauthorized material from social media platforms. However, the bill has faced criticism for being "too vague and could be misused," raising concerns about potential overreach and unintended consequences ([03:05]).

Mellon Foundation's Emergency Funding for Humanities Councils

In response to severe funding cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the Mellon Foundation announced a $15 million emergency grant to support humanities councils nationwide. This initiative comes after the government rescinded $65 million previously allocated to state humanities councils, threatening the closure of numerous cultural institutions.

• Impact of Funding Cuts: Elizabeth Blair reported that without the Mellon Foundation's intervention, many state councils might shut down, affecting thousands of local groups across the country ([03:58]).

• Future Efforts: Phoe Stein, president of the Federation of State Humanities Councils, emphasized ongoing discussions with Congress to restore the previously approved funding, highlighting the critical role humanities councils play in fostering cultural and historical initiatives ([04:27]).

Closing Remarks

The episode encapsulated a range of pivotal issues from political developments and economic challenges to legislative actions and cultural preservation efforts. These updates provide listeners with a nuanced understanding of the current state of affairs, reflecting the complex interplay of policy decisions and their widespread impacts.

For more detailed coverage and ongoing updates, listeners are encouraged to tune into NPR News Now or visit NPR's website.