NPR News: 04-02-2026 6PM EDT

0:00Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. House Speaker Mike Johnson will attempt to get House Republicans to back a bipartisan deal to fund all of the Department of Homeland Security except its immigration enforcement teams. And PR's Eric McDaniel has more. Speaker Johnson last Friday panned the proposal that he's now asking Republicans to support. This gambit that was done last night is a joke. They voted down that plan from the Senate and now he'll have to ask his members to support the same deal. It funds DHS immediately, except for ICE and parts of customs and border protection. So folks like airport security can be paid in the short term, while a bigger three-year deal is worked out to fund all of DHS through the remainder of Trump's time in the White House. And thanks to a parliamentary maneuver called Reconciliation, that long-term deal shouldn't need any support from Democrats. First, though, Johnson has to convince Hardline Republicans that he's no longer joking. Eric McDaniel and PR News Washington. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has asked the top uniformed member of the Army chief

1:01of staff of the Army General Randy George to step down and immediately retire. That's according to an official not authorized to speak publicly. It's unclear who will replace George. The global benchmark price for crude oil is currently around $106 a barrel, and US oil prices are even higher. Prices went up after President Trump addressed the nation last night about the war in Iran, and said the U.S. doesn't need any oil from the Strait of Hormuz, and PR's Camila Dominoski reports. Since the war in Iran began, markets have been hoping for a quick resolution. One month then, President Trump did not give a clear exit path out of the conflict in a primetime address. The President emphasized that the U.S. does not need oil imported through the Hormuz Strait, and it's true that these days the U.S. imports almost no oil from the region. But as American drivers have experienced these past few weeks, that does not insulate the U.S. from global price shocks. U.S. oil prices are currently nearly double what they were in December. Camila Dominoski, NPR News.

2:02People in the U.S. are feeling pessimistic about their retirement savings. NPR's Stephen Bessaha reports a new survey from Northwestern Mutual found 46% of respondents believe they will not be ready for retirement. Americans typically think they'll need close to $1.5 million to retire comfortably. John Roberts is Northwestern Mutual's chief field officer, and he says 40% think it's likely they'll outlive their savings. That kind of wild. Almost half of all of respondents say, I don't think I'm going to be prepared for retirement when the time comes. And then almost half say, and I don't think I'm going to have enough for as long as I expect I'm going to live in retirement. Respondents also worry whether Social Security will still be there when it's their turn to retire. Objections from the Congressional Budget Office indicate as of now Social Security's Trust Fund for Benefits may run out in 2032. Stephen Bessaha, NPR News. Stocks closed. Mixed today. This is NPR News from Washington. The EPA proposed today to include microplastics and pharmaceuticals on a list of contaminants

3:06and drinking water, a step that could lead to new limits for water utilities. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin says they are responding to worries about plastics and pharmaceuticals and drinking water. Lewis CK is returning to Netflix for the first time since being accused of sexual misconduct nine years ago. NPR's Chloe Veltman reports the comedian is partnering with the streamer on a new comedy special this summer and is scheduled to appear at its upcoming comedy festival. Lewis CK's new special, Ridiculous, marks the comedian's first with a major distributor since his 2017 Netflix offering. But I'm 49 and I got two kids now that you know what happens? Your circle of concern tightens. I have four nephews. I don't love any of them. Netflix cancelled a planned sequel back then after five women accused CK of unwanted sexual behavior, including exposing himself. The comedian quickly released a statement admitting to the accusations and apologising for his behavior. He has self-produced all of his specials since then.

4:08CK will also headline at the Hollywood Bowl on May 5 as part of the Netflix as a joke festival. Chloe Veltman and P.R. News. Marine archaeologists have found the wreck of the Danish warship that sank in the 1801 Battle of Copenhagen. The wreck of the Danish flagship Dannebrogg lies 50 feet down. The ship exploded after taking heavy fire from British Admiral Horatio Nelson's fleet. Divers have recovered cannons and personal items like uniforms, shoes and bottles. This is NPR News from Washington. Listen to this podcast sponsor-free on Amazon Music with a prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR News Now Plus at plus.npr.org. That's plus.npr.org.