"Live from MPR News," I'm Jial Snyder.
President Trump is on his way to China. He is expected to arrive in Beijing Wednesday. His state visit will be closely watched in the American Heartland. MPR's Kirk Sigler reports that farmers are anxious for a finalized trade deal. Joe Vacklavic is a former Chicago trade board analyst who hosts the closely followed podcast
standard grain. He's been skeptical that a solid deal will come out of this summit.
It's China really going to buy 25 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans.
Next year, despite the fact that Brazil's got more than ever to export Chinese demand. Maybe falling off a little bit. I don't know. It's a hot topic and a good question. A hot topic and stressful time for farmers like Justin Sherlock.
He'd rather be talking about what he's putting in the ground this spring, not geopolitics. I think most American farmers right now will tell you that we have to have faith that
“he gets us a deal because kind of the only thing we've got left is hope right now.”
Hope that any trade deal with China includes a firm commitment to buy a lot of soybeans. Kirk Sigler and PR news, Fargo North Dakota. Top Pentagon officials have told lawmakers that Iran War has cost $29 billion so far. And here's Claudia Grosalis reports that some congressional appropriators argue that Trump White House needs to provide a lot more information to defend the war's costs.
Pentagon officials said that $29 billion Iran War costment does not include repairs to U.S.
facilities attacked during the conflict. The Center for Strategic and International Studies estimate that could add another $4 billion. Defense Secretary Pete Hegsef also told lawmakers a $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget proposal for the next fiscal year will remake the military. But Democrats and some Republicans say they won't be able to sign off on the plan without
more information from the Trump White House. The largest defense budget request in history will face challenges drawing support amid fallout from an unpopular war. Claudia Dicellis and PR news. FBI director Cash Patel was also on Capitol Hill Tuesday ostensibly for a budget hearing
before a Senate committee.
“Patel Clash with Maryland Democratic Senator Chris Fed and Holland over reporting by the Atlantic”
magazine about excessive drinking on the job. Director Patel, come on, these are serious allegations that were made against you. They're all engaged in the fall. You drink in Margaritas with a gang that you're true and on just shows to show you. During a $7,000 bar tab at the lobby bar Patel has been filed by your own office.
This goes to show during the day. That's you. This is an ultimate example of a pocket chairman. I will not be tarnished by baseless allegations. Let me acknowledge statements from the media the fact that you mentioned that indicates
you don't know what you are talking about.
Patel has filed a $250 million lawsuit over the Atlantic story.
The Atlantic says it stands by it. This is NPR. Hospital bills can be big and with federal health care cuts on the way they're going to get bigger. No, I'm leaving with part with our partner KFF health news reports that many patients are
not getting the help they need. Charity care is a community benefit that nonprofit hospitals are supposed to offer an exchange for tax breaks. KFF health news and the Minnesota Star Tribune investigated charity care programs at 123 hospitals in Minnesota.
Most earmarked just a tiny fraction of their budgets for patient assistance. Jared Walker heads $1 for a nonprofit that works with patients across the country to apply for charity care. Hospitals do a poor job of making these resources known.
“It is not accessible and I think that that's by design.”
The investigations found many Minnesota hospitals have confusing standards and intrusive applications. That discourages patients from even asking for aid. President Trump has tabbed David Venturella to be the next acting director of immigration and customs enforcement.
A spokesman confirmed the appointment to MPR. He is expected to take over from Todd Lyons, who was leaving the post at the end of the month, Venturella is a better than the agency and a former private prison official. The NBA's first openly gay player has died. Jason Collins was 47.
His family says he died from an aggressive former brain cancer. Collins played for six different NBA teams over 13 years. He announced that he was gay in 2013 toward the end of his playing career. Also Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clark has died. The Grizzlies announced his death Tuesday.
No other details were given. Clark was 29. This is MPR. Dr. Eric Topal says health influencers make big claims about longevity, but he's offering us a reality check.
"We can accept that we're going to age, but we don't have to accept heart disease and cancer or neurodegenerative disease." Straight talk about how to grow old and stay healthy. That's on the Ted Brady Wauer podcast.
