Janine Herbst

I'm Janine Herbst, and you're listening to NPR News from Washington.

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Janine Herbst.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is defending his visits to Jeffrey Epstein's island in 2012 in testimony to the Senate Appropriations Committee today.

Here he is in an exchange with Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen.

The Commerce Secretary is facing bipartisan criticism over his ties to Epstein, who had been convicted of sexually abusing minors.

Lutnick appears in the most recent release of the Justice Department files on Epstein, and a growing number of Democrats are calling on him to resign.

And Republican Congressman Thomas Massey also called for his ouster, but the White House has defended him.

Chinese company BYD is suing the Trump administration over tariffs.

And Pierce Emily Fang reports the automaker is asking for a refund of tariffs paid since last spring.

Former Congressman Tom Malinowski conceded today to challenger Annalilia Mejia in the closely watched special election Democratic primary to fill the congressional seat vacated by New Jersey Governor Mikey Sherrill.

From Member Station WNYC, Mike Hayes has more.

Wall Street's trading higher at this hour.

The Dow is up 234 points.

You're listening to NPR News.

The carnival season is underway in New Orleans.

Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is a week from today.

It's a tradition that includes what's known as king cake, as Avery Juhasz with member station WWNO reports.

At the Winter Olympics in Italy, an investigation is underway after four athletes reported problems with their medals breaking and falling off the ribbons.

Women's downhill gold medalist American Breezy Johnson warned her fellow athletes not to jump in them.

Hers broke when she did, although it was quickly replaced.