NPR News: 02-07-2025 12PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: Episode Summary – February 7, 2025

Release Date: February 7, 2025
Host: Lakshmi Singh
Duration: Approximately 5 minutes

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Employment and Economic Updates

U.S. Job Market Shows Steady Growth

In January, the U.S. labor market maintained its momentum with employers adding 143,000 jobs. While this figure reflects ongoing economic strength, it indicates a slower hiring pace compared to the previous two months. Notably, job creation was revised upward by 100,000 positions for November and December combined.

Key Sectors Driving Employment:

• Health Care
• Retail
• Government

Conversely, sectors such as manufacturing and construction saw limited job growth, and there were job cuts in temporary health services. Wage growth remains robust, with average wages increasing by 4.1% year-over-year, which is expected to surpass inflation rates. The unemployment rate edged down to 4%, bolstered by a larger workforce estimate that accounts for increased immigration over the past two years.

"U.S. employers added 143,000 jobs in January, a solid pace, but slower than the two previous months."
— Scott Horsley (00:29)

Corporate DEI Practices Under Scrutiny

Big Companies Diminish Focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

A significant shift is occurring within major corporations as they erase references to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) from their annual investor reports. An analysis by NPR's Maria Aspen reveals that at least a dozen major U.S. companies, including General Motors, Pepsi, and Disney, have deleted or softened DEI language compared to the previous year.

This trend reflects mounting pressure from critics and was intensified following President Trump's executive orders aimed at ending DEI initiatives. Additionally, the federal government has threatened private companies with sanctions or civil investigations should they continue such programs.

"Big companies have been backing away from their DEI programs for months."
— Maria Aspen (01:27)

Political Developments

House Speaker Praises Israel-Hamas Ceasefire

House Speaker Mike Johnson met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to commend the recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Johnson highlighted the importance of decisive leadership in addressing national security priorities, especially with Republican control of Congress and the return of President Trump to the White House.

"This is what decisive leadership looks like. And with President Trump back in the White House, in Republican control of Congress, America will not turn its back on our national security priorities."
— Mike Johnson (02:20)

Johnson did not comment on President Trump's recent remarks regarding a proposed U.S. takeover of the Gaza Strip and the relocation of the Palestinian people, leaving that debate open.

Public Health: Avian Flu Outbreak

New York Battles Bird Flu with Market Shutdowns

In response to an outbreak of the H5N1 avian flu virus, New York City and three surrounding counties have temporarily closed live poultry markets. Governor Kathy Hochul announced a five-day closure period to allow for thorough cleaning and disinfection. Hochul assured the public that the avian flu does not pose an immediate threat to health.

This outbreak has contributed to a nationwide increase in prices for eggs and other poultry products as multiple states grapple with similar issues.

Wall Street and Utah Legislation

Dow Jones Experiences Decline Amid Economic Concerns

At the time of the report, the Dow Jones Industrial Average had fallen by 324 points, reflecting investor concerns amidst fluctuating job numbers and public health issues.

Utah Passes Ban on Collective Bargaining for Public Sector Workers

In a significant policy shift, Utah lawmakers approved a Republican-backed bill (HB 267) that prohibits collective bargaining for the state's public sector employees, including educators, police officers, and public transportation workers. The Salt Lake Tribune reported that hundreds of teachers, firefighters, and public transit workers rallied at the state capitol to oppose the legislation. The state Senate's 16 to 13 vote cleared the final legislative hurdle, sending the bill to Governor Spencer Cox for his signature.

Cultural Moments: Super Bowl and Superb Owl Meme

Super Bowl Sunday Spawns 'Superb Owl' Internet Frenzy

As Super Bowl Sunday approaches, a playful misspelling has given rise to the 'Superb Owl' meme, capturing the attention of sports fans and internet users alike. The joke originated from a category on the trivia show Jeopardy and has since expanded, boasting a dedicated subreddit with over 400,000 members.

Director Tate Mason of the World Center for Birds of Prey attributes the meme's popularity to the deep cultural connection people have with owls:

"People are attracted to owls for their large, forward-facing eyes and their sit-and-wait approach to ambushing prey, which gives them a reputation for being wise."
— Tate Mason (04:31)

Joe Hernandez notes the longevity and fascination with both the Super Bowl and owls:

"The Super Bowl has been around since 1967. Owls have been on planet Earth for over 52 million years."
— Joe Hernandez (04:07)

This lighthearted twist offers a moment of levity amidst the week's serious news, highlighting the internet's capacity for humor and cultural interplay.

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For more updates, visit NPR News Now.

Transcript

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[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Singh. The government's big jobs report is out today. US Employers continued hiring in January, but at a slower pace than the month before. NPR's Scott Horsley has more.

[Scott Horsley]

U.S. employers added 143,000 jobs in January, a solid pace, but slower than the two previous months. Job gains for November and December were revised up by a total of 100,000 jobs. Hiring last month was concentrated in health care, retail and government jobs. Factories and construction companies added relatively few workers in January, and temporary health services cut jobs. Average wages last month were up 4.1% from a year ago, which is likely more than enough to outpace inflation. The unemployment rate inched down to of 4%. The Labor Department has also raised its estimate of the size of the workforce, taking into account higher immigration levels in the last two years than had previously been accounted for. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Some big companies are literally erasing diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI. NPR's Maria Aspen discovered that General Motors, Pepsi, Disney and others have scrubbed some or all of those words from their annual reports to investors.

[Maria Aspen]

Big companies have been backing away from their DEI programs for months, but a new NPR analysis found that many more are erasing the language of diversity without making a big announcement. At least a dozen big US Companies are deleting or softening references to diversity, equity and inclusion from their new annual reports to investors. That's compared to language they used just one year ago. DEI was once a popular buzzword in corporate America, but companies are now under pressure from its critics. That pressure is mounting after President Trump issued executive orders ending DEI and the federal government and threatening some private companies with sanctions or civil investigations. Maria Aspen, NPR News, New York.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Today, House Speaker Mike Johnson met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and praised the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

[Mike Johnson]

This is what decisive leadership looks like. And with President Trump back in the White House, in Republican control of Congress, America will not turn its back on on our national security priorities.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Johnson did not address President Trump's comment Tuesday about a proposed US Takeover of the Gaza Strip and relocation of the Palestinian people. New York officials have temporarily shut down live poultry markets in New York City and three suburban counties because of bird flu. Governor Kathy Hochul's office gave notice today for the markets to close for five days while they clean and disinfect. Hochul says the avian flu, the H5N1 virus does not pose an immediate threat to the public. Multiple states are dealing with an outbreak, and that's factoring in the nationwide surge in prices for eggs and other food products. At last check on Wall street, the dow is down 324 points. This is NPR News. Utah lawmakers have approved a Republican backed policy that bans collective bargaining for the state's public sector workers. That means unions would no longer be able to negotiate on behalf of groups of government employed educators, police and other public sector workers. In Utah, The Salt Lake Trib reports hundreds of teachers, firefighters and public transportation workers gathered at the state capitol to oppose HB 267. The state Senate 16 to 13 vote last night was a final legislative hurdle for the bill, which was now headed to Republican Governor Spencer Cox for his signature. For some sports fans this weekend, it is Super Bowl Sunday, and for others, it'll be Superb Owl Sunday. St. Pierre's Joe Hernandez reports. A humorous misspelling has spawned countless Internet memes. A renewed interest in the nocturnal birds.

[Tate Mason]

Just move the beat and suddenly you've changed super bowl to superb owl. The online joke was a category in the trivia show Jeopardy. And even has its own subreddit with more than 400,000 members. With the big game just days away, the meme is taking off again. Tate Mason, director of the World center for Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho, says that's because people have a deep connection to owls.

[Joe Hernandez]

The Super Bowl, I'll say, has been around since 1967. Owls have been on planet Earth for over 52 million years.

[Tate Mason]

Mason says people are attracted to owls for their large, forward facing eyes and their sit and wait approach to ambushing prey, part of what he says gives them a reputation for being wise. Joe Hernandez, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

It's npr.

[Carvana]

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