NPR News: 02-10-2025 10AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: February 10, 2025, 10 AM EST – Detailed Summary

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Federal Judge Considers Trump Administration's Deferred Resignation Offer

At 00:16, Korva Coleman reported that a federal judge in Boston is set to decide whether to uphold the pause on the Trump administration's deferred resignation offer to federal employees. NPR's Andrea Hsu provided an in-depth analysis:

"The Trump administration has presented federal workers a remain in your jobs but risk getting laid off or agree to resign now and keep your pay and benefits through the end of September." (00:31).

Labor unions have challenged the offer, labeling it unlawful by citing violations of laws that prevent agencies from committing funds without Congressional approval. Additionally, they argue that the administration neglected to consider the adverse effects of mass resignations on essential government functions. Support came from attorneys general across 20 states and D.C., who warned that the resignation plan could severely impair state responses to natural disasters, veteran services, and critical public services.

Federal Judge Blocks Executive Action on Birthright Citizenship

Later in the episode, at 01:16, Coleman reported that a third federal judge has blocked President Trump’s executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to parents residing illegally. This decision stems from a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which argues that Trump's move attempts to undermine a "fundamental American constitutional value."

President Trump's Tariff Threats Influence Stock Markets

Scott Horsley took over at 01:51 with news on the financial markets responding to Trump's economic policies. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged by approximately 150 points in early trading following President Trump’s announcement of a new 25% tax on imported steel and aluminum. Horsley explained:

"The move has the potential to boost domestic steel and aluminum makers while also raising costs for businesses and consumers that buy steel and aluminum, ranging from automakers to soda pop and beer drinkers." (01:51).

This tariff is seen as an extension of the trade conflicts initiated during Trump’s first term, aiming to protect domestic industries but potentially increasing expenses across various sectors.

McDonald's Faces Sales Decline Amid E. coli Outbreak

Horsley continued with a business update, highlighting that McDonald's experienced a downturn in U.S. sales due in part to an E. coli outbreak. This health scare led to the temporary removal of Quarter Pounders from menus in several states, impacting the fast-food giant's quarterly performance.

Treasury to Cease Minting New Pennies

In the same segment, Horsley reported President Trump's directive to the Treasury Department to stop producing new pennies. The rationale behind this decision is the financial loss incurred from manufacturing pennies at a cost exceeding their face value.

Trump's Controversial Statements on Gaza and Military Academies

At 02:33, Korva Coleman shifted focus to international affairs, citing President Trump's assertion about seizing Gaza:

"Think of it as a big real estate site, and the United States is going to own it and will slowly, very slowly. We're in no rush to bring stability to the Middle East." (02:44).

This statement has garnered international criticism, leading Egypt to announce an emergency Arab summit scheduled for February 27 to address the escalating tensions and developments.

Furthermore, Coleman reported Trump's intention to disband the boards of visitors at U.S. military academies, accusing them of being "woke leftist ideologues" without providing evidence. Notably, some board members are appointed by Congress, limiting the president's authority to dismiss them unilaterally.

NIH Funding Cuts Pose Risks to Health Research

At 03:54, Sarah Hosseini from NPR’s member station KQED discussed significant cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding:

"The science we do, I think it's extremely important. It's very basic science, and it's not something that companies support right now." (04:18), stated Stanford University Professor Benjamin Good.

The NIH has reduced funding caps for facilities and administrative costs to 15%, aligning with private funders’ standards. Stanford University anticipates that these cuts will lead to a $160 million annual reduction in research activities, threatening ongoing projects like Professor Good's research on the gut microbiome.

Passing of Renowned Author Tom Robbins

At 04:35, Korva Coleman announced the death of acclaimed writer Tom Robbins at his home in Washington state. Robbins, aged 92, was celebrated for his imaginative novels, including "Jitterbug Perfume" and "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues." Details regarding funeral arrangements have yet to be released.

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key news segments from the February 10, 2025, episode of NPR News Now, providing listeners with insights into federal employment policies, constitutional debates, economic measures, international relations, scientific research funding, and notable obituaries.

Transcript

[Pemco Mutual Insurance]

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[Korva Coleman]

In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Today, a federal judge in Boston will consider whether to keep the pause on the Trump administration's deferred resignation offer to Federal employees. And NPR's Andrea Hsu reports. Labor unions have sued to block it, calling the deal unlawful.

[Andrea Hsu]

The Trump administration has presented federal workers a remain in your jobs but risk getting laid off or agree to resign now and keep your pay and benefits through the end of September. Unions have argued that the deal violates a law that prohibits agencies from obligating funds that Congress hasn't approved. They also accused the Trump administration of failing to consider potential adverse consequences should large swaths of the federal workforce resign. Attorneys general from 20 states and D.C. filed a brief in support of the unions, warning that the resignation offer would have a devastating impact on states abilities to respond to natural disasters, support veterans, and deliver crucial services to millions of Americans. Andrea Hsu, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

This morning, a third federal judge has now blocked President Trump's executive action ending birthright citizenship for people born in the US to parents who here illegally. The ruling came from a judge in New Hampshire in a lawsuit filed by the aclu. The group alleges Trump's action tries to overturn one of the most fundamental American constitutional values. Stocks opened higher this morning as President Trump threatens new tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. NPR's Scott Horsley reports. The Dow Jones industrial average jumped about 150 points in early trading.

[Scott Horsley]

President Trump says he plans to announce a 25% tax on all imported steel and aluminum, extending a trade battle he launched during his first term in the White House. The move has the potential to boost domestic steel and aluminum makers while also raising costs for businesses and consumers that buy steel and aluminum, ranging from automakers to soda pop and beer drinkers. The golden arches lost some of their shine in the most recent quarter. McDonald's saw its US sales fall partly as a result of an E. Coli outbreak, which briefly took Quarter Pounders off the menu in some states. President Trump says he's directed the Treasury Department to stop minting new pennies. The government's been losing money on the coins, which each cost more than a penny to make. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

President Trump is doubling down on his claim the US Is going to seize the wrecked enclave of Gaza, home to Palestinians displaced by the war between Israel and Hamas.

[Donald Trump]

Think of it as a big real estate site, and the United States is going to own it and will slowly, very slowly. We're in no rush to bring stability to the Middle East.

[Korva Coleman]

But there are few supporters of Trump's views in other countries. Egypt announced over the weekend it will host an emergency Arab summit on February 27. Egypt says this is to discuss new and dangerous developments. You're listening to npr. President Trump says he will dismiss what's known as the boards of visitors to US Military academies. Writing online this morning, Trump claims they are infiltrated by, quote, woke leftist ideologues. He offered no evidence the boards are outside advisory groups that offer advice to the Naval Academy, for example. But some members of these visitors boards are appointed by Congress, not by the president. Scientists at universities across the country are warning new federal funding cuts to current and future research could endanger human health. From member station kqed, Sarah Hosseini reports. The funding cuts announced by the National Institutes of Health take effect today.

[Sarah Hosseini]

The NIH says it's capping money for facilities and administrative costs at 15% to align with the amount some private funders permit. Stanford University professor Benjamin Good says the future of his research on the gut microbiome is now in jeopardy without money for secure data storage, janitorial services and chemical safety training, among many other functions.

[Benjamin Good]

The science we do, I think it's extremely important. It's it's very basic science, and it's not something that companies support right now.

[Sarah Hosseini]

In a statement, Stanford says cuts to research on its campus will amount to $160 million per year. For NPR News, I'm Sarah Hosseini.

[Korva Coleman]

Writer Tom Robbins has died at his home in Washington state, according to a friend. He was 92 years old. Robbins dazzled millions of readers with novels such as Jitterbug Perfume and Even Cowgirls get the Blues. No funeral details for Robbins have been announced. This is npr.

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