NPR News: 02-14-2025 6PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: February 14, 2025, 6 PM EST

NPR News Now delivers the latest news in five minutes, providing concise and comprehensive updates on current events. In the February 14, 2025, episode, NPR covers significant developments across various domains, including governmental turmoil, aviation safety, international relations, economic indicators, human interest stories, and local news. Below is a detailed summary of the episode's key segments.

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1. Turmoil at the U.S. Justice Department

[00:16] Host Jack Spear introduces a critical report by NPR's Kerry Johnson on escalating conflicts within the U.S. Justice Department. The spotlight is on the contentious handling of a major corruption case involving New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

Kerry Johnson reports that Assistant U.S. Attorney Hagan Scotten resigned from his Manhattan post, citing ethical objections to what he perceives as the misuse of prosecutorial power. Scotten, a decorated military veteran with two Bronze Stars and a former clerk for Chief Justice John Roberts, authored a letter asserting, “prosecutors cannot use their vast power to lean on elected officials.” He expressed confidence that senior Justice Department leaders might eventually find someone willing to dismiss the corruption case against Mayor Adams, but he emphasized, “It was never going to be me.”

The resignation raises serious questions about potential political pressure within the department. The matter now rests with Judge Dale Ho, who must decide whether to formally dismiss the case. Johnson highlights the possibility of a hearing to examine the alleged pressure exerted by Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bovey on prosecutors, signaling deeper unrest within the Justice Department’s ranks.

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2. NTSB Investigates Deadly Mid-Air Collision

[01:18] Jack Spear transitions to aviation safety, reporting on the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) first on-camera briefing concerning the tragic mid-air collision that occurred on January 29th. The incident involved a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet attempting to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy provided details, stating that the collision occurred at an altitude of 278 feet above the Potomac River. Notably, the helicopter was supposed to maintain a maximum altitude of 200 feet. Homendy expressed uncertainty regarding whether the helicopter’s altimeters were accurately reflecting the pilots' true altitude, leaving the cause of the collision under investigation. The disaster resulted in the loss of all 67 individuals aboard both aircraft, prompting urgent questions about flight safety protocols and equipment reliability.

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3. U.S.-Mexico Tensions Over Cartel Designations and Gunmaker Lawsuits

[01:45] The episode shifts to international relations, focusing on escalating tensions between the United States and Mexico over the designation of Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.

Nita Kravinsky of KGZZ reports that following President Trump’s directive, Secretary of State Marco Rubio moved to classify Mexican cartels alongside groups like Al Qaeda and Boko Haram. In response, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced plans to intensify legal actions against U.S. gun manufacturers. Sheinbaum emphasized that “more than 70% of the guns used by cartels come from the U.S.,” and indicated that Mexico would leverage existing lawsuits to hold American gunmakers accountable.

The issue is set to reach the U.S. Supreme Court, which will hear oral arguments early next month to determine whether the lawsuit against gun manufacturers can proceed. This legal battle highlights the complex interplay between international policy decisions and domestic judicial processes, with significant implications for both countries' legal and political landscapes.

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4. Economic Indicators: Retail Sales and Stock Market Fluctuations

[02:17] Economic news follows, with updates on retail sales and stock market performance. Colder than usual weather across the country in January adversely affected consumer behavior, leading to a 0.9% decline in retail sales compared to the previous month, according to the Commerce Department.

The financial markets reflected a mixed response. Jack Spear notes that the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 165 points, while the Nasdaq Composite Index experienced a modest gain of 81 points. These movements suggest investor uncertainty amidst challenging economic conditions, potentially influenced by seasonal factors and broader economic trends.

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5. Human Interest: Celebrating Moss at Lewis & Clark College

[03:31] Shifting to a lighter subject, Dina Pritchett reports on Oregon’s Lewis & Clark College hosting its seventh annual Moss Appreciation Week. The event aims to foster a deeper appreciation for moss, often overlooked despite its ecological significance.

Kenji Yamamoto, a student organizer, shares his insights: “Moss is something that we kind of take for granted,” highlighting the plant’s resilience and historical importance in oxygen production. The week featured activities such as moss walks, moss talks, moss valentines, and even a moss petting zoo. Yamamoto emphasizes the importance of slowing down and appreciating the “little things,” suggesting that such mindfulness can lead to a more profound connection with nature. Though the event may seem whimsical, it underscores the broader message of environmental stewardship and the beauty found in simplicity.

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6. Local News: Opossum's Unfortunate Cake Incident in Nebraska

[04:16] Concluding with a humorous local story, Jack Spear recounts how an opossum in Gretna, Nebraska, devoured a Costco tuxedo cake left out on a back porch. Resident Kim Doggett discovered the aftermath when she found the opossum amidst her patio furniture. An animal control officer safely removed the creature, which was briefly rehabilitated before being released back into the wild.

Doggett reflects on the incident, noting, “Too much of a good thing can be trouble,” adding a light-hearted conclusion to the episode. This story serves as a charming reminder of the unpredictable interactions between humans and wildlife.

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NPR News Now continues to provide listeners with timely and varied news coverage, ensuring that audiences stay informed on pressing national and global issues, economic developments, and even the whimsical events that add color to everyday life.

Transcript

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[Jack Spear]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. Turmoil at the Justice Department is intensifying after at least seven prosecutors have now quarrelled rather than follow orders to dismiss a major corruption case. NPR's Kerry Johnson reports. The episode is raising questions about political pressure at justice.

[Kerry Johnson]

Assistant U.S. attorney Hagan Scotten resigned his post in Manhattan after sending a letter to say prosecutors cannot use their vast power to lean on elected officials. Scotten earned two Bronze Stars in military service and clerked for Chief Justice John Roberts. He wrote that he expected senior leaders at justice would eventually find someone who's enough of a fool or a coward to file a motion to dismiss them case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. But it was never going to be me. Ultimately, it's up to Judge Dale Ho to formally dismiss the corruption case. The judge may decide to hold a hearing to explore the pressure Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bovey put on line prosecutors. Carrie Johnson, NPR News, Washington.

[Jack Spear]

Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board gave their first on camera briefing almost two weeks since the January 29th mid air collision involving a US Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet. The plane was trying to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Both aircraft plunged into the Potomac river, killing all 67 people on board both aircraft. NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy said the collision happened at 278ft above the river. The helicopter was supposed to be no higher than 200ft. However, Homendy said it's unclear whether the altimeters in the helicopter were showing the pilots the proper altitude. Mexico's president says if the US Designates Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations, her country will expand legal actions against the US Gunmakers. Foreign terrorist designation will put the cartels in the same category as armed foreign groups like Al Qaeda and Boko Haram. Nita Kravinsky of member station KGZZ reports.

[Nina Kravinsky]

President Trump directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to designate the cartels as foreign terrorist organizations in an executive order shortly after taking office. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said in her regular morning press conference that if the US Goes through with that designation, she plans to expand an existing lawsu in U.S. courts against gun manufacturers. Shanebaum says more than 70% of the guns used by cartels come from the U.S. the U.S. supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments about whether the lawsuit against gun makers should go forward early next month. For NPR News, I'm Nina Kruvinsky in Hermosillo, Mexico.

[Jack Spear]

Colder than usual weather in many parts of the country last month put retail sales in the deep freeze. That's based on new numbers from the Commerce Department. They show retail sales down 0.9% in January from the previous month. A mixed close on Wall Street. The Dow fell 165 points. The Nasdaq rose 81 points. This is NPR. While many people make time to smell the roses or take in the trees, people don't usually notice moss. But Dina Pritchett reports students at Oregon's Lewis and Clark College are trying to change that with their seventh annual Moss Appreciation Week.

[Dina Pritchett]

Mosses are ancient, simple plants which grow from the driest deserts to the highest mountaintops. Their ancestors helped create the oxygen levels that made human life possible.

[Kenji Yamamoto]

I think moss is something that we kind of take for granted.

[Dina Pritchett]

Student Kenji Yamamoto helped organize this year's Moss Appreciation Week with moss walks, moss talks, moss valentines and a moss petting zoo. It's undeniably silly, but Yamamoto says it can also be profound just to, like.

[Kenji Yamamoto]

Focus on the little things and, like, slow down to the pace of moss, if you will.

[Dina Pritchett]

Moss Appreciation Week may have come to an end, but moss itself, of course, can be appreciated anytime. Just look around. For NPR News, I'm Dina Pritchep in Portland, Oregon.

[Jack Spear]

An opossum from Gretna, Nebraska, found out what many people already know. A Costco tuxedo cake with chocolate ganache is good, but too much of a good thing can be trouble. Resident Kim Doggett had left her cake out in the cold on her back porch, thinking it would be fine. What she did not count on was an opossum wolfing down the whole thing. Doggett says she found the sticky pot opossum panning on her patio furniture. An animal control officer gently collected the animal after a brief stint in wildlife rehab. She's expected to be released back into the wild, perhaps wiser about overindulging even when the cake is really good. This is npr.

[UPS Store Advertisement]

This message comes from the UPS Store. Open this holiday. Come into your local store today. Most locations are independently owned. Products, services, pricing and hours of operation may vary. See CENTER for details. The UPS STORE Be unstoppable.