NPR News Now: February 17, 2025, 9AM EST

On this episode of NPR News Now, host Korva Coleman delivers a comprehensive update on the latest national and international developments. The episode, released on February 17, 2025, covers a range of pressing issues from geopolitical tensions and U.S. immigration policies to severe weather events and significant federal workforce changes. Below is a detailed summary of the key topics discussed, enriched with notable quotes and structured for clarity.

International Relations: Russia and Saudi Arabia Engage on Ukraine Peace

Timestamp: 00:18

Korva Coleman opens the episode with a report on the Kremlin’s recent diplomatic maneuvers. Russian authorities have dispatched top diplomats to Saudi Arabia to engage with their U.S. counterparts, aiming to negotiate peace in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Notably absent from these talks are President Vladimir Putin, Ukraine’s president, and representatives from European nations, indicating a complex diplomatic landscape.

European Security Reassesses U.S. Commitment

Timestamp: 00:52

Reporter Eleanor Beardsley provides insight into the shifting dynamics of the transatlantic security alliance. In the wake of President Donald Trump’s first month in office, European leaders are responding to assurances that the U.S. may no longer be a steadfast pillar of their security. In speeches delivered in Brussels and Munich, senior Trump officials emphasized that Europe must now take greater responsibility for its own defense.

A significant moment highlighted by Beardsley is the Finnish President Alexander Stubb’s evocative statement in Paris:

"There are decades where nothing happens, and there are weeks where decades happen."
(00:52)

This quote encapsulates the rapid and profound changes undermining long-standing alliances. European leaders are now seeking increased defense spending, safeguarding Ukraine’s sovereignty, and ensuring any peace agreements are robust and sustainable.

U.S. Immigration Policies Under Scrutiny

Timestamp: 01:35

Turning to domestic affairs, Coleman reports on the Trump administration’s intensified efforts to deport undocumented migrants. Despite claims that immigration agents will avoid sensitive locations, such as schools, there has been significant pushback from communities and advocacy groups.

Tom Homan, Trump’s border czar, clarifies the administration’s stance:

"We're not raiding schools, we're not raiding churches. We're not raiding college campuses. But if we have a significant public safety threat or national security, let's say, for instance, an MS-13 member who's a senior in the high school who's wanted for drug distribution or strong-armed crimes, we will go to that school and arrest that MS-13 member with the help of the local authorities. It's not about raiding schools. It's about restraining one bad guy where we know he is and not letting him escape back into the community."
(01:54)

Homan emphasizes that the focus is on targeting individuals who pose specific threats rather than indiscriminate raids.

Severe Storms Devastate Kentucky, Leaving 10 Dead

Timestamp: 02:19

The podcast shifts to coverage of natural disasters, with Coleman detailing the impact of powerful storms in the southern United States. Over the weekend, severe flooding and high winds have tragically resulted in 10 fatalities, predominantly in Kentucky.

Reporter Karen Zarr captures the harrowing scenes:

"That's the sound of water rushing down Rock Ledges along a highway in eastern Kentucky."
(02:33)

Lieutenant Brandon Smith of the Hazard Fire Department recounts the urgency of the situation:

"They were having to abandon the fire department because water had rolled so quickly, and then they got it to our station."
(02:52)

Smith explains that their temporary emergency staging area was the Pizza Hut in downtown Hazard, highlighting the community’s resilience in the face of disaster.

Federal Workforce Layoffs: FAA and National Park Service Hit

Timestamp: 03:09

Coleman reports on significant personnel changes within federal agencies under the Trump administration. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is experiencing layoffs, with several hundred probationary employees receiving termination notices. The FAA union chief warns that these cuts will exacerbate the already heavy workloads faced by the remaining staff.

In parallel, the National Park Service has laid off approximately 1,000 employees. Emma Bowman of NPR shares a poignant account from Brian Gibbs, a former environmental educator:

"This is home. It's the first place I told my spouse that I loved her. It's the first park that I took my son to."
(04:06)

Gibbs laments the broader implications:

"You're losing people who are teaching youth such as myself, you know, the value of protecting and preserving these places for current and future generations. I mean, that's what the Park Service is founded on. That's their mission."
(04:15)

Gibbs expresses a sense of loss for both his personal aspirations and the public's educational opportunities, underscoring the human impact of these federal cuts.

Vatican Update: Pope Francis Remains Hospitalized

Timestamp: 04:35

In religious news, Coleman updates listeners on the health status of Pope Francis. The Vatican announces that the pontiff will need to remain hospitalized following his admission to a Rome hospital last Friday for bronchitis. The condition has deteriorated, presenting a complex clinical picture for his doctors. The Vatican noted that the pope "rested quietly overnight," suggesting ongoing concerns but no immediate public health crisis.

Market Closure and Observations

Timestamp: 03:09

Additionally, Coleman briefly notes that U.S. stock markets are closed in observance of President's Day, a standard annual observance affecting financial activities.

This episode of NPR News Now provides listeners with a succinct yet thorough overview of significant events shaping both the national and international landscapes. From high-stakes diplomatic negotiations and shifts in defense alliances to domestic policy changes and environmental crises, the program ensures that audiences are well-informed about the crucial developments of the day.