NPR News Now: Episode Summary – February 19, 2025

Released on February 19, 2025, NPR News Now provides the latest news updates every five minutes. This episode covers a range of significant topics, including federal agency actions, public health concerns, international hostilities, political legal proceedings, cultural events, and economic updates.

1. Federal Court Order and USAID’s Response to Payment Cessations

Host: Lakshmi Singh (00:14)
NPR's Lakshmi Singh opens the episode with a critical update on the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Despite a federal court order mandating the resumption of payments, the Trump administration's USAID continues to halt payments to thousands of global programs.

Reporter: Frank Langford (00:36)
Frank Langford elaborates on the situation, noting that a federal judge ordered USAID last week to "reopen the flow of money to programs around the world" due to the cessation causing "irreparable harm" (00:36). In response, USAID asserts its authority to cancel contracts based on existing agreements, focusing on eliminating "waste and fraud" and ensuring alignment with President Trump’s objectives. Specifically, USAID has terminated nearly 500 contracts, sparing only 20 contracts worth over $250 million. These cancellations include initiatives aimed at regime change, civic society, or democracy promotion. The judge has yet to respond to USAID's justification for these terminations.

2. Public Health Challenges: Protests, Bird Flu, and Measles Outbreaks

Host: Lakshmi Singh (01:23)
Shifting to public health, Lakshmi Singh reports on ongoing protests against mass firings and funding cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Concurrently, the Department of Agriculture is reversing some dismissals related to the government's response to a nationwide bird flu outbreak.

Public Health Update (01:58)
The episode highlights a troubling measles outbreak in rural West Texas, which has expanded to 58 cases and resulted in over a dozen hospitalizations. Additionally, eight new cases have emerged in neighboring eastern New Mexico, despite available vaccines.

Spokesperson: Robert Knott, New Mexico Department of Health (01:58)
Robert Knott emphasizes the state's proactive measures: "The New Mexico Department of Health has set up several vaccination clinics at no cost. We also have free vaccines, absolutely free for children in the state from these..." (01:58). He further clarifies that there has been no direct contact traced between the cases in New Mexico and those in Texas, underscoring efforts to contain the outbreak effectively.

3. Hamas’ Announcement to Return Hostages’ Bodies

Host: Lakshmi Singh (02:09)
In international news, Hamas has declared its intention to return the bodies of four Israeli hostages. However, as NPR’s Hadil Al Shalchi reports, this announcement brings limited solace to the affected families.

Reporter: Hadil Al Shalchi (02:31)
Hamad Al Shalchi reports that among the returned bodies will be the Bibas family—a mother and her two young sons aged nine months and four years at the time of their kidnapping on October 7, 2023. Hamas claims they were killed in an Israeli airstrike in November 2023, though Israeli officials have not confirmed these deaths. The Bibas family, in a statement released on Tuesday, described their experience as "turmoil," expressing that their "journey to healing would not begin until they received definitive confirmation." Additionally, Hamas announced the release of six living hostages on Saturday, doubling the number initially agreed upon.

4. Legal Proceedings Involving New York City Mayor Eric Adams

Host: Lakshmi Singh (03:11)
Transitioning to domestic politics, Lakshmi Singh discusses the ongoing legal battle involving New York City Mayor Eric Adams. A federal judge is currently considering the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) motion to drop a corruption case against Adams. The hearing concluded without a decision.

Political Update (03:11)
Mayor Adams vehemently denies all charges and refutes claims that he collaborated with the Trump administration’s campaign against migrants without legal status to have his case dismissed. The DOJ's aggressive move to terminate the case has sparked significant backlash, leading to the resignation of over half a dozen prosecutors in protest recently.

5. Cultural Spotlight: Cynthia Erivo to Host the Tony Awards

Host: Lakshmi Singh (03:11)
In cultural news, the upcoming Tony Awards will feature a new host, Cynthia Erivo, a prominent British actress renowned for her work in both theater and film.

Reporter: Jeff London (04:00)
Jeff London provides an in-depth look at Erivo’s career. After a successful stint in London theatre, Cynthia Erivo made a significant impact on Broadway in 2015 as Seelie in the Tony Award-winning revival of The Color Purple, earning a Tony for Best Actress in a Musical that season. This June 8th, she is set to host the 78th Annual Tony Awards. London highlights Erivo's recent accolades, including her Oscar nomination for her role in Wicked, and her upcoming portrayal of the title character in Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl in August.

6. Economic Update: U.S. Stock Market Closes Higher

Host: Lakshmi Singh (04:45)
Concluding the episode, Lakshmi Singh provides a brief economic update, noting that U.S. stocks have ended the day moderately higher, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average closing up by 71 points.

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and developments presented in the February 19, 2025, episode of NPR News Now, offering listeners a detailed overview of significant national and international events.