NPR News: 02-27-2025 6AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: February 27, 2025, 6 AM EST

Host: Windsor Johnston
Reporter Contributions: Frank Lengfitt, Craig Lamolt, Joe Palka
Release Date: February 27, 2025

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1. Supreme Court Temporarily Blocks Trump Administration's USAID Funding Cuts

NPR's Frank Lengfitt reports on a significant legal battle affecting U.S. foreign assistance.

In a pivotal legal development, the Supreme Court has paused a lower court ruling that mandates the Trump administration to disburse nearly $2 billion in foreign assistance to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Windsor Johnston reports:

"The Supreme Court has paused a lower court ruling that requires the Trump administration to pay nearly $2 billion in foreign assistance to the U.S. agency for International, or USAID." [00:17]

Frank Lengfitt details the administration's drastic reduction of USAID's budget:

"The White House has eliminated nearly 5,800 foreign assistance grants and awards, effectively gutting the organization." [00:44]

The government asserts these cuts will save approximately $60 billion. Upon assuming office, President Trump ordered a halt to all USAID funding pending a comprehensive review, branding the agency as "antithetical to American values." [00:44]

Lengfitt further explains the financial strains:

"The government still owes USAID grantees more than $1 billion." [00:44]

The Supreme Court's intervention comes as Trump’s administration appeals the federal district judge's order for USAID to resume payments by Wednesday night. Officials report that about 92% of USAID's grants and 28% of the State Department's grants have been eliminated.

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2. Trump Administration's Proposed Overhaul of EPA Endangers Environmental Protections

Environmental advocates are raising alarms over the Trump administration's intentions to dismantle key Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) policies. Craig Lamolt from GBH reports:

"President Trump said he plans to cut 65% of EPA staff, and the White House later clarified the plan is to cut 65% of the agency's funding." [01:42]

David Cash, former EPA regional administrator for New England under President Biden, criticizes the plan:

"What this shows is a blatant disregard for the importance of protecting the air and water and ecosystems that we all depend on." [02:01]

Lamolt adds that EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin is pushing to overturn the agency's 2009 determination that greenhouse gases threaten public health, which should be regulated under the Clean Air Act. Despite the Supreme Court affirming the EPA's authority in this area, Cash expresses concern:

"He [Cash] says he worries the high court has shown a tendency to reverse precedents." [02:06]

This proposal has sparked significant backlash from environmental groups who view the potential cuts as devastating to ongoing environmental protection efforts.

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3. Measles Outbreak in Texas Leads to Hospitalizations and Fatality

A concerning outbreak of measles in Texas has resulted in over 20 hospitalizations and the tragic death of a child. Windsor Johnston provides details:

"Health officials in Texas say more than 20 people are hospitalized amid an outbreak of measles that has left one child dead." [02:27]

Dr. Lara Johnson, Chief Medical Officer at Covenant Health in Lubbock, emphasizes the low risk for vaccinated individuals:

"For those of us who are fully vaccinated against measles, the risk... is extremely, extremely low of having any issues at all with measles." [02:43]

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirms there are 124 confirmed cases of measles in the U.S. this year, predominantly affecting teenagers and children. Vaccination remains a critical defense, with the risk primarily for those who are unvaccinated or lack immunity.

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4. Legendary Actor Gene Hackman Passes Away at 95

In entertainment news, the legendary actor Gene Hackman has died at the age of 95. His illustrious career includes iconic roles in "Unforgiven" and "The French Connection," both of which earned him Academy Awards. Hackman was also beloved for his portrayal of the supervillain Lex Luthor in the original Superman franchise.

Windsor Johnston reports:

"Legendary actor Gene Hackman has died at the age of 95." [03:02]

Authorities in New Mexico revealed that Hackman was found deceased alongside his wife in their Santa Fe home. His passing marks the end of an era for Hollywood, with many remembering him as Joe Palka humorously noted:

"Lex Luthor, the Greatest Criminal Mind of Our Time. I hereby serve notice." [03:32]

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5. SpaceX Launches Dual Probes to the Moon in Search of Water

Space exploration takes a giant leap as SpaceX prepares to launch two probes aimed at uncovering water on the moon. Joe Palka provides an in-depth look at the mission:

"Both are looking for evidence of water on the moon, one from lunar orbit and one from lunar surface." [03:40]

The Athena lander, developed by Houston-based Intuitive Machines, is equipped with a drill designed to penetrate three feet into the lunar surface to search for underground water. Additionally, it carries a rover to test a new lunar communication system developed by Nokia.

Simultaneously, the Lunar Trailblazer orbiter will utilize instruments to determine the state of the water deposits, identifying whether they are frozen ice, water vapor, or water molecules bound to rocks. Understanding the nature of lunar water is crucial for future astronauts aiming to utilize it as a resource for extended missions.

"Knowing the nature of the water will be important if future astronauts hope to use the water as a resource that will allow prolonged visits to the moon." [04:02]

This mission represents a significant step toward sustainable human presence on the moon, potentially paving the way for future exploration and habitation.

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6. Wall Street Updates

In financial news, Wall Street shows positive movement with Dow futures trading higher, indicating a potentially robust start to the trading day.

"Dow futures are trading higher." [04:48]

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Note: This summary excludes advertisements and non-content segments to provide a comprehensive overview of the key news topics covered in the episode.

Transcript

[NPR Announcer]

This message comes from Pemco Mutual Insurance Company. Their mission is to help customers worry less and live more, so they're sharing prevention tips that empower you to prevent some of life's pitfalls before they happen. Visit pemco.com prevention live from NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

In Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. The Supreme Court has paused a lower court ruling that requires the Trump administration to pay nearly $2 billion in foreign assistance to the U.S. agency for International, or USAID. NPR's Frank Lankford reports. The White House has eliminated nearly 5,800 foreign assistance grants and awards, effectively gutting the organization.

[Frank Lengfitt]

The government still owes USAID grantees more than $1 billion. A federal district judge ordered USAID to restart payments by Wednesday night, but the Trump administration appealed to the Supreme Court, which paused the order. Officials said USAID eliminated about 92% worth of the agency's grants, while the State Department eliminate 28% worth. The government claimed a total savings of nearly $60 billion. Upon taking office, Trump ordered a pause in all USAID funding pending a comprehensive review. He called the agency, quote, in many cases, antithetical to American values. Frank Lengfitt, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

Environmental advocates are blasting the Trump administration's plans to rewrite the agency's landmark finding that greenhouse gases endanger public health. Craig Lamolt from member GBH reports there's also significant concern over a plan to slash EPA funding.

[Craig Lamolt]

President Trump said he plans to cut 65% of EPA staff, and the White House later clarified the plan is to cut 65% of the agency's funding. David Cash, who was the EPA regional administrator for New England under President Biden, says that cut would be devastating. What this shows is a blatant disregard.

[Frank Lengfitt]

For for the importance of protecting the air and water and ecosystems that we all depend on.

[Craig Lamolt]

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin is also recommending a reconsideration of the agency's 2009 finding that greenhouse gas emissions should be regulated under the Clean Air Act. Cash notes the Supreme Court has already ruled the EPA has that authority. But he says he worries the high court has shown a tendency to reverse precedents. For NPR News, I'm Craig Lamolt in Boston.

[Windsor Johnston]

Health officials in Texas say more than 20 people are hospitalized amid an outbreak of measles that has left one child dead. Dr. Lara Johnson, the chief medical officer at Covenant Health in Lubbock, says the risk is low for people who have been vaccinated.

[Dr. Lara Johnson]

For those of us who are fully vaccinated against measles, the risk a lot of people are worried about what's your risk in the community? Your risk is extremely, extremely low of having any issues at all with measles. The risk with measles is really for those who are not immune, who have not been vaccinated.

[Windsor Johnston]

The CDC says 124 confirmed cases of the measles, mostly among teens and children, have been confirmed in the US So far this year. This is NPR News. Legendary actor Gene Hackman has died at the age of 95. Hackman's roles in Unforgiven and the French Connection earned him two Academy Awards. He was also recognized as the supervillain in the original Superman franchise.

[Joe Palka]

Lex Luthor, the Greatest Criminal Mind of Our Time. I hereby serve notice.

[Windsor Johnston]

Authorities in New Mexico say Hackman was found dead alongside his wife in their home in Santa Fe. Two probes are headed for the moon today atop a SpaceX rocket. Joe Palka reports. Both are looking for evidence of water on the moon, one from lunar orbit and one from lunar surface.

[Joe Palka]

The probe that will land on the moon is called Athena. It's built by the Houston company Intuitive Machines. Athena carries a drill that is designed to burrow three feet into the rocks that make up the lunar surface, searching for underground water. The lander carries several other instruments, including a rover that will test a lunar communication system built by Nokia. The orbiter is called Lunar Trailblazer. It has instruments designed to not only pinpoint the location of water deposits, but also identify their form. Are they frozen ice? Are they water vapor? Are they water molecules bound to rocks? Knowing the nature of the water will be important if future astronauts hope to use the water as a resource that will allow prolonged visits to the moon. For NPR News, I'm Joe Palka.

[Windsor Johnston]

On Wall Street. Dow futures are trading higher. This is NPR support for npr.

[NPR Announcer]

And the following message come from IXL Learning. IXL Learning uses advanced algorithms to give the right help to each kid, no matter the age or personality. Get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when you sign up. [e-mail] NPR.