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
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.
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.
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.
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]
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.
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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