NPR News: 03-07-2025 2PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: Episode Summary for March 7, 2025, 2PM EST

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Release Date: March 7, 2025

---

U.S. Economy Adds Jobs in February

Lakshmi Singh opened the episode by reporting that the U.S. economy added 151,000 jobs in February. While this figure fell short of analysts' expectations, it still indicates a robust labor market. President Trump shared his thoughts at the Oval Office, emphasizing the administration's positive outlook on employment growth.

Treasury Secretary Scott Besson on Shifting from Public to Private Spending

In a conversation with CNBC, Treasury Secretary Scott Besson addressed concerns about the economy's heavy reliance on public spending. Speaking at [00:28], Besson stated:

"I think the labor market's going to be fantastic, but it's going to have high paying manufacturing jobs as opposed to government jobs. We had too many people in government. You can't just do that."

He criticized the longstanding trend of excessive government hiring, suggesting a strategic pivot towards more private sector employment to sustain economic growth.

White House Hosts Inaugural Cryptocurrency Summit

The White House is at the forefront of digital currency innovation, hosting the first cryptocurrency summit today. This event follows President Trump's executive order establishing a strategic bitcoin reserve. Deepa Shivaram reported at [01:17]:

"The bitcoin reserve has 200,000 bitcoin, which amounts to about $17 billion, according to White House crypto czar Dav Sachs."

These bitcoins, sourced from seized assets through criminal and civil proceedings, will remain untouched to prevent financial losses from liquidation. Sachs highlighted that the administration's stance on cryptocurrency is notably more supportive compared to previous administrations. However, Trump's personal investments in cryptocurrency have sparked discussions about potential conflicts of interest.

60th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday and Voting Rights Legislation

March 7 marks 60 years since the tragic events of Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama, where civil rights marchers were violently confronted by law enforcement. Debbie Elliott covered the significance of this anniversary at [02:13], noting:

"The violence that day shocked the nation and helped win support for the Voting Rights Act of 1965."

Alabama Congresswoman Terry Sewell reflected on the day's impact, stating at [02:39]:

"I hope that we during the 60th anniversary have an opportunity not just to remember and not just to reflect, but to rededicate ourselves to the cause for which those foot soldiers marched."

In honor of the anniversary, Sewell has introduced a bill aimed at restoring parts of the Voting Rights Act that the Supreme Court invalidated in 2013, seeking to reinforce equal voting rights across the nation.

Stock Market Continues Uptrend

Lakshmi Singh provided a brief update on the financial markets at [03:03], reporting:

"U.S. stocks are trading higher this hour. The Dow Jones industrial Average is up 232 points."

All major market indices are experiencing gains of roughly half a percent, signaling investor confidence amid ongoing economic developments.

Intuitive Machines' Lunar Lander Faces Setback

The space industry saw another setback as the private lunar lander Athena from Intuitive Machines failed to land successfully near the moon's south pole. Announced at [03:03], Athena landed sideways in Frigid Crater, missing its designated spot by over 800 feet. Although the lander activated some experiments and transmitted images back to Earth, it ceased functioning shortly after landing. This marks the second instance in less than two years where Intuitive Machines' lander achieved a lunar landing but ultimately failed. NASA had invested $62 million in Intuitive Machines to deploy three experiments on the moon, highlighting the challenges of private space endeavors.

King Charles III Launches "King's Music Room" Playlist for Commonwealth Day

In a cultural highlight, King Charles III unveiled an Apple Music playlist titled "King's Music Room" to commemorate Commonwealth Day. Lauren Fryer reported from London at [04:05]:

"In a video posted to social media, King Charles sits at a big wooden desk at Buckingham Palace with a vintage Radio On Air sign lit up, talking about his love of disco, reggae, and Afrobeats."

The playlist features a diverse range of music, from 1930s standards to contemporary hits like Kylie Minogue, reflecting the king's eclectic tastes. Accompanied by visuals of a military marching band playing Bob Marley, the collection showcases the musical influences that have shaped King Charles's life. Concluding the segment at [04:38], the king expressed his gratitude:

"Thank you for listening. I wish you all every possible blessing."

Closing Market Remarks

Wrapping up the episode, Lakshmi Singh reiterated the positive trend in the stock market:

"All major market indices are up roughly half a percent."

She concluded the report with assurance of continued coverage on these financial movements.

---

Note: Advertisements and non-content segments were excluded from this summary to focus on the episode's key news topics and discussions.

Transcript

[Carvana Advertisement]

This message comes from Carvana. Sell your car the convenient way, enter your license plate or vin, answer a few questions and get a real offer in seconds. Go to Carvana.com today.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh. The US economy gained 151,000 jobs in February, analysts say short of expectations but still strong. President Trump's reaction at the Oval Office today.

[Scott Besson]

I think the labor market's going to be fantastic, but it's going to have high paying manufacturing jobs as opposed to government jobs. We had too many people in government. You can't just do that. We had many, many, too many. This is for 40 years, you know, this isn't just now. This built up and got worse and worse and they just hire more and more people.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Treasury Secretary Scott Besson spoke to CNBC this morning about what the administration sees as an economy addicted to public spending. He warns the economy could slow as it goes through what he describes as a detox period of transition from public to more private spending. The White House is hosting the first cryptocurrency summit today. NPR's Deepa Shivaram reports. The event is taking place after Trump signed an executive order creating a strategic bitcoin reserve.

[Deepa Shivaram]

The bitcoin reserve has 200,000 bitcoin, which amounts to about $17 billion, according to White House crypto czar Dav Sachs. The crypto comes from seized assets from criminal and civil court proceedings, and Sachs says the government has been losing money by selling it. With the reserve, it'll stay put. President Trump is expected to talk more about the reserve at the crypto summit today. His administration has been far more friendly toward the digital asset than the prior administration, though Trump himself has personal investments in cryptocurrency, which has drawn criticism of conflicts of interest. Deepa Shivaram, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Today marks 60 years since members of law enforcement attacked civil rights marchers in Selma, Alabama, in what has become known as Bloody Sunday. NPR's Debbie Elliott reports. The violence that day shocked the nation and helped win support for the Voting Rights act of 1965.

[Debbie Elliott]

Protesters were starting a march from Selma to Montgomery to demand equal voting rights on March 7, 1965. But they were stopped on Selma's Edmund Pettus brid by state troopers wielding batons and tear gas. Alabama Congresswoman Terry Sewell of Selma says what took place there changed the face of American politics.

[Terry Sewell]

I hope that we during the 60th anniversary have an opportunity not just to remember and not just to reflect, but to rededicate ourselves to the cause for which those foot soldiers marched.

[Debbie Elliott]

Sewell has introduced a bill to restore parts of the Voting rights act the U.S. supreme Court struck down in 2013. Debbie Elliott, NPR News, Salma.

[Lakshmi Singh]

U.S. stocks are trading higher this hour. The Dow Jones industrial Average is up 232points. This is NPR News. A private lunar lander is no longer operational after it landed sideways near the moon's south pole yesterday. The private company Intuitive Missions made the announcement, marking the second time in less than two years that it had a lander get to the moon but fall over. The latest spacecraft, named Athena, missed its mark by more than 800ft and ended up in Frigid Crater. It activated some experiments and beamed back pictures to Earth. Then it stopped working. NASA paid $62 million to Intuitive Machines to get its three experiments to the moon. Call him DJ Royal Chuck. King Charles III is launching an Apple music playlist of his favorite songs. It drops Monday to mark Commonwealth day. That's a 56 member group of countries that includes many former British colonies. NPR's Lauren Frere has more from London.

[Lauren Fryer]

In a video posted to social media, King Charles sits at a big wooden desk at Buckingham palace with a vintage Radio On Air sign lit up, talking about his love of disco, reggae and Afrobeats.

[King Charles III]

It has that remarkable ability to bring happy memories.

[Lauren Fryer]

The video then cuts to a military marching band outside playing Bob Marley. This playlist, fit for a king, is called the King's Music Room. The palace says it's the soundtrack of King Charles life, from 1930s standards to Kylie Minogue.

[King Charles III]

Thank you for listening. I wish you all every possible blessing.

[Lauren Fryer]

Lauren Fryer, NPR News, London.

[Lakshmi Singh]

All major market indices are up roughly half a percent. You're listening to NPR News.

[Carvana Advertisement]

Listen to this podcast sponsor free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app, by subscribing to NPR NewsNow +@ +npr.org. that's +npr.org.