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.