NPR News Now - NPR News: 02-06-2025 8AM EST

Episode Date: February 6, 2025

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Matt Wilson spent years doing rounds at children's hospitals in New York City. I had a clip-on tie. I wore Heelys, size 11. Matt was a medical clown. The whole of a medical clown is to reintroduce the sense of play and joy and hope and light into a space that doesn't normally inhabit. Ideas about navigating uncertainty. That's on the TED Radio Hour podcast from NPR. Janine Hurst Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Janine Hurst. Federal employees have until the end of today to decide whether they want to accept President

Trump and his adviser Elon Musk's administration resignation letter. So far, some 40,000 of the 2 million federal employees who got the offer have accepted it. But many workers are wary because of the many different versions of the deal million federal employees who got the offer have accepted it, but many workers are wary because of the many different versions of the deal that have come out since last week. In Pierce, Andrea Hsu reports, unions are taking action. Andrea Hsu, Pierce, MSNBC News, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York

Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times,

New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New York Times, New Times, New York Times, New York Times to halt this whole thing until the government comes up with a policy that is lawful. One thing that the unions have pointed out is that federal agencies are only funded through March 14th, and there's a law that says agencies can't obligate funds that Congress hasn't yet approved. So unions and attorneys have been warning those who take the offer that there's no guarantee that they'll get the money that's been promised. Danielle Pletka And here's Andrea Hsu reporting. There's a hearing in federal court this afternoon on the union suit. Danielle Pletka, The nationwide preliminary injunction was issued by U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman.

According to news reports, Boardman said Trump's order to end birthright citizenship quote runs counter to our nation's 250 years history of citizenship by birth. She also said no other court has endorsed President Trump's argument that the 14th Amendment does not apply to children born to immigrants who are in the US without legal status. The plaintiffs in this particular case include five pregnant women without legal status. The plaintiffs in this particular case include five pregnant women without legal status. Judge Boardman's ruling solidifies a similar decision issued by a federal court in Seattle. The case is likely to go all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Sergio Martinez-Beltran, NPR News, Austin. Senate Democrats are raising conflict of interest concerns about Trump aid and SpaceX owner Elon Musk. As MPR's Bobby Allen reports, they're worried about the ethics of having Musk oversee the

government efficiency team within the administration called Doge. Senate Democrats have sent letters to Musk's companies looking to see if the billionaire will use his position for financial gain. The White House says Musk is a special government employee, a designation that does come with laws against self-dealing. But Democrats say Musk needs to be questioned. Democrats in the House tried to subpoena Musk, but Republicans blocked it. Letters to Musk's corporations follow this. Since leading the entity known as DOGE, Musk's team has gained access to the Treasury Department

and put nearly all of the staff of the U.S. Agency for International Development on leave. The White House says if Musk's cost-cutting efforts create a conflict between government and his work, Musk will excuse himself. Bobbi Allen, NPR News. U.S. futures contracts are trading in positive territory at this hour. Dow futures are up about one-tenth of a percent. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. West Point has disbanded a number of clubs for cadets that are related to race and gender. In a memo, the Military Academy says the decision was made in accordance with President Trump's

executive order and also Defense Department guidance. Steve Walsh has more. Steve Walsh The memo dated February 4th disbanded 12 clubs including the Native American Heritage Forum, the Asian Pacific Forum, the National Society of Black Engineers, and the National Society of Women Engineers. It goes on to say the clubs were barred from using government time, resources, or facilities to continue informal activities. In a statement, West Point says the clubs were disbanded because they were sponsored by the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, which was disbanded last summer. The Military Academy says cadets can still participate in those groups during their off-duty

time. For NPR News, I'm Steve Walsh. LESLIE KENDRICK The second type of bird flu has been found in dairy cows for the first time. The agricultural department says this version, known as D1.1, was detected in dairy cattle in Nevada before it was only found in birds and poultry. So far, the USDA says there have been more than 950 confirmed cattle infections in 16 states, with 36 new infections in the last 30 days in

California and Nevada. The strain has been shown to be potentially dangerous to humans. Of the 67 cases of bird flu in humans, only one patient in Louisiana with the D1.1 strain died. The CDC though says the risk to the general public remains low. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Usher, Yo-Yo Ma, Boy Genius, Shaka Khan, Billy Eilish, Weird Al. One thing all remains low. You're listening to NPR News from Washington.