NPR News Now - NPR News: 02-07-2025 12AM EST

Episode Date: February 7, 2025

NPR News: 02-07-2025 12AM ESTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

It's a new year, and according to Pew, 79% of resolutions are about one thing, health. But there are so many fads around how to keep ourselves healthy. On It's Been A Minute, I'm helping you understand why some of today's biggest wellness trends are, well, trendy. Like why is there protein in everything? Join me as we uncover what's healthy and what's not on the It's Been A Minute podcast from NPR. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shae Stevens.

The Trump administration has presented a plan for drastic cuts to the U.S. agency for international development. The proposal would leave fewer than 300 workers at USAID, down from about 8,000 worldwide. Unions representing the agency are suing to prevent the cuts. According to an email obtained by NPR, the Environmental Protection Agency has placed dozens of staffers in the agency's Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights Office on leave. More from NPR's Nate Perez.

The email went out to employees who work on environmental justice issues or on diversity, equity, and inclusion. In it, employees are told they are on paid administrative leave effective immediately. The University of Maryland's Shacoby Wilson has studied environmental justice for more than 20 years. He calls the Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights Office small, but super mighty. People were super committed, and they were committed because they were part of a movement with something bigger than themselves.

The office oversees and administers more than $3 billion in grants and loans related to climate and environmental justice. A source within the EPA's environmental justice office spoke on the condition of anonymity. They told NPR that the employees put on leave spend at least 50% of their time on environmental justice programs. Nate Perez, NPR News. Yet another federal judge is blocking the Trump administration's effort to restrict birthright citizenship. NPR's Martin Costey reports. On Wednesday, a federal judge in Maryland issued a preliminary injunction against Trump's

order to withhold citizenship from children born to mothers in the country illegally. But now federal judge John Kuhnauer in Seattle has signed an even broader order which also recognizes the interests of the states that have sued over this. The judge called Trump's executive order unconstitutional. John Kuhnauer, Federal Judge, Seattle, USA There are moments in the world's history when people look back and ask, where were the lawyers? Where were the judges? In these moments, the rule of law becomes especially vulnerable. I refuse to let that beacon go dark today. Some Trump supporters have accused the judge of bias, the state attorney's general who

brought the suit welcomed the injunction and predicted it's headed for the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Martin Costi, NPR News, Seattle. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is no longer saying Panama agreed to stop charging fees for U.S. government use of its canal. Rubio walked back the assertion after Panama's president said it wasn't true. RUBIO The United States has a treaty obligation to protect the Panama Canal if it comes under attack. That treaty obligation would have to be enforced by the armed forces of the United States,

particularly the U.S. Navy. I find it absurd that we would have to pay fees to transit a zone that we are obligated to protect in a time of conflict. Those are our expectations. They were clear. They were clearly understood in those conversations. But I respect very much the fact that Panama

has a process of laws and procedures that they need to follow. Panama says that its sovereignty is not up for debate. This is NPR. A former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodger Shohei Otani has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison for bank and tax fraud. Ipe Mizuhara was convicted of stealing nearly $17 million from Otani. Mizuhara must also pay restitution.

He says he committed the crimes to pay off gambling debts. For some sports fans this weekend, it's Super Bowl Sunday. But for others, it's Superb Owl Sunday. As NPR's Joe Hernandez reports, the humorous misspelling has spawned countless internet memes and a renewed interest in the nocturnal birds. Joe Hernandez Just move the beat and suddenly you've changed Super Bowl to Superb Owl. The online joke was a category in the trivia show Jeopardy and even has its own subreddit with more than 400,000 members. With the big game just days away, the meme is taking off again. Tate Mason, director of the World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho, says that's

because people have a deep connection to owls. The Super Bowl, I'll say, has been around since 1967. Owls have been on planet Earth for over 52 million years. Mason says people are attracted to owls for their large, forward-facing eyes and their sit-and-wait approach to ambushing prey. Part of what he says gives them a reputation for being wise. Joe Hernandez, NPR News. International conglomerate Honeywell has announced plans to separate its automation and aerospace technology businesses. The company had already announced a plan to spin off its advanced materials business.

The changes will create three publicly listed companies similar to actions already taken by GE. This is NPR. This message comes from the Kresge Foundation. Established 100 years ago, the Kresge Foundation works to expand equity and opportunity in cities across America. A century of impact, a future of opportunity.

More at kresge.org.