NPR News Now - NPR News: 02-08-2025 4PM EST

Episode Date: February 8, 2025

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Public media counts on your support to ensure that the reporting and programs you depend on thrive. Make a recurring donation today to get special access to more than 20 NPR podcasts, perks like sponsor-free listening, bonus episodes, early access, and more. So start supporting what you love today at plus.npr.org. Live from NPR News in Washingtonhington i'm noorah rom early this morning a federal judge blocked elaine must government efficiency team from getting access to treasury department systems

used to process trillions of dollars in payments the systems contain the personal and financial information of millions of Americans, including tax returns and Social Security numbers. The order also bars access to political appointees and special government employees detailed to Treasury. It's in effect until Friday when another judge holds a hearing on the case brought by 19 state attorneys general.

Russell Voed, an architect of Project 2025 and the new director of the Office of Management and Budget is now also leading the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. As NPR's Laura Lomsley reports, it's the latest turn in a tumultuous week at the Bureau. Senior executives at CFPB, the Federal Consumer Finance Watchdog, were informed Friday night that Vaud was taking the helm as acting director. He replaces Treasury Secretary Scott Bascent, who led the Bureau for about a week. Meanwhile, members of Elon Musk's government efficiency team have gained access to computer systems at

CFPB, including human resources, procurement, and finance. They now also control the Bureau's website and have deleted its social media accounts. The Bureau would on its face appear to be an unlikely target for cost cutting, given its return on investment. CFPB's budget for 2025 is $823 million. Since its launch in 2011, the Bureau has returned more than $20 billion to consumers. Laurel Wamsley, NPR News, Washington. President Trump announced yesterday he'll take over

as the chairman of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. As NPR's Chloe Veltman reports, Trump also said he plans to dismiss several board members. At my direction, we are going to make the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. great again, President Trump said in a statement on Truth Social. Trump criticized the Kennedy Center for staging shows involving drag performers that he said targeted youth.

He also said he plans to fire the Centre's long-time board chair, David Rubenstein, among other trustees, for not sharing his, quote, vision for a golden age in arts and culture. The Kennedy Centre did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A representative for Rubenstein said no comment. Trump declined to attend the annual Kennedy Center Honors during his first term in office, a break with tradition. Chloe Valtman, NPR News.

The Palestinian militant group Hamas released more hostages today. The three men have been held since the Hamas led attack on Israel in October of 2023, which started the war in Gaza. They appeared thin and haggard and were flanked by heavily armed gunmen. In exchange for their release, Israel released more than 180 Palestinian prisoners or detainees. This is the fifth exchange since the ceasefire began on January 19.

This is NPR News. Recovery efforts are underway in western Alaska after a commuter plane crashed this week. It went down in the Bering Sea Thursday afternoon on a flight to Nome. The Coast Guard spotted the wreckage yesterday. All 10 people on board were killed, nine passengers and a pilot. Senator Lisa Murkowski said this is a sad and dark time for her state. Words really can't express the loss that we're all feeling at this point in time. We're all connected.

Crews are now trying to recover the wreckage and the remains of those who died before expected high winds and snow. Egg prices have soared this year, but the price of chicken wings has remained grounded. NPR's Scott Horsley reports, that's good news for football fans. The National Chicken Council says they're expected to eat nearly one and a half billion wings this Super Bowl weekend.

Avian flu has battered the nation's egg-laying chickens, but the virus has taken a smaller toll on birds raised for meat. The USDA says chicken wing prices during this year's NFL playoff season have been slightly below their five-year average. Guacamole, on the other hand, has jumped in price this year, but food economist Michael Swanson of Wells Fargo says football fans can find savings elsewhere as they shop for Super Bowl snacks. Overall, grocery prices are up less than 2% from a year ago, while average wages have risen about twice as fast.

Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington. The Super Bowl is tomorrow, and New Orleans kickoff is 6.30 p.m. Eastern Time. The Philadelphia Eagles are taking on the Kansas City Chiefs. I'm Noor Rahm, NPR News in Washington.