NPR News Now - NPR News: 02-08-2025 6PM EST

Episode Date: February 8, 2025

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This is Ira Glass with This American Life, each week on our show. We choose a theme, tell different stories on that theme. All right, I'm just going to stop right there. You're listening to an NPR podcast, chances are you know our show. So instead, I'm going to tell you we've just been on a run of really good shows lately. Some big epic emotional stories, some weird funny stuff too. Download us. This American Life. JANINE HERPST Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Janine Herpst. A federal judge in New York overnight blocked most members of the Trump administration from accessing sensitive Treasury data for at least a week. NPR's Amy Held reports it comes as Elon Musk's cost-cutting team moves to radically remake much of the federal government.

Hours after 19 attorneys generals sued, U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmeier restricted access to Treasury data to civil servants who have passed all background checks, security clearances and information security training. Two people connected to Musk's government efficiency team had access to Treasury's payment system, which handles Americans' Social Security benefits, tax refunds, and more. They were called special government employees. In his ruling, Engelmeier specifically bars anyone with that designation from accessing the system, at least temporarily until a hearing set for Friday. Engelmeier

cites the risk of sensitive data being disclosed or the system being hacked. Amy Held and PR News. As the Trump administration looks to downsize the federal workforce, a Maryland county that's home to tens of thousands of federal workers is ready to help those who may soon be out of work. Emily Hofstadter of Member Station WYPR has more. Howard County Executive Calvin Ball says the county is reallocating funds into its existing aid programs to accommodate federal workers who could soon be unemployed.

That includes expanded foreclosure prevention assistance, food assistance, and a career fair with free headshots and resume help. We are the ones who see firsthand the challenges our neighbors face. Therefore, it is our responsibility to respond with empathy, support, and action. Ball says Howard County has between 40 and 50,000 federal workers. Nearly 6 percent of Maryland residents are employed by the federal government. For NPR News, I'm Emily Hofstadter in Baltimore. AMT – Israel freed more than 180 Palestinian prisoners and detainees today in exchange

for Hamas freeing three more hostages. Ampere's Kat Lonsdorf reports. KT – Seven of the Palestinians freed into the Israeli-occupied West Bank were rushed to the hospital upon release, according to the Red Crescent. One had injuries from what a Red Crescent spokesperson described as a severe beating while others were treated for malnourishment and fatigue. Earlier, Israel condemned the condition of the three Israeli hostages released today who appeared frail and malnourished. This weekend's hostage for prisoner exchange is the first since President

Trump floated a plan to have the U.S. take over Gaza and relocate the nearly 2 million Palestinians there elsewhere, a plan Palestinians, as well as many regional and world leaders, rejected. Talks for the next phase of the ceasefire are set to begin this weekend. Kat Lonsdorf, NPR News, Tel Aviv. And you're listening to NPR News from Washington. As Americans get ready to watch the Super Bowl, they'll also spend a lot of money betting on the game.

And Pierre-Chandelis Duster has more on how much and on betting safely. The American Gaming Association says people in the U.S. will spend nearly $1.4 billion in legal bets on the Super Bowl. That is a record and a big jump from last year's Super Bowl. Joe Maloney of the American Gaming Association says people are betting more money because they trust legal betting. It's increased faith and confidence in the consumer protections, in the promotion of responsibility, as well as the confidence that consumers have in knowing that my state

is regulating this entity. An online gambling boom has also made it much more accessible. Officials warn gamblers to be cautious of scammers and to check with their state gaming agencies on what sportsbook operators are legal. Chandelis Duster, NPR News. The Super Bowl of canine competitions, the most prestigious dog show, got underway in New York today. The 149th Westminster Kennel Club show started today with an agility and obedience competition

and the club's first demonstration of a team sport called flyball. 2,500 dogs from 201 breeds and varieties, which are subsets of breeds, are set to compete. The show is back at Medicine Square Garden for the first time since 2020. The traditional purebred only breed-by-breed judging takes place Monday and Tuesday, and then the award to the best in show will be handed out Tuesday night. I'm Janene Herbst, NPR News in Washington. Donald Trump is starting his second term as president. What will his administration do Janene Herbst, NPR News in Washington.