NPR News Now - NPR News: 02-12-2025 12PM EST

Episode Date: February 12, 2025

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Laxmey Singh, NPR News in Washington. The U.S. Senate has just confirmed Tulsi Gabbard to serve as the director of national intelligence. NPR's Deirdre Walsh reports on the vote, which included a no from Republican Senator Mitch McConnell. Republicans praised Gabbard's plans to reduce inefficiencies and refocus national intelligence. The number two GOP leader, John Barrasasso stressed her vision for peace through strength. Washington wants to trust our intelligence agencies again. We need to take an axe to the weaponization of these very agencies. Some Senate Republicans cited Gabbard's praise for Edward Snowden, a

former contractor who leaked classified material, as an issue. But after Gabbard gave assurances she would guard against unauthorized disclosures, they voted for her. Gabbard served in the House for eight years as a Democrat, but Senate Democrats argued she didn't have the experience or judgment to lead the agency. Deirdre Walsh, NPR News, the Capitol. An administration official confirms to NPR the U.S. is freeing a Russian national jail for alleged money laundering in exchange for securing the release of American teacher Mark Fogel, the deal to swap Alexander Vinnick for Fogel.

One of President Trump's top immigration advisors says he is not happy with the rate at which the government is deporting immigrants. NPR's Adrian Florido reports Border Czar Tom Homan says he wants federal agents to work faster to carry out Trump's mass deportation plans. Speaking outside the White House, Homan claimed the government is making deportation arrests at three times the rate of the Biden administration. That would be about a thousand a day. He called that good.

But I'm not satisfied. There's more criminal aliens that need to be arrested. Hundreds of thousands. Sanctuary cities are putting roadblocks up. We got leaks. So we need to increase putting roadblocks up, we got leaks. So we need to increase the arrests of illegal aliens, especially those with criminal convictions. Homan's recently been vocal about his anger at obstacles agents have faced. Officials in sanctuary cities unwilling to help. A large raid in Colorado that fell flat after plans were leaked to the

press. His comments come amid reports that two top officials at Immigration and Customs Enforcement have been demoted over the pace of deportations. Adrienne Florido, NPR News. The U.S. housing market could experience a more than $1.4 trillion loss in value. NPR's Julia Simon reports on the latest warning from the research firm, First Street Analytics. Home ownership has often been seen as a key part of the American dream. The hope for many was that a home could grow value and at the very least store value. Now more wildfires, flood events, and heat events made more likely because of humans burning fossil fuels have led insurance providers to increase premiums or withdraw from certain areas. Homes with more expensive

insurance or no insurance could lose value. The analysis finds that by 2055, 84% of all census tracts may experience some form of negative property value impacts from climate risk. That's Julia Simon. It's NPR. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is out with its short list for its 2025 class of inductees. They include a Southern Rap Duo, a Mexican Rock Band, and a Britpop Supergroup. NPR's Isabela Gomez-Armiento has details. There are 14 artists on the list of nominees for the 2025 Rock Hall of Fame. More than half of those are on the list for the first time.

That includes Atlanta rap duo Outkast, the Mexican rock band Mana, and English rocker Billy Idol. The list also features past contenders like Mariah Carey, Soundgarden, Cindy Lauper, and Oasis. The final list will be announced in April with an induction ceremony to follow in the fall. Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, NPR News. Monty is officially this year's top dog. For Best in Show at the 149th annual Westminster Kennel Club dog show, I choose

the giant schnauzer. The black giant schnauzer named Monty looked up at Katie Bernardin. The large canine's big eyes were fixed on his human as she leaned toward him. Monty beat more than 2,500 other rivals to capture the best in show last night at New York's Madison Square Garden. U.S. stocks trading lower this hour. The Dow is down more than 200 points or roughly half a percent. It's NPR.