NPR News Now - NPR News: 02-16-2025 6AM EST

Episode Date: February 16, 2025

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On the Sunday story from Up First, for decades, the guiding philosophy around how to get homeless people with addictions off the streets has focused on an approach called Housing First. Now many conservative lawmakers want this practice scrapped. We explore what Housing First is good at and where it falls short. Listen now to the Sunday story on the Up First podcast from NPR. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. Heavy rain has led to dangerous flooding in parts of the country this weekend. At least one person has died in Kentucky after trying to drive across a flooded roadway. Karen Zahr with Member Station WUKY in Lexington reports that the rain isn't letting up. Heavy rainfall since Saturday morning has caused flash flooding

across Kentucky and dozens of evacuations and water rescues have been reported statewide inside Amy Kennedy's home. Buckets are positioned across the floor to catch rain water, but she considers herself lucky. Honestly, we're doing fine and a lot better than a lot of other people. Governor Andy Beshear has opened state parks for displaced residents and has requested an emergency disaster declaration from President Donald Trump. Beshear has also reached out to Homeland Security and FEMA.

For NPR News, I'm Karen Zahar in Lexington. The governor in neighboring West Virginia has put 10 counties under a state of emergency and mudslides at blocked roads in Virginia. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is kicking off a tour of the Middle East today. He used to meet with Israeli officials with war in Ukraine in the backdrop. Rubio is due to travel to Saudi Arabia this week amid reports that the

U.S. and Russia will hold Ukraine talks there. As the Trump administration escalates efforts to shrink the size of the federal workforce, thousands have been let go, including some 1,500 at the National Institutes of Health and some 1,300, or 10 percent, of the employees at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. American Public Health Association Executive Director George Benjamin says the firings will ultimately cost more than they say. This is a decapitation of the nation's most important health agencies that have led the world in science, technology and innovation.

Separately, the Associated Press is reporting that the IRS could begin to lay off thousands of probationary workers as soon as this week, in the middle of tax season. An illegal gold mine has collapsed in Mali. Nearly 50 people are reported dead. Most of the victims were women, some with children on their backs. The BBC's David Bamford has details. The collapse took place near Kenyeba in Mali's western Kays region, where a great deal of

artisanal mining takes place. Bodies were pulled from the mud and a nearby lake. Some were buried under a mechanical digger that toppled over when the collapse took place. Saturday's accident occurred at an abandoned site formerly operated by a Chinese company. Beijing is heavily invested in developing Mali's mining industries with the approval of the military government, but much activity is unregulated. The BBC's David Bamford reporting, and you're listening to NPR News. And you're listening to NPR News. The death toll from a stampede in India is climbing. Officials now say at least 18 people died, including several children, in a crush at

a railway station in the capital, New Delhi. Media reports say more than a dozen are being treated in a hospital. Officials say many of the victims were pilgrims on their way to a Hindu festival. India's railway minister says an investigation has been ordered. Amazon has prevailed in the latest union election at a warehouse in North Carolina. Workers at a warehouse just outside rally voted against unionizing, as NPR's Alina Seljuk reports. The vote came down nearly three to one against unionizing. The labor push was led by a union called CAUSE, which stands for Carolina Amazonians United

for Solidarity and Empowerment. It's a grassroots union run by former and current workers. And it faced a staunch opposition campaign by Amazon, which has now fought off numerous attempts to unionize its warehouses. And note that Amazon is among NPR's recent financial supporters. The company has seen two union efforts succeed. A massive warehouse in Staten Island, New York joined a union almost three years ago. And a Whole Foods store in Philadelphia voted to unionize last month.

Amazon has legally challenged those results and does not recognize the unions. Alina Seluk, NPR News. One of NASCAR's biggest days is today. Known as the Great American Race. The Daytona 500 is being run at Daytona International Speedway in Florida this afternoon. The race is NASCAR's season opener. It will feature 41 drivers. President Trump is expected to be on hand.

I'm Trial Snyder. This is NPR News from Washington.