NPR News Now - NPR News: 02-17-2025 1PM EST

Episode Date: February 17, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. The White House is asking the Supreme Court to intervene on behalf of its bid to fire the head of the federal government's office for whistleblowers. NPR's Carrie Johnson reports the case sets up a test of the president's executive power. President Trump moved to fire the head of the office of special counsel Hampton Dellinger earlier this month, but a federal judge blocked the move at least for now. In the court filing, the Trump administration calls the case an unprecedented assault on the separation of powers.

The Trump administration claims the president has the power to remove government officers, and the delay hurts his ability to manage the executive branch. Federal law says the special counsel may be removed by the president only for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance. None of those concerns were cited in an email dismissing Dellinger. Carrie Johnson, NPR News, Washington. President Trump's special envoy to the Middle East says he's moving ahead with plans to enter phase two of a fragile ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

Trump's envoy said he spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu right after the Israeli leader met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Jerusalem over the weekend. NPR's Hadil Al-Shalchi reports from Tel Aviv. U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff called his conversation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quote very productive and constructive. In an interview with Fox News Sunday, Witkoff also said that phase two of the ceasefire was quote absolutely going to begin. But Netanyahu said he was moving ahead with President Donald Trump's plan to displace Palestinians from Gaza and rebuild the strip under US ownership.

An Israeli delegation is in Cairo today to talk about the conditions of a second phase of the deal. Witkoff, a billionaire and real estate mogul, played a role in brokering the current phase of the deal between Israel and Hamas. The first phase of the ceasefire ends in two weeks. Hadeel Alshalchi, NPR News, Tel Aviv. The Rocky Mountains are drier than normal for this time of year. Alex Hager of Member Station KUNC reports that's raising concerns about water levels

in the reservoirs that supply farms in cities across the West. The vast majority of the Colorado River starts as mountain snow. Two-thirds of that falls in Colorado, where totals have been lagging behind average for this time of year. Colorado climate center director Russ Schumacher says recent storms have helped only slightly. The odds are tilted towards the not great outcomes in terms of water supply and drought

as we look out into the spring. States that use Colorado river water are caught in a standoff about how to share it, and dry conditions are likely to make their talks even harder. For NPR News, I'm Alex Hager in Fort Collins, Colorado. Wall Street is closed for President's Day. Trading on the exchange resumes tomorrow. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. The National Weather Service has issued warnings for extreme cold for many parts of the central plains.

Temperatures are well below zero from Montana to Michigan. Windchill readings make it feel much colder than that, as far south as Oklahoma. The Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary special brought out former cast members like Tina Fey and Bill Murray this weekend. Some old sketches were also revived and featured musical guests Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard. NPR's Elizabeth Blair reports. Eddie Murphy, Leslie Jones, Tracy Morgan and Kenan Thompson did one of SNL's recurring sketches, Black Jeopardy.

Welcome to Black Jeopardy, the only Jeopardy where every single viewer fully understood Kendrick's halftime performance. The more than three-hour live special paid tribute to legendary cast members who've died, like John Belushi and Chris Farley. Critics are mixed on whether the show did enough to both celebrate SNL's legacy and show its relevance to younger generations. At one point, pop star Sabrina Carpenter told SNL regular Paul Simon that neither she nor her mom were born when SNL debuted 50 years ago. Elizabeth Blair,

NPR News. The Papal thriller Conclave was named best film at the 78th British Academy Film Awards. It was also named best British film. Adrienne Brody was named best actor for The Brutalist, and Mikey Madison won a best actress for Enora. American actress Zoe Saldana took home best supporting actress for the film, Emilia Perez. I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News, in Washington.