NPR News Now - NPR News: 02-17-2025 8PM EST

Episode Date: February 18, 2025

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This message comes from Wondery. At 24 years old, Monica Lewinsky was in a scandal that defined who she was for the entire world. And now she's ready to draw from her own experience on what it means to redefine yourself on her new podcast, Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. The White House is asking the Supreme Court to intervene on its bid to fire the head of the federal government's office for whistleblowers. NPR's Kerry 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. Delta Airlines says 18 people were hurt after one of its

regional jets from Minneapolis coming in for a landing in Toronto ended up on the runway upside down. Officials at Toronto's Pearson Airport say all of the 80 passengers and crew aboard the plane are accounted for. According to initial reports there are no fatalities. Deborah Flynn is president and CEO of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority. She praised those involved saying it could have been much worse. No airport CEO wants to have these type of press conferences, but this is exactly what our emergency, our operations and our first responder partners are all practiced and trained

for. And again, this outcome is in due part to their heroic work and I thank them profusely. It's not yet known what caused the incident. Delta says it cancelled its flights to and from the airport for the rest of this evening. After the Eaton fire broke out in Los Angeles, it was not fully contained for more than three weeks. NPR's investigations team transcribed hours of first responder radio to better understand how the power company was involved.

NPR's Kara Eisner has more. When high winds and dry conditions whip up a wildfire, power lines can cause problems by sparking or falling down. That's dangerous for first responders and can also start new fires. NPR analyzed almost a hundred hours of radio traffic exchanged among firefighters responding to the Eaton fire. Hey Delta, Branch 3, I just met with Edison's reps. They're not going to be able to guarantee shut down in here. That evidence shows the power company, Southern California Edison, wasn't able to quickly shut off power in two key neighborhoods, and that live power lines led to new fires. The Eaton fire burned down about 10,000 structures and led to the deaths of 17 people.

Kiara Eisner, NPR News. Icy cold weather is continuing to hold much of the country in its grip. Harsh weather hit the country's midsection from the Rockies to the northern plains. It follows a storm over the weekend that caused flash flooding in parts of the eastern US, claiming at least 13 lives there. US financial markets are closed today. This is NPR. When a new government takes over in Germany later this month following a snap election, the economy is likely to be job won. The country has not seen a significant economic growth

in five years, with business leaders complaining about a shortage of skilled workers, too much bureaucracy and not enough infrastructure upgrades. Increased competition from China, along with high energy prices from Russia's war against Ukraine has also hit Germany. The only theater center which produces shows in the Washington DC suburbs has announced an extension of its production of the musical Waitress with a twist. Recently fired federal employees can get a pair of tickets to see the show for free. Jeff London reports. The upheaval in the federal government in Washington, D.C. has ripple effects outside the workforce.

It extends to local businesses, too, and local arts organizations are not immune. Now, the only theater center in Maryland, which opened Sarah Bareilles' Waitress on Sunday, is reaching out to some of its most loyal audience members. The theater says any federal employee or contractor who was recently fired or furloughed can go to the box office with a notice of termination and claim two free tickets to the show subject to availability an hour before curtain time. For NPR News, I'm Jeff London. The Vatican is reporting Pope Francis is suffering from a respiratory infection. The 88-year-old

pontiff was taken to the hospital last week. He's expected to remain hospitalized for an undetermined amount of time. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News in Washington. This message comes from NYU Langone. The NYU Langone Health App gives you access to your Washington.