NPR News Now - NPR News: 02-24-2025 10PM EST

Episode Date: February 25, 2025

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My defining characteristic for him is love. I'm Jesse Thorne on Bullseye Kelsey Grammar on the thing that makes Frazier Frazier. That he loves so deeply that it almost harpoons him. Plus sideshow Bob, cheers, and so much more. On Bullseye for MaximumFun.org and NPR. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. The Office of Special Counsel has recommended a stay in the terminations of six federal workers who were still in their probationary period. As NPR's Andrea Hsu explains, the decision could pave the way for a broader pause in the Trump administration's mass firing of federal workers. The Office of Special Counsel is the independent agency tasked with protecting federal employees

from prohibited personnel practices or illegal actions. Special Counsel Hampton Dellinger examined the cases of six individuals fired from six different federal agencies and found none had performance issues, yet they were still dismissed in what appeared to be a downsizing for other reasons. Dellinger concluded there was evidence that the government had not followed the proper procedures for removing people from their jobs. He's asked the Merit Systems Protection Board to stay the terminations. A decision could come this week. Andrea Hsu, NPR News. With an end-of-the-day deadline fast approaching for federal workers to submit their weekly list of accomplishments or risk being fired, the Office of Personnel Management told federal

workforce today the order is voluntary. That's even as Elon Musk is again vowing to fire workers who don't respond. That letter came out over the weekend. A new document obtained by NPR undercuts the Trump administration's timeline about a proposal to buy $400 million worth of Tesla electric vehicles. More from NPR'scuts the Trump administration's timeline about a proposal to buy $400 million worth of Tesla electric vehicles. More from NPR's Bobby Allen. NPR obtained a State Department document sent to the Biden White House with a finalized

budget for electric vehicles. It shows the State Department planned to buy $483,000 worth of EVs, and Tesla was being tapped to begin researching armored EVs. That is a far cry from what appeared in a Trump State Department budget, $400 million for armored Teslas. In a statement, the State Department says it's paused those plans, suggesting the discussion began under Biden. But the document NPR obtained shows Biden officials were nowhere near even testing out

in armored Tesla, let alone buying $400 million worth of them. State Department officials would not say why that figure appeared in a budget document. Bobby Allen, NPR News. Apple says it's investing $500 billion in the U.S. operations and programs over the next four years. NPR's Ayanna Archie reports. The tech giant says it will open a 250,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Houston that will make the servers that help power Apple's artificial intelligence feature on its devices.

The plant is expected to open in 2026 and create thousands of jobs. It also says it will hire about 20,000 people over the next four years, mostly in areas including research and development, artificial intelligence, and software development. Apple is also forming a manufacturing academy in Detroit, in which it will teach small and medium-sized businesses advanced manufacturing strategies. President Trump recently said Apple CEO Tim Cook promised him he would move Apple's manufacturing from Mexico to the U.S. to avoid tariffs. Ayanna Archie, NPR News.

You're listening to NPR. The founder of a now-defunct blood testing company has lost her appeal to overturn her conviction on charges she defrauded investors. There are no found Elizabeth Holmes is currently serving an 11-year sentence at a federal women's prison in Texas. Holmes appealed her case, questioning decisions by the judge who tried her case after being denied a new trial. Appeals Court also reaffirmed the $452 million restitution order

homes in another defendant are required to pay. A team of scientists has published new evidence of a possible lost ocean on Mars. Anna Guthrie, member, station KQED has more. Billions of years ago, when Mars had a thicker atmosphere and a warmer climate, abundant water likely blanketed the planet. A new study found signs of waves, sand, and a shoreline on the red planet, suggesting that the water there was an ancient ocean. UC Berkeley's Michael Manga and his colleagues analyzed data from a Chinese rover on

Mars, probing below the surface with the radar. This is the first time we've really looked underground with this resolution. We identified old beaches beneath the surface of Mars that record the past with the radar. This is the first time we've really looked underground with this resolution. We identified old beaches beneath the surface of Mars that record the past existence of a huge ocean. The researchers say their new study strengthens the case for past life on Mars. For NPR News, I'm Anna Guth in San Francisco. Coffee Giant Starbucks is wielding the jobs-cutting axe.

The company says it plans to cut 1,100 jobs globally as part of a cost-cutting initiative put in place by new chairman and CEO Brian Nicoll. Nicoll says the company will inform those who are being lit off by midday tomorrow. Starbucks says some of the cuts will also involve unfilled positions. Barista jobs will not be affected by the layoffs. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News in Washington. Public media counts on your support to ensure that the reporting and programs you depend on thrive. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News in Washington.