NPR News Now - NPR News: 03-08-2025 6PM EST

Episode Date: March 8, 2025

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Louise Sciovone Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Louise Sciovone. The Attorneys General of Washington, D.C., and 19 states are suing more than 20 federal agencies over the firings of probationary employees. NPR's Andrea Schuette reports their lawsuit joined several other legal challenges seeking relief for tens of thousands of fired workers. Andrea Schuette The Democratic Attorneys General argue that federal agencies falsely told probationary

employees they were being fired because of their performance. In fact, the states argue the agencies were trying to shrink their headcount, but they failed to follow proper procedures for doing so. Federal law requires agencies to notify states when laying off 50 or more people so that states can jump into action and try to prevent instability throughout the economic region. States are required to reach out to those losing their jobs

and provide support with the goal of reducing their reliance on public assistance. The states have asked federal court to reinstate the workers. Andrea Hsu, NPR News. Refugee aid groups across the U.S. are cutting staff and closing offices since the Trump administration froze funding for resettlement programs affecting thousands of newly arrived refugees.

NPR's Jennifer Ludden has details. Soon after arriving in the U.S., 21-year-old Jefferson, who asked not to use his full name, was alarmed when his case manager in Maryland was let go and his work phone cut off. I was left alone with no guidance in this new country, he says. Jefferson is a political refugee from Nicaragua and fears retaliation if he speaks publicly. The federal freeze also meant no rent money, so he says his refugee roommate paid it with hardly anything left to live on. Amy Huang-Rona at Homes Not Borders says her group has stepped up fundraising to keep people

from being evicted. We are filling in the gaps. Resettlement agencies are challenging the federal freeze in court. Jennifer Ludden in Pierre News, Washington. Russia says its troops continue to make progress in retaking territory seized by Ukraine in the Kursk border region. The Russian claims come amid growing signs that Kiev's forces have been struggling to maintain their positions. NPR's Charles Maynes reports. Russia's Defense Ministry announced the

recapture of three villages as pro-Kremlin bloggers claim Russian forces were engaged in a larger counteroffensive in the Kursk region. While those claims could not be independently confirmed, satellite imagery appears to show Russian forces have breached Ukrainian lines and now control some two-thirds of territory once held by Kiev's forces. Russian advances have dovetailed with the US's decision to suspend sharing military intelligence with Ukraine. And what President Trump says is an effort to bring Kiev to the negotiating table. Ukraine launched the incursion into Kursk last summer, seizing a sliver of territory

as a future bargaining chip for negotiations with Moscow. Charles Maynes, NPR News. This is NPR. The Vatican says Pope Francis is responding well to therapy for double pneumonia. Doctors report the Pope has been stable with no fever and good oxygen levels in his blood. Plans to erase the iconic Black Lives Matter street painting near the White House will begin Monday. It comes after a bill was introduced in Congress giving Washington, D.C. an ultimatum to either remove the mural or risk losing federal funding. NPR's Julianna Kim has more. The Black Lives Matter mural was created overnight in June of 2020 in defiance against

President Trump who had ordered federal officers to clear protesters. Over the past five years the Plaza became a popular meeting spot for joy and resistance. People gathered to celebrate Juneteenth there as well as protest and march for an array of issues from racial justice to the environment. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said that the mural inspired millions, but the city simply can't afford to be distracted by quote, meaningless congressional interference, end quote. Julianna Kim, NPR News. Perhaps you have played or even been addicted to some of these games.

In May, they'll be showcased at the World Video Game Hall of Fame, which has announced the 12 finalists for 2025 honors. Here they are. Age of Empires, Angry Birds, Call of Duty 4, Modern Warfare, Defender, Frogger, Golden Eye, Golden T, Harvest Moon, Mattel Football, Quake, NBA 2K, and Tamagotchi. The finalists were selected for Longevity, Geographical Reach, and Design. I'm Louise Giovone, NPR News, Washington.