The Pour Over Today - Shooting at a Hospital; New Chancellor in Germany; The Latest from Washington, & More I 2.24.26

Episode Date: February 24, 2025

Today, we're talking about a shooting at a hospital in Pennsylvania that left one police officer dead, the election of a new chancellor in Germany, more possible layoffs for federal employees, and other top news for Monday, February 24th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over Today. Please support our TPO sponsors! The Voice of the Martyrs: vom.org/TPO Parenting with Ginger Hubbard: https://links.thepourover.org/ParentingwithGingerHubbard The Bulletin: MoreCT.com/BulletinPodcast Upside: https://links.thepourover.org/Upside Cru: give.cru.org/pour LMNT: https://links.thepourover.org/LMNT_Podcast HelloFresh: http://hellofresh.com/hellofreshpodcast One Year Bible: https://links.thepourover.org/OneYearBible_Pod The Chronological Life Application Study Bible: https://links.thepourover.org/LASB_0215 World Relief: https://links.thepourover.org/WorldRelief_Pod

Today we're talking about a shooting at a hospital in Pennsylvania that left one police officer dead, the election of a new chancellor in Germany, more possible layoffs for federal employees, and other top news for Monday, February 24th. Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with the pour-over today. Here's the verse of the day, Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3, 22-23. Let's get started with some espresso shots. A police officer was killed while responding to a shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital in Pennsylvania on Saturday morning. A man entered the intensive care unit armed with a pistol and zip ties. He took staff members hostage and was holding one at gunpoint when police engaged, fatally shooting the gunman. During the confrontation, 30-year-old officer Andrew Duarte was killed. A doctor, a nurse, a custodian, and two other officers were also wounded by the shooter.

All are in stable condition. Officials said the investigation is ongoing, but reported that the 49-year-old gunman had contact with the ICU earlier in the week and intentionally targeted staff, but it's unclear why. Governor Josh Shapiro mourned the loss of Officer Duarte, praising the true heroism of law enforcement, first responders, and medical professionals. Join us in prayer for hospital staff,

the loved ones of Andrew Duarte, and the Gunmans family, that the God of all comfort would move in power in this time of incredible tragedy. Book of Common Prayer, page 264 says, Grant, O Lord, to all who are bereaved the spirit of faith and courage, that they may have strength to meet the days to come with steadfastness and patience. Not sorrowing as those without hope, but in thankful remembrance of your great goodness and in the joyful expectation of eternal life with all who love you.

Germany's weekend plans included an early trip to the polls, and now a new party leader is poised to take over as the country's chancellor. Yesterday, the center-right Christian Democratic Union Party beat out incumbent chancellor Olaf Scholz, center-left Social Democratic Party, making Friedrich Merz Germany's presumptive new chancellor. The alternative for Germany secured the second-most votes, the most support for a far-right party since the 1940s, and nearly doubled its support since the last election.

Snap elections were triggered in December when Scholz lost a vote of confidence after firing Germany's finance minister, effectively dissolving Germany's parliament. Now Mers and the CDU will look to rebuild the parliament, with Mers saying he's hoping to put together a new parliamentary coalition by Easter. Just as many Americans view the outcomes of foreign elections with a certain level of detachment, Christians view earthly political outcomes as secondary to the campaign of our eternal home, where we hold our truest citizenship. 2 Corinthians 5, 16, 19, and 20 says, From now on then, we do not know anyone from a

worldly perspective. In Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making His appeal through us. What did you do last week? The Office of Personnel Management emailed federal employees Saturday requesting five bullet points of what they accomplished last week. According to Chief Cost Cutter Elon Musk, failure to respond by 11.59 p.m. today will be taken as a resignation. OPM says it's part of President Trump's commitment to an efficient and accountable

federal workforce. Critics question the legality of firing those who don't reply, or reply insufficiently. Kash Patel, who was sworn in as FBI director on Friday following his narrow Senate confirmation, told his staff to pause any responses to the email. A directive echoed by several other agencies, including the IRS and Department of Defense and Homeland Security. Reply or not, layoffs are hitting the Defense Department. It announced plans to cut about 50,000 civilian employees, starting with 5,400 probationary workers this week.

Here's a verse to consider whether you're making a big decision or your performance is under review. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways, know Him and He will make your path straight. Don't be wise in your own eyes, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. This will be healing for your body and strengthening for your bones. Proverbs 3, 5-8. Hey, it's Zan from The Pour Over. If the start of your year is already feeling like a marathon, let me introduce you to your new cooking bestie, HelloFresh. It's the perfect

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Free meals applied at discount on first box, new subscribers only, and it varies by plan. That's up to 10 free HelloFresh meals. Just go to hellofresh.com slash hellofreshpodcast. to HelloFresh.com slash HelloFresh podcast. In other brews, here's a rapid round of updates. Pope Francis is in critical condition after suffering serious breathing difficulties on Saturday. The 88-year-old Argentine received oxygen treatments and blood transfusions after a

prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis, a setback in his week-long hospitalization for pneumonia. The Pope's tests also show mild early kidney failure, but the Vatican says he's well-oriented and attended mass in the hospital. Phase one of Hamas and Israel's ceasefire is nearing its end, with some question marks. Hamas released six living hostages Saturday, but Prime Minister Netanyahu says Israel won't release 600-plus Palestinian prisoners until Hamas guarantees the handover of four hostages' bodies without humiliating

ceremonies. Phase two is due to begin next week, but the two sides haven't met to negotiate details. Judicial gavels are dropping on early Trump 2.0 actions. Last week, a judge allowed the Trump administration to proceed with a mass recall of U.S. AID workers, while another judge largely blocked efforts to end diversity, equity, and inclusion programs across the government. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court temporarily blocked President Trump from firing the head of a government watchdog agency.

The White House shared an AI-generated image of President Trump as a king on social media, and then Trump publicly mused about pursuing a third term. Democrats swiftly criticized the moves, which elected Republicans have largely ignored are called jokes. The Constitution limits presidents to two terms, and there's no indication of the significant congressional support needed to make an amendment. Beards are coming back to Yankee Stadium. The New York baseball dynasty is reversing its 49-year anti-scruff policy, allowing

players to sport well-groomed beards on the yard. The team said the policy was outdated and the decision was about winning, but they're not trying to look like Duck Dynasty. Grab your peanuts and cracker jack. MLB's spring training started Thursday. And that's all we have for today. Thanks so much for listening. If you're listening on the Apple Podcast app, give us a five star rating and drop a review. If you're listening on Spotify, give us a follow and hit the notification bell to never miss a new episode.

We appreciate your support and hope you have a great day. We'll see you on Wednesday. Ever read the Bible and thought, wait, what's the timeline here? The Chronological Life Application Study Bible puts everything in order, literally. With fresh insights from Jewish scholars, alongside maps, notes, and visuals, this Bible connects your faith to its roots and brings scripture to life in a whole new way. See God's Word like never before. Grab your copy of the Chronological Life Application Study Bible now. Learn more at the link in the show notes.