PRI: Here & Now Podcast

The Supreme Court heard a case on Wednesday about South Carolina's efforts to stop Planned Parenthood clinics in the state from getting Medicaid funding. Mary Ziegler, law professor at the University of California, Davis, joins us. Then, Rep. Brittany Pettersen, a Democrat from Colorado, is leading a push to allow new parents in Congress to vote by proxy instead of in person. She tells us why. And, the Yankees have hit 18 home runs so far — and many of those dingers have come off torpedo bats, which are creating quite a stir in the league this season. The Athletic's Chris Kirschner talks about why these bats are so controversial.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

In a court filing Monday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement pointed to an "administrative error" for why it deported a man to a prison in El Salvador, even though he has protected legal status in the U.S. We speak with Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, who is a lawyer for the man, Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Then, Kevin Griffis, former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's office of communications, explains his decision to quit his job. And, several bills making their way through state legislatures across the country are tackling elements of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Make America Healthy Again movement. STAT's Isabella Cueto discusses some of the bills that aim to tackle food additives and improve public health.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

The money spent on the Wisconsin Supreme Court election is likely to reach $100 million by the end of Election Day on Tuesday, which would make it the most expensive judicial race in American history. We check in on what's at stake with WUWM's Chuck Quirmbach. Then, Rep. Debbie Dingell, a Democrat from Michigan, joins us to discuss the Trump administration's planned 25% tariffs on imported vehicles and auto parts. Plus, President Trump told NBC News that he's "not joking" about potentially seeking a constitutionally prohibited third term in office. University of Baltimore law professor Kim Wehle reacts to his comments.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

A special education leader under George W. Bush says the dismantling of the Department of Education will impact students with disabilities. Stephanie Smith Lee talks about what's at stake for the federal law that helped people with disabilities go from institutionalization to institutions of higher education. Then, Medicaid helps lessen financial and logistical barriers that families face to get services for children with disabilities. We hear from policy expert Johanna Lister and mother of two Shiloh Creswell on what could happen if Republicans make cuts to Medicaid. And, artist Loryn Brantz aims to help parents feel seen through the moments of frustration, laughter and love that come with raising kids in her new book "Poems of Parenting." She joins us.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

A Tufts University student from Turkey was arrested by plainclothes agents from the Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday in Somerville, Massachusetts. We speak with attorney Ramzi Kassen. Then, President Trump on Wednesday announced a 25% tariff on cars and car parts assembled outside the United States. Bloomberg's Keith Naughton explains what it means for consumers. And, writers and authors are in an uproar over Meta using LibGen, one of the largest online pirated libraries, to train its AI. We speak with author Victoria Aveyard, whose works appear on the database that may have been downloaded and utilized by Meta.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

The Atlantic's editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg talks with us about why he released nearly all of the transcript of the Signal group chat that he was included in, where administration officials planned a deadly military strike on Yemen earlier this month. Then, former deputy assistant secretary of defense Mick Mulroy talks about why he thinks the Signal chat was a "significant breach of security." And, mandolin orchestras were a big deal in the 1920s. They aren't so popular in the U.S. these days. But Jon Kalish tells us how one mandolin orchestra is continuing this musical legacy.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

The Trump administration has sent flights of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador. NPR's Sergio Martínez-Beltrán shares what we know about them.Then, while Kansas voted overwhelmingly for President Trump, police are reticent to advance his deportation agenda. Kansas News Service's Zane Irwin talks about why the state is an outlier on immigration enforcement. And, 23andMe, the genetic testing company that helps people learn about their ancestry and health risks based on a DNA sample, is declaring bankruptcy and seeking buyers. Roben Farzad, host of the podcast "Full Disclosure," joins us to discuss what it means for users' data. Plus, attorney Erin Elmouji explains why she signed a letter criticizing the head of her former law firm Paul Weiss for making a deal with Trump to avoid being targeted by the White House.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Columbia University has agreed to overhaul its student protest policies to win back $400 million in federal research funding that the Trump administration pulled from the university. Columbia Professor Reinhold Martin joins us to discuss the implications of the university's decision. Then, we catch up with Mohammed Hatem, a young man in Gaza. He tells us what the situation is like on the ground, now that the war has resumed. And, the new book "Everything is Tuberculosis" traces the history of the disease, which for millennia was the world's deadliest infection. Author John Green argues that the global community could work to eliminate tuberculosis, but lacks the will.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Lee Zeldin, the new administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, says he's eliminating environmental justice jobs that were largely focused on addressing pollution in low-income and minority communities. Grist's Lylla Younes explains the impact of these cuts. Then, more than 400 Fish and Wildlife Service workers — or about 5% of the agency's workforce — were let go last month. And more cuts to the agency could be on the horizon. Writer and photographer Mark Seth Lender shares concerns wildlife enthusiasts are feeling. And, the number of monarch butterflies overwintering this year in Mexico has nearly doubled, according to the annual census data from the World Wildlife Fund. Biologist Emma Pelton talks about this encouraging sign for the monarch population, as it continues to rebound from dangerously low levels this century.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

At the end of March, Social Security recipients will no longer be able to verify their identities over the phone. They'll have to go online or in-person to a Social Security office. AARP's Bill Sweeney explains what the change means for the 72 million Americans who rely on Social Security. And, President Trump is dismantling the Department of Education. The Washington Post's Laura Meckler talks about it means for schools and students. Then, Atlantic writer Derek Thompson joins us to discuss his new book "Abundance," written with the New York Times' Ezra Klein. In the book, they argue that to ensure a better future, America needs to invent more to combat issues like housing inaccessibility, climate change and food insecurity.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

We look at two high-profile immigration cases under the Trump administration with Doris Meissner, senior fellow and director for the U.S. immigration policy program at Migration Policy Institute. Then, Democrats have struggled to reach a consensus on the best way to counter President Trump during his second term. Matt Bennett of Third Way, a Democratic centrist think tank, and Usamah Andrabi, communications director for the progressive group Justice Democrats, join us to explain how the party should take on Trump. And, Dr. Razan al-Nahhas, an American emergency room physician, is on her second medical mission to Gaza. She speaks to us from the Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, where she's volunteering, about the impact of the latest Israeli airstrikes into Gaza.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Israel launched a series of surprise airstrikes into Gaza on Tuesday, killing more than 400 people, according to Gaza health officials. NPR's Daniel Estrin shares the latest. And, President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone to discuss a ceasefire in Ukraine. Cold War historian Sergey Radchenko explains the prospects of a peace agreement. Then, the Trump administration is accusing Maine of sex discrimination for allowing transgender girls to participate in girls' sports. ProPublica's Jennifer Smith Richards breaks down the target the federal government has put on Maine.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Ranjani Srinivasan was an international Columbia University student finishing up her doctoral program in urban planning. But then ICE came knocking on her door, as a result of President Trump's recent crackdown on foreign nationals who took part in pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses. Srinivasan talks about the circumstances that led to her fleeing to Canada. Then, President of Mount Holyoke College Danielle Holley talks about the Trump administration's attempts to punish conduct, thinking and research at universities that the White House finds objectionable. And, the U.S. carried out strikes on targets controlled by the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen over the weekend, killing dozens. Security analyst Jim Walsh joins us to talk about what the strikes signal for U.S. relations with Iran. Plus, the March Madness college basketball tournament gets underway this week. The Gist's Lauren Tuiskula shares a preview.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

It's been 5 years since COVID-19 began rapidly spreading around the world. A Pew Research study surveyed almost 10,000 Americans, and 72% of respondents said the pandemic drove the country apart. Pew Research Center's Alec Tyson shares the impact of this political divide. And, millions of people lost loved ones to COVID-19. One of the first to die in Connecticut was 35-year-old Michael O'Brien. His father Bill O'Brien discusses grief, keeping memories alive and moving forward. Then, mutual aid helped a lot of folks through the pandemic. What are those community aid networks doing now? Whitney Hu, the co-founder of South Brooklyn Mutual Aid, explains the work her organization is doing, and S. Mitra Kalita of Epicenter-NYC details the future of mutual aid in New York City.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Senate Democrats say they will not provide the support needed to pass a funding bill that House Republicans muscled through their chamber. If the bill fails, the government could shut down this weekend. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) joins us Robin Young to explain his party's strategy. Then, Stephanie Hoopes, the national director of United For ALICE, explains how stock market swings affect the 29% of Americans who fall above the poverty line but still struggle to make ends meet. And, just in time for spring, a new children's book celebrates a blind girl's joy in identifying birds on a nature walk with her aunt. Co-author Anita Sanchez talks about "A Sky That Sings."

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

The Department of Education is cutting nearly half of its staff as part of President Trump's plan to reduce the federal government's role in education. Chalkbeat's Kalyn Belsha explains how this could impact schools, students and the future of education. And, federal employees were ordered to remove pronouns from their email signatures. Some states followed suit, including Texas. Frank Zamora, a former Texas state employee, refused to comply and was promptly fired. Zamora shares his story. Then, Southwest Airlines is dropping one of its most popular policies: free checked bags. Transportation analyst Seth Kaplan explains why.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Rodrigo Duterte, the former president of the Philippines, was arrested Tuesday on a warrant from the International Criminal Court, charging him with crimes against humanity for the thousands killed in a drug war that Duterte waged across his political career. We get the latest from The New York Times' Sui-Lee Wee. Then, Lt. Cmdr. Geirid Morgan, a transgender Navy officer and former rescue diver, talks about President Trump's executive order banning transgender troops from serving in the military. Morgan is one of several plaintiffs in a lawsuit that is challenging the constitutionality of the order. And, music can have profound benefits for humans. Neuroscientist and musician Daniel J. Levitin talks about his latest book, "I Heard There Was A Secret Chord: Music as Medicine," which explains how our brains process music and lays out the evidence for the therapeutic benefits music can have.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Republican and Democrats in Congress must agree on a short-term spending bill before the government runs out of money on Friday night NBC's Scott Wong gives us the latest on negotiations. And, as people remember Roberta Flack, we meet the songwriter who wrote the lyrics to "Killing Me Softly": Lori Lieberman. Then, Mississippi mother Brandy Moore used crystal meth during her pregnancy. After being spared from a prison sentence, she found her purpose in sharing her story to help others dealing with addiction.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

A recent report from Gallup found that one in five people across the world said they felt lonely on a daily basis. People are lonely in every aspect of their lives — at home, in social settings, and at work. Researcher Constance Hadley joins us to discuss isolation at work. Then, losing your job can be devastating and overwhelming. Career coach Eliana Goldstein shares some advice for what to do after you've lost your job. And, when you're feeling anxious, reach for glimmers— the tiny things in your day that bring you joy. It could be as simple as holding beach stones, listening to birds or snuggling with a pet. Author and licensed clinical social worker Deb Dana tells us more.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

The Social Security Administration is facing a "significant workforce reduction" amid President Trump's government cuts. Martin O'Malley, commissioner of the Social Security Administration under former President Joe Biden, explains the impact of these cuts. And, Randy Carr, the CEO of a company that manufactures patches for uniforms, shares how Trump's trade is affecting his business. Then, Bloomberg investigative reporter Zeke Faux details Trump's plan for a strategic cryptocurrency reserve.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

In a 5-4 ruling on Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration's push to freeze nearly $2 billion in foreign aid payments for work that has already been completed. Georgetown Law professor Mary McCord joins us to explain what the decision means. Then, it's the height of tax season, but the Internal Revenue Service is down thousands of agents, thanks to recent cuts by billionaire Trump adviser Elon Musk. One team gutted by Musk's DOGE specialized in making sure the super-rich and big corporations paid their taxes. ProPublica's Andy Kroll tells us more. And, state lawmakers in Oklahoma are now trying to add some professionalism — via a licensing program — to storm chasing in an effort to keep the general public more aware of severe weather in their area. Oklahoma lawmaker Rep. Scott Fetgatter explains.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

President Trump imposed tariffs on goods coming in from Canada, Mexico and China. Roben Farzad, host of the podcast "Full Disclosure," explains what the move means for consumers, while NPR's Eyder Peralta reports on how Mexico is preparing to respond. And, the tariffs are expected to make cars and trucks in the U.S. more expensive. Bloomberg's Keith Naughton explains why. Then, Shrove Tuesday marks the last day before Lent for Christians worldwide. But to the Pennsylvania Dutch community, it's called Fastnacht Day. The Pennsylvania Bakery manager Rachelle Schenk Womer explains how dense donuts, also called a Fastnacht, sweeten the celebration.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Israel has stopped humanitarian aid to Gaza as the first phase of the ceasefire deal expired this weekend. The Guardian's Julian Borger talks about why Israel has stopped that aid and ongoing negotiations with Hamas. Then, New York Rep. Gregory Meeks, the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, discusses what he thinks needs to happen next in the U.S.-Ukraine relationship after Friday's disastrous meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. David Rennie, geopolitics editor at The Economist, tells us what Europe is doing to contain the fallout from Friday's meeting. And, the company JetWind Power harnesses the wind produced by airplanes to power airports. We speak with Dr. T.O. Souryal about how this technology works and the potential it has to create renewable energy.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

A café. A dog park. A gym. A library. A playground. A bar. We often take these spaces for granted, but they're vital for fighting the loneliness epidemic. We look into how these spaces help people combat isolation and form new connections. And, birds serve as a guide for social advocacy and joy in Tracy O'Kane's memoir "Birding to Change the World." O'Kane explains her newfound passion for birding and how birds influence her activism. Then, the sea glass hunting community is robust and often marked by controversy over what constitutes as 'real' sea glass. Dave Lee Valle, a 'glasser' or sea glass collector, shares a look into the community.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

The country's first measles death in a decade was recorded Wednesday in Texas. Health and Human Services head Robert F. Kennedy Jr said Wednesday that the outbreak is not "unusual," something disputed by infectious disease experts such as Dr. Peter Hotez, who joins us. Then, the Trump administration says it's cutting 90% of USAID's foreign aid contracts, according to a White House internal memo and court filings first reported by the Associated Press. Bloomberg's Iain Marlow joins us to explain what's going on with the Agency for Foreign Development. And, the U.S. Agency for International Development providing food and humanitarian aid in Africa and other places is one example of U.S. soft power. Now that it has been dismantled by the Trump administration, some see a soft power void that China may fill. The New Yorker's Jay Caspian Kang tells us more. Plus, as February comes to an end, Here & No w's James Perkins Mastromarino shares the latest and greatest from the gaming world.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Recent alarming close calls, near-collisions and fatal airline crashes have sparked worry in plane passengers. Transportation analyst Seth Kaplan explains that statistically, flying is no more dangerous than it has been in recent years. And, the U.S. rejected a UN resolution calling for Russia to immediately pull troops out of Ukraine this week. Ukrainian organizer Oleksandra Matviichuk talks about the three-year anniversary of the war. Then, Elon Musk said federal employees working remotely must return to their offices or be fired. Many have already been let go. Among them is a Fish and Wildlife Service worker, who joins us to share the economic costs of ending critical projects.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

President Trump said this week that U.S. tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico will go forward when a month-long suspension expires next week. Peter Navarro, Trump's senior counselor for trade and manufacturing, joins us to discuss Trump's trade agenda. Then, U.S. allies have been expressing frustration with some of President Trump's foreign policy moves: falsely blaming Ukraine for Russia's invasion and calling for U.S. control of the Panama Canal, Greenland and the Gaza Strip. Victoria Coates, former deputy national security adviser to Trump in his first term, talks about the world order in Trump's second administration. And, the Trump family has reportedly made nearly $80 million since the election, and that's not counting the crypto assets they've been pushing. Wall Street Journal reporter Rebecca Ballhaus joins us to discuss the Trump family's growing fortunes

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

As the war in Ukraine enters its fourth year, President Trump is moving closer to Russia, rattling the United States' relationship with Europe and NATO. Former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen joins us to discuss. And, Elon Musk sent an email to federal workers on Saturday demanding they detail their weekly accomplishments or be fired. The Washington Post's Carol Leonnig details what's to come. Then, the Trump administration is trying to shut down the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. What does that mean for you? Jill Schlesinger, CBS News business analyst, explains.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

The United States is in an "epidemic of loneliness," according to the former U.S. surgeon general. The internet and social media have played a part in Americans suffering from isolation and mental health declines. But technology isn't all bad. We hear about apps that can help people make friends. Then, in her book "Do You Still Talk To Grandma?," Brit Barron explores what to do when the people we love have views and opinions that might be hurtful to us. She talks about empathy, the problems with social media and the hope for learning, open conversation and transformation. And, then nothing brings people together like food. Here & Now resident chef Kathy Gunst has been easing back into the kitchen after a tennis court fall sidelined her for over a month. She shares insights and a couple of simple recipes.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

President Trump this week signed an executive order aimed at expanding access and reducing costs for people seeking in vitro fertilization treatments. The 19th's Shefali Luthra explains what that means. And, some Republicans are talking about cutting Medicaid access to pay for President Trump's proposed tax cuts. Former Ohio Medicaid director Barbara Sears Roshon details what that could mean for people who rely on the program. Then, a slew of recent plane crashes has escalated flying anxiety for many people. Psychologist Andrew Rosen offers some tips for dealing with stress around flying.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says President Trump is spreading disinformation after Trump falsely accused Ukraine of starting the war with Russia. The comments come as the United States begins talks with Ukraine to end the war. Retired Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges joins us from the former Soviet republic of Lithuania to talk about the shift in U.S. policy towards Russia. Then, one of the largest employers of people with disabilities in this country is the federal government. Now, disability advocates are worried the Trump administration's downsizing of this workforce will have a negative impact that could take decades to make up for. Maria Town, president and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities, joins us. And, we're marking Black History Month by looking at the impact of Black artists on popular music over four decades. As we rewind to the 2000s, it seems only proper to focus on Missy Elliott. Author Clover Hope talks about Elliott's impact.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

The Trump administration has fired thousands of federal workers in recent days. We speak to one of them: Nina Emlemdi, who worked in a division of the Department of Education. And, Lizz Wright always dreamed of performing at the Kennedy Center. But just as she was about to take the stage this week, she learned of President Trump's takeover of the famed arts institution. She explains how she approached the performance. Then, a poll shows that for about 30% of Americans, voice notes are a crucial and intimate way of connecting with other people. Colorado State University's Natalie Pennington joins us to explain the allure of the voice note.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Thousands of federal workers have lost their jobs in recent days. The Washington Post's Lisa Rein talks about the impact of the Trump administration's big cuts to the federal workforce. Then, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine will not recognize any peace agreements made without its participation, as top Russian and American officials arrive in Saudi Arabia for talks on ending the war in his country. Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia, joins us to discuss. And, the January fires in the Los Angeles area devastated communities across Southern California. Among the worst hit was the historic Black community of Altadena. Residents Adonis Jones Jr. and his daughter Rochele Jones discuss their community's history and loss.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

A recent Gallup Poll showed that 1 in 5 American adults reports feeling lonely every single day. It's something that former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has called a "national epidemic of loneliness and isolation." We hear from Murthy about the broader impact of loneliness. Then, experts say that loneliness and social isolation carry the same health risks as smoking. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a psychology and neuroscience professor, joins us to discuss how to break the cycle of loneliness and build more social connections in our lives. And, the longest scientific study of happiness has found that strong relationships stand out as the key. Dr. Robert Waldinger talks about what the study shows about the importance of relationships, how they benefit overall health, and how we can improve our own personal connections at any stage of life.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

President Trump says Russia has agreed to negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. Ukraine's European allies insist any peace talks must include Ukraine. Ukrainian security analyst Maria Avdeeva joins us. And, after the devastating wildfires in Southern California torched thousands of homes, experts are worried that already-high real estate prices will skyrocket. Los Angeles County real estate agent Richard Schulman shares a picture of what the post-fire real estate market might look like. Then, employers are increasingly using personality tests in their hiring processes. Wall Street Journal columnist Callum Borchers explains the trend.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

The idea that running the federal government like a business would improve how it functions has been around for many decades. Elaine Kamarck, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a former Clinton administration who worked on government efficiency efforts, talks about President Trump and Elon Musk's efforts to streamline the government. The U.S. Department of Education is the latest federal agency to wind up on Trump's chopping block. Jon Valant, director of the Brookings Institution's Brown Center on Education Policy, joins us to explain what this means for schools around the country. Then, Trump has made numerous claims about taking control of Gaza over the past week, referring to it as "a big real estate site" and putting forth plans to redevelop it under U.S. ownership. Khaled Elgindy, visiting scholar at Georgetown University's Center for Contemporary Arab Studies, joins us. And, Trump says he's directed the Treasury Department to stop minting new pennies. Jeff Gore, founder of the group Citizens to Retire the U.S. Penny, explains why it might make 'cents' to retire the coin.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Minority Whip Katherine Clark explains what the Democratic Party is doing to push back on President Trump and Republican leadership in Congress. And, After President Trump signed an executive order for 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, many U.S. trade partners threatened retaliation. Roben Farzad of the podcast "Full Disclosure" discusses what the impact of these tariffs could be. Then, some American foreign service workers abroad have been ordered to report home as Trump moves to reduce the scope of the federal government. Thomas Yazdgerdi — president of the American Foreign Service Association — shares what he's been hearing from workers abroad.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Federal judges have paused some Trump administration efforts to slash government programs and fire federal workers, but cases are piling up. Politico's Kyle Cheney tells us more. Then, the National Institutes of Health just announced a funding cap for universities, research hospitals and other scientific institutions. Biomedical researchers have criticized the move and warned that it would damage the development of life-saving technologies. We discuss the impact with Ars Technica's John Timmer. And amid data purges by the Trump administration, Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, the interim CEO of the American Cancer Society, talks about the risks of inadequate access to federal health data. Plus, Santa Cruz County Sheriff David Hathaway, a Democrat, disagrees with the immigration and trade policies that have emerged in the early days of the second Trump administration. He tells us why.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

President Trump is set to put all but a few hundred USAID employees on leave, prompting lawsuits from unions that represent foreign service officers. Politico's Nahal Toosi joins us to discuss. And, produce importers in the border city of Nogales, Arizona, are feeling spooked by Trump's lingering threat of tariffs on goods from Mexico. Here & Now 's Peter O'Dowd reports. Then, a discovery in southern Arizona could potentially be the oldest firearms ever found in the U.S. Research archeologist Deni Seymour, who dug up the canons, shares more about what she found.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Ten migrants have been sent from the U.S. to Guantánamo Bay to be held in a military prison that has housed al-Qaida members. NPR's Sacha Pfeiffer talks about the first people sent there and the legal challenges that loom around President Trump's plans for the migrants. Then, many Nicaraguan farmworkers in Wisconsin are staying home, keeping a low profile in anticipation of mass deportations promised by Trump. ProPublica's Melissa Sanchez tells us more. And, Trump's decision to put most staffers on leave from the U.S. Agency for International Development is impacting farmers in the U.S. who grow food that is distributed as part of the Food for Peace program. Nick Levendofsky, executive director of the Kansas Farmers Union, joins us.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

During his meeting with Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu, President Trump suggested the U.S. take over the Gaza Strip after displaced Palestinians are relocated. Palestinian American journalist Rami Khouri joins us. And, the Trump administration gave federal employees a Feb. 6 deadline to quit their jobs in exchange for pay and benefits through September. But the terms of the deal keep changing. Law professor Nick Bednar explains the uncertainty and legal questions. Then, Secretary of State Marco Rubio voiced concerns about Chinese influence over the Panama Canal during a recent trip to Panama. Bloomberg's Eric Martin breaks down the history of China's relationship to the Panama Canal.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

In the past few days, Elon Musk has been very busy with his unpaid, part-time job as a special government employee. Law professor Richard Painter talks about the limits of Musk's power to eliminate entire agencies and their employees. Then, we unpack the latest moves in Trump's second administration through a historical lens, with Princeton University historian Julian Zelizer. And, then a global view of President Trump's threatened trade war. First, the U.S. has imposed new 10% tariffs on goods from China, and China responded by imposing 15% tariffs on coal and liquefied natural gas from the U.S. NPR's John Ruwitch joins us from Beijing. Then, tariffs on goods from Mexico are on hold for now. Washington Post reporter Mary Beth Sheridan tells us more. And, after Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke on Monday, the U.S. also has held off on imposing tariffs on all goods from Canada. We hear from the University of Toronto's Peter Morrow.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

The U.S. and Mexico agree to put tariffs on hold for the next month, averting for now a trade war with one of the U.S.'s largest trading partners. Tariffs on goods from China and Canada are still set to take effect. Yale University's Amit Khandelwal joins us to discuss the economic impact of tariffs. Then, Secretary of State Marco Rubio appointed himself the acting director of U.S. Agency for International Development or USAID after Trump adviser Elon Musk said he was shutting down the agency. NPR's Franco Ordoñez breaks down what's happening. And, The Grammys saw the crowning of Beyoncé in a first Best Album and Best Country Album win. We get the latest with Jill Mapes of Hearing Things.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Democrat from Maryland, was one of several lawmakers who warned months ago about the dangers of the crowded airspace above Reagan National Airport. Van Hollen joins us. And, 14 members of the figure skating community died in the crash. Doug Zeghibe, CEO of the Skating Club of Boston, shares how the skating community is mourning. Then, NPR games correspondent James Perkins Mastromarino unpacks the indie hit "Citizen Sleeper 2" with the video game's developer.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Americans throw out a lot of trash every year, with much of it ending up in landfills, contributing to climate change. Here & Now 's Peter O'Dowd and Chris Bentley report on what people across the country are doing to tackle the problem. First, construction creates more than 600 million tons of trash in the U.S. every year. But deconstructing buildings instead of tearing them down can help change that. Then, almost all the clothes we wear wind up in a landfill, but companies are now working to build a "circular economy" that gives new life to old textiles. And, Dave and Erin Sheffield run a lucrative business scavenging and reselling goods they find dumpster diving. We tell you how the couple found love and a living by combing through trash.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

An American Airlines flight and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided in mid-air on Wednesday, killing all 67 people aboard both aircraft. Retired pilot Richard Levy explains what might have gone wrong. And, Israel's order to cease UNRWA operations on Israeli soil takes effect Thursday. The ban effectively cuts off the UN agency from delivering aid to Gaza. UNRWA spokesperson Juliette Touma explains what the ban means for Palestinians who depend on the organization. Then, Dave Sheffield has been dumpster diving for 15 years. Here & Now' s Chris Bentley reports on how he and his wife — who he met through dumpster diving — reuse and upcycle their finds.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Construction creates more than 600 million tons of trash in the U.S. every year. Now, some cities are making big changes to the way buildings are demolished. Here & Now's Peter O'Dowd reports. Then, the Trump administration has reversed an order freezing federal grants after it faced a court challenge from nonprofit organizations. Richard Trent, executive director of the Main Street Alliance, talks about how the order sparked confusion. And, results from the Nation's Report Card show that students still haven't recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic. Chalkbeat's Erica Meltzer joins us.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Fashion trends die quickly, but old clothes can live for years. After it's left your wardrobe, nearly every garment eventually winds up burned for fuel or tossed in a dump, polluting the environment. Here & Now 's Chris Bentley reports on efforts to recycle and reuse textiles. And, President Trump has fired more than 12 inspectors general who keep an eye out for corruption, waste, fraud and abuse of power at federal agencies. George Washington University's Kathryn Newcomer details the implications. Then, China's startup app DeepSeek is upending the tech industry. Ina Fried of Axios explains how the global tech industry lost more than a trillion dollars when the free AI chatbot launched.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Landfills are one of the biggest sources of methane emissions in the United States after oil and gas production and agriculture. New technology — such as robot dogs — is helping landfill operators find those leaks and measure them more frequently. Bryan Staley of the Environmental Research and Education Foundation joins us. Then, President Trump's plan for mass deportations is well underway. The Wall Street Journal's Michelle Hackman shares the latest on where migrants are being arrested and the Trump administration's strategy. And, Israel has allowed refugees to return to northern Gaza after Hamas turned over Israeli hostages. Hamas did not initially release a female civilian, jeopardizing the fragile ceasefire deal. The Economist's Anshel Pfeffer joins us.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy

Thousands of Afghans who helped the U.S. military during the war in Afghanistan are stranded after President Trump suspended the refugee admissions program. Shawn VanDiver, president of #AfghanEvac, joins us. And, a new article from The Atlantic found that communicating via text is harder for men. The article's author, Matthew Schnipper, explains the social implications. Then, many rural Italian towns are offering properties for 1 euro in an effort to revitalize their communities. Rubia Andrade Daniels bought three of them in 2019. Spoiler alert: they were all fixer-uppers.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy