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DOGE continues its data push: Elon Musk may no longer be leading the Department of Government Efficiency, but DOGE’s work continues, with a staffer recently gaining access to sensitive farm loan files at the USDA. Some sources across government agencies told NPR the impacts of DOGE's plans and cuts have only just begun to play out. Jenna McLaughlin has more.
SCOTUS allows federal layoffs to continue: The Supreme Court on Tuesday lifted a lower court order that had temporarily blocked the Trump administration from ordering mass layoffs at government agencies. The move allows the administration to advance plans to eliminate hundreds of thousands of federal jobs.
DOJ says no evidence Epstein had a 'client list': The Justice Department and the FBI have found no evidence that disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein had a "client list" or that he blackmailed prominent associates, according to a memo released this week. The memo also concludes that Epstein died by suicide, which aligns with previous department conclusions. The findings contradict earlier statements by Attorney General Pam Bondi about an alleged list of Epstein clients and have fueled conspiracy theories among right-wing media figures.
Former Biden doctor declines to testify in GOP probe: Former President Joe Biden's longtime physician, Dr. Kevin O'Connor, has said he will not testify as part of a Republican-led congressional investigation into Biden's health and mental acuity while in office. O'Connor declined to answer questions during a deposition scheduled for Wednesday, asserting physician-patient privilege as well as his right against self-incrimination under the Fifth Amendment.
Trump visits Texas: His visit to the storm-torn state comes as the fate of the nation's top federal disaster agency remains uncertain. Shortly after starting his second term, Trump said he wanted to overhaul the Federal Emergency Management Agency and put more onus for emergency response on states. FEMA gives billions of dollars in assistance to communities hit by disasters, but often faces criticism for being too slow to disburse aid and inefficient.
Elon Musk wants to launch a competitive third party: It won’t be easy.
Trump got his ‘big beautiful bill’ across the finish line. Now he’s got to sell it to voters who may think it’s too big and not all that beautiful. |
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URGENT: Ask your Senators to stand for public media.
In a few days, the Senate will vote on a rescissions package that would eliminate $1.1 billion in already-approved federal funding for public media. The NPR Network is in serious jeopardy, and some local newsrooms are at risk of shuttering entirely. But you can still speak out for an essential American service.
Urge your Senators to take a stand for public media. It takes 20 seconds at the link below. |
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Going Deeper: A World With Fewer Babies |
Couples in the U.S. and around the world are deciding to have far fewer children or forego parenthood altogether. It’s a trend driven largely by a positive reality: Young couples, and women in particular, have more freedom, economic independence and choices than ever before.
But it’s also driving concerns about future economic growth, workforce stability and military readiness.
Population scientists told NPR that declining birth rates are a pressing issue that should be addressed by policymakers across the political spectrum. But many are sounding the alarm that conservative proposals to increase birth rates, including opposition to reproductive rights and calls for a return to "traditional" family structures, pose a threat to women.
NPR’s Sarah McCammon and Brian Mann dive into the issue here. |
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The Shot: Happy Birthday, Moo Deng |
Thousands of excited fans flocked to a Thai zoo on Thursday to celebrate the first birthday of Moo Deng, the adorable baby pygmy hippo that has become a social media sensation.
Among them was Molly Swindall, who traveled from New York for the celebrations. She was seen handing a tray of food to a zoo keeper for Moo Deng's breakfast, which the baby hippo and her mother Jona quickly devoured.
"I just loved her so much and decided, you know what, I have three or four days off of work," said Swindall, "I can make it work to fly to Thailand. I will only be there for about 30 hours, but that's enough to go see Moo Deng. And that's exactly what I did."
By Thursday afternoon, the number of visitors reached 12,000, zoo director Narongwit Chodchoy said. |
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