A. Martinez

Last night, the Trump administration announced it's cutting nearly half of all staff at the U.S. Department of Education.

Last night, the Trump administration announced it's cutting nearly half of all staff at the U.S. Department of Education.

Last night, the Trump administration announced it's cutting nearly half of all staff at the U.S. Department of Education.

NPR education reporter Janaki Mehta has been hearing from some of those staffers. So let's just start with the scale of these layoffs and what parts of the agency were affected.

NPR education reporter Janaki Mehta has been hearing from some of those staffers. So let's just start with the scale of these layoffs and what parts of the agency were affected.

NPR education reporter Janaki Mehta has been hearing from some of those staffers. So let's just start with the scale of these layoffs and what parts of the agency were affected.

All right. Now you've been in touch with some of the staffers who are being laid off. What have they been saying?

All right. Now you've been in touch with some of the staffers who are being laid off. What have they been saying?

All right. Now you've been in touch with some of the staffers who are being laid off. What have they been saying?

Now, I know this news is pretty fresh, but do we know if these cuts are even legal? I mean, aren't some of these education department offices protected by law?

Now, I know this news is pretty fresh, but do we know if these cuts are even legal? I mean, aren't some of these education department offices protected by law?

Now, I know this news is pretty fresh, but do we know if these cuts are even legal? I mean, aren't some of these education department offices protected by law?

All right, that's NPR education reporter Janaki Mehta. Thanks a lot.

All right, that's NPR education reporter Janaki Mehta. Thanks a lot.

All right, that's NPR education reporter Janaki Mehta. Thanks a lot.

The clock is ticking in Washington on a potential government shutdown. Funding for federal agencies expires Friday at midnight.

The clock is ticking in Washington on a potential government shutdown. Funding for federal agencies expires Friday at midnight.

The clock is ticking in Washington on a potential government shutdown. Funding for federal agencies expires Friday at midnight.

NPR's congressional correspondent is Claudia Grisales. So, Claudia, let's start with that stopgap plan that passed the House. What to do?

NPR's congressional correspondent is Claudia Grisales. So, Claudia, let's start with that stopgap plan that passed the House. What to do?