Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton.
Chapter 2: What recent changes has President Trump made regarding immigration enforcement in Minnesota?
President Trump is replacing the person in charge of his immigration crackdown in Minnesota, days after another fatal shooting there. NPR's Jennifer Ludden reports the decision came as a judge heard arguments on pausing the federal surge.
Minnesota says thousands of federal agents have acted so aggressively that it's infringed on the state's sovereign right to ensure public safety, and it argued the surge was politically driven. The Trump administration insisted it's conducting legitimate immigration enforcement. The judge noted the situation is so unprecedented, there's little case law to guide a decision.
Chapter 3: How is the severe winter weather impacting the northeastern U.S.?
Meanwhile, Trump is telling his border czar Tom Homan to work with Minnesota officials and report directly to him. The state's governor, Tim Walz, says the previous official in charge, Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino, is leaving the state.
The change follows growing backlash after Homeland Security insisted Saturday's fatal shooting was in self-defense, despite video evidence that contradicted that. Jennifer Ludden, NPR News, Minneapolis.
Heavy snow is falling in the northeast as a deadly winter freeze sets in over the eastern two-thirds of the U.S., NPR's Debbie Elliott reports the frigid weather has killed at least 25 people.
Chapter 4: What significant developments have occurred in the Gaza ceasefire negotiations?
Emergency crews in more than a dozen states are working to clear the ice, sleet and snow that have crippled public services. Water and power systems are out, roads are impassable and air travel is disrupted. Forecasters say frigid temperatures through the week will further hamper the response. Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves says ice storms are difficult. It's somewhat like whack-a-mole.
Every time one of the utility companies and power companies gets a large group back online, we have another tree fall or we have another limb fall. We have another power outage.
Chapter 5: What changes are being made to Southwest Airlines' seating policy?
And so it's just a challenging environment out there. Officials are warning about the dangers of hypothermia and urging people without electricity to seek shelter at warming centers. Debbie Elliott, NPR News.
The Israeli military says the last Israeli hostage body in Gaza has been found. It's a major breakthrough in efforts to advance the Gaza ceasefire, as NPR's Daniel Estrin reports from Jerusalem.
Hamas captured 251 living and dead hostages from Israel in the October 7, 2023 attack. Now, the last one has been returned.
Chapter 6: Why are Kaiser Permanente employees going on strike across California and Hawaii?
He is Ron Gvili, a 24-year-old special forces policeman who was killed while fighting Hamas militants the day of the attack. His body was taken to Gaza. The military said it launched a special search operation for his body over the weekend in a cemetery in northern Gaza, on the Israeli-occupied side of Gaza, acting based on intelligence. It says his body has been returned to Israel for burial.
This marks the end of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire. It paves the way for another big step. Israel says it will allow Gaza's border crossing with Egypt to reopen again for Palestinians to enter and exit. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Jerusalem.
U.S. stock index has ticked higher today. This is NPR News. Southwest Airlines passengers are making their final boarding time scrambles for seats as the carrier prepares to end its signature open seating system. Customers on Southwest flights will have assigned seats starting tomorrow. An eight-group boarding structure is replacing the find-your-own-seat scrum.
Thousands of nurses and other employees at Kaiser Permanente plan to stay on strike across California and Hawaii tomorrow. From Member Station KQED, Farida Javala-Romero reports the health provider serves more than 12 million people.
Chapter 7: What archaeological discoveries have been made in Greece regarding ancient tools?
Who's got the power? We do!
Workers at one of the picket lines in the Bay Area said they want improved staffing and compensation. This is the union's third strike since September. Jessica Servin is a nurse anesthetist in San Francisco. And it feels necessary to be here. Absolutely necessary. We're fighting for our livelihoods. We're fighting for patient care. And those things are really important.
The nonprofit Kaiser has made billions of dollars in net income from operations and investments in recent years. But executives at California's largest private employer say they must balance growing payroll costs with keeping care affordable. For NPR News, I'm Farida Yabbala Romero in Oakland, California.
Scientists say two artifacts found at a lakeshore in Greece are the oldest wooden tools uncovered so far. One is a spindly stick possibly used for digging. The other is a handheld chunk that may have been used to shape stone tools. They were found in Greece's Megalopolis Basin and date back 430,000 years. This is NPR.