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Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Live from NPR News, I'm Joel Snyder.
Chapter 2: What are the latest updates on the Democratic primary election in New Jersey?
The Democratic primary election for an open U.S. House seat in New Jersey is not decided yet. Multiple Democrats are seeking the nomination to the seat vacated by Mikey Sherrill, who won the governor's office last year. The race is being closely watched as a barometer for Democrats ahead of the November election.
The Trump administration has finalized a rule making it easier to fire federal workers. NPR's Shannon Bond reports the overhaul will strip job protections from around 50,000 civil servants.
The new rule reclassifies about 2% of career federal jobs as, quote, at-will positions. The administration says it applies to those in jobs that influence policy. President Trump has said the change is necessary to make sure civil servants support his directives. Opponents of the change say it will open the door to politically motivated firings of employees who are meant to be nonpartisan.
The new rule also puts agencies in charge of creating protections for federal whistleblowers rather than the independent office of special counsel. Federal worker unions and advocacy groups are suing the administration to block the change. Shannon Bond, NPR News.
The Trump administration has launched the long-promised TrumpRx website. Aimed at helping Americans buy prescription drugs, the president unveiled it Thursday evening.
Sixteen of the 17 largest pharmaceutical companies have signed agreements, and the other one is coming. Believe me, they're coming. Committing that going forward, all new medicines they bring to the market in the United States will be available at most places.
favored nation prices for those that don't know that means in the entire world most favored we get the most favored the lowest price the website is set up as a facilitator putting consumers directly in touch with manufacturers to make purchases
It is expected to benefit consumers who are looking to buy prescriptions without using insurance. A federal judge has struck down a Texas law that barred the state from working with investors suspected of boycotting the fossil fuel industry. NPR's Michael Copley reports that the law is part of a national effort by Republicans to stop companies from considering financial risks from climate change.
In 2021, Texas lawmakers prohibited state retirement funds for investing or contracting with firms that limit their exposure to fossil fuel companies or that take any action to hurt the industry. U.S. District Judge Alan Albright in Austin ruled the law as unconstitutional because it violates the rights to free speech and to due process.
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Chapter 3: How is the Trump administration changing job protections for federal workers?
The case was brought by the American Sustainable Business Council. The group said the law punished companies for their investment decisions or for speaking out about climate risks. Texas Acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock said the state will appeal the ruling. Michael Copley, NPR News.
And you're listening to NPR News. The expiration of the last remaining nuclear arms treaty between the U.S. and Russia is fueling fears of a new nuclear arms race. Russian President Vladimir Putin offered to stick to the treaty's caps on the two largest atomic arsenals for another year, but President Trump rejected that Thursday, saying he wants a new modernized treaty. The U.N.
is urging both sides to restore the pact. A fire in the orthopedics wing of a hospital in Dixon City, Pennsylvania, displaced 77 patients. It broke out Wednesday night and its cause is still unknown. The hospital remains closed. Lydia McFarland from Interstation WVIA caught up with a firefighter who was first on the scene.
Lieutenant Xander Oki says they first tried to put the fire out on the second floor.
I was practically swimming through the water upstairs. I'm completely soaked gear and nine degree weather doesn't mix well.
They had to go on the defense. Crews were on scene until 5 a.m. Displaced patients were taken to three other hospitals in the area. No one was injured in the blaze. According to the National Fire Prevention Association, there were 790 hospital or hospice fires between 2019 and 2023. For NPR News, I'm Lydia McFarlane in Dixon City.
Pizza Hut says it's planning to close 250 restaurants around the country in the first half of this year. Pizza Hut's parent company, Yum Brand, says it will target underperforming restaurants. Pizza Hut has more than 6,000 U.S. locations. Yum Brand's considering the sale of the chain, saying in November that it was conducting a formal review of options. This is NPR News.
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