NPR News: 12-07-2025 7AM EST
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Support for NPR comes from NPR member stations and Eric and Wendy Schmidt through the Schmidt Family Foundation, working toward a healthy, resilient, secure world for all. On the web at theschmidt.org.
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Louise Schiavone.
What controversies surround the Trump administration's military actions?
Heightened attention on Trump administration-ordered boat strikes has Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in the hot seat, with the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee calling for Hegseth's resignation. Senator Mark Warner tells NPR that the full video of a recent deadly double strike on an alleged drug cartel boat in the Caribbean should be made public and more questions must be answered.
I'm not making drawing any conclusions here because when you make the make the accusation about war crimes, that is that is a accusation once made cannot be retracted. But we are in those waters or in that area.
How are for-profit companies impacting veterans' disability claims?
Because, again, I think this constant, careless, sloppy approach from Pete Hegseth.
Secretary Hegseth told an audience at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library last night that today's drug cartels are the equivalent of al-Qaeda terrorists, both of whom were and are intent on killing Americans. An NPR investigation has found that for-profit companies are charging military veterans up to $20,000 for help claiming their disability benefits. NPR's Kaylee Fox-Shannon has details.
In the last decade, scores of companies have sprung up to help veterans navigate notoriously complex disability claims. NPR looked at one such company in Florida called Trajector Medical. The VA has sent Trajector two letters warning it may be violating a federal law that requires accreditation to help vets this way.
What led to the reduction of fines against Southwest Airlines?
But Trajector and dozens of other companies like it continue to operate. A former employee said the company uses aggressive debt collection practices to make millions off of vets each year. She didn't want to use her name for fear of retaliation. I didn't know that I was going to be like a debt collector, like banging on people's doors, like, give me your money. Trajector has denied wrongdoing and says its mission continues to be to help vets receive benefits. Kaylee Fox-Shannon, NPR News.
How are wild bird populations being affected by urban development?
The Trump administration says it will forgive the last part of a record fine against Southwest Airlines dating back to the 2022 holiday season operational meltdown. NPR's Matt Bloom reports.
Many travelers may prefer to forget about the airline scheduling crisis three years ago when Southwest canceled more than 15,000 flights the week around Christmas due to a winter storm and issues with outdated software. The following year, the Biden administration fined Southwest a record $140 million. In a new order, the Department of Transportation announced it will waive the remaining $11 million still owed.
What changes were made to the identification of Admiral Rachel Levine?
It says it's due to the airline significantly improving its on-time performance and investing in new technology since the meltdown. The department said the move will incentivize other airlines to make investments that benefit customers. Matt Bloom, NPR News.
This is NPR. Wild bird populations are declining worldwide, thanks in large part due to habitat loss. And as Vicki Barker reports, that has led to a corresponding rise in the number of streets in the U.K. named after these vanishing species.
Skylark Lane, Nightingale Road, Lapwing Avenue. Figures obtained by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds found that between 2004 and 2024, the number of streets named after Britain's most beloved wild birds rose approximately 200%, while breeding populations have fallen by as much as 89%. The RSPB's chief executive says its analysis shows councils and developers are happy to name streets after the nature we love, while efforts to prevent these birds disappearing from our skies remain woefully inadequate. For NPR News, I'm Vicki Barker in London.
At the offices of the Department of Health and Human Services, officials have altered the identification of a portrait of a transgender health official. Admiral Rachel Levine had served as Assistant Secretary of Health under President Biden.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–0:19
2
What controversies surround the Trump administration's military actions?
0:19–0:56
3
How are for-profit companies impacting veterans' disability claims?
0:56–1:50
4
What led to the reduction of fines against Southwest Airlines?
1:50–2:18
5
How are wild bird populations being affected by urban development?
2:18–2:59
6
What changes were made to the identification of Admiral Rachel Levine?
2:59–4:53