NPR News Now - NPR News: 02-20-2025 4AM EST

Episode Date: February 20, 2025

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shae Stevens. Hamas has released the bodies of four Israeli hostages captured at the start of the war in Gaza under the first phase of a ceasefire deal. Thousands gathered near the city of Kandunas today, as four coffins were handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross, for release to Israeli defense forces. The IDF will identify the remains before notifying families. The ceasefire agreement has included the release of living Israeli hostages in exchange for the freeing of Palestinian prisoners.

President Trump is warning Ukraine's leader to quickly negotiate an end to its war with Russia or risk losing his country. Trump claims that Ukraine started the conflict and sparked criticism in Congress. Republican Louisiana Senator John Kennedy says he disagrees with that narrative. I think Vladimir Putin started the war. I also believe, through bitter experience, that Vladimir Putin is a gangster. He's a gangster with a black heart. In a posting on the social media site X, former Vice President Mike Pence says Russia launched an unprovoked and brutal invasion that's claimed hundreds

of thousands of lives. Pence also says the road to peace in Ukraine must be built on truth. A crowd gathered outside the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington Wednesday to protest cuts to research funding. built on truth. A crowd gathered outside the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington Wednesday to protest cuts to research funding. NPR's Selena Simmons Duffin has more. People brave snow and freezing temperatures to protest the firing of government researchers and cuts to academic research currently paused by the courts. Signs read, no one voted for polio and I'd rather be in my lab working on cures for cancer.

One of the speakers was Connor Phillips, who told the crowd he has cerebral palsy. My experience inspired me to become a scientist at the NIH, where I have developed new therapies to improve the lives of other children with cerebral palsy. He says after cuts at the National Institutes of Health, he can't continue his research even though he was a postgraduate volunteer. Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR News, Washington. Although the JFK Presidential Library was abruptly closed Tuesday because of staff cuts, visitors were back yesterday. WBUR's Emily Piper-Villillo reports.

Admission was free for visitors following Tuesday's closure. Liz Horton and her grandchildren were among those who visited the library Wednesday. She says it was outrageous that the library was forced to close. Her granddaughter, Via, says it's important for the JFK Museum to stay open because it teaches about American history. You know that quote that's like if you those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it? I feel like we should be allowed to learn history. The library's director says the library closed because all those fired worked in ticketing and visitor support, and that their pay was covered by admission fees and not federal

funds. For NPR News, I'm Emily Piper-Villillo in Boston. This is NPR. The Internal Revenue Service reportedly is preparing to lay off more than 6,000 workers as soon as today. AAP reports that the job cuts will affect probationary employees who've been with the IRS roughly a year or less, while those involved in the 2025 tax filing season would be exempt. Security is tighter for this year's Mardi Gras.

In wake of the New Year's Day attack on Bourbon Street, they killed 14 people and injured dozens more. The city of New Orleans covers the security costs for larger, more traditional parades. But independent walking crews that march through different neighborhoods pay for it themselves through membership fees. These are regular New Orleanians. You know, they're school children. They're not going to be paid for it. They're going to be paid for it. They're going to be paid for it.

They're going to be paid for it. They're going to be paid for it. They're through different neighborhoods pay for it themselves through membership fees. These are regular New Orleanians, you know, they're school teachers, they might be retired. Yvonne Garrett is captain of Crew DeVu, a local walking parade. She says their extra security costs should be covered by the city. One walking parade, the Intergalactic Crew of Chewbacca, says they got a bill that was more than twice what they paid last year. City officials haven't said how much extra they're paying for security this Mardi Gras, to make sure people can stay safe.

For NPR News, I'm Drew Hawkins in New Orleans. Kentucky Fried Chicken Food Chain is moving its corporate headquarters from Louisville to Plano, Texas. Its parent company Yum Brand says about 100 employees will be relocated in the next six months. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear says he hopes the company reverses that decision, saying KFC's brand is synonymous with his state. This is NPR News.