DOGE staffer who shared Treasury data now has more access to government systems
New court filings give more details about a small number of DOGE staffers granted sweeping access to sensitive government data systems.
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The U.S. buys electricity from Canada. Now it's a focus of the trade war
As a trade war grew this week, Ontario's leader threatened a surcharge on Canadian electricity sold in some U.S. states. The episode highlighted the U.S. reliance on imported Canadian power. -
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The last time we shrank the federal workforce
If you cut every single federal job President Donald Trump wants to cut, how much money would that save? A president has tried to massively shrink the size of the federal government before. It was in the 90s, under a Democrat. Today on the show: Where they found waste the last time we really looked. (Hint: it wasn't jobs.) And why the pace of firings under Trump might start to slow down. For more: - Lessons for the Future of Government Reform - Is government too big? Reflections on the size and composition of today's federal government - Creating a Government That Works Better and Costs Less This episode of Planet Money was produced by Willa Rubin. It was edited by Jess Jiang and engineered by Jimmy Keeley. We had fact-checking help from Sierra Juarez. Alex Goldmark is our executive producer. Special thanks to Ben Zipperer. Find more Planet Money: Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Our weekly Newsletter.Listen free at these links: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the NPR app or anywhere you get podcasts.Help support Planet Money and hear our bonus episodes by subscribing to Planet Money+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney.Music: Audio Network - "West Green Road," "Raise Up," and "Blue and Green." -
The four buzziest movies coming to theaters this weekend
A Steven Soderbergh spy thriller, a Looney Tunes movie and a grisly comedy about a guy who can't feel pain are all out this weekend. -
How to see the 'blood worm moon' total lunar eclipse tonight
This total lunar eclipse — the first in three years — will feature a "blood worm moon," so named for the reddish hue of its glow and the time of year it's occurring. -
Dear Life Kit: My best friend said he'd unfriend me if I ever had kids
A reader is taken aback by her best friend's reaction to the possibility that she might want kids. He says that if she had kids, it would change everything between them. Friendship experts weigh in. -
Measles returns — here's what you need to know
Hundreds have been infected and two have died as measles outbreaks have occurred in West Texas and New Mexico. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., a vaccine skeptic, has given conflicting advice to people wanting to avoid infection. Why are vaccination rates declining, and what do these outbreaks mean for public health in the U.S.? This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro, and health correspondent Maria Godoy. The podcast is produced by Bria Suggs & Kelli Wessinger and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics. -
As Trump downplays economic fears, this data shows people feel differently
Economists look for signs that a recession may be approaching by monitoring consumer confidence and business sentiment — two indicators of uncertainty.