--:-- Corva Coleman: This message comes from Progressive Insurance and the Name Your Price tool. It helps you find car insurance options in your budget. Try it today at Progressive.com. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and Affiliates. Price and coverage match limited by state law. Not available in all states.
--:-- Corva Coleman: Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Corva Coleman. The federal government shutdown is two weeks old. President Trump is continuing to fire federal workers. Unions representing thousands of these workers have sued. And Piers Andrea Hsu has more.
--:-- Piers Andrea Hsu: Unions representing federal employees have asked the court to halt the layoffs already underway and to stop federal agencies from issuing new layoff notices. They argue that the Trump administration has overstepped its authority in telling agencies to carry out the reductions in force or rifts amid the shutdown.
--:-- Piers Andrea Hsu: The Trump administration argues the court lacks jurisdiction to hear the case, and that such matters ought to be taken to the federal agency set up by Congress to hear challenges to rifts.
--:-- Piers Andrea Hsu: Meanwhile, President Trump continues to blame Democrats for the shutdown and says it's an opportunity for him to end, quote, Democrat programs, those he never wanted and will probably never allow back.
--:-- Piers Andrea Hsu: Andrea Hsu NPR News
--:-- Corva Coleman: During the shutdown House Speaker Mike Johnson has not convened his chamber The House has already passed a spending bill and the Senate still cannot agree upon one But the Speaker also says during the shutdown he will not swear in the newly elected Democratic Congresswoman from Arizona, Adelita Grijalva.
--:-- Adelita Grijalva: I have not had one word from Speaker Johnson. Not one word. We sent a letter. Now our attorney general is getting involved because this is taxation without representation.
--:-- Adelita Grijalva: Grijalva supports an effort to force a vote on the release of the Epstein files. When sworn in, Grijalva would be the deciding vote in the House to advance the measure.
--:-- Corva Coleman: Treasury Secretary Scott Besant says that members of the U.S. military will get their expected paychecks today. Besant says that the Defense Department is shuffling money around to issue these paychecks during the shutdown.
--:-- Corva Coleman: Some Texas National Guard troops have been sent home from Chicago. They allegedly failed to meet physical fitness standards.
--:-- Andrew Schneider: The move comes after an ABC News photo of overweight troops went viral.
--:-- Andrew Schneider: The Texas Military Department confirmed on the military news site Task and Purpose that a small group of the 200 National Guard soldiers deployed to Illinois last week had been sent home for not being in compliance with its validation process
--:-- Andrew Schneider: The move followed a speech by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon last month to hundreds of military commanders. If the Secretary of War can do regular, hard PT, so can every member of our joint force.
--:-- Andrew Schneider: Frankly, it's tiring to look out at combat formations or really any formation and see fat troops.
--:-- Andrew Schneider: Last week, the National Guard issued a statement saying all troops had to meet height, weight and fitness standards.
--:-- Corva Coleman: For NPR News, I'm Andrew Schneider in Houston.
--:-- Corva Coleman: This is NPR.
--:-- Corva Coleman: The Gaza ceasefire is coming under strain. Israel says that one of the eight bodies handed over by Hamas this week is not that of a hostage. Israel has also closed the Rafah crossing into Gaza today. That will limit relief aid that's getting to Palestinians.
--:-- Corva Coleman: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a new president for its 17 million members worldwide, who are also known as Mormons. Member station KUER Ciara Hewlett reports the church has chosen Dallin Oaks to lead them
--:-- Ciara Hewlett: The last president and prophet Russell M Nelson died last month His successor Dallin H Oaks used to be a Utah Supreme Court justice
--:-- Ciara Hewlett: Columnist Jana Reese says that background could influence his leadership She says Oaks is concerned about the rise of political authoritarianism.
--:-- Ciara Hewlett: He could serve as a reminder of justice and law and order and precedent and a lot of things that in America people have been throwing out the window.
--:-- Ciara Hewlett: Oaks has also long been outspoken about his beliefs against same-sex marriage.
--:-- Ciara Hewlett: Reese says it's yet to be seen if he'll continue that trajectory as president.
--:-- Corva Coleman: For NPR News, I'm Ciara Hewlett.
--:-- Corva Coleman: Conditions in parts of western Alaska remain dire. The remnants of a typhoon hit the state last weekend. One person was killed and two more are missing.
--:-- Corva Coleman: Alaska officials say some people had to cling to floating debris as their homes washed away.
--:-- Corva Coleman: Hundreds of people have fled their homes to shelter.
--:-- Corva Coleman: I'm Corva Coleman, NPR News, from Washington.
--:-- Corva Coleman: This message comes from Mint Mobile. Starting at $15 a month, make the switch at mintmobile.com slash switch. $45 upfront payment for three months. Five gigabyte plan equivalent to $15 a month. Taxes and fees extra. First three months only. See terms.
