NPR News: 03-03-2026 1PM EST

Summary

NPR News Now – March 3, 2026, 1PM EST

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode, hosted by Lakshmi Singh, delivers a concise round-up of major national and international stories as of early afternoon on March 3, 2026. Coverage includes the escalating US-Iran conflict and attacks on American embassies, market reactions, Election Day developments for the 2026 U.S. midterms, a high-profile legal verdict related to a school shooting, health news about colorectal cancer rates in younger adults, and a dramatic Hudson River plane crash.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. US Embassies Attacked Amid Gulf Tensions

(00:14 – 01:19)

• Main News: Iranian drones attacked the US Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; no injuries reported. The US Embassy in Kuwait was also attacked the previous day.

• Backdrop: These attacks come in response to the Israel-U.S. war with Iran, which began that Saturday. Iran is targeting US assets in traditionally “safe” Gulf states.

• Market Impact: Global markets are selling off as oil prices surge.

• Presidential Reaction:

  • Former President Trump addressed the issue of rising oil prices:

    “If we have a little high oil prices for a little while, but as soon as this ends, those prices are going to drop, I believe lower than even before.”
    — Donald Trump (00:51)

  • Trump forecasted the war could last “four to five weeks or longer.”

  • He is meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Mertz, who commented on planning for a post-Iranian-regime strategy.

  • American public sentiment:

    • “Recent polls suggest majority of Americans disapprove of the Iran war.” (01:14)

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2. Divided US Political Response to Iran War

(01:19 – 02:10)

• On-the-Ground Perspective:
  • Harrisburg, PA, is a competitive congressional district showing splits among voters.
  • Frank Langfit (NPR Reporter) interviews:
    • Tom Fink (Democrat):

      “I was horrified. It just reminds me of Iraq and things that have happened before. And you wonder, where is Congress?”
      — Tom Fink (01:35)

    • Patrick Basham (Republican):

      “I think it's a great day for the Iranian people. They should feel liberated. I feel liberated as an American not having to deal with that thought in my head.”
      — Patrick Basham (01:53)

    • Basham hopes for regime change in Iran and free elections for its people.

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3. 2026 Midterms: Primary Election Day

(02:10 – 02:59)

• States in Focus: North Carolina, Texas, and several others hold key primaries.
• Notable Contests:
  • NC Democratic Rep. Valerie Fuchsi and TX Republican Sen. John Cornyn face primary challenges.
• Broader Implications:
  • These primaries offer insight into voter attitudes.
  • Key issues: affordability and immigration enforcement.
  • Outcomes will affect Congressional control in November.
• Quote:

  “Texas and North Carolina are large states with diverse populations that will provide an early glimpse of how voters are feeling about the current political landscape.”
  — Stephen Fowler (02:23)

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4. Legal Update: Apalachee High School Shooting Verdict

(02:59 – 03:15)

• A Georgia jury convicted Colin Gray, father of the accused in the 2024 high school shooting that left four dead and nine wounded.

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5. Colorectal Cancer Now a Top Threat for Younger Americans

(03:15 – 04:17)

• Finding: Colorectal cancer is now the leading cancer killer for Americans under 50, according to an American Cancer Society report.
• Trends:
  • Rapid increase in rectal cancer among young adults, attributed to lower screening rates and lifestyle factors (smoking, alcohol, diet, activity).
  • Screening is recommended from age 45, but only about one-third comply.
• Insight:

  “Colorectal cancer used to be considered an older person's disease, but that's rapidly changing.”
  — Yuki Noguchi (03:32)

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6. Hudson River Plane Crash: ‘Another Miracle on the Hudson’

(04:17 – 04:53)

• Incident: Small plane crashed into the Hudson River during an attempted emergency landing.
• Outcome: Both pilot and passenger survived by swimming to shore.
• Notable Commentary:
  • NY Governor Kathy Hochul called it “another miracle on the Hudson,” referencing the 2009 jet landing.
• Market Brief: The Dow is down 551 points.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Donald Trump:

  “If we have a little high oil prices for a little while, but as soon as this ends, those prices are going to drop, I believe lower than even before.” (00:51)

• Tom Fink (Harrisburg Democrat):

  “I was horrified. It just reminds me of Iraq and things that have happened before. And you wonder, where is Congress?” (01:35)

• Patrick Basham (York County Republican):

  “I think it's a great day for the Iranian people. They should feel liberated. I feel liberated as an American not having to deal with that thought in my head.” (01:53)

• Stephen Fowler (NPR):

  “Texas and North Carolina are large states with diverse populations that will provide an early glimpse of how voters are feeling about the current political landscape.” (02:23)

• Yuki Noguchi (NPR):

  “Colorectal cancer used to be considered an older person's disease, but that's rapidly changing.” (03:32)

• Governor Kathy Hochul:

  [Paraphrased] Last night’s event is “another miracle on the Hudson.” (04:17)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:14] Iran drone attacks U.S. Embassy in Riyadh; global implications
• [00:51] Trump on oil prices and war outlook
• [01:19] American public opinion & street-level partisan reactions
• [02:23] 2026 primary elections preview (TX, NC)
• [02:59] High-profile Georgia verdict in 2024 school shooting case
• [03:32] Surge of colorectal cancer among younger adults
• [04:17] Hudson River plane crash; governor’s reaction; financial market update

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Summary

This NPR News Now episode efficiently spotlighted high-stakes developments in US foreign policy, electoral politics, public health, and national news, pairing major headlines with local and expert perspectives. Notable is the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East, domestic electoral contests with implications for Congress, a concerning public health trend in cancer rates among under-50s, and yet another dramatic aviation survival story in New York. The reporting highlighted a nation in flux and uncertainty—at war, at the ballot box, and in the face of changing health realities.

Transcript

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[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Singh. American citizens are being advised to avoid the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia's capital after the compound came under attack today. The Saudi Foreign Ministry says Iranian drones attacked the US Embassy in Riyadh. There were no immediate reports of injury. The US Embassy in Kuwait was attacked yesterday. Since the Israeli U. S. War in Iran began Saturday, the Islamic Republic has been targeting US Interests in Gulf states that are normally considered safe. Markets have been experiencing a sharp sell off as oil prices surge. President Trump predicted moments ago that won't

[Donald Trump]

last if we have a little high oil prices for a little while, but as soon as this ends, those prices are going to drop, I believe lower than even before.

[Lakshmi Singh]

He said the war could last four to five weeks or longer. Trump is hosting German Chancellor Friedrich Mertz, who says Berlin wants to work on a strategy for when the current Iranian

[NPR News Reporter]

government no longer exists.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Well, recent polls suggest majority of Americans

[NPR News Reporter]

disapprove of the Iran war.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Outside Washington, some rank and file Democrats and Republicans are taking different sides on the war. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania is in a competitive congressional district. Here's NPR's Frank Langfit.

[Frank Langfit]

Tom Fink is a Democrat who served on a nearby borough council. The US Attack shocked him.

[Tom Fink]

I was horrified. It just reminds me of Iraq and things that have happened before. And you wonder, where is Congress?

[Frank Langfit]

Patrick Basham has a different take. He's running for the York County Republican Committee and says he's glad to see President Trump trying to remove any potential nuclear threat.

[Patrick Basham]

I think it's a great day for the Iranian people. They should feel liberated. I feel liberated as an American not having to deal with that thought in my head.

[Frank Langfit]

Basem said he hopes Iranians can overthrow the regime and hold free elections. Frank Lankford, NPR News, Harrisburg.

[Lakshmi Singh]

It's Election Day in a handful of states. These are the first major primary contests for the 2026 midterms, including in North Carolina and Texas. NPR's Stephen Fowler reports on what's at stake.

[Stephen Fowler]

Texas and North Carolina are large states with diverse populations that will provide an early glimpse of how voters are feeling about the current political landscape. A handful of incumbent lawmakers like North Carolina Democratic Representative Valerie Fuchsi, Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn and others face serious primary challengers. A number of bases could be competitive in the general election and help determine which party controls each chamber of Congress. Primary results and voter turnout in these states will set the stage for a midterm election where affordability and immigration enforcement are key issues. Stephen Fowler, NPR News, Atlanta.

[Lakshmi Singh]

A Georgia jury convicted Colin Gray, the

[NPR News Reporter]

father of a teenager accused of the 2024 Apalachee High School shooting in which four people died and nine people were wounded. This is NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

More evidence that colorectal cancer is a growing problem, especially among younger adults. A report from the American Cancer Society

[NPR News Reporter]

shows it's now the cancer killer for those under the age of 50. NPR's Yuki Noguchi has details.

[Yuki Noguchi]

Colorectal cancer used to be considered an older person's disease, but that's rapidly changing. There's an especially rapid rise in rectal cancers, driving up rates among young adults, who are also less likely to get screened and catch their disease at a treatable stage. By comparison, both incidence and mortality for those 65 and older is decreasing. About half of colorectal cancer cancer cases are thought to be driven by smoking, alcohol, poor diet or lack of exercise. Colonoscopy screenings are recommended at age 45. Only about a third of people between ages 45 and 50 get screened. Yuki Noguchi, NPR News.

[NPR News Reporter]

Aviation officials in New York say a small plane crashed into the ice cold Hudson river last night as it tried to make an emergency landing. The pilot and a passenger made it out and swam to shore. The cause of the crash is under investigation. In referencing the 2009 crash of a passenger jet in which all 155 people on board survived, New York Governor Kathy Hochul praised the outcome of last night's ordeal as, quote, another miracle on the Hudson. The dow is down 551 points. It's NPR.

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