NPR News Now: March 5, 2025, 10 PM EST

Released on March 6, 2025

1. U.S. Military Aid to Ukraine Under Scrutiny

Timestamp: [00:17]

Jack Spear opens the episode by addressing the ongoing tension between the United States and Ukraine. A top advisor to Ukraine's president has announced plans for another round of talks with the White House following the Trump administration's decision to freeze military aid to Ukraine. This move has significantly unsettled Ukrainian forces on the front lines.

Key Insights:

• The halt in military assistance has directly impacted Ukrainian soldiers battling Russian invaders.
• The strategic discussions indicate a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy towards Ukraine.

2. Intense Conflict in Kharkiv Region

Timestamp: [00:37]

Joanna Kakissis reports from the northeastern region of Kharkiv, which borders Russia. Ukrainian soldiers in this area are striving to repel advancing Russian troops amidst constant attacks.

Notable Quotes:

• Oleg Sinahubov, Governor of Kharkiv: “Russia strikes towns and the city of Kharkiv constantly with drones and highly destructive glide bombs. Kharkiv relies on air defense systems supplied by the US to save people's lives.” ([00:37])

Key Insights:

• The relentless drone and bomb assaults have devastated local infrastructure and civilian life.
• U.S.-supplied air defense systems are crucial in mitigating the impact of these attacks.

3. Legal Battle Over National Endowment for Democracy Funding

Timestamp: [01:07]

Jack Spear discusses a significant legal development where the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is suing the Trump administration. The lawsuit challenges the administration's refusal to release nearly $240 million in congressionally approved funds.

Detailed Explanation by Frank Langford:

• Frank Langford, NPR News: “Congress created the National Endowment for Democracy, known as the NED, in 1983 to support democracy around the world and counter authoritarianism. But the NED says the government has blocked it from accessing its money for the past five weeks and won't explain why.” ([01:21])

Key Insights:

• The NED has been instrumental in supporting democracy activists globally, including efforts in Hong Kong and press coverage in Iran.
• The administration's blockade has forced the NED to furlough 75% of its staff, severely impacting its operations.
• The lawsuit marks the latest in a series of legal challenges against the government over withheld congressionally approved funds.
• Center for Renewing America, a conservative think tank allied with Trump, contends that the NED is a progressive entity undermining populist leaders abroad.

4. Removal of Hampton Dellinger from Special Counsel Position

Timestamp: [02:04]

Jack Spear highlights a judicial decision where the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has reinstated Hampton Dellinger to the U.S. Office of Special Counsel. A district judge previously ruled that the Trump administration’s dismissal of Dellinger was unlawful.

Key Points:

• Hampton Dellinger, head of an independent federal ethics agency, sought a broad stay concerning the termination of 6,000 USDA employees.
• The Trump administration appealed the ruling, maintaining its position against Dellinger’s reinstatement.

5. Pharmaceutical Companies Offering Discounted Obesity Drugs Online

Timestamp: [02:33]

The episode shifts focus to the pharmaceutical industry, specifically Eli Lilly's initiative to sell discounted vials of its obesity medication, Zepbound, directly to consumers online.

Notable Quotes:

• David Ricks, CEO of Eli Lilly: “Eli Lilly started selling cheaper vials of its obesity medicine, Zepbound, online last summer. Now roughly 100,000 people get them every month.” ([02:33])

• Cindy Lupkin, NPR News: “It's not a panacea. We think actually a better way would be to have the normal healthcare system, doctors and patients connect and then use the insurance they've already paid the premium to reimburse them for a chronic disease like obesity that’s not working perfectly right now here. We’ll do what we can.” ([02:44])

• David Ricks: “Many insurance plans don't cover the drug, and with a sticker price over $1,000 a month, people can't afford it without insurance. The trouble is, many people can't afford the discounted vials either.” ([03:00])

Key Insights:

• The high cost of obesity medications poses significant barriers to accessibility, even with discounts.
• There is a growing need for systemic solutions within the healthcare and insurance frameworks to better support individuals battling chronic conditions like obesity.

6. Avalanche in Alaska: Search and Recovery Efforts Ongoing

Timestamp: [03:13]

An avalanche near the ski resort town of Girdwood, Alaska, has led to a tragic situation where three skiers are feared dead. Search and recovery efforts have so far been unsuccessful amidst challenging weather conditions.

Notable Quotes:

• Andrew Schauer, Lead Avalanche Specialist, Chugach National Forest: “Searchers were trying to reach the site where the avalanche caught the skiers a day before. Attempts by their guides to dig them up from under more than 40 feet of snow were unsuccessful.” ([03:33])

• Casey Grove, Alaska Public Media: “You know, as I look out the window, it’s snowing hard in Girdwood right now, so we’re just adding more snow and more weight on top of this weak snowpack.” ([03:59])

Key Insights:

• The severe snowfall has exacerbated the avalanche risk, complicating rescue operations.
• The local ski community, described as tight-knit, is deeply affected by this tragedy, with support extended to the victims' families.

7. NASA's Voyager Spacecraft Continue Their Journey

Timestamp: [04:16]

Jack Spear reports on the enduring legacy of NASA's Voyager spacecraft. Launched in 1977, both Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 have surpassed expectations, venturing into interstellar space over 13 million miles from Earth.

Key Highlights:

• To conserve power, NASA is deactivating two instruments: one on Voyager 2 that measures charged particles in cosmic rays, and another on Voyager 1 designed to study cosmic rays.
• Despite these shutdowns, each spacecraft retains three instruments focused on studying the Sun's protective bubble, known as the heliosphere, in the vast expanse of interstellar space.

Economic Note:

• The episode briefly mentions that oil prices have dropped by $1.95 per barrel, settling at $66.31 a barrel in New York.

Note: Advertisements and promotional messages from Home Instead and Warby Parker were present at the beginning and end of the episode but have been excluded from this summary to focus solely on the news content.