NPR News Now – March 8, 2026, 6PM EDT

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode covers the day's top global and national stories, focusing on Iran's new leadership and the US-Israeli conflict, the challenges faced by President Trump in an election year, the commemoration of Bloody Sunday in Selma, worker shortages in Louisiana's crawfish industry, and the weekend box office results.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Iran’s New Supreme Leader and Aftermath of US-Israel War

• New Leader Appointed:
  • Mujtaba Hamanahi, son of the slain leader and closely tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, is announced as Iran’s new Supreme Leader.
  • This appointment signals a continuation of his father's hardline policies.
    • “His appointment signals a continuation of his father's rule and hardline stance.” (Jeanine Herbst, 00:09)
• International Reactions:
  • President Trump calls Hamanahi’s appointment “unacceptable.”
  • Israel vows to target any new supreme leader in Iran.
• Controversy Over Strike on School:
  • New video, verified by Bellingcat, appears to show a US Tomahawk missile hitting an Iranian school compound early in the US-Israeli war.
  • US denies responsibility, but the video suggests otherwise, contradicting President Trump’s claim.
    • “The finding appears to contradict President Donald Trump's claim that Iran itself hit the school. Bellingcat noted the US is the only country attacking Iran that is known to use Tomahawk missiles.” (Jane Araf, 01:19)
  • The attack killed 175 people, most of them schoolgirls.
    • Timestamp: [00:01] – [01:36]

2. US Economic Outlook in Election Year

• Weak Economic Indicators:
  • Despite Trump’s optimistic statements, the latest jobs report shows a loss of 92,000 jobs in February.
  • Oil prices are rising, stock market is falling.
  • Special elections favor Democrats, despite their general unpopularity.
    • “Democratic candidates keep winning despite their party's historic unpopularity.” (Mara Liasson, 01:59)
• Public Opinion on War:
  • Less than 40% of Americans support the war in Iran—no “rally around the flag” effect for Trump.
  • Trump is seen as taking major risks on the economy and military front.
    • “Less than 40% of Americans tell pollsters they approve of the war in Iran, denying President Trump the rally around the flag effect presidents usually enjoy at the beginning of military conflicts.” (Mara Liasson, 02:10)
    • Timestamp: [01:36] – [02:30]

3. Commemorating Bloody Sunday in Selma

• Community Reflections:
  • Marking the 1965 civil rights march where Alabama troopers beat marchers.
  • Local resident Natasha Harris shares personal connection:
    • “My husband's family is rooted here in Selma, and so his dad was actually one of the people who crossed the bridge. So it's near and dear to our hearts.” (Natasha Harris, 02:44)
  • The event galvanized the civil rights movement.
    • Timestamp: [02:30] – [02:53]

4. Louisiana Crawfish Industry Worker Shortage

• Visa Policy Issues:
  • Changes to federal work visas have left crawfish peeling plants understaffed, despite expanded H2B visas.
  • Distribution timing of visas—via lottery and only through early February—left plants short-handed as the season began.
  • Some plants with normal staffing of over 100 workers received none, forcing crawfish to go unpeeled or shipped to Mexico.
    • “Some of the plants that normally get 100, 135 workers have gotten zero.” (Mike Strain, 03:27)
    • “If the crawfish go unpeeled, they'll either go unconsumed or be shipped to Mexico for peeling.”* (Mel Bridges, 03:51)
    • Timestamp: [02:53] – [04:03]

5. Box Office Weekend Results

• Top Film Releases:
  • Disney/Pixar’s “Hoppers” leads with $46M domestic, $88M globally (against $150M budget).
  • Paramount’s “Scream 7” in second with $17M.
  • Warner Bros’ latest debuts with just $7M against an $80M budget.
    • Timestamp: [04:03] – [04:40]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Iran’s New Leader:

  • “His appointment signals a continuation of his father's rule and hardline stance.” (Jeanine Herbst, 00:09)

• On Missile Strike Evidence:

  • “The finding appears to contradict President Donald Trump's claim that Iran itself hit the school. Bellingcat noted the US is the only country attacking Iran that is known to use Tomahawk missiles.” (Jane Araf, 01:19)

• On Economic Headwinds:

  • “Despite President Trump’s claims that the US Economy is roaring like it’s never roared before, job creation is down.” (Mara Liasson, 01:47)

• Selma Connection:

  • “His dad was actually one of the people who crossed the bridge. So it’s near and dear to our hearts.” (Natasha Harris, 02:44)

• On Crawfish Worker Shortage:

  • “Some of the plants that normally get 100, 135 workers have gotten zero.” (Mike Strain, 03:27)
  • “If the crawfish go unpeeled, they'll either go unconsumed or be shipped to Mexico for peeling.” (Mel Bridges, 03:51)

Key Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------|---------------| | Iran’s new leader, school strike evidence | 00:01–01:36 | | US economy, political implications | 01:36–02:30 | | Commemorating Bloody Sunday in Selma | 02:30–02:53 | | Louisiana crawfish worker shortage | 02:53–04:03 | | Weekend box office numbers | 04:03–04:40 |

This concise yet comprehensive update touches on crucial political, economic, cultural, and entertainment happenings, capturing the evolving news landscape as of March 8, 2026.