NPR News Now: March 13, 2025, 11 AM EDT
NPR’s Korva Coleman and Eleanor Beardsley bring you a comprehensive overview of today's top stories, covering international diplomacy, U.S. political maneuvers, public health achievements, judicial elections, and significant weather events.
International Diplomacy: Ceasefire Talks Between Russia and Ukraine
Korva Coleman opens the hour with developments in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. U.S. officials are actively engaged in Moscow to negotiate a potential ceasefire. While Ukraine has shown willingness to agree, a high-ranking adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin remains skeptical about a temporary truce.
Eleanor Beardsley reports:
"Putin has already made strong demands," highlighting the complexity of the negotiations (00:37).
Analysis from Samuel Cherup of the Rand Corporation suggests that Putin's expectations may be unrealistic:
"You can expect Russia to come in with initial positions that are quite maximalist, but ultimately the territorial control is going to be determined by the battlefield and not at the negotiating table" (00:59).
Cherup anticipates that the disputed regions—Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson—may remain contested:
"The regions will likely be frozen, with neither side recognizing the other's claims" (01:15).
This standoff underscores the challenges in achieving a lasting peace in the region, with both sides holding firm to their territorial claims.
U.S. Political Landscape: Education Department Layoffs
Shifting to domestic affairs, Korva Coleman reports significant personnel changes within the U.S. Department of Education. The Trump administration is proceeding with plans to dismiss approximately half of the department's staff.
President Trump has asserted that:
"The best employees will be kept on at the agency" (01:22).
However, NPR's Cory Turner provides a critical perspective:
"There were nearly 1,000 Education Department employees who were fired," noting that the layoffs were executed in large groups without consideration of individual performance (01:40).
Turner elaborates:
"They cut people in large groups with nothing in common but the kind of work that they were doing, civil rights enforcement, education research" (01:40).
This mass dismissal has sparked concerns about the administration's approach to staffing and the potential impact on critical functions within the department.
Public Health: Decline in Drug Overdose Deaths
In a positive turn for public health, Korva Coleman highlights a new CDC report showing a significant decrease in drug overdose deaths across the United States.
Brian Mann reports:
"Roughly 84,000 people are dying every 12 months from overdoses," but notes a substantial reduction from previous years, with current numbers down by approximately 30,000 annually (02:04).
Key points from Mann include:
- Peak of the Crisis: In 2023, overdose deaths peaked at over 114,000, primarily due to fentanyl and other opioids.
- Regional Improvements: States like North Carolina and Virginia have seen reductions of over 40% compared to the previous year.
- Potential Causes: One theory attributes the decline to increased availability of naloxone (Narcan), an effective overdose-reversing medication, facilitated by the Biden administration.
Mann emphasizes the unprecedented nature of this improvement and the ongoing debate about the factors contributing to this public health success (02:23).
Judicial Appointments and Elections: Wisconsin Supreme Court Race Influenced by Elon Musk
Korva Coleman continues with updates on the Senate's decision to withdraw President Trump's nominee, former Florida Congressman Dave Weldon, from leading the CDC, citing inadequate support for confirmation.
Simultaneously, judicial elections in Wisconsin are drawing national attention due to significant financial backing from billionaire Elon Musk. Chuck Kuernbach reports on the intense campaign dynamics:
"Two groups funded by Elon Musk have spent more than $10 million supporting judicial candidate Brad Schimmel" (03:56).
Schimmel, a circuit judge and former Republican attorney general, faces opposition from Circuit Judge Susan Crawford, who accuses Musk of exerting undue influence:
"Musk has basically taken over Schimmel's campaign" (03:56).
During a debate at Marquette University, Crawford highlighted the extent of Musk's involvement:
"He's got paid canvassers who are knocking on doors, handing out flyers that say support the Trump agenda" (04:14).
Schimmel responded by distancing himself from presidential endorsements:
"If President Trump or anyone defies Wisconsin law and I end up with a case in front of me, I'll hold them accountable as I would anybody" (04:25).
With the election set for April 1st, the outcome will determine whether liberals or conservatives hold the majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, a balance that could have significant implications for the state's judicial landscape.
Weather Alert: Atmospheric River Hits California
Concluding the roundup, Korva Coleman informs listeners about severe weather conditions affecting California. Forecasters predict a powerful atmospheric river bringing intense precipitation to the state.
Key impacts include:
- Heavy Snowfall: Eastern California mountains are expected to receive feet of snow, posing risks for transportation and infrastructure.
- Flooding Risks: Lower elevations may experience significant flooding due to the volume of rainfall (04:37).
Residents are advised to stay informed and take necessary precautions to mitigate the effects of this natural phenomenon.
Stay informed with NPR News Now for the latest updates on these stories and more.
Timestamp Reference:
- MM:SS refers to the minute and second in the podcast where the quote or information was mentioned.