NPR News: 03-13-2026 7PM EDT

Summary

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NPR News Now – March 13, 2026, 7PM EDT

Host: Jeanine Hurst
Episode Theme:
A fast-paced roundup of critical headlines, including breaking military news in Iraq, significant White House changes at the Kennedy Center, a major federal weapons case, a worsening Middle East health crisis, and a downbeat U.S. economic report.

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Key Stories and Discussion Points

1. Deadly U.S. Military Plane Collision in Iraq

[00:16–01:21]

• Overview:
  The Pentagon confirmed that all six crew members aboard a U.S. military refueling plane died in a mid-air collision in western Iraq.
• Details from Quill Lawrence:
  • Two U.S. Air Force KC135 refueling tankers were involved.
  • One plane crash-landed; all six aboard died.
  • The second plane landed safely.
  • There was no hostile or friendly fire involved.
  • Search and rescue operations continued overnight.
  • The Pentagon said “bombardment of Iran will continue to intensify,” targeting Iran’s mine-laying abilities in the Strait of Hormuz, a global oil transit point.
  • Fallen troops’ names will be withheld until next-of-kin notification.

“CENTCOM said there was no hostile or friendly fire involved in the mishap.” – Quill Lawrence [00:42]

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2. Trump Overhauls Kennedy Center Leadership

[01:21–02:19]

• Overview:
  President Trump is instituting a leadership shakeup at the Kennedy Center ahead of an extensive remodel.
• Reporting by Tamara Keith:
  • Trump thanked outgoing president Richard Grinnell, noting his lack of performing arts experience and his role as envoy for special missions.
  • The Kennedy Center will close after July 4th for a “complete reconstruction,” expected to last two years and cost over $250 million.
  • Facilities expert Matt Flaca is elevated to COO and executive director.
  • Under Trump and Grinnell, the Center “has hemorrhaged both patrons and performers.”

“Trump is planning to close the center for what he calls a complete reconstruction after July 4. He has said the project will take two years and cost more than $250 million.” – Tamara Keith [01:54]

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3. Federal Charges in Old Dominion University Shooting

[02:19–03:11]

• Overview:
  A man faces federal charges tied to the sale of a gun used in the recent Old Dominion University shooting in Virginia; one killed, two injured.
• Reporting by Jacqueline Diaz:
  • Kenya Mitchell Chapman charged with three counts of false statements and unlicensed dealing.
  • Sold a gun for $100 to shooter Mohammed Baylor Jalo, an ISIS supporter who was legally barred from owning firearms.
  • Chapman had prior investigations for “straw purchasing” guns (buying on behalf of others).
  • Detained until his March 17 hearing.

“Chapman was known to investigators because he was under investigation before for straw purchasing guns, which means buying a gun for another person three times before.” – Jacqueline Diaz [02:52]

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4. WHO Warns of Deepening Middle East Health Crisis

[03:11–04:16]

• Overview:
  The World Health Organization raises alarms about the effect of expanded Middle East conflict on healthcare.
• Reporting by Fatma Tanis:
  • In the two weeks since the U.S. and Israel began attacking Iran, 18 attacks on health facilities in Iran have been verified, killing at least eight health workers.
  • In Lebanon, WHO has documented 25 such attacks, with 16 health workers killed.
  • WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted
    • Soaring health risks for hundreds of thousands of displaced people
    • Medical supply chain disruption due to airspace restrictions, affecting 25 countries

“Medical supply chains were disrupted due to airspace restrictions, causing significant backlogs in health supplies across 25 countries.” – Fatma Tanis [04:03]

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5. Economic Growth Revised Down; Wall Street Falls

[04:16–04:55]

• Overview:
  Commerce Department data reveal weaker-than-expected U.S. economic growth for Q4 2025.
• Details:
  • GDP growth revised downward to 0.7% (from initial 1.4%)
  • Consumer spending “anemic” in January after inflation adjustment.
  • Hiring has largely stalled.
  • Market reaction:
    • Dow: –119 points
    • NASDAQ: –206 points
    • S&P 500: –40 points

“Consumer spending, after adjusting for inflation, was anemic in January, and hiring has also ground largely to a standstill.” – Jeanine Hurst [04:28]

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Notable Quotes and Moments

• Quill Lawrence [00:42]: “CENTCOM said there was no hostile or friendly fire involved in the mishap.”
• Tamara Keith [01:54]: “Trump is planning to close the center for what he calls a complete reconstruction after July 4. He has said the project will take two years and cost more than $250 million.”
• Jacqueline Diaz [02:52]: “Chapman was known to investigators because he was under investigation before for straw purchasing guns, which means buying a gun for another person three times before.”
• Fatma Tanis [04:03]: “Medical supply chains were disrupted due to airspace restrictions, causing significant backlogs in health supplies across 25 countries.”
• Jeanine Hurst [04:28]: “Consumer spending, after adjusting for inflation, was anemic in January, and hiring has also ground largely to a standstill.”

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:16] U.S. military tanker collision and Pentagon response
• [01:21] Trump’s Kennedy Center overhaul
• [02:19] Federal charges in Old Dominion University shooting
• [03:11] WHO: Middle East conflict deepens health crisis
• [04:16] Economic growth revision; Wall Street update

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Summary prepared for listeners seeking a concise, comprehensive overview of the March 13, 2026 NPR News Now 7PM broadcast.

Transcript

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[Jeanine Hurst]

live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Hurst. The Pentagon says all six crew members who were aboard the U.S. military refueling plane have died in a collision with another plane in western Iraq. NPR's Quill Lawrence reports. The refueling plane crash landed, but the second plane involved in the collision landed safely.

[Quill Lawrence]

CentCom announced that two U.S. refueling tanker aircraft were involved in an incident in friendly airspace. One of them, a KC135 tanker, went down in western Iraq, which borders Jordan. The second tanker landed safely. CENTCOM said there was no hostile or friendly fire involved in the mishap. The KC135 is used to refuel jets in mid air and usually carries a small crew of three to six airmen. Rescue operations continued through the night. Central Command does not identify fallen troops until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified. The Pentagon said bombardment of Iran will continue to intensify and that US Forces are targeting Iran's ability to lay mines in the Strait of Hormuz, where a fifth of the world's oil supply transits. Que Lawrence, NPR News.

[Jeanine Hurst]

President Trump is shaking up the leadership at the Kennedy center in Washington, D.C. nPR's Tamara Keith reports. He's elevating someone who specializes in facilities as the center prepares to undergo a major multi year remodel.

[Tamara Keith]

In a post on social media, Trump thanked the center's outgoing president, Richard Grinnell, a loyalist with no real performing arts experience who is also Trump's envoy for special missions. Trump is planning to close the center for what he calls a complete reconstruction after July 4. He has said the project will take two years and cost more than $250 million. Matt Flaca, who had previously been in charge, is being elevated by Trump to be chief operating officer and executive director. Under Trump and Grinnell's leadership, the center has hemorrhaged both patrons and performers. Tamara Keith, NPR News, the White House.

[Jeanine Hurst]

A man is facing federal charges after investigators said he sold the gun used in the Old Dominion University shooting. One person was killed. Two others were injured in the shooting at the Norfolk, Virginia, school and Pierce. Jacqueline Diaz has more.

[Jacqueline Diaz]

Kenya Mitchell Chapman is charged with three counts of making false statements while buying a firearm and dealing a gun without a license. Investigators say Chapman sold the gun to the Old Dominion University shooter Mohammed Baylor Jalo for $100. Jalo was convicted for being an ISA supporter back in 2016 so he could not buy his own firearm. Chapman was known to investigators because he was under investigation before for straw purchasing guns, which means buying a gun for another person three times before. Chapman will remain in custody until his next hearing on March 17. Jacqueline Diaz, NPR News.

[Jeanine Hurst]

And you're listening to NPR News from Washington. The World Health Organization is warning that expanding conflict in the Middle east is deepening a health crisis across the region, including attacks on health facilities. NPR's Fatma Tanis has over the past

[Fatma Tanis]

two weeks, since the beginning of the US and Israeli war with Iran, the WHO says it has verified 18 attacks on healthcare facilities in Iran, which killed at least eight health workers. In Lebanon, where Israel has increased its bombardment, the WHO says it has documented 25 attacks against health facilities, killing at least 16 health workers. In a statement, the head of the WHO, Tedros Adonom Ghabriesus, said health risks were soaring with hundreds of thousands of people displaced in both countries. He also said medical supply chains were disrupted due to airspace restrictions, causing significant backlogs in health supplies across 25 countries. Fat Matanis, NPR News.

[Jeanine Hurst]

The Commerce Department's newly released data shows the economy in the fourth quarter of last year didn't grow as much as first thought. The GDP's fourth quarter estimate has been cut to 0.7% growth. That's down from the 1.4% initial take. Consumer spending, after adjusting for inflation, was anemic in January, and hiring has also ground largely to a standstill. Wall street lower by the close, the Dow down 119 points, the NASDAQ down 206 points, the S&P 500 down 40. I'm Jeanine Herbst, and you're listening to NPR News from Washington.

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