Summary4 min read

NPR News Now: March 14, 2026 – 5AM EDT

Brief Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now update, anchored by Windsor Johnston, summarizes major global and national developments as of March 14, 2026. The episode centers on escalating U.S.-Iran tensions and their global fallout, a targeted attack on a Michigan synagogue, Hawaii’s emergency response to a severe storm, U.S. market reactions, and significant leadership changes at the Kennedy Center.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Bombs Targets Near Iran, Oil Facilities Threatened

(00:01 – 01:02)
President Trump announced airstrikes on military sites on Khark Island, a critical node in Iran’s oil trade.
Trump refrained from targeting oil infrastructure for now but warned further U.S. action depended on Iran’s behavior in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran threatened retaliation against regional oil and energy companies linked to the U.S., declaring they could become "a pile of ashes".
Global oil prices surged over 40% since the war's onset.
Quote:

"While the US had hit military targets, he had, quote, chosen not to wipe out the oil infrastructure... would reconsider that decision if Iran continues interfering with ships..." – Arzu Rezvani, (00:22)
Quote:

"Iran's military has threatened to turn oil and energy firms in the region that work with the U.S. into, quote, a pile of ashes." – Arzu Rezvani, (00:40)

2. Attack on Michigan Synagogue: Investigation Developments

(01:02 – 01:38)
Federal authorities investigate a deadly attack at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield; suspect died by suicide.
FBI identifies the assailant as Aman Mohammed Ghazali, U.S. citizen of Lebanese descent, previously without criminal record.
Quote:

"The FBI has forensically confirmed that the assailant responsible for carrying out this attack was Aman Mohammed Ghazali, age 41, from Dearborn Heights, Michigan. He has no previous criminal history and no registered weapons." – Jennifer Runyon, (01:23)
Context & Motives:
- The suspect recently lost family in Lebanon due to an Israeli drone strike on a Hezbollah unit.
- The attack on the synagogue is deemed a targeted, anti-Jewish act.

3. Hawaii Storm Emergency

(01:38 – 02:56)
Over 100,000 residents in Hawaii are without electricity due to a severe storm.
Oahu’s North Shore faces evacuations amid flash flooding; Wahiawa Dam’s stability is a critical concern due to potential catastrophic flooding.
Heavy rainfall (up to 18 inches) and significant snowfall on Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa are forecasted.
Quote:

"A failure of the dam could cause what it calls catastrophic flooding." – Bill Dorman, (02:24)

4. Global Markets & U.S. Inflation Amid Conflict

(02:56 – 03:55)
Reports on the continuing financial impact of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran:
- Crude shipments in the Strait of Hormuz have almost ceased.
- Oil at ~$100/barrel; retail gasoline sharply higher.
- Consumer inflation in February appeared mild (2.4% YoY), but upcoming numbers likely worse due to gas price spikes.
- Major U.S. stock indices dropped: Nasdaq (-1.25%), S&P 500 (-1.6%), Dow (-2%).
Quote:

"Crude oil traffic in the Strait of Hormuz remains at a near standstill, two weeks after the US And Israel launched their war on Iran. That's pushed oil prices to around $100 a barrel." – Scott Horsley, (03:12)
Quote:

"If pump prices remain high, shoppers may have to cut back elsewhere." – Scott Horsley, (03:27)

5. Kennedy Center Shakeup

(03:55 – 04:40)
Richard Grinnell resigns as head of the Kennedy Center.
President Trump to reshape the institution: installing a new board, appointing himself chairman, and closing the center for renovations.
Leadership turnover spurs criticism and cancellations by artists; the building to close for two years starting July.
Quote:

"His departure comes as President Trump moves ahead with plans to reshape the institution, including installing a new board and naming himself chairman. The changes have prompted criticism from some artists and led several performers to cancel appearances..." – Windsor Johnston, (04:08)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Trump’s Restraint and Warning:
– "I had, quote, chosen not to wipe out the oil infrastructure... would reconsider that decision if Iran continues interfering..." (00:22)
Iran’s Retaliation Threat:
– "...threatened to turn oil and energy firms in the region... into, quote, a pile of ashes." (00:40)
FBI on Attack Suspect:
– "He has no previous criminal history and no registered weapons." – Jennifer Runyon (01:34)
States of Emergency in Hawaii:
– "A failure of the dam could cause what it calls catastrophic flooding." – Bill Dorman (02:24)
Market Impact Statement:
– "If pump prices remain high, shoppers may have to cut back elsewhere." – Scott Horsley (03:27)
Kennedy Center Upheaval:
– "Trump moves ahead with plans to reshape the institution, including... naming himself chairman." (04:08)

Timestamps for Important Segments

U.S. Bombs Iran & Oil Threats: 00:01 – 01:02
Michigan Synagogue Attack, Suspect Identified: 01:02 – 01:38
FBI/Context for Attack: 01:38 – 01:58
Hawaii Emergency & Storm: 01:58 – 02:56
Stock Market & Economic Update: 02:56 – 03:55
Kennedy Center Leadership Change: 03:55 – 04:40

Closing Notes

This episode succinctly details urgent international developments, their ripple effects on U.S. security and economics, domestic crises, and major cultural institution changes—reflecting NPR’s trademark clarity and global perspective.

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Transcript10 lines

[00:01]
Windsor Johnston
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. President Trump says the US has bombed military targets in an island off the coast of Iran. NPR's Arzu Rezvani reports. Trump is also warning that oil facilities there could be next.
[00:17]
Arzu Rezvani
Khark island sits 15 miles off Iran's coast and is critical to Iran's oil infrastructure and the country's economy. Roughly 90% of Iran's export crude oil passes through the island. In a truth social post on Friday, President Trump said that while the US had hit military targets, he had, quote, chosen not to wipe out the oil infrastructure. Trump added that he'd reconsider that decision if Iran continues interfering with ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. In response, Iran's military has threatened to turn oil and energy firms in the region that work with the U.S. into, quote, a pile of ashes. Oil prices have jumped more than 40% since the start of the war. Arizi Rezvani, NPR News, Erbil. In the Kurdistan region of Iraq, the
[01:03]
Windsor Johnston
investigation continues into an attack on a synagogue in Michigan this week. Federal authorities say the suspect died by suicide after ramming a truck into Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on Thursday. Jennifer Runyon is special agent in charge of the FBI's Detroit field office. She says the suspect has been identified as a US Citizen from Lebanon.
[01:24]
Jennifer Runyon
The FBI has forensically confirmed that the assailant responsible for carrying out this attack was was Aman Mohammed Ghazali, age 41, from Dearborn Heights, Michigan. He has no previous criminal history and no registered weapons.
[01:38]
Windsor Johnston
Officials say the suspect had recently lost family members in Lebanon. They were killed after Israel carried out a drone strike on a Hezbollah rocket unit. The FBI says the attack on the synagogue was a targeted act of violence against the Jewish community. An emergency declaration has been issued for the entire state of Hawaii. Forecasters say a power powerful storm is moving across the islands bringing high winds and torrential rain. Bill Dorman from Hawaii Public Radio reports more than 100,000 people are without power this morning.
[02:13]
Bill Dorman
Electricity has been knocked out to customers across Hawaii, mainly on the state's most populous island of Oahu. Parts of the island's North Shore were evacuated due to flash flooding. Hawaii's Governor Josh Green says parts of the state could get as much as a foot and a half of rain before the storm's end. His main concern, the Wahiawa Dam in central Oahu and its neighboring communities. The Honolulu Department of Emergency Management says a failure of the dam could cause what it calls catastrophic flooding. The National Weather Service says the storm system could also lead to 12 to 18 inches of snow on the Hawaii island summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. For NPR News, I'm Bill Dorman in Honolulu.
[02:56]
Windsor Johnston
This is NPR News in Washington. Stocks on Wall street fell this week as the war in Iran continues to rattle energy markets across the globe. NPR's Scott Horsley reports. Investors also received new readings on inflation.
[03:13]
Scott Horsley
Crude oil traffic in the Strait of Hormuz remains at a near standstill, two weeks after the US And Israel launched their war on Iran. That's pushed oil prices to around $100 a barrel. Retail gasoline prices have also jumped sharply. If pump prices remain high, shoppers may have to cut back elsewhere. The wartime prices was not reflected in February's Cost of Living Index, which came out on Wednesday. It showed prices up by a relatively modest 2.4% over the last year. Given the jump in gas prices, however, the March inflation rate is likely to look worse. For the week, The Nasdaq lost 1.25%, the S&P 500 index fell 1.6%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 2%. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.
[03:55]
Windsor Johnston
The head of the Kennedy center has announced his resignation. Richard Grinnell stepped down from his leadership role on Friday. In a post on social media, Trump said his departure comes as and he'll be replaced by Matt Floca as the center's vice president of facilities operations. His departure comes as President Trump moves ahead with plans to reshape the institution, including installing a new board and naming himself chairman. The changes have prompted criticism from some artists and led several performers to cancel appearances at the venue. The building is set to close for two years, beginning in July to undergo renovations ordered by the Trump administration. I'm Windsor Johnston, and you're listening to NPR News from Washington.
[04:40]
Ira Glass
This is Ira Glass of this American Life. Do you know our show? Okay, well, either way, I'm going to tell you about it. We make stories that hopefully pull you in at the beginning with funny moments and feelings and people in surprising situations. And then you just want to find out what is going to happen and cannot stop listening. That's right. I'm talking about stories that make you miss appointments. This is American Life. Wherever you get your podcasts.