NPR News: 03-15-2025 10PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: March 16, 2025, 10 PM EDT

Hosted by NPR, this episode of NPR News Now delivers the latest news across various domains, including international affairs, government policies, natural disasters, veterans' issues, and cultural celebrations.

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U.S. Conducts Aerial Attacks on Houthi Rebels in Yemen

Speaker: Jeanine Herbst
Timestamp: [00:18]

In a significant escalation of military involvement in the Middle East, President Donald Trump announced that the United States has launched aerial attacks against Houthi rebels in Yemen. This decision follows Trump's recent reinstatement of the Houthis' designation as a foreign terrorist organization 11 days prior.

Key Points:

• President Trump's Stance: Trump emphasized a hardline approach, stating, “we will use overwhelming lethal force until we have achieved our objective” ([00:36]).
• Iran's Role: He warned Iran, asserting, “Iran's support of the Houthis must end immediately or the US will hold you fully accountable and we won't be nice about it” ([00:36]).
• Houthi Threats: The Houthis had previously declared intentions to target Israeli vessels, coinciding with Israel’s blockade of aid to Gaza. They have a history of attacking merchant and U.S. military ships in the region.
• Historical Context: Similar military actions were taken during former President Joe Biden’s administration, highlighting ongoing tensions.

Danielle Kurtzleben of NPR News reported from West Palm Beach, Florida, providing comprehensive coverage of the situation.

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President Trump Targets the Institute of Museum and Library Services

Speaker: Jeanine Herbst
Timestamp: [01:16]

In a sweeping executive order aimed at reducing federal expenditures, President Trump called for the dismantling of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), among six other federal agencies.

Key Points:

• Impact on Cultural Institutions: The IMLS is crucial, providing federal funding to over 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums nationwide. Programs supported include children’s art exhibitions at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum and indigenous language workshops in Hawaiian libraries.
• Governmental Restructure: The White House justified the cuts by claiming they would “save taxpayer dollars, reduce unnecessary government spending, and streamline government priorities.”
• Response: As of the release, the IMLS had not responded to NPR’s request for comment.

Chloe Veltman from NPR News detailed the potential repercussions of this executive order.

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Severe Weather and Wildfires Ravage the Midwest and South

Speaker: Jeanine Herbst
Timestamp: [02:15]

A series of devastating tornadoes have struck the Midwest and Southern United States, resulting in significant loss of life and property damage. Additionally, accompanying wildfires have exacerbated the destruction, particularly in Texas and Oklahoma.

Key Points:

• Tornadoes and Casualties: More than two dozen tornadoes have been reported since last night, resulting in at least 18 fatalities in Missouri, Arkansas, and Texas, and an additional four deaths in Mississippi.
• Wildfires: Approximately 170,000 acres have burned in Texas and Oklahoma, with hundreds of homes destroyed. The strong winds from the tornadoes contributed to the rapid spread of these wildfires.

Anna Poe from KOSU provided on-the-ground reporting, highlighting the human impact of these natural disasters.

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Governor Kevin Stitt Responds to Oklahoma Wildfires

Speaker: Anna Poe
Timestamp: [02:43]

Amid the wildfire crisis, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt took an active role in addressing the aftermath. Visiting his ranch house in central Oklahoma, which was impacted by the fires, he conveyed a message of resilience and collective rebuilding.

Notable Quote: “We will be rebuilding with the rest of the state,” Governor Stitt affirmed in a social media video, reflecting a community-focused approach to recovery ([02:43]).

Anna Poe emphasized the unexpected and overwhelming nature of the wildfires, citing a reflection by Danielle Kurtzleben: “You never think it's going to happen to your place. And these wildfires just come out of nowhere and can really take over” ([03:01]).

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Veterans Administration Reverses Policy on Gender-Affirming Health Care

Speaker: Jeanine Herbst
Timestamp: [03:15]

In a controversial move, the Veterans Administration (VA) has reversed a policy that previously protected gender-affirming health care for transgender veterans. This policy reversal has sparked concern among advocacy groups and the transgender community.

Key Points:

• Policy Changes: The original policy not only regulated the type of gender-affirming care available but also mandated the use of veterans' preferred pronouns and allowed them to choose their own bathrooms.
• Impact on Veterans: Lindsay Church of Minority Veterans of America expressed worries that the reversal would lead to more transgender veterans avoiding critical health care services.
• Concerns Raised: Danielle Kurtzleben highlighted the uncertainty faced by transgender veterans, with many questioning, “Is it worth it for me to get my care at VA? Am I safe to do so?” ([03:50]).
• Mental Health Implications: Transgender veterans already face higher suicide rates compared to their peers, and changes in care policies may exacerbate these challenges.

Hu Jingnan of NPR News provided an in-depth analysis of the potential consequences of this policy shift.

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St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations Light Up Chicago

Speaker: Jeanine Herbst
Timestamp: [04:16]

As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, Chicago is preparing for vibrant celebrations, including the iconic green dyeing of the Chicago River. This year’s festivities promise to continue the tradition that has been a part of the city's culture for over six decades.

Key Points:

• River Dyeing: Thousands of spectators gathered along the Chicago River and its bridges to witness the transformation as members of the Chicago Journeyman Plumbers Union Local 130 sprayed green dye into the water from boats.
• Tradition and Safety: The tradition, which began 63 years ago, involves a non-toxic dye that fades within hours, leaving only a green tint that lasts for a few days.
• Community Engagement: The event attracts a diverse crowd, fostering a sense of community and festive spirit across the city.

Jeanine Herbst reported from Washington, capturing the essence of Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now covered a range of critical issues, from international military actions and governmental policy changes to natural disasters, veterans' healthcare, and cultural festivities. By providing in-depth reports and firsthand accounts, NPR continues to inform and engage its audience with timely and comprehensive news coverage.

Transcript

[Dana Farber Cancer Institute]

This message comes from NPR sponsor Dana Farber Cancer Institute Changing Lives Everywhere. Their scientists played a substantial role in developing more than half the cancer drugs Approved by the FDA. Danafarber.org Everywhere data from 2018 to 2022.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. President Trump says the US Conducted aerial attacks on Houthi rebels in Yemen. The move comes 11 days after Trump reinstated their designation as foreign terrorist organization. NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben has more.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

Trump said in a social media post, we will use overwhelming lethal force until we have achieved our objective. He also wrote that Iran's support of the Houthis must end immediately or the US Quote, will hold you fully accountable and we won't be nice about it. Three days ago, the Houthis declared they would target Israeli vessels in the waterways around their country at a time when Israel has been blocking aid to Gaza. Houthis have also targeted merchant ships and US Military vessels in those waters. In November, the US Stopped an attempted attack on two warships as a result of attacks on ships. Former President Joe Biden also launched airstrikes on Houthis during his presidency. Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR News, West Palm Beach, Florida.

[Jeanine Herbst]

President Trump called for the dismantling of the Institute of Museum and Library Services as part of a sweeping executive order issued yesterday targeting seven federal agencies. NPR's Chloe Veltman has more.

[Chloe Veltman]

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal funding for the nation's 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums. Its grants support programs like a children's art exhibition at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum and indigenous language workshops in Hawaiian libraries. A fact sheet issued by the White House states that cutting this and six other governmental entities, including the United States Agency for Global Media and the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, will save taxpayer dollars, reduce unnecessary government spending, and streamline government priorities. The IMLs did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Chloe Veltman, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

More than two dozen tornadoes have been reported since last night across the Midwest and the South. That left at least 18 people dead in Missouri, Arkansas and Texas. Today, the storms moved to the Deep south, leaving at least four people dead in Mississippi, according to authorities. The winds from the storms helped to spread deadly wildfire fires in Teclas and Oklahoma, where around 170,000 acres burned and hundreds of homes were destroyed. Anna Poe from member station KOSU has more.

[Anna Poe]

Many Oklahomans are returning to pick up the pieces of their homes after a firestorm swept the state among them was Governor Kevin Stitt at his ranch house in central Oklahoma. In a social media video, he walked where his house once stood. Stitt says he will be rebuilding with the rest of the state.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

You never think it's going to happen to your place. And these wildfires just come out of nowhere and can really take over.

[Anna Poe]

More than a dozen fires continue to burn into the weekend. For NPR News, I'm Anna Pope in Oklahoma City.

[Jeanine Herbst]

This is NPR News. The Veterans Administration Friday reversed a policy that had protected gender affirming health care for transgender veterans. NPR's Hu Jingnan has more.

[Hu Jingnan]

The policy stipulated not only what kind of gender affirming care transgender veterans can receive, but also directed healthcare providers to use their preferred pronouns and let veterans use the bathrooms they chose. Lindsay Church of Minority Veterans of America worries that the reversal of this policy means more veterans will forego critical health care.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

Veterans now have to ask themselves, is it worth it for me to get my care at va? Am I safe to do so?

[Hu Jingnan]

A VA memo says clinical care remains the same for now, but it is working to change that, too. Transgender veterans have higher rates of suicide than other veterans. Advocacy groups say transgender individuals serve in the military at a rate higher than the population overall. Kwa Jin Nan, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

It's nearly St. Patrick's Day, which this year falls on Monday, so celebrations with parades and parties are taking place across the country this weekend in Chicago. The Chicago river is once once again a vibrant Kelly green as thousands of people line the river and bridges today, cheering as members of the Chicago Journeyman plumbers union local 130, sprayed green dye into the water from boats. That tradition started 63 years ago, and officials say the dye is non toxic. The majority of it disappears in hours with a green tint along the river that lasts for a few days. I'm Jeanine Herbst, NPR News, in Washington.

[Dana Farber Cancer Institute]

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