NPR News Now: March 17, 2025, 2PM EDT

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Release Date: March 17, 2025
Duration: Approximately 5 minutes

Immigration Policy Controversy

Timestamp: [00:17]

NPR’s Lakshmi Singh opens the episode by addressing a significant dispute between the White House and the judiciary regarding immigration enforcement. The White House has denied allegations that it ignored a court order to halt deportations. Specifically, the Trump Administration has utilized an 18th-century Wartime law to transfer hundreds of immigrants, purported to be Venezuelan gang members, to El Salvador.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is sharply criticizing the administration, asserting that it is bypassing due process. Lee Glernt, the deputy director of the ACLU's Immigrants Rights Project, spoke to MSNBC about these concerns:

Quote:
"Overnight whether any flights left after the court's order, whether any flights landed after the court's order, and then whether anybody was handed over to the Salvadoran government after the court's order. If any of that happened, it's a violation of the court's order and a very, very serious matter."
— Lee Glernt, ACLU, [00:49]

Furthermore, legal experts like Lawrence emphasize that this situation is fundamentally about the separation of powers. He criticized the administration for "thumbing their nose at Congress and the courts," highlighting the tension between different branches of government over immigration policy.

Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Negotiations

Timestamp: [01:08]

The podcast delves into the ongoing efforts by mediators from Egypt and Qatar to broker a new ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The primary goal of these negotiations is to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza. However, several disputes remain unresolved, particularly concerning the number of hostages to be released and the framework for a permanent resolution to the conflict.

Quote:
"Israel is demanding the immediate release of 11 out of the 24 living hostages still held in Gaza. The US is calling for an exchange of hostages and Palestinian prisoners and an extension of the ceasefire for many weeks to try to reach a permanent end of the war."
— Daniel Estrin, NPR, [01:34]

Israel insists on the immediate release of a specific number of hostages, while the United States advocates for a broader exchange that includes Palestinian prisoners and seeks to prolong the ceasefire to facilitate a long-term peace agreement. Hamas has offered to release one American-Israeli hostage but demands instant talks on ending the war permanently. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated his intention to dismiss his domestic intelligence chief, citing a loss of trust. This security chief has been instrumental in pushing for a hostage release deal with Hamas, adding another layer of complexity to the negotiations.

Cuts to Homelessness Policy Agency

Timestamp: [02:18]

A controversial decision by President Trump to dismantle a federal agency overseeing homelessness policy has sparked significant concern. The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH), established in 1987, coordinates policies across 19 government agencies to address homelessness. Despite homelessness reaching record highs, the administration views the agency as redundant.

Quote:
"It's doing a lot with very little. And any cuts will make it impossible for the agency to fulfill its statutory mandates."
— Jeff Olivet, Former Leader of USICH, [02:53]

Jeff Olivet, who previously led USICH, criticized the proposed reductions, highlighting the agency’s effectiveness despite its minimal staffing. He pointed out that USICH has been instrumental in significantly reducing veteran homelessness and aiding cities in managing the increase in individuals sleeping outdoors. Jennifer Lund from NPR notes that the memo aims to minimize the agency to the bare essentials as defined by law, but stakeholders argue that such cuts would cripple its ability to make meaningful impacts.

St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations

Timestamp: [03:13]

The episode shifts to lighter news with coverage of St. Patrick’s Day festivities. New York City’s annual parade is highlighted, expected to attract millions to Fifth Avenue and other locales. Celebrations are not limited to the U.S.; tens of thousands gathered in London, where the Princess of Wales participated.

Quote:
"Catherine sipped half a pint of Guinness as she celebrated St Patrick's Day with the Irish Guards. She missed last year's festivities after she was diagnosed with cancer."
— BBC Report, [03:13]

Princess Catherine’s appearance brought notable attention, symbolizing both royal support for the cultural event and her personal triumph over health challenges.

March Madness: Women’s College Basketball Tournament

Timestamp: [03:36]

March Madness kicks off with the women’s college basketball tournament, featuring fierce competition and high stakes. The South Carolina Gamecocks, led by their head coach, aim to defend their title after an undefeated season last year. However, this year’s competition is stiffer, with South Carolina earning a one-seed but appearing more vulnerable.

Quote:
"The women's tournament tips off Wednesday with a pair of play-in games, and the round of 64 begins Friday."
— Becky Sullivan, NPR, [04:06]

Top seeds include UCLA, whose men’s team boasts a storied history, while the women’s team is striving to reach the Final Four for the first time. Key players like Lauren Betts and Kiki Rice for UCLA, and Paige Beckers from UConn, the presumptive number one pick in the upcoming WNBA draft, are highlighted. Southern California and Texas are also among the top contenders, setting the stage for an exciting tournament.

U.S. Stock Market Update

Timestamp: [04:43]

Concluding the episode, Lakshmi Singh provides a brief update on the U.S. stock market, noting a significant uptick.

Quote:
"The Dow is up more than 400 points now, or more than 1%, at 41,912."
— Lakshmi Singh, NPR News, [04:43]

This surge reflects investor confidence and positive market movements, contributing to the overall economic narrative of the day.

Note: This summary excludes all advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections to focus solely on the substantive news covered in the episode.