NPR News: 03-17-2026 10PM EDT

Summary

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NPR News Now: March 17, 2026 – 10PM EDT

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Duration: ~5 minutes

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Episode Overview

This brisk, five-minute NPR News Now update covers key national and international headlines, including developments in the Jeffrey Epstein probe, escalating Iran-Israel tensions, legal action against prediction markets, Illinois primary election results, and a new cannabis mental health study. The reporting is concise, objective, and intent on delivering the facts as they stand.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Epstein Probe: DOJ Under Scrutiny

[00:01]

• Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy AG Todd Blanche are set to meet privately with the GOP-led House Oversight Committee regarding the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
  • The meeting is ahead of Bondi's subpoenaed testimony, scheduled for April 17.
  • Bipartisan House members are demanding explanations from Bondi about the Justice Department's delay in releasing Epstein files under a newly passed law.
  • The committee is also reviewing the reported mismanagement of the Epstein probe and continuing questions about the circumstances of Epstein’s 2019 jailhouse suicide.
• Quote:
  • “Comer said they also want to talk to Bondi about questions still facing the report of Epstein's death by suicide in a New York jail cell in 2019.” – Claudia Grizales [00:44]

2. Major Strikes Further Shake Iran’s Leadership

[00:59]

• Iranian state media confirmed Israeli airstrikes killed two top Iranian leaders overnight.
  • Ali Lurajani, believed to be overseeing Iran's war effort since the assassination of its supreme leader during the US-Israeli war, was among the dead.
  • The second, Golam Reza Soleimani, led the Basij paramilitary forces and the feared plainclothes police responsible for violent crackdowns on protests.
  • The Israeli strike targeted a makeshift tent headquarters, killing other commanders as well.
• Quotes:
  • “Golam Reza Soleimani...headed the feared plainclothes police. These are the forces that headed that violent crackdown on protests earlier this year that killed thousands of Iranians and that's according to U. S. based human rights groups.” – Carrie Khan [01:30]

3. Iran Retaliates Against Israel and Gulf States

[01:53]

• Iran responded to the killings with missile and drone strikes on Israel and Gulf states, signaling escalating regional hostilities.

4. Legal Battle Over Prediction Markets

[02:13]

• Arizona has filed criminal charges against Kalshi, a major betting and prediction market app.
  • The charges allege operation as an unlicensed gambling outfit, particularly related to wagering on sports and elections.
  • This legal action reflects broader state-level resistance to the prediction market industry, even as the Trump administration (with Donald Trump Jr. as an advisor) supports these platforms.
  • Kalshi dismisses the charges as “seriously flawed and meritless,” claiming federal jurisdiction.
• Quotes:
  • “It's the latest sign of a growing rift between states and the Trump administration which supports the prediction market industry.” – Bobby Allen [02:26]
  • “Donald Trump Jr. The president's son is an advisor to both Kalshee and Polymarket.” – Bobby Allen [02:31]

5. Illinois Primary Election Results

[02:52]

• Voters in Chicago participated in the Illinois primary, choosing nominees for an open U.S. Senate seat and four U.S. House seats.
  • Former Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (son of the late civil rights leader) failed in his comeback bid, losing to Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller, according to the AP.

6. Study Questions Effectiveness of Cannabis for Mental Health

[03:47]

• A major review in The Lancet Psychiatry found little evidence supporting the effectiveness of cannabis for anxiety, depression, PTSD, and similar conditions.
  • The review (conducted by the University of Sydney) noted limited support for certain conditions like insomnia, autism, and Tourette syndrome.
  • Ziva Cooper, a UCLA cannabis researcher not involved with the paper, cautioned about interpreting these findings, mentioning the studies’ limitations and the exclusion of some evidence supporting cannabis for anxiety.
• Quotes:
  • “The researchers at the University of Sydney concluded there was no indication cannabis is effective for anxiety, depression, PTSD and other conditions. It found limited support for a few areas like insomnia, autism and Tourette syndrome.” – Will Stone [03:52]
  • “I would say that there are significant limitations with these types of studies.” – Ziva Cooper [04:13]
  • “The new review excluded other evidence that does show certain compounds in the plant can be beneficial for anxiety and other symptoms.” – Will Stone [04:19]

7. Market Update

[02:52 & 04:32]

• Wall Street closed higher, with the Dow up 46 points and the Nasdaq up 105.
• U.S. futures contracts also trading higher at the time of reporting.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “They also want to talk to Bondi about questions still facing the report of Epstein's death by suicide in a New York jail cell in 2019.” – Claudia Grizales [00:44]
• “These are the forces that headed that violent crackdown on protests earlier this year that killed thousands of Iranians...” – Carrie Khan [01:33]
• “Donald Trump Jr. The president's son is an advisor to both Kalshee and Polymarket.” – Bobby Allen [02:31]
• “I would say that there are significant limitations with these types of studies.” – Ziva Cooper [04:13]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:01] Epstein probe: DOJ briefing & House investigation
• [00:59] Israeli airstrikes: Iranian leaders killed
• [01:53] Iran retaliates: Missile and drone strikes
• [02:13] Arizona files charges against Kalshi prediction market
• [02:52] Illinois primary election results
• [03:47] Cannabis use for mental health questioned by new study
• [04:32] Market update: U.S. futures trading higher

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Transcript

[A]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy AG Todd Blanche meet tomorrow with the GOP led House Oversight Committee behind closed doors in the Jeffrey Epstein probe. NPR's Claudia Grizales has more.

[B]

The voluntary briefing comes nearly a month ahead of Attorney General Bondi's testimony under a congressional subpoena. Bondi is set to formally appear before the House oversight committee on April 17. On a bipartisan group of members have demanded Bondi explain why the Justice Department has yet to release all the files under a new law passed last year. In a letter to Bondi, committee Chairman James Comer said the panel is investigating the possible mismanagement of the government's Epstein probe. Comer said they also want to talk to Bondi about questions still facing the report of Epstein's death by suicide in a New York jail cell in 2019. That and more could also come up in this closed door briefing. Clarity Salis, NPR News.

[A]

The capital Iranian state media confirmed that Israel killed two top Iranian leaders in overnight airstrikes dealing another blow to Iran's remaining leadership. One of the men, Ali Lurajani, is thought to have been directing the current war effort since the assassination of Iran's supreme leader in the U. S Israeli war in Iran. The other man assassinated by Israel today was the head of the book paramilitary forces and fears Carry Khan has more

[C]

from Tel Aviv, Golam Reza Soleimani. He headed the feared plainclothes police. These are the forces that headed that violent crackdown on protests earlier this year that killed thousands of Iranians and that's according to U. S based human rights groups. He has run that repressive militia for seven years. Israel says the airstrike that killed him was on a makeshift tent headquarters for the Basij and other commanders were also killed in that attack.

[A]

NPR's Carrie Khan reporting. Iran hit back again today, sending missiles and drones into Israel and other Gulf states. Prosecutors in Arizona filed criminal charges against the popular betting site Kalshi. NPR's Bobby Allen reports. It's the latest legal fight against the booming prediction market industry.

[D]

Kelshi and polymarket apps where you can bet on just about anything are facing more than 20 lawsuits over their legal status as a futures contract, not gambling sites. But now Arizona's attorney general is accusing Kalshee of operating an unlicensed gambling operation involved in criminal wagering on sports and elections. It's the latest sign of a growing rift between states and the Trump administration which supports the prediction market industry. Donald Trump Jr. The president's son is an advisor to both Kalshee and Polymarket. Kalshee says the charges are seriously flawed and meritless Couch. She says its billions of dollars in weekly bets fall under exclusive federal jurisdiction. Bobby Allen, NPR News.

[A]

Wall street higher by the closing bell. The Dow up 46. Nasdaq up 105. You're listening to NPR News. In Chicago, voters went to the polls today in the Illinois primary election to choose nominees for an open U.S. senate seat and four Chicago area U.S. house seats. Former Illinois Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr. Son of the late civil rights leader, lost his bid to return to Congress. This after he resigned more than a decade ago amid a federal corruption investig. He was defeated by Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller. According to a race call by the Associated Press. Many Americans who use marijuana say they do so for mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. NPR's Will Stone reports on a major review published in the journal Lancet Psychiatry that concludes there's little evidence it actually works.

[E]

This is the largest effort to date to pull together all the data from high quality trials on cannabis and mental health. The researchers at the University of Sydney concluded there was no indication cannabis is effective for anxiety, depression, PTSD and other conditions. It found limited support for a few areas like insomnia, autism and Tourette syndrome. Ziva Cooper is a cannabis researcher at UCLA who was not involved in the new paper.

[F]

I would say that there are significant limitations with these types of studies, she says.

[E]

Yes, there is a need for more well controlled trials on cannabis, but but the new review excluded other evidence that does show certain compounds in the plant can be beneficial for anxiety and other symptoms. Will stone, NPR News.

[A]

U.S. futures contracts are trading higher at this hour. I'm Jeanine Herbst, NPR News, in Washington.

[G]

This message comes from Charles Schwab with their original podcast Choiceology, hosted by Katie Milkman, an award winning behavioral scientist and author of the bestselling book how to Change. Choiceology is a show about the psychology and economics behind people's decisions. Hear true stories from Nobel laureates, historians, authors, athletes and more about why people do the things they do. Download the latest episode and [e-mail] podcast or wherever you listen.