NPR News: 03-18-2026 10AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: 03-18-2026 10AM EDT

Date: March 18, 2026
Host: Korva Coleman
Duration: ~5 Minutes

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Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers a concise, five-minute rundown of major headlines across U.S. politics, international relations, economics, legal updates, and major sporting controversies. Key themes include a nominee for Homeland Security, escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran, U.S. economic indicators amid global tensions, legal action against prediction market platforms, and a controversial decision in the Africa Cup of Nations.

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Key News Highlights

1. U.S. Senate Homeland Security Secretary Confirmation (00:00–00:41)

• The Senate Homeland Security Committee is holding a confirmation hearing for President Trump's nominee, Oklahoma Republican Senator Mark Wayne Mullen, to lead the Department of Homeland Security.
• Notable Opposition: Michigan Democrat Senator Gary Peters criticizes the nominee's temperament and judgment, referencing the killings of Americans by federal immigration agents.

Quote:

“A secretary who jumps to conclusions without the facts, as we saw in the case of Renee Goode and Alex Preddy's killings, only worsens the situation and actually makes us less safe. This is a role where temperament matters, where judgment matters and where experience matters.” — Senator Gary Peters (00:22)

• If confirmed, Mullen will replace Kristi Noem, who was fired by President Trump earlier this month.

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2. Israel–Iran Escalation & Leadership Losses (00:41–02:02)

• Israel reports killing another high-ranking Iranian official, the intelligence minister Esmail Khatib; Iran has not confirmed the death.
• Thousands gather in Tehran for funerals of Iran’s National Security Council head and a leader from the Besij paramilitary force, both also killed by Israeli strikes.
• Broader Context: Tensions remain extremely high as Israel continues targeting Iranian leadership following the killing of Iran’s supreme leader at the war’s outset.

Quote:

“Defense Minister Israel Katz says the latest target, Iran's intelligence minister, Esmail Khatib, was responsible for, quote, the regime's apparatus of repression and assassination...Katz says the war is in a decisive phase and that, quote, no one in Iran has immunity. Everyone is a target.” — Kerry Khan, NPR (01:13)

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3. U.S. Economic Update: Inflation and Markets (02:02–02:56)

• The U.S. Labor Department reports a bigger-than-expected jump in wholesale prices:
  • February prices up 3.4% year-over-year — the largest increase in 12 months.
  • Monthly rise (Jan–Feb): 0.7%.
• Dow Jones slips ~200 points on the news.
• The Federal Reserve faces a dilemma between reigning in inflation and responding to a softening job market.
• The U.S. war with Iran has contributed to higher energy prices.
• Asian markets show gains, with Japan's Nikkei up nearly 3% following better-than-expected export figures.

Quote:

“The combination of stubborn inflation and a softening job market puts the Federal Reserve in a tough spot as policymakers wrap up their two day meeting on interest rates. The US War with Iran has only added to price pressures, triggering a spike in the cost of gasoline and diesel fuel.” — Scott Horsley, NPR (02:15)

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4. Legal Crackdown on Prediction Markets (02:56–03:51)

• Arizona prosecutors file criminal charges against Kalshi, a major betting/prediction market platform.
• Charges allege operating an unlicensed gambling operation, focusing on bets related to sports and elections.
• Over 20 lawsuits are pending against Kalshi and competitor Polymarket.
• Tension builds between states and the Trump administration (which supports prediction markets); Donald Trump, Jr. is an advisor to both companies.
• Kalshi argues its operations fall under exclusive federal jurisdiction and dismisses the charges as “seriously flawed and meritless.”

Quote:

“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 Kalshi and Polymarket. Kalshi says the charges are seriously flawed and meritless...” — Bobby Allen, NPR (03:12)

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5. Early Southwest U.S. Heat Wave (03:51–04:09)

• The National Weather Service warns that an unusually early and strengthening heat wave is spreading across the West and Southwest, with desert temperatures expected to hit triple digits.

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6. Africa Cup of Nations Controversy (04:09–04:40)

• The government of Senegal reacts after losing its Africa Cup of Nations title to Morocco by committee decision, following Senegal’s walk-off due to a disputed late goal in January’s championship match.
• Senegal intends to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.

Quote:

“The Confederation of African Football made the decision after Senegal’s soccer team walked off the pitch in the middle of the final championship game. Senegal was protesting a late goal that had been ruled out.” — NPR (04:26)

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Notable Quotes (with Timestamps & Attribution)

• Sen. Gary Peters on DHS Nominee:
  “A secretary who jumps to conclusions without the facts, as we saw in the case of Renee Goode and Alex Preddy's killings, only worsens the situation and actually makes us less safe...” (00:22)
• Kerry Khan, NPR, on Israel-Iran conflict:
  “Katz says the war is in a decisive phase and that, quote, no one in Iran has immunity. Everyone is a target.” (01:13)
• Scott Horsley, NPR, on economy:
  “The combination of stubborn inflation and a softening job market puts the Federal Reserve in a tough spot as policymakers wrap up their two day meeting on interest rates...” (02:15)
• Bobby Allen, NPR, on Kalshi charges:
  “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 Kalshi and Polymarket...” (03:12)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:00] U.S. Homeland Security Secretary nomination hearing
• [00:41] Escalation in Israel-Iran conflict and funeral coverage
• [02:02] U.S. economic indicators & market reaction
• [02:56] Arizona legal action against Kalshi prediction market
• [03:51] Early heat wave in the American Southwest
• [04:09] Africa Cup of Nations title stripped from Senegal

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This episode distills developments in domestic security, international crises, the economy, legal tech markets, and sports governance—offering a fast-paced yet comprehensive briefing for listeners.

Transcript

[A]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. The Senate Homeland Security Committee is holding a confirmation hearing for President Trump's choice to be Homeland Security secretary. It's Oklahoma Republican Senator Mark Wayne Mullen, ranking Democrat. Michigan Senator Gary Peters highlighted the killings of Americans this year by federal immigration agents.

[B]

A secretary who jumps to conclusions without the facts, as we saw in the case of Renee Goode and Alex Preddy's killings, only worsens the situation and actually makes us less safe. This is a role where temperament matters, where judgment matters and where experience matters.

[A]

If confirmed, Mullen would replace former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, whom President Trump fired this month. Israel says it has killed another high ranking Iranian leader. It's the latest in Israeli airstrikes targeting the country's top officials. IRAN Iran has not confirmed the killing overnight of its top intelligence minister. Separately, thousands of mourners gathered in Tehran for a mass funeral of the heads of Iran's National Security Council and the powerful besieged paramilitary force. NPR's Kerry Khan has more.

[C]

Defense Minister Israel Katz says the latest target, Iran's intelligence minister, Esmail Khatib, was responsible for, quote, the regime's apparatus of repression and assassination and and instrumental in the deadly crackdown on Iranian demonstrators earlier this year. Katz says the war is in a decisive phase and that, quote, no one in Iran has immunity. Everyone is a target. Meanwhile, mourners packed a huge Tehran square for the funerals of two leaders also killed by Israel. Live stream of the massive crowd carrying multiple coffins was broadcast on Iranian tv, including that of Ali Lorjani. He was believed to be running the country after Israel killed Iran's supreme leader in the first day at launched the war together with the United States. Carrie Conn, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[A]

Stocks opened lower this morning as the Labor Department reported a bigger than expected jump in wholesale prices last month. NPR Scott Horsley reports. The Dow Jones industrial average slid about 200 points in early trading.

[D]

Wholesale prices in February were up 3.4% from a year ago. That's the biggest annual increase in 12 months. Wholesale prices rose 0.7% between January and February, more than twice the increase forecasters were expecting. The combination of stubborn inflation and a softening job market puts the Federal Reserve in a tough spot as policymakers wrap up their two day meeting on interest rates. The US War with Iran has only added to price pressures, triggering a spike in the cost of gasoline and diesel fuel. The central bank is expected to hold its benchmark interest rates steady for now. Asian stocks were higher overnight. Japan's Nikkei average jumped almost 3% after the government reported higher than expected monthly exports. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[A]

You're listening to NPR News. Prosecutors in Arizona have 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.

[E]

Kalshee 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 Kaushi 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 Kaushi and Polymarket. Kaushi says the charges are seriously flawed and meritless. Kaushi says its billions of dollars in weekly bets fall under exclusive federal jurisdiction. Bobby Allen, NPR News.

[A]

The National Weather Service says an unusually early heat wave is getting stronger and spreading across the west and Southwest. Temperatures today could sl soar into the triple digits in the desert Southwest. The government of Senegal is blasting a decision about a major soccer victory. Senegal has been stripped of its championship in the highly watched Africa cup of Nations. The title has been awarded to the opponent, Morocco. The soccer tournament was played in January. The Confederation of African Football made the decision after Senegal's soccer team walked off the pitch in the middle of the final championship game. Senegal was protesting a late goal that had been ruled out. Senegal says it will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland. This is npr.

[F]

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