NPR News: 03-19-2025 10PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of March 19, 2025 Episode

Title: NPR News Now
Host: NPR
Episode: NPR News: 03-19-2025 10PM EDT
Release Date: March 20, 2025
Description: The latest news in five minutes. Updated hourly.

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1. President Trump’s Executive Order to Close the Department of Education

Timeline: [00:17] - [00:58]

President Donald Trump is anticipated to sign an executive order aimed at shutting down the Department of Education. This move was confirmed by a senior White House official to NPR [00:26]. The administration has already begun laying off Department of Education staff since last week [00:36].

A group of Democratic state attorneys general has filed lawsuits seeking to block the dismantling of the department and the layoff of nearly half its staff [00:43]. Jack Speier highlights that President Trump cannot close the agency without congressional approval, which requires at least 60 votes—a target that may be challenging to achieve unless some Democrats support the initiative [00:49].

“Trump cannot close the agency without congressional approval, which needs at least 60 votes.” – Jack Speier [00:49]

2. Social Security Administration’s New Identity Verification Procedures

Timeline: [00:58] - [01:54]

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced forthcoming changes requiring individuals seeking certain services to prove their identities in person. Scott Horsley explains that over the next two weeks, the SSA will transition to this enhanced identity proofing process [01:11]. Previously, the agency utilized an online identity proving system via its website.

These changes are part of broader efforts to prevent fraud but have raised concerns among advocates. The new requirements are expected to make it more difficult for Americans, particularly seniors and people with disabilities, to access their benefits. This comes at a time when the SSA is closing local offices and reducing staff [01:07].

“We’re transitioning to a process that strengthens the identity proofing procedures for people seeking Social Security benefit claims and direct deposit changes.” – Scott Horsley [01:11]

3. Severe Weather Strikes the Midwest Amid Ongoing Challenges

Timeline: [01:54] - [02:06]

Regions of the Midwest are still recovering from tornadoes that struck last week and are now facing severe blizzard conditions and high winds. The National Weather Service reports that approximately 72 million people are under a wind advisory or warning today [02:00]. Kansas and central Wisconsin could experience significant snowfall, ranging from a few inches to over a foot [02:11].

In addition to the snow, strong winds and dry conditions are elevating wildfire risks in parts of the Western United States [02:11].

4. Stock Market Rallies Following Federal Reserve’s Interest Rate Outlook

Timeline: [02:06] - [03:13]

U.S. stock markets saw substantial gains today after the Federal Reserve indicated the possibility of further interest rate cuts this year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by more than 380 points, the NASDAQ increased by 246 points, and the S&P 500 was up 60 points [02:23].

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell stated that updated forecasts show an average expectation of two quarter-point interest rate cuts this year. However, the Fed is currently holding its benchmark rate steady as they assess the economic impact of President Trump’s tariffs and other policies [02:25].

Powell emphasized caution, noting:

“We’re not going to be in any hurry to move. We’re well positioned to wait for further clarity.” – Jerome Powell [02:53]

He also mentioned that members of the Fed's rate-setting committee now anticipate slightly higher inflation and slower economic growth than projected three months ago [02:59].

5. European Union Takes Action Against Apple Under the Digital Markets Act

Timeline: [03:17] - [03:44]

The European Union (EU) has outlined steps that Apple must take to ensure its operating systems are more compatible with competing technologies. This marks the first instance of the EU compelling a major technology company to comply with its Digital Markets Act 27 [03:20].

The European Commission had previously detailed the compliance requirements for Apple last year, signaling a significant move towards regulating large tech firms to foster fair competition [03:28].

6. Hollywood Filmmaker Arrested for Attempted Fraud Against Netflix

Timeline: [03:38] - [04:36]

A Hollywood filmmaker, Carl Eric Rinsch, has been arrested and charged with attempting to defraud Netflix of millions of dollars. According to NPR’s Mandalit Del Barco, Rinsch was contracted in 2018 to create a science fiction TV series titled "White Horse," later renamed "Conquest." Netflix paid him $44 million for the project, but Rinsch reportedly requested an additional $11 million to complete production [03:44].

Instead of delivering the completed series, Rinsch allegedly used the extra funds for personal investments in cryptocurrency, luxury furniture, antiques, and high-end vehicles, including five Rolls Royces and a Ferrari [03:49]. He has been indicted on charges of wire fraud, money laundering, and unlawful monetary transactions, potentially facing decades in prison [03:49].

7. Mexico City Legislators Vote to Ban Bullfighting in the Capitol

Timeline: [04:36] - [04:57]

Lawmakers in Mexico City have voted unanimously to ban bullfighting within the Capitol [04:36]. This decision has ignited a firestorm among traditional bullfighters while being celebrated by animal rights activists [04:40].

The ban prohibits not only the killing of bulls but also the use of sharp objects that can injure the animals, aiming to end the practice within the city’s political sphere [04:48].

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This summary encapsulates the key points, discussions, and insights from the March 19, 2025 episode of NPR News Now, providing a comprehensive overview for those who did not listen to the original broadcast.

Transcript

[Home Instead]

This message comes from Home instead. Home Instead knows that if you leave home to seek aging care, you say goodbye to where you built your life. So why not stay with help from home instead? Learn [e-mail] Home Instead for a better what's next?

[Jack Speier]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Speier. President Trump is expected to sign an executive order tomorrow that would seek to.

[Ashley Lopez]

Shutter the Department of Education. That's according to a senior White House.

[Jack Speier]

Official who's confirmed the timing to npr.

[Ashley Lopez]

The order had been expected since the White House revealed its plans to close.

[Jack Speier]

The department and began laying people off last week.

[Ashley Lopez]

The move is already being challenged by a group of Democratic state attorneys general.

[Jack Speier]

Who filed seats seeking to block the.

[Ashley Lopez]

Administration from dismantling the department and laying off nearly half its staff.

[Jack Speier]

Trump cannot close the agency without congressional approval, which needs at least 60 votes.

[Ashley Lopez]

Something that could prove difficult unless some Democrats agree.

[Jack Speier]

The Social Security Administration's announced it will soon require people seeking some services to.

[Ashley Lopez]

Prove their identities in person. The changes come at a time the.

[Jack Speier]

Agency is making cuts to its staff.

[Ashley Lopez]

And closing local offices. More from NPR's Ashley Lopez.

[Scott Horsley]

Agency officials say over the next two weeks they're going to transition to a process that, quote, strengthens the identity proofing procedures for people seeking Social Security benefit claims and direct deposit changes. Instead of doing this on the agency's website, which has an online identity proving system, people will have to go in person to a local Social Security office. Agency officials say this is an effort to prevent fraud. But advocates say these changes will make it harder for Americans to collect their earned benefits and force seniors and people with disabilities to travel in person at a time when the Social Security Administration is closing local offices across the country and reducing staff. Ashley Lopez, NPR News.

[Jack Speier]

Parts of the Midwest are still reeling.

[Ashley Lopez]

From tornadoes last week, and they're getting.

[Jack Speier]

What amounts to a one, two punch today.

[Ashley Lopez]

Millions in areas of the Midwest and the Great Plains facing blizzard conditions as well as the risk of high winds.

[Jack Speier]

National Weather Service says about 72 million people are under a wind advisory or warning today.

[Ashley Lopez]

Kansas and central Wisconsin could see anywhere from a few inches to upwards of a foot of snow. Strong winds and dry conditions also pose wildfire risks in parts of the West. Stocks rallied today after the Federal Reserve.

[Jack Speier]

Left the door open to further interest.

[Ashley Lopez]

Rate cuts this year. NPR's Scott Horsley reports. The Dow Jones industrial average was up more than 380 points.

[Jerome Powell]

Updated forecasts from Fed show on average, they expect two quarter point interest rate cuts this year. But for now at least the central bank is holding its benchmark rate steady. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell says he and his colleagues are trying to assess how President Trump's tariffs and other policies will affect the US Economy. So far, Powell says the impact is far from certain.

[Scott Horsley]

We're not going to be in any hurry to move. We're well positioned to wait for further clarity.

[Jerome Powell]

Members of the Fed's rate setting committee now think inflation will be a little bit higher and economic growth a little bit slower than they were projecting three months ago. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Jack Speier]

The NASDAQ rose 246 points today.

[Ashley Lopez]

The S&P was up 60 points.

[Jack Speier]

You're listening to NPR.

[Ashley Lopez]

The European Union today outlines steps it.

[Jack Speier]

Says device maker Apple must take toward making its operating systems work better with competing technologies. First time the EU has moved to.

[Ashley Lopez]

Compel a technology company to comply with Block's digital rule book, known as Digital Markets Act 27. Member Executive Commission last year laid out some steps it wants Apple to take to comply.

[Jack Speier]

A Hollywood filmmaker has been arrested and charged with trying to defraud Netflix of millions of dollars.

[Ashley Lopez]

NPR's Mandalit Delbanca reports that he'd been working on a TV series that was never completed.

[Mandalit Del Barco]

In 2018, Netflix paid Carl Eric Rinsch $44 million to make White Horse, later named Conquest, a science fiction TV series about artificial humans. He filmed some of the series in Brazil and other countries, then reportedly asked for another 11 million to complete production. But the FBI and the Acting U.S. attorney in the Southern District of New York say instead of delivering the series, Rinsch spent that extra $11 million on himself, speculating on cryptocurrency and spending lavishly on high end furniture and antiques, five Rolls Royces and a Ferrari. The 47 year old director was indicted on charges of wire fraud, money laundering and unlawful monetary transactions. He could face decades in prison. Mandalit Del Barco, NPR News.

[Jack Speier]

Lawmakers in Mexico City have voted to ban bullfighting in the Capitol.

[Ashley Lopez]

The decision this week setting off a.

[Jack Speier]

Firestorm among bullfighters and celebrations on the.

[Ashley Lopez]

Part of animal rights activists. A unanimous vote would ban the killing.

[Jack Speier]

Of bulls as well as the use.

[Ashley Lopez]

Of sharp objects that can injure the animals. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News, in Washington.

[Warby Parker]

This message comes from Warby Parker. What makes a great pair of glasses at Warby Parker? It's all the invisible extras without the extra cost, like free adjustments for life. Find your [e-mail] or visit one of their hundreds of stores around the country.