NPR News: 03-19-2025 6AM EDT

Summary

Federal Judge Questions Reinstatement of Fired Government Workers

In Washington, Korva Coleman reports a significant legal development concerning the Trump administration's employment practices within federal agencies. A federal judge in San Francisco is scrutinizing whether the administration is adhering to his order to reinstate certain dismissed government employees across six federal agencies.

U.S. District Judge William Allsup expressed concerns about the administration's compliance, noting, “That was not allowed under his preliminary injunction because government services wouldn't be restored if people aren't working” ([00:30]). Judge Allsup highlighted reports indicating that while federal agencies have rehired probationary employees who were terminated last month, these individuals were immediately placed on paid administrative leave. This move, according to the judge, undermines the purpose of the injunction by preventing the actual restoration of government services.

Attorneys representing the government acknowledged that placing reinstated employees on leave is an “intermediate measure” and a “first step to getting people fully reinstated.” However, they did not elaborate on the subsequent steps or provide assurances about their implementation. As the government appeals the judge's ruling, affected federal employees continue to receive pay without clarity on when they will return to active duty, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the enforcement of the injunction.

Judge Sets New Deadline on Venezuelan Migrant Deportations

In a separate case, Korva Coleman discusses U.S. District Judge James Boasberg's actions concerning the Trump administration's deportation of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador. Utilizing a seldom-invoked wartime power, the administration deported hundreds of migrants last weekend, prompting judicial intervention.

Judge Boasberg responded by ordering the administration to cease using wartime authority for these deportations and mandated that planes be turned back if necessary. However, this directive was not fully heeded. Sergio Martinez Beltran reports that Judge Boasberg has now required the Justice Department to provide detailed explanations about the deportation flights. Specifically, the judge posed four comprehensive questions regarding the operations, to which the administration has only partially complied by submitting a sworn declaration. This declaration states that no individuals were deported after the judge's written order was lifted under the Alien Enemies Act.

Despite this partial compliance, Judge Boasberg remains unsatisfied and has ordered an additional response by midday, seeking detailed information such as the exact departure times from U.S. airspace and arrival times in El Salvador. This ongoing legal scrutiny underscores the contentious nature of using emergency powers for immigration enforcement.

Continued Russian Airstrikes in Ukraine Amid Ceasefire Talks

Turning to international affairs, NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports ongoing tensions in Ukraine despite previous announcements of ceasefire negotiations between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. President Putin declared that Russia would halt its targeting of energy facilities, signaling a step towards peace talks. However, Ukrainian officials remain highly skeptical of these assurances.

Dr. Beardsley highlights that Ukrainian sources have reported significant Russian military activity, including the destruction of a major transformer in eastern Ukraine and continued drone attacks on various Ukrainian cities, including the capital, Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated, “It is these nighttime attacks by Russia that are destroying the country's energy sector and infrastructure and the normal life of Ukrainians” ([02:35]). He emphasized that the persistence of such attacks demonstrates the necessity for Ukraine to maintain pressure on Russia to achieve genuine peace.

Israel Resumes Bombing of Gaza Amid Ceasefire Conditions

In the Middle East, Korva Coleman updates listeners on the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas. Israel's Prime Minister has declared that any further ceasefire negotiations with Hamas will only occur "under fire." In an effort to pressure Hamas into releasing more Israeli hostages, Israel has resumed bombing targets in Gaza.

This renewed military action has resulted in the deaths of over 400 Palestinians and injured hundreds more, marking a significant intensification of the conflict. Despite the increased Israeli military presence, Hamas has maintained its commitment to the original ceasefire agreement with Israel, highlighting the complex dynamics and challenges in achieving lasting peace in the region.

Measles Cases Surge in Texas Amid Vaccination Efforts

Public health concerns are rising in Texas, where U.S. federal health officials have confirmed over 300 cases of measles. Gabriela Alcorta Solorio reports that of the nearly 280 confirmed cases, only two individuals are known to be unvaccinated. The vaccination status of the remaining patients is either unknown or not fully documented.

Dr. Michael Chang, a pediatric infectious disease specialist, addressed misconceptions regarding measles treatment during a "Children at Risk" press conference. He clarified, “I want to emphasize there's no antiviral treatment for measles, and vitamin A is not an antiviral” ([04:07]). While vitamin A has demonstrated benefits in reducing mortality and morbidity in malnourished children, its efficacy in healthy children with measles remains unclear. Dr. Chang further warned that high doses of vitamin A can lead to serious toxicity and stressed that vaccination remains the only effective method to prevent measles outbreaks.

Wildfire Warnings Issued Across Multiple States

The National Weather Service has issued urgent warnings about the potential for wildfires across several states, including Texas and West Virginia. Gusty winds, reaching speeds of up to 50 miles per hour in parts of west central Texas, combined with dry conditions, have heightened the risk of igniting wildfires. Most of Texas is currently under a red flag warning, indicating that critical fire weather conditions are present or expected. Residents in these areas are advised to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent wildfires, which can have devastating impacts on communities and natural resources.

---

This summary captures all key topics discussed in the NPR News Now episode from March 19, 2025, providing detailed insights and notable quotes with proper attribution and timestamps. It is structured into clear sections to facilitate easy understanding for those who have not listened to the original podcast.

Transcript

[NPR Announcer]

This message comes from Pemco Mutual Insurance Company. Their mission is to help customers worry less and live more. So they're sharing prevention tips that empower you to prevent some of life's pitfalls before they happen. Visit pemco.com prevention live from NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. A federal judge in San Francisco is questioning whether the Trump administration is complying with his order to reinstate certain fired government workers. NPR's Andrea Hsu reports. This judge's order covered six federal agencies.

[Andrea Hsu]

U.S. district Judge William Allsup said he'd seen media reports that federal agencies had rehired probationary employees fired last month, but immediately put them on paid administrative leave. He said that was not allowed under his preliminary injunction because government services wouldn't be restored if people aren't working. Attorneys for the government did not deny that agencies have placed reinstated employees on leave, but called it an intermediate measure, a first step to getting people fully reinstated. They did not say what the next steps would be or if they'd be carried out. While the government appeals the judge's ruling, several federal employees told NPR they are getting paid but have gotten no news about going back to work. Andrea Hsu, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

A separate federal judge has given the Justice DEPARTMENT Another deadline. U.S. district Judge James Boasberg is questioning the Trump administration's use of a rarely used wartime power to deport hundreds of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador last weekend. The judge ordered the administration not to use the wartime power for the deportations and to even turn the planes back if necessary, but that didn't happen. NPR's Sergio Martinez Beltran says Boasberg then told the Justice Department to explain what happened.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

Judge Boasberg asked the Trump administration to answer four detailed questions about the deportation flights. The administration partially complied. The DOJ provided a sworn declaration that no one was deported after Judge Bolsberg's written order was removed under the Alien Enemies Act.

[Korva Coleman]

NPR, Sergio Martinez Beltran reporting. But Judge Boasberg wants many more details about the deportation flights. He's ordered another response, and it's due by midday today. He wants to know when the flights left US Airspace and when they landed in El Salvador. Officials in Ukraine say there have been numerous Russian airstrikes overnight, including attacks that hit two hospitals in northern Ukraine. This comes after President Trump and Russian President Putin said they'd agreed to start talks toward a ceasefire in Russia's war in Ukraine. But NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports Ukrainians are skeptical of this.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

President Putin told President Trump Russia would stop targeting energy facilities But Ukrainian officials say a major transformer in eastern Ukraine has been hit, and drones continued to attack Ukraine's cities, including the capital, Kyiv. It is these nighttime attacks by Russia that are destroying the country's energy sector and infrastructure and the normal life of Ukrainians, said Zelensky. And the fact that this night was no exception shows that Ukraine must continue to put pressure on Russia if it wants peace. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Kyiv.

[Korva Coleman]

You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Israel's prime minister says any further talks for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas will only take place under fire. Israel has resumed bombing Gaza in an effort to pressure Hamas to release more Israeli hostages. More than 400 Palestinians have been killed and hundreds of others wounded in the sudden resumption of fighting. Hamas says it is committed to the original ceasefire that it struck with Israel. In the U.S. federal health officials say there are more than 300 confirmed measles cases. Most of them are in Texas. Texas Public Radio's Gabrielle Alcorto Solorio has more.

[Gabriela Alcorta Solorio]

Of the nearly 280confirmed cases, two are unvaccinated people. The rest of the patients are not, or their Status is unknown. Dr. Michael Chang, Houston, pediatric infectious disease specialist, spoke during a Children at Risk press conference last week on the misconceptions for measles treatment.

[Dr. Michael Chang]

I want to emphasize there's no antiviral treatment for measles, and vitamin A is not an antiviral. So while vitamin A has shown some mortality and morbidity benefits in malnourished children, its role in healthy children is not clear.

[Gabriela Alcorta Solorio]

Chang added that vitamin A in high dosages can lead to serious toxicity, and the only way to prevent measles is to be vaccinated. I'm Gabriela Alcorta Solorio in San Antonio.

[Korva Coleman]

The National Weather Service is warning that gusty winds and dry conditions could spark wildfires across several states from Texas to West Virginia. Wind gusts could hit 50 miles per hour in parts of west central Texas. Most of that state is under a red flag warning. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News.

[NPR Announcer]

Support for NPR and the following message come from Boland Branch. Change your sleep with Bolen Branch's airy blankets, cloud like duvets and breathable sheets. Feel the difference with 15% off your first [e-mail] with code NPR exclusions apply. See site for details.