NPR News: 03-19-2026 2PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: 2PM EDT – March 19, 2026

Host: Dwahili Sai Kowtel
Duration: 5 minutes
Episode Type: Top-of-the-hour news roundup

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Episode Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now episode provides concise coverage of key national and international events, including US intelligence hearings on domestic terrorism and the Iran conflict, shifting American public opinion on Israel and Palestine, New York City's congestion pricing success, US policy on indoor tanning regulations, and heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. US Intelligence Hearings: Domestic Terror Threats & War with Iran

[00:16–01:17]

• The Director of National Intelligence testifies before the House Intelligence Committee on domestic terror risks and updates on the ongoing war with Iran.
• Tulsi Gabbard faces questioning from Rep. Joaquin Castro regarding the divergent aims of the US and Israel in “Operation Epic Fury.”
  • Gabbard outlines the Israeli focus on targeting Iranian leadership, mentioning efforts beginning with the Ayatollah.
    • Quote:

      "We can see through the operations that the Israeli government has been focused on disabling the Iranian leadership and taking out several members, obviously beginning with the Ayatollah, the supreme leader, and they continue to focus on that effort."
      — Tulsi Gabbard [00:40]

  • US objectives, as stated by the President, include crippling Iran's ballistic missile capacities and naval operations.
    • Quote:

      "The president has stated that his objectives are to destroy Iran's ballistic missile launching capability, their ballistic missile production capability, and their navy, the IRGC navy and Minelang capability."
      — Tulsi Gabbard [01:00]

  • Gabbard notes she’s not privy to Israel’s intentions regarding attacks on Middle Eastern energy infrastructure.

2. Democratic Party Rifts Over Israel & Shifting Public Opinion

[01:17–02:18]

• Illinois primary reveals significant Democratic disagreement on Israel.
• Citing Gallup, NPR’s Domenico Montanaro reports a dramatic shift: US public, especially Democrats and younger voters, now sympathize more with Palestinians than Israelis.
  • This reversal accelerated after Israel’s response to the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023.
  • Two-thirds of Democrats, a majority under 35, and a significant share of independents now side with Palestinians; Republicans largely stay pro-Israel.
    • Quote:

      "For the first time, Gallup found Americans saying they have more sympathy with the plight of Palestinians than with Israelis. ... Since Israel's overwhelming response to the October 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attacks, the reversal has been rapid."
      — Domenico Montanaro [01:37]

3. Congestion Pricing Success in New York City

[02:18–03:12]

• New data show a 7.7% increase in subway ridership in the first year after implementing a $9 congestion pricing fee for Manhattan below 60th Street.
  • That’s 90 million more subway rides year-on-year, as reported by Bruce Konviser.
  • While not all gains are directly attributed to congestion pricing, officials call the results “promising.”
  • President Trump’s opposition, claiming economic harm, was blocked by a federal judge.
    • Quote:

      "Subway ridership jumped 7.7% in the first 12 months of the city's congestion pricing program. The result was 90 million more subway rides over the previous year."
      — Bruce Konviser [02:27]

4. US Walks Back Indoor Tanning Regulations

[03:12–04:12]

• Trump administration officials retreat from planned regulations on indoor tanning beds, which would have banned minors and required risk acknowledgment.
• Medical groups, citing increased skin cancer risk, protest the reversal.
  • Dr. Susan Taylor:

    "Science has taught us that there's really no such thing as a safe tanning bed."
    — Dr. Susan Taylor [03:52]

• The FDA memo, signed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., cites “scientific and technical concerns,” but lacks specifics.

5. Escalation in Iran & Global Response

[04:12–04:54]

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announces over 7,000 US strikes in Iran, with an even larger assault planned.
• Iran responds with attacks on Gulf shipping and energy facilities and closes the Strait of Hormuz to US and Israeli allies.
• Japan and European leaders condemn Iran's actions, stressing the fundamental importance of maritime freedom and warning of broad global repercussions.
  • Their joint statement highlights how the disruptions could most affect the world’s most vulnerable populations.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On US vs. Israeli objectives in Iran (Tulsi Gabbard):
  "We can see through the operations that the Israeli government has been focused on disabling the Iranian leadership... The president has stated that his objectives are to destroy Iran's ballistic missile launching capability, their ballistic missile production capability, and their navy, the IRGC navy and Minelang capability."
  — [00:40–01:00]

• On US public opinion shift (Domenico Montanaro):
  "For the first time, Gallup found Americans saying they have more sympathy with the plight of Palestinians than with Israelis."
  — [01:37]

• On NYC congestion pricing's effect (Bruce Konviser):
  "Subway ridership jumped 7.7% in the first 12 months of the city's congestion pricing program. The result was 90 million more subway rides over the previous year."
  — [02:27]

• On tanning bed safety (Dr. Susan Taylor):
  "Science has taught us that there's really no such thing as a safe tanning bed."
  — [03:52]

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Important Timestamps

• 00:16: Start of news; intel hearings, US/Israel in Iran
• 00:40: Tulsi Gabbard details Israeli objectives
• 01:00: Gabbard on US objectives in Iran
• 01:37: Domenico Montanaro reports on shifting US opinion on Israel/Palestine
• 02:27: Bruce Konviser on subway ridership/congestion pricing
• 03:52: Dr. Susan Taylor on tanning bed dangers
• 04:12: US-Iran military strikes; condemnation of Iranian counterattacks

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This episode delivers succinct but meaningful updates on pivotal global and national issues, blending political, social, and policy developments in a fast, informative format true to NPR News Now’s neutral, fact-focused style.

Transcript

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[NPR News Anchor]

Live from NPR News in New York City, I'm Dwahili Sai Kowtel. The director of National Intelligence is back on Capitol Hill testifying before the House Intelligence Committee about domestic terror threats and also the war with Iran. Yesterday, Tulsi Gabbard was pressed by Democratic Representative Joaquin Castro of Texas on US And Israeli objectives in Operation Epic Fury.

[Tulsi Gabbard]

We can see through the operations that the Israeli government has been focused on disabling the Iranian leadership and taking out several members, obviously beginning with the Ayatollah, the supreme leader, and they continue to focus on that effort.

[Angie Announcer]

How does that differ from our goals?

[Tulsi Gabbard]

The president has stated that his objectives are to destroy Iran's ballistic missile launching capability, their ballistic missile production capability, and their navy, the IRGC navy and Minelang capability.

[NPR News Anchor]

Gabbard said she was not privy to Israel's calculus to attack energy infrastructure in the Middle East. Primary contest in Illinois revealed rifts among Democrats over Israel. NPR as Domenico Montanaro reports, this comes amid a decline in American public support for the Mideast ally this year.

[Domenico Montanaro]

For the first time, Gallup found Americans saying they have more sympathy with the plight of Palestinians than with Israelis. Support among Democrats has been dropping for the past decade. But since Israel's overwhelming response to the October 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attacks, the reversal has been rapid. Before October 7, more Democrats sided with Israelis. Now two thirds choose Palestinians. A majority of Those younger than 35 also side more with Palestinians, a flip from a decade ago. While these changes have been most acute with Democrats and young voters, a plurality of independents also side more with Palestinians. Republicans continue to side overwhelmingly with Israelis. Domenico Montanaro, NPR News, Washington.

[NPR News Anchor]

The first year of congestion pricing in New York City has been a resounding success, according to new data. Bruce Konbizer reports Numbers support that claim.

[Bruce Konviser]

Subway ridership jumped 7.7% in the first 12 months of the city's congestion pricing program. The result was 90 million more subway rides over the previous year. The promising data comes from the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee, which advises the city's mass transit authority. The MTA spearheaded the years long battle to impose a $9 congestion pricing fee on drivers entering Manhattan below 60th Street. Committee officials admit that not all of the surge in ridership is the result of the new tolls but they say that's the prim. President Trump tried to kill the city's congestion pricing program, saying it would hurt the local economy. But a federal judge rejected the president's claim earlier this month. For NPR News, I'm Bruce Konviser in Greenbrook, New Jersey.

[NPR News Anchor]

And this is NPR News. Health officials with the Trump administration are backpedaling on an effort to more heavily regulate the indoor tanning industry. NPR's Will Stone reports. This comes despite protests from medical groups.

[Will Stone]

The proposed regulations had been in the works for many years. They would have banned anyone under 18 from using tanning beds and required those who do use them to sign documents acknowledging the risks. There is extensive research showing that tanning beds significantly increase the risk of skin cancer, especially if you tan at a young age. Dr. Susan Taylor is president of the American Academy of Dermatology.

[Dr. Susan Taylor]

Science has taught us that there's really no such thing as a safe tanning bed.

[Will Stone]

A memo on the FDA's decision, signed by Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Notes there were, quote, scientific and technical concerns and possible unintended consequences of the proposed regulations, but did not elaborate. Will Stone, NPR News.

[NPR News Anchor]

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says so far US forces have struck more than 7,000 targets in Iran, adding its largest strike assault yet is coming today. Meanwhile, Japan and leaders of some European nations are condemning Iranian counterattacks on unarmed commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf, attacks on oil and gas installations, and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to US And Israeli allies. In a statement, the group said freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle of international law and that the effects of Iran's actions will be felt by people in all parts of the world, especially the most vulnerable. This is NPR News from New York.

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