NPR News Now: March 21, 2025, 10 AM EDT
1. Judge Blocks Elon Musk’s Doge Entity from Accessing Social Security Data
At 00:16, Korva Coleman reports a significant legal decision in Maryland where a federal judge has barred Elon Musk's Doge entity from accessing personal data held by the Social Security Administration (SSA). NPR’s Ashley Lopez provides details, stating that Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander criticized Musk’s team for embarking on what she described as “a fishing expedition” based largely on mere “suspicion of fraud” (00:33). The judge highlighted that Musk’s team was granted “unbridled access” to sensitive information, including Social Security numbers, medical records, and financial data of millions of Americans. While the court has restricted Doge’s access to much of this information, it affirmed that the SSA can still provide data that complies with federal privacy laws.
2. President Trump Advances Plans to Eliminate the Department of Education
At 01:12, President Trump is moving forward with an executive action aimed at eliminating the Department of Education. Although the department was established by Congress and can only be officially dissolved by legislative action, Trump is executing a significant reduction by slashing nearly half of its staff. The initiative has garnered strong support from Republican allies, including Indiana Governor Mike Braun, who expressed his support at 01:32: “I’m a believer in competition. I like choice, and I especially like parents being in the driver’s seat of their own kids’ education, not the federal government trying to tell us how to do that.”
However, this move faces staunch opposition from a coalition of 21 Democratic attorneys general who have filed a lawsuit to prevent the staff reductions and potential dismantling of the department.
3. Israel’s Supreme Court Halts Firing of Shin Bet Chief Amid Accusations of Power Grab
At 01:44, international focus shifts to Israel, where the Supreme Court has temporarily blocked the dismissal of Shin Bet’s chief, Ronan Barr. This decision comes amidst allegations that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is attempting a power grab by removing the domestic intelligence leader. The move has sparked widespread protests, with thousands of Israelis demonstrating against the firing. The Supreme Court's intervention ensures that Barr remains in his position until an appeal can be heard, delaying Netanyahu’s plans and maintaining the stability of Israel’s intelligence operations.
4. Escalating Ukraine-Russia Conflict Precedes Ceasefire Talks
At 02:34, tension continues to mount between Ukraine and Russia, with both nations accusing each other of targeting energy infrastructure. Ukraine has reported that Russian airstrikes have devastated residential areas in the Zaporizhzhya and Odessa provinces, resulting in significant civilian casualties, including children. Annealing the complexity of the situation, Ukraine asserts that it will "never cede these territories to Russia," pointing to President Vladimir Putin’s annexation attempts of partially occupied regions. NPR’s Eleanor Beardsley notes that experts predict any potential peace agreement might resemble the prolonged stalemate seen on the Korean Peninsula, with the front lines frozen and a heavily fortified border remaining.
5. Major Disruptions at Heathrow and Power Outages in Nebraska
At 03:12, Korva Coleman highlights a major disruption in international air travel as a large fire at a substation near London's Heathrow Airport has led to a power outage, closing the airport and affecting hundreds of thousands of passengers. The crisis has caused numerous flights to be diverted to other airports worldwide. Concurrently, over 30,000 customers in Eastern Nebraska are still without power, a situation exacerbated by a powerful blizzard earlier in the week that toppled power lines and disrupted electricity supplies.
6. Therapy Dogs Help Improve Mental Health of First-Year College Students
From 03:59, NPR shares an uplifting story from Washington State University, where new research indicates that interactions with therapy dogs significantly benefit first-year college students' mental health. Patricia Pendry, a WSU professor involved in the study, explains: “Students who met and spent time with dogs over their first semester also had marked improvements in self-compassion” (04:18). Lauren Patterson from Northwest Public Broadcasting adds that providing opportunities to engage with registered therapy animals “is actually a wonderful way to help them adjust to that first semester.” This intervention not only reduces stress and depression but also offers an affordable means of support for students who may be missing their pets from home.
7. Wall Street Experiences Significant Decline
At 04:47, Korva Coleman reports a downturn in the financial markets, noting that Wall Street stocks are experiencing a significant decline. The Dow Jones Industrial Average has dropped by several points, reflecting investor apprehension amid ongoing economic uncertainties.
This detailed summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the March 21, 2025, episode of "NPR News Now," providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the day's major news stories.