Loading summary
Carvana
This message comes from Carvana. Discover your car's worth with Carvana Value Tracker. Stay up to date when your car's value changes. Always know your car's worth with Carvana Value Tracker.
Nora Ramm
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Ramm. The Trump administration continues its efforts to cut the size and the scope of the federal workforce. The Department of Homeland Security announced more cutbacks yesterday. NPR's Ron Elving reports. These include jobs at its Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, the offices of the Ombudsman for Immigration Detention and the Ombudsman for Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Ron Elving
The DHS spokesman told NPR Friday that these offices, quote, obstructed immigration enforcement by adding bureaucratic hurdles and undermining DHS's mission. Well, their job was to provide in house oversight and restraint on this powerful agency and make sure it stays within the law and follows its own mandates. That's what watchdogs do. That's that's what Ombudsman offices are for.
Nora Ramm
NPR's Ron Elving. A federal judge in San Antonio has struck down mail ballot ID requirements in Texas that they violated the rights of people with disabilities. Since they were enacted in 2021. Many elderly and voters with disabilities reported having their ballots rejected. Texas Public Radio's Dan Katz reports.
Victor Jennison
Victor Jennison, an attorney with the NAACP's Legal Defense Fund, says there was no way to know which ID number the state had on file until the ballots were rejected.
Carvana
Even if they do know which number is in the election system and they put it in correctly, the election system may not have the number right.
Victor Jennison
Jenison cited testimony at trial where the Texas secretary of state conceded that more than 650,000 registration records in their system were incorrect. He added that expert testimony estimated that more than 2 million people were unable to vote due to the ID restrictions. The state of Texas is expected to appeal. I'm Dan Katz in San Antonio.
Nora Ramm
After a relatively quiet 42 days in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has resumed airstrikes there after a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas expired without an agreement for an extension. NPR's Adil El Shalchi reports from Tel Aviv.
Enez Bhabha
Besides the deadly and daily airstrikes that have killed hundreds, including many children, the Israeli military is also expanding a ground operation, which means ordering the evacuation of thousands of Palestinians from their homes and neighborhoods. NPR's Gaza producer Enez Bhabha visited a library in the north where people were sheltering and burning books to keep warm.
Nora Ramm
NPR's Cedille Alshelchi the Vatican says Pope Francis will be released from the hospital tomorrow. He had been admitted February 14 with respiratory problems that developed into pneumonia in both lungs. The head of his medical team says the 88 year old pontiff will need at least two months of rest and rehabilitation at the Vatican before resuming his normal activities. He suggests make his first public appearance tomorrow to offer a blessing from his hospital window. This is NPR News in Washington. In South Korea, hundreds of people have been forced from their homes by more than 20 wildfires. At least two firefighters were killed. The Korea Forest Service says hundreds of acres have burned across the nation. Former Massachusetts first lady Kitty Dukakis has died at the age of 88. She was an outspoken advocate for people with mental illness and addiction, drawing on her own experiences. Her son John Dukakis, says she died peacefully overnight with her family at her side. Lisa Mullins of member station WBUR reports.
Lisa Mullins
People closest to Kitty Dukakis praise her for turning her experience with depression and addiction into positive change for others. Phil Johnston served under Governor Michael Dukakis. He saw the first lady of Massachusetts use her position to raise awareness and help people who were struggling, whether it.
Ron Elving
Was the Holocaust or the homeless or whether it be people who have addiction problems, she was there for them. She was as caring a human being as I've ever met.
Lisa Mullins
Johnston says Kitty Dukakis personally reached out to people in state government who were dealing with addiction and got them help. For NPR News, I'm Lisa Mullins.
Nora Ramm
Boxer George Foreman has died at the age of 76. His family said he died last night. No cause was given. The heavyweight began his boxing career as an Olympic gold medalist and became the champ by beating Joe Frazier in 1973. A year later, he lost to Muhammad Ali in a match promoted as the Rumble in the jungle. But 20 years after that, the 45 year old foreman became the oldest man to win the championship. I'm Nora Ramm, NPR News.
Carvana
Listen to this podcast sponsor free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR News Now +@plus.NPR.org that's plus.NPR.org.
Host: Nora Ramm
Release Date: March 22, 2025
Duration: Approximately 5 minutes
Host: Nora Ramm
Reporter: Ron Elving
The Trump administration continues its strategy to diminish the federal workforce's size and scope. The latest announcement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reveals additional cutbacks targeting several oversight offices.
Ron Elving explains the rationale behind these cuts:
"These offices... obstructed immigration enforcement by adding bureaucratic hurdles and undermining DHS's mission." [00:38]
However, Elving challenges this perspective by emphasizing the essential role of these offices:
"Their job was to provide in-house oversight and restraint on this powerful agency and make sure it stays within the law and follows its own mandates. That's what watchdogs do." [00:38]
This move has sparked debate over the balance between efficient enforcement and necessary oversight.
Host: Nora Ramm
Reporter: Dan Katz
A significant legal victory for voting rights emerged as a federal judge in San Antonio invalidated Texas's mail ballot ID requirements, citing violations against individuals with disabilities.
Attorney Victor Jennison from the NAACP's Legal Defense Fund highlighted the system's flaws:
"There was no way to know which ID number the state had on file until the ballots were rejected." [01:26]
Further scrutiny revealed systemic issues within Texas's election system:
"The election system may not have the number right." [01:35]
Jennison cited testimony showing over 650,000 registration records were incorrect, potentially disenfranchising more than 2 million voters. The state of Texas plans to appeal the decision. [01:42]
Host: Nora Ramm
Reporters: Adil El Shalchi & Enez Bhabha
After 42 relatively quiet days, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has resumed airstrikes in Gaza following the expiration of a temporary ceasefire without an extension agreement.
Enez Bhabha, NPR's Gaza producer, provided a poignant scene from a sheltering library in the north:
"People were sheltering and burning books to keep warm." [02:20]
The escalation underscores the fragile and volatile situation in the region, with humanitarian concerns mounting amidst ongoing conflict.
Host: Nora Ramm
Reporter: Cedille Alshelchi
The Vatican announced that Pope Francis is set to leave the hospital tomorrow after being admitted on February 14 due to severe respiratory issues that developed into pneumonia.
This development marks a hopeful turn for the pontiff's health, ensuring his continued leadership and spiritual guidance.
Host: Nora Ramm
South Korea is grappling with over 20 wildfires, forcing hundreds to evacuate their homes. The Korea Forest Service reported significant destruction:
Casualties:
At least two firefighters lost their lives.
Extent of Damage:
Hundreds of acres have been scorched across the nation, highlighting the severity of the wildfire season.
Efforts are underway to control the fires and assist displaced residents, emphasizing the urgent need for effective disaster response strategies.
Host: Nora Ramm
Reporter: Lisa Mullins
Quotes from: Phil Johnston
Kitty Dukakis, the former First Lady of Massachusetts, passed away at 88. She was a passionate advocate for individuals battling mental illness and addiction, inspired by her personal experiences.
Phil Johnston, a colleague, praised her dedication:
"Was the Holocaust or the homeless or whether it be people who have addiction problems, she was there for them. She was as caring a human being as I've ever met." [04:03]
Kitty Dukakis died peacefully overnight, surrounded by family, leaving behind a lasting impact on mental health advocacy. [04:15]
Host: Nora Ramm
Boxing icon George Foreman has died at 76. His family announced his passing last night without specifying a cause.
Foreman's legacy in the boxing world remains unparalleled, inspiring future generations of athletes.
Note: Advertisements and non-content sections from sponsors, such as Carvana, have been excluded from this summary to focus solely on the news content.