NPR News Now: March 23, 2025 – Comprehensive Summary

Host: Dan Ronan
Release Date: March 23, 2025
Duration: Approximately 5 minutes

Venezuela Resumes Deportation Flights Amid U.S. Pressure

Venezuela's government has announced the resumption of deportation flights for its citizens previously deported to the United States. This decision marks a significant policy reversal by President Nicolas Maduro, who had previously halted these flights, labeling them as kidnappings.

Key Points:

• Announcement: Jorge Rodriguez, President of Venezuela's National Assembly, declared on Instagram that flights will resume starting Sunday. He emphasized that "migration is not a crime" and expressed Venezuela's commitment to ensuring the return of all required individuals.

  "Migration is not a crime and Venezuela will not rest until it secures the return of all those who require."
  — Jorge Rodriguez [00:41]

• U.S. Involvement: The Trump administration had previously threatened additional sanctions against Maduro if deportations did not continue. The resumption aligns with the U.S.'s stance against Maduro's authoritarian measures.

• Recent Developments: Just a week prior, over 200 Venezuelan migrants were deported to El Salvador, with U.S. authorities alleging that most were affiliated with violent gangs. President Maduro condemned these actions as kidnappings and insisted on the migrants' return.

• Economic Implications: Maduro's decision coincides with the Trump administration's contemplation of extending Chevron's license to operate in Venezuela, which is crucial for the country's revenue streams.

Reporter: Carrie Kahn, Rio de Janeiro
Timestamp: [00:41]

Escalation of Conflict in Ukraine with Russian Drone Attacks

Ukraine faces renewed aggression as Russian drones targeted the city of Zaporizhzhia, resulting in casualties and property damage despite a recently agreed-upon limited ceasefire.

Key Points:

• Attack Details: A series of twelve Russian drones struck Zaporizhzhia, leading to three fatalities and fourteen injuries. The assault set multiple buildings and a vehicle ablaze.

  "Authorities say the three people who were killed in this latest attack were all from the same family."
  — Dan Ronan [01:28]

• Ceasefire Uncertainty: Although Russia and Ukraine had reached an agreement in principle for a limited ceasefire earlier in the week, the specifics regarding which targets are exempt remain unclear, allowing for continued hostilities.

High-Stakes Wisconsin Supreme Court Election

The upcoming Wisconsin Supreme Court election is garnering nationwide attention as it holds the potential to shift the court's balance of power between liberals and conservatives.

Key Points:

• Candidates:

  • Brad Schimmel (Republican): A suburban Milwaukee Circuit Judge receiving backing from Republicans, including a recent endorsement from former President Trump.

    "Absolutely nothing. He called me and he knows about the race and he knows that it's important that we have the rule of law in Wisconsin."
    — Brad Schimmel [02:39]

  • Susan Crawford (Democrat): A Madison Area Circuit Judge supported by Democratic constituents, with her campaign criticizing Schimmel for aligning with right-wing special interests.

    "Schimmel has, quote, spent his entire career on Bent Knee to right wing special interests."
    — Susan Crawford's Campaign [02:47]

• Campaign Dynamics: The race intensified with President Trump's public endorsement of Schimmel and discussions about potential interactions between Schimmel and the former president. Despite these endorsements, Schimmel maintains that he did not make any promises to Trump in return.

• Voter Engagement: Early voting has commenced ahead of the April 1st election day, reflecting the high stakes and voter interest in the outcome.

Reporter: Chuck Kormbach, Milwaukee
Timestamp: [02:16] - [02:47]

New York City’s Drinking Water at Risk from Elevated Road Salt Levels

New York City officials are raising alarms over the increasing concentration of road salt in the city's reservoirs, posing a threat to both public health and the environment.

Key Points:

• Health and Environmental Impact: Elevated salt levels in the drinking water supply can be detrimental to individuals on low-sodium diets and may lead to broader environmental consequences.

  "We've protected the environment by reducing and stopping the use of harmful chemicals, whether it was DDT or, or PCBs or, as we look forward, things like PFAS and the forever chemicals. We now need to focus on road salt as something that is harming our environment."
  — Rohit Aggarwala, NYC Department of Environmental Protection [04:11]

• Future Projections: If current trends continue, authorities warn that the reservoirs supplying 10% of New York City's drinking water could become unusable, necessitating their abandonment.

Reporter: Eva Pukach, NPR News
Timestamp: [03:58] - [04:29]

Heathrow Airport Resumes Operations After Electrical Fire

Europe's busiest airport, Heathrow, has overcome recent disruptions caused by an electrical fire and is actively working to eliminate the backlog of flights.

Key Points:

• Incident Overview: An electrical fire earlier in the week led to a temporary shutdown of Heathrow's operations, causing significant delays and cancellations.

• Current Status: Airlines have reported that operations are back to normal, with efforts focused on clearing the accumulated backlog to restore regular flight schedules.

Reporter: Dan Ronan, NPR News
Timestamp: [04:41]

Additional Highlights

• Wall Street Update: Stocks are set to open on a positive note following a successful week where the Dow, S&P, and Nasdaq all closed in positive territory on Friday.

• Former President Trump's Sporting Appearances: President Trump attended the NCAA wrestling championships in Philadelphia this Saturday. Since returning to the White House, he has frequented various sporting events, including the Super Bowl, Daytona 500, and a UFC fight. This marks his second attendance at the NCAA event within three years.

This summary provides an overview of the key news stories covered in the NPR News Now episode released on March 23, 2025. For more detailed coverage, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full podcast.