NPR News Now - March 26, 2025, 10 AM EDT

Host: Korva Coleman
Producer: NPR
Description: The latest news in five minutes. Updated hourly.

1. Controversy Over Trump Officials' Use of Messaging App for Military Communications

Timestamp: [00:15]

Reporter: Korva Coleman

The episode opens with a significant controversy involving top officials from the Trump administration. These officials reportedly used a commercial messaging application to coordinate US military strikes in Yemen. The situation escalated when a journalist from The Atlantic accidentally became part of this confidential chat group. In response, The Atlantic has released unredacted text messages that reveal sensitive details such as:

• Exact timing of the military attacks
• Types of warplanes utilized
• Specific targets involved

Senate Testimonies:

During a Senate hearing yesterday, Trump-era intelligence officials claimed that none of the shared information was classified. However, this assertion has been met with skepticism. Connecticut Democratic Congressman Jim Himes expressed the need for further investigation, stating:

"Congress cannot overlook the gravity of this breach of protocol," [02:08].

Unnamed Analyst's Critique:

An unnamed analyst criticized the officials' response to the incident, highlighting the lack of accountability and transparency:

"There's only one response, which is, we are terribly sorry. We are standing down. We will do the investigations...You know what we didn't hear yesterday? A single one of those assertions." [00:48].

White House Response:

Contrary to the unfolding narrative, White House spokeswoman Caroline Levitt dismissed the entire Atlantic story as a hoax:

"The US Military attacks did occur in Gaza," [01:08].

2. Protests in Gaza Amid Ongoing Conflict with Hamas

Timestamp: [01:08] - [02:17]

Reporter: Daniel Estrin

The podcast transitions to the volatile situation in Gaza, where Palestinians have organized a rare protest against Hamas, the ruling militant group. This development comes in the wake of Israel resuming military operations to pressure Hamas into releasing remaining hostages.

Key Highlights:

• Protest Details: Thousands participated in the demonstration in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza. Protesters chanted slogans like "Hamas, go out" and demanded media coverage, signaling a significant shift in public sentiment.

• Eyewitness Account: A protester identified only as Ibrahim shared his perspective:

  "Hamas is not taking us into account. It has 2 million people in Gaza who need to live. Release the Israeli hostages and leave Gaza." [01:32].

• Hamas' Stance: Historically, Hamas has suppressed dissent, but during the current conflict, they have refrained from breaking up the protests. This restraint suggests a potential shift in their approach to internal governance during wartime.

3. Economic Updates: Dollar Tree's Sale and Market Trends

Timestamp: [02:17] - [03:09]

Reporter: Scott Horsley

The financial landscape saw mixed movements as discount retailer Dollar Tree announced the sale of its Family Dollar business.

Dollar Tree's Decision:

• Acquisition and Sale: Dollar Tree acquired Family Dollar in 2015 for over $8 billion but has struggled to integrate the two brands effectively. In a recent move, Dollar Tree is selling Family Dollar to private equity funds for approximately $7 billion less than the original purchase price.

• Market Reaction: This strategic divestment contributed to the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising by about 170 points in early trading [02:17].

Additional Economic Indicators:

• Manufactured Goods: New orders for long-lasting manufactured goods increased last month, driven primarily by a surge in motor vehicle orders.

• Business Investment: Despite growth in certain sectors, key measures of business investment have declined. This downturn is attributed to businesses' hesitancy to invest amid an uncertain economic outlook.

• Consumer Spending: On a positive note, consumer spending on pets remains robust. Online pet retailer Chewy reported better-than-expected sales for the recent quarter and has forecasted continued growth for the rest of the year [02:30].

4. Commemorating the One-Year Anniversary of the Francis Scott Key Bridge Collision

Timestamp: [03:09] - [03:41]

Reporter: Korva Coleman

Marking a somber milestone, the podcast reflects on the one-year anniversary of the catastrophic collision between a cargo ship and the Francis Scott Key Bridge near Baltimore. The incident resulted in:

• Casualties: Six construction workers lost their lives.
• Infrastructure Impact: Significant portions of the bridge collapsed, leading to the closure of the Port of Baltimore for several months due to debris obstructing the river.

Global Religious Shifts:

In a related human interest segment, NPR's Jason DeRose discusses a Pew Research study revealing a notable decline in adherence to childhood faiths worldwide. The study surveyed nearly 80,000 individuals across 36 countries, uncovering:

• East Asia: 50% of South Koreans have changed their religion.
• Europe: In Spain, 40% have left their childhood faith.
• Americas: 28% of Americans and 25% of Colombians have switched religions.
• Trends: While Christianity and Buddhism are witnessing significant declines, there is a surge in individuals identifying as non-religious, atheists, or agnostics. Conversely, Islam, Hinduism, and Judaism show higher retention rates [03:09].

5. Florida's Proposed Legislation to Relax Child Labor Laws

Timestamp: [04:24]

Reporter: Korva Coleman

Shifting to legislative news, Florida lawmakers are advancing a controversial bill aimed at easing restrictions on child labor. The proposed legislation seeks to:

• Age Reduction: Allow children as young as 14 to work overnight shifts and during school days.
• Legislative Process: The bill must undergo review by two additional Florida state senate committees before it can be enacted.

Governor's Perspective:

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis advocates for the bill, arguing that a younger workforce could mitigate the reliance on migrant laborers who are currently employed illegally within the United States. He posits that integrating younger workers into the labor market may provide economic benefits and address workforce shortages [04:24].

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now provided a comprehensive overview of pressing national and international issues, ranging from political controversies and military conflicts to economic developments and social trends. Notably, the discussions highlighted the complexities of governance, the evolving dynamics within conflict zones, shifts in economic strategies by major retailers, and significant changes in religious affiliations globally. Additionally, legislative changes in Florida signal ongoing debates about labor laws and workforce management.

Notable Quotes:

• Unnamed Analyst:

  "There's only one response, which is, we are terribly sorry. We are standing down...We will make sure it never happens again, and there will be accountability for the people who were involved." [00:48]

• Protester Ibrahim:

  "Hamas is not taking us into account. It has 2 million people in Gaza who need to live. He called on Hamas to release the Israeli hostages and leave Gaza." [01:32]

• Governor Ron DeSantis:

  "A younger workforce could help be the solution to replace labor by migrants who are in the United States illegally." [04:24]

Excluded Content:

The summary intentionally omits commercial messages from Pemco Mutual Insurance Company and Insperity, as well as any non-content segments such as introductions or outros, to maintain focus on the substantive news discussions.