NPR News: 03-28-2025 6AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Comprehensive Summary of March 28, 2025, Episode

Release Date: March 28, 2025 | Host: Korva Coleman

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1. Major Earthquake Strikes Myanmar

Timestamp: [00:16]

Reporter: Korva Coleman

Overview: A significant earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 has hit Myanmar, particularly affecting the city of Mandalay. The quake, originating approximately six miles deep, has resulted in the collapse of buildings near the epicenter and has been felt as far away as Bangkok, Thailand.

Key Points:

• Epicenter and Impact: The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported the earthquake's epicenter near Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city with a population nearing 1.5 million. Multiple aftershocks, including one measuring 6.4, have been recorded since the initial event around lunchtime.

• Damage and Response: Online footage shows significant infrastructure damage, including a collapsed bridge and a high-rise under construction in Bangkok disintegrating, forcing nearby occupants to flee. Thailand's Prime Minister has instructed government departments to brace for casualties and further seismic activity. As of the report, there has been no official statement from the Myanmar government.

Notable Quote:

"A high rise under construction crumbles to the ground, sending people in nearby streets running for their lives." — John Ruich, [00:31]

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2. Federal Judge Orders Preservation of Trump Administration Texts

Timestamp: [01:14]

Reporter: Korva Coleman & Ryland Barton

Overview: A federal judge has mandated that several officials from the Trump administration retain text messages that reportedly include sensitive U.S. military plans concerning Yemen. This directive arises after a journalist was inadvertently added to a confidential text thread discussing bombing strategies.

Key Points:

• Involved Parties: The text messages involved high-ranking officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Vice President J.D. Vance.

• Judicial Directive: Judge James Boasberg has ordered the preservation of all communications from the Signal encrypted messaging app between March 11 and March 15, during which specific weapons systems and bombing schedules in Yemen were discussed.

• Public Disclosure: Atlantic Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg released the entire text exchange recently. In response, the nonprofit watchdog group American Oversight has filed a lawsuit to maintain the integrity of these records, criticizing the government's use of programs that automatically delete messages.

Notable Quotes:

“The chat included top officials... when Hexith described specific weapons systems to be used in Yemen, including the exact timings of when bombs would drop.” — Ryland Barton, [01:30]

“They need to save all of their communications...” — Judge James Boasberg, referenced by Ryland Barton, [01:30]

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3. Vice President Vance’s Controversial Visit to Greenland

Timestamp: [02:08]

Reporter: Korva Coleman

Overview: Vice President J.D. Vance and his wife, Usha, are slated to visit a U.S. Space Force base in North Greenland. This visit occurs amidst President Trump's assertion of intent to control Greenland, a Danish territory, despite local opposition.

Key Points:

• Local Opposition: Many Greenlanders, including resident Kaj Sandgren, have expressed strong disapproval of the Vice President’s visit.

• Trip Details: Originally intended as a cultural visit for Mrs. Vance, the itinerary was swiftly altered to include the Vice President after his addition to the delegation this week.

• Political Response: Both Republican Senator Roger Wicker and Democratic Senator Jack Reid have requested the Pentagon’s acting inspector general to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Notable Quotes:

“We don't want you here. Just a clear message. We don't want you here.” — Kaj Sandgren, [02:52]

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4. President Trump’s Executive Order on Smithsonian Institutions

Timestamp: [02:58]

Reporter: Korva Coleman

Overview: President Trump has signed an executive order aimed at ending what he terms "divisive race-centered ideology" within Smithsonian museums, educational and research centers, and the National Zoo. The directive seeks to prohibit actions that divide Americans based on race.

Key Points:

• Affected Institutions: Uncertainty surrounds the impact on establishments like the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture, the American Indian Museum, and two Asian art museums.

• Implications: The executive order could lead to significant changes in how these institutions present and interpret historical and cultural narratives related to race.

Notable Quote:

“This blocks actions that do not divide Americans based on race.” — Paraphrased from Korva Coleman, [02:58]

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5. Sundance Film Festival Relocates to Boulder, Colorado

Timestamp: [03:55]

Reporter: Benta Birkland

Overview: The prestigious Sundance Film Festival has announced its decision to relocate from Park City, Utah, to Boulder, Colorado, beginning next year. This move is part of a strategic decision to foster growth in a new environment.

Key Points:

• Reasons for Relocation: Boulder is characterized as an art-centric, technologically progressive, mountainous, and collegiate town, providing a fertile ground for the festival's expansion.

• Government Support: Democratic State Representative Brianna Tatone is advocating for a bipartisan bill to grant the festival over $30 million in tax credits throughout the next decade, aiming to boost tourism and economic resilience.

• Competitive Selection: Boulder was chosen over other contenders like Cincinnati, Ohio, and Salt Lake City, Utah, highlighting its unique appeal for the festival's future.

Notable Quotes:

"They will see that Colorado is a place they want to come back to. So I think we'll see a lot of repeat visitors for tourism." — Brianna Tatone, [04:16]

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6. Flash Flood Warnings Issued for Southern Texas

Timestamp: [04:42]

Reporter: Korva Coleman

Overview: Authorities have issued flash flood warnings for the southern tip of Texas due to heavy rainfall, with accumulations reaching up to 10 inches already reported.

Key Points:

• Weather Impact: The significant rainfall poses risks of flash flooding, prompting warnings and preparedness measures in the affected regions.

• Community Safety: Residents are advised to stay informed and take necessary precautions to mitigate the dangers associated with flash floods.

Notable Quote:

“Flash flood warnings are posted for the tip of southern Texas.” — Korva Coleman, [04:42]

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Note: Advertisements, sponsor messages, and non-content segments have been excluded from this summary to maintain focus on the primary news topics.

Transcript

[NPR Sponsor]

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[Korva Coleman]

In Washington, I'm Korova Coleman. A major earthquake has struck the isolated Southeast Asian nation of Myanmar. The magnitude 7.7 quake toppled buildings near the epicenter and rattled neighboring Thailand's capital, Bangkok. NPR's John Ruich reports. It's hundreds of miles away.

[John Ruich]

The U.S. geological Survey says the epicenter was about six miles deep and not far from the city of Mandalay in central Myanmar. Mandalay is the country's second biggest city after Yangon, with a population of around a million and a half people. USGS says there have been several aftershocks since the initial quake around lunchtime, including one with a magnitude of 6.4. Videos and photos online show a collapsed bridge and buildings and others off kilter in what appears to be the quake zone. In one video from Bangkok, a high rise under construction crumbles to the ground, sending people in nearby streets running for their lives. Thailand's prime minister ordered government departments to prepare for casualties and further aftershocks. There's been no word from the Myanmar government. John Ruich, NPR News, Shanghai.

[Korva Coleman]

A federal judge has ordered several Trump administration officials to save text messages that included sentencing U.S. military plans. NPR's Ryland Barton reports. The order comes after a journalist was accidentally added to the text thread that discussed bombing rebels in Yemen.

[Ryland Barton]

The chat included top officials like Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President J.D. vance. Judge James Boasberg said they need to save all of their communications from the Signal encrypted messaging app between March 11 and March 15. That's when Hexith described specific weapons systems to be used in Yemen, including the exact timings of when bombs would drop. Atlantic Editor in Chief Jeffrey Goldberg published the entire exchange earlier this week. After officials minimized their actions, nonprofit watchdog American Oversight sued to preserve the record, arguing that the government shouldn't use programs that auto delete messages from their phones. Ryland Barton, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

On note, NPR CEO Katherine Marr chairs the board of the Signal Foundation. It's a nonprofit that supports the messaging app. Meanwhile, the top Republican and top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee have asked the acting inspector general at the Pentagon to examine this matter as well. Republican Senator Roger Wicker and Democratic Senator Jack Reid are seeking an inquiry. Vice President Vance and his wife, Usha, are to visit a US Space Force base in North Greenland today. But this comes as President Trump continues to insist the United States will take control of the world's largest island. It is a territory of Denmark. Many Greenlanders, such as Kaj Sandgren, don't want the vice president to visit.

[Kaj Sandgren]

We don't want you here. Just a clear message. We don't want you here.

[Korva Coleman]

The trip was originally supposed to be a cultural visit by Mrs. Vance, but opposite to her arrival group so quickly in Greenland that the itinerary was changed. The vice president was added to the trip this week. You're listening to NPR News. President Trump has signed an executive order calling for an end to divisive race centered ideology at Smithsonian museums, educational and research centers and the National Zoo. This blocks actions that do not divide Americans based on race. It is not clear how this action by Trump will affect the Smithsonian Museums of African American History and Culture, the American Indian Museum and two Asian art museums. The city of Boulder, Colorado, has landed one of the biggest independent film festivals in the world. The Sundance Film Festival says it will leave its original home of Park City, Utah, after next year. From Colorado Public Radio, Benta Berklin reports.

[Benta Birkland]

In announcing its choice, the Sundance Festival described Boulder as an art town, a tech town, a mountain town and a college and a place where the festival can build and flourish. Democratic State Representative Brianna Tatone is sponsoring a bipartisan bill to give the Festival More than $30 million in tax credits over the next decade.

[Brianna Tatone]

They will see that Colorado is a place they want to come back to. So I think we'll see a lot of repeat visitors for tourism. And if we are having a recession, if the economy does go in a downturn, the festival goers that come to this usually are people who have more disposable income.

[Benta Birkland]

Boulder beat out Cincinnati, Ohio, and Salt Lake City, Utah. For NPR News, I'm Benta Birkland.

[Korva Coleman]

Flash flood warnings are posted for the tip of southern Texas. Weather forecasters say that up to 10 inches of rain have already fallen. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News in Washington.

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