NPR News Now Summary: March 29, 2025

Host: Dale Willman
Release Date: March 29, 2025
Duration: Approximately 5 minutes

1. Devastating Earthquake Hits Myanmar and Thailand

Timestamp: [00:16]

NPR host Dale Willman opens the episode with alarming news from Southeast Asia. A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar, resulting in over 1,000 fatalities and additional casualties in neighboring Thailand.

Reporter: Michael Sullivan reports from Chiang Rai, Thailand.

• Impact on Myanmar: The earthquake hit approximately 10 miles from Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city with a population of around 1.5 million. The death toll is expected to rise as rescue teams continue to navigate through the rubble of collapsed structures. Efforts are being hindered by a lack of manpower and machinery necessary for debris removal.

• Government Response: In a significant shift, the leader of Myanmar's military junta has requested foreign assistance for disaster relief, a departure from the junta's previous stance of refusing external help.

• Thailand's Situation: In Bangkok, Thailand's capital located 600 miles south of the epicenter, at least 10 people have died following the collapse of a high-rise under construction. Dozens of workers remain unaccounted for amidst the wreckage.

Notable Quote:

"The 7.7 magnitude quake struck about 10 miles from Myanmar's second most populous city, Mandalay."
— Michael Sullivan [00:31]

2. Vice President J.D. Vance Criticizes Denmark Over Greenland Security

Timestamp: [01:16]

In international relations, Vice President J.D. Vance made headlines during his visit to a U.S. military facility in northwestern Greenland, a Danish territory.

Quote:

"I know it's a lot of sacrifice to spend a year away from your, but the mission is really important. The Trump administration, the president is really interested in Arctic security. As you all know, it's a big issue and it's only going to get bigger over the coming decades. So thanks for doing what you do."
— J.D. Vance [01:25]

• Criticism of Denmark: While expressing gratitude to the military personnel, Vance accused Denmark of underinvesting in Greenland's security, urging the nation to revamp its approach to Arctic defense.

3. FDA's Top Vaccine Expert Resigns Amidst Internal Conflict

Timestamp: [01:40]

Dr. Peter Marks, the leading vaccine expert at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), announced his resignation with sharp criticism of his superior, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Director of the Health and Human Services (HHS) Department.

Reporter: Rob Stein provides detailed coverage.

• Reason for Resignation: In his resignation letter, Marks accused the HHS of shunning truth and transparency, alleging that Secretary Kennedy prefers "subservient confirmation of his misinformation and lies."

• HHS Response: The HHS issued a statement emphasizing that Marks’ resignation reflects his unwillingness to "restore science to its golden standard and promote radical transparency." They declared that Marks has "no place at FDA" under Kennedy's leadership.

Notable Quote:

"It has become clear that truth and transparency are not desired by the secretary, but rather he wishes subservient confirmation of his misinformation and lies."
— Dr. Peter Marks [02:01]

4. Columbia University Appoints New Acting President

Timestamp: [02:46]

Claire Shipman has been appointed as the acting president of Columbia University, succeeding Dr. Katrina Armstrong, who stepped down after serving temporarily. Shipman, a former journalist and former co-chair of Columbia's board of trustees, takes the helm amidst challenges the university faces, particularly those arising from the Trump administration's policies.

5. Grants Pass, Oregon Faces Legal Setbacks on Homeless Policies

Timestamp: [03:33]

The city of Grants Pass, Oregon, is embroiled in legal troubles following a Supreme Court ruling last June that permitted enforcement of laws prohibiting public camping. However, a new lawsuit has emerged concerning the city’s treatment of homeless residents, leading to a preliminary injunction.

Reporter: Jane Vaughn from Jefferson Public Radio reports.

• Court Conditions: The injunction mandates that Grants Pass must:

  1. Expand its designated camping sites to match the capacity prior to the city's closure of a site in January.
  2. Ensure all resting sites are accessible to individuals with disabilities.

• Background: Grants Pass had recently emerged from a previous four-year court injunction related to the Supreme Court case but now faces renewed legal challenges due to the new lawsuit filed in January.

Notable Quote:

"On Friday, a circuit court judge issued a preliminary injunction preventing the city from enforcing its public camping laws until it has fulfilled two conditions."
— Jane Vaughn [03:33]

6. Major Flooding in Texas Due to Heavy Rainfall

Timestamp: [04:11]

Severe weather has struck South Texas, where 6 to 12 inches of rain have fallen over the past 24 hours, primarily along the Mexico border. The heavy downpours have triggered substantial flooding, leading to:

• Stranded Residents: Many individuals are trapped in their homes due to rapidly rising waters.
• Vehicular Abandonments: Numerous drivers have abandoned their cars on flooded highways, creating hazardous driving conditions.
• Airport Shutdown: At least one airport has been closed in response to the extreme weather.

NPR Host: Dale Willman emphasizes the ongoing rescue operations amidst these challenging conditions.

7. Utah Bans Fluoride in Public Drinking Water

Timestamp: [04:11]

In a significant public health policy shift, Utah has become the first state to ban fluoride in its public drinking water systems. The legislation, signed by Republican Governor Spencer Cox on Thursday, prohibits cities and communities from adding fluoride to their water supplies.

• Opposition: The ban has faced widespread opposition from dentists and national health organizations, citing the benefits of fluoride in preventing dental cavities and promoting oral health.

NPR Host: Dale Willman reports on the contentious nature of this legislative move.

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now provides a comprehensive overview of critical global and domestic issues, ranging from natural disasters and international security concerns to significant policy changes and legal battles affecting communities and public health. Notable insights and direct quotes from key figures add depth to the reported events, offering listeners a thorough understanding of the day's most pressing news.