NPR News Now: March 29, 2025, 9PM EDT
NPR News Now delivers the latest news in five minutes, updated hourly. In this episode released on March 30, 2025, the program covers a range of pressing issues from political tensions in Indiana and Columbia University's leadership crisis to natural disasters in Myanmar, corporate maneuvers by Elon Musk, homelessness policy in Oregon, and aviation safety concerns near Washington, D.C.
1. Indiana Representative Faces Backlash Amid GOP-Town Hall Tensions
Host: Jeanine Herbst
Reporter: Thomas Ollette
Location: Muncie, Indiana
Indiana Representative Victoria Spartz recently held a series of town hall meetings to engage with constituents, despite GOP leadership advising against such events. This guidance came in response to growing frustration and anger among voters regarding actions taken by the Trump administration.
At a town hall outside Muncie City Hall, hundreds protested Spartz's appearances. Inside, she encountered boos and jeers after expressing support for the Department of Government's efficiency initiatives. One attendee, Uther Henderson, voiced his dissatisfaction, stating, “We had a lot of questions about healthcare, a lot of questions about Social Security, and she really just dodged a lot of those questions” (00:55). Another attendee remarked, “They're doing a good job for you, and someday you will appreciate” (00:47), highlighting the polarized reactions to Spartz's approach.
Earlier in the week, House Speaker Mike Johnson had encouraged GOP lawmakers to forgo town halls, labeling attendees as professional protesters. This stance underscores the current tension within the Republican ranks as they navigate voter discontent.
2. Columbia University’s Interim President Resigns Amid Federal Scrutiny
Host: Jeanine Herbst
Reporter: Bruce Konviser
Location: New York
Columbia University is undergoing a significant leadership change as Claire Shipman, a co-chair of the board of trustees, steps in as the interim president. Shipman's appointment marks the third presidential change in less than a year for the prestigious institution.
The resignation comes at a tumultuous time when the Trump administration has withdrawn $400 million in federal aid from Columbia, accusing the university of fostering anti-Semitism. These allegations trace back to a student protest against Israel's military actions in Gaza last year. The previous interim president, Katrina Armstrong, had recently acquiesced to demands from the Trump administration to regain the lost federal funds, including calls for closer examination of Columbia's Middle East curriculum—a move many critics argue infringes upon academic freedom.
“This change has called for closer scrutiny of Columbia's Middle East curriculum. Many see the move as an attack on academic freedom,” explained Konviser (01:20). The situation reflects broader national debates over free speech and governmental intervention in academic institutions.
3. Devastating Earthquake in Myanmar Claims Over 1,600 Lives
Host: Jeanine Herbst
Reporter: Nick Beek
Location: Bangkok, Myanmar
A powerful earthquake struck Myanmar’s second-largest city, Mandalay, resulting in a death toll exceeding 1,600. The seismic event, the most destructive in a century, caused catastrophic damage, particularly to the Sky Villa condominium complex near historic temples.
Rescue teams continue their efforts to locate survivors beneath the rubble. Tragically, the 12-story apartment building pancaked within seconds, halving its structure and trapping numerous residents. Despite the chaos, there was a glimmer of hope when a woman was pulled alive from the wreckage of a 12-story apartment building in Mandalay (02:19).
“The destructive power of Myanmar's worst earthquake in a century is clear to the country's second largest city bore the full force at the Sky Villa condominium,” Beek reported, highlighting the immense challenges faced by rescue workers in the aftermath of the disaster (02:19).
4. Elon Musk’s XAI Merges with Twitter in $113 Billion All-Stock Transaction
Host: Jeanine Herbst
Reporter: Nick Beek
Location: Bangkok
Elon Musk continues to reshape the tech landscape with a significant corporate deal involving his artificial intelligence company, XAI. In an all-stock transaction, XAI has merged with X, Musk’s social media platform formerly known as Twitter. The merger values XAI at an impressive $80 billion and X at $33 billion, bringing the total transaction value to approximately $113 billion.
Musk originally acquired Twitter in 2022 for $44 billion, and this latest move underscores his ongoing commitment to integrating AI advancements with social media innovations. The merger aims to leverage AI to enhance user experience and platform capabilities, positioning X as a more robust and technologically advanced entity in the competitive social media market.
5. Legal Challenges Escalate for Homelessness Policies in Grants Pass, Oregon
Host: Jeanine Herbst
Reporter: Jane Vaughn
Location: Grants Pass, Oregon
The city of Grants Pass, Oregon, is embroiled in legal battles over its policies regarding homeless residents. Following a U.S. Supreme Court decision last June that upheld the enforcement of laws prohibiting public camping, Grants Pass implemented new regulations aimed at managing homelessness. However, these measures have sparked further litigation.
On Friday, a circuit court judge issued a preliminary injunction against the city, halting the enforcement of its public camping laws until Grants Pass meets two specific conditions:
- Expansion of Designated Camping Sites: The city must increase the size of its designated camping areas to match the capacity offered before a site closure in January.
- Accessibility Compliance: All resting sites must be accessible to individuals with disabilities.
This injunction follows a four-year-long court injunction related to the aforementioned Supreme Court case. The latest lawsuit emphasizes ongoing tensions between municipal authorities and advocates for homeless rights, raising questions about the balance between public order and compassionate policy-making.
“For Grants Pass to enforce its public camping laws, they have to at least meet these conditions,” Vaughn explained (03:39). The situation remains dynamic as both legal and community stakeholders navigate the complexities of effective homelessness management.
6. FAA Investigates Near-Miss Between Delta Passenger Jet and U.S. Air Force Jet
Host: Jeanine Herbst
Reporter: Jeanine Herbst
Location: Washington, D.C.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is probing a dangerous near-miss incident that occurred near Reagan National Airport outside Washington, D.C. Yesterday, a Delta passenger jet had just taken off when an onboard collision alert was triggered. At the time, four U.S. Air Force Talon jets were operating in the vicinity, leading to a precarious situation.
This incident raises serious concerns about airspace safety, especially in a densely trafficked area like Reagan National Airport. The FAA's investigation focuses on the protocols followed by both commercial and military pilots to prevent such occurrences.
Notably, this incident follows a tragic midair collision two months ago involving a passenger jet and an Army helicopter near the same airport, which resulted in the loss of all 67 people on board both aircraft. “There were four U.S. air Force Talon jets in the area at the time,” Herbst detailed (04:18), underscoring the ongoing challenges in ensuring aerial safety and coordinating between civilian and military aviation operations.
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