NPR News: 03-30-2025 3PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now – March 30, 2025, 3PM EDT: Detailed Summary

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1. Republicans Demand Investigation into Leaked Military Plans

Timestamp: [00:13] – [01:06]

Nora Romm opens the episode by reporting that increasing numbers of Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill are urging an investigation into the unauthorized leak of military attack plans targeting the Houthis. The breach involved a Signal group chat where Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared detailed information, including specific times and weapon packages. This encrypted chat included not only administration officials but also a journalist, raising significant security concerns.

Key Developments:

• Senator James Lankford, a Republican from Oklahoma and member of the Intelligence Committee, expressed his support for an investigation. Speaking to CNN, Lankford stated, “It’s entirely appropriate for the inspector general to be able to look at it” [00:36].
• Senator Roger Wicker, chair of the Armed Services Committee, requested an inspector general’s review into the security breach last week. However, Lankford refrained from directly criticizing the individuals involved in the Signal chat, including Hegseth.
• Regarding calls for Secretary Hegseth's resignation, Lankford remarked, “Overkill” [01:06], suggesting that such demands are excessive.

2. Health Funding Cuts Amid Texas Measles Outbreak

Timestamp: [01:13] – [02:12]

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is retracting $11 billion previously allocated to state and community health departments during the pandemic. This decision comes at a critical time as Texas grapples with a measles outbreak that has led to the hospitalization of at least 40 individuals and the tragic death of a child.

Key Insights:

• Brad Bird of member station KTTZ reports that the funding pullback coincides with the current public health crisis.
• Catherine Wells, Public Health Director, explained to the Lubbock City Council, “We have people traveling in and out of our community with different types of diseases, especially with measles right now” [01:44]. She emphasized the city's role as a central hub for treatment and vaccine distribution to surrounding affected areas.
• The Texas Department of State Health Services has informed public health departments of the cessation of federal funds initially designated to combat infectious diseases. This financial cutback significantly hampers the city's ability to effectively respond to the ongoing measles outbreak [01:49].

3. Devastating Earthquake and Continued Conflict in Myanmar

Timestamp: [02:12] – [03:06]

A powerful earthquake measuring 7.7 has struck Myanmar, resulting in a death toll exceeding 1,600 and leaving countless others feared trapped under rubble. The quake has decimated numerous buildings and critical infrastructure, exacerbating the nation’s ongoing civil war.

Key Developments:

• Rebecca Henschke of the BBC reports that the People's Defence Forces, a coalition of pro-democracy civilian militias, have accused the military of conducting helicopter attacks in the Magway region, near the earthquake’s epicenter [02:34].
• Additional reports indicate military airstrikes in the Kachin state, which borders China, adding to the humanitarian crisis.
• Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore’s Foreign Minister, has called for an immediate ceasefire in response to the compounded disasters. He stated, “[The military] must focus on saving lives,” highlighting the urgent need for peace amidst the devastation [02:34].

4. Tribute to Actor Richard Chamberlain

Timestamp: [03:06] – [04:07]

Nora Romm announces the passing of Richard Chamberlain at the age of 90. Chamberlain was a beloved actor known for his roles in iconic miniseries such as "The Thornbirds" and "Shogun," earning him the title "king of the miniseries."

Key Highlights:

• Juliana Kim of NPR News details Chamberlain’s illustrious six-decade acting career, beginning with his portrayal of Dr. Kildare in the 1960s TV show.
• He gained international fame through roles like a Western prisoner in "Shogun" and a conflicted Catholic priest in "The Thornbirds," both of which garnered Emmy nominations [03:24].
• In the 2000s, Chamberlain publicly came out as gay in his autobiography, shedding light on the challenges he faced in Hollywood regarding his sexuality. His openness in later years provided inspiration and representation for many in the LGBTQ+ community.
• Chamberlain passed away in Hawaii just days before his 91st birthday, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking performances and personal courage.

5. Upcoming Elections in Wisconsin and Florida; Trump’s Potential Third Term

Timestamp: [04:07] – [04:52]

As the nation gears up for elections in Wisconsin and Florida this Tuesday, significant political maneuvers and implications are emerging.

Key Points:

• Wisconsin voters are set to decide on a seat for the state Supreme Court. Billionaire Elon Musk has invested millions to support the conservative candidate, indicating substantial private influence in state judicial elections.
• Florida faces two open House seats:
  • One seat was vacated by Mike Waltz, the current National Security Adviser.
  • The other seat is to succeed Matt Gaetz, who resigned last year amid various controversies.
• In a notable development, President Donald Trump has not ruled out the possibility of running for a third term. In a telephone interview with NBC News, he asserted, “There are methods for doing so” [04:07], despite the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which explicitly prohibits any person from being elected to the presidency more than twice. This statement has sparked discussions and debates about constitutional limits and potential political strategies.

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now provided a comprehensive overview of pressing national and international issues, including political investigations, public health challenges, natural disasters compounded by conflict, notable obituaries, and significant electoral developments. Through detailed reporting and direct quotes from key figures, listeners are kept informed of the multifaceted events shaping the current landscape.

Transcript

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[Nora Raum]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Romm. More Republicans on Capitol Hill are calling for an investigation into the Signal Group chat that leaked military attack plans on the Houthis. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sent specific times and weapon packages in the encrypted chat that included administration officials and a journalist. NPR's Luke Garrett reports.

[Senator James Lankford]

Senator James Lankford, a Republican from Oklahoma, sits on the Intelligence Committee. When asked about the Signal chat leak, Lankford told CNN he supports an investigation.

[Carvana Advertisement]

It's entirely appropriate for the inspector general to be able to look at it.

[Senator James Lankford]

Last week, chair of the Armed Services Committee Senator Roger Wicker, a Mississippi Republican, requested an inspector general look into the security breach. But Lank stopped short of criticizing those in the signal chat and the sharing of specific attacks by the defense secretary.

[Carvana Advertisement]

This is normal communication on it. What's not normal is having a reporter in the middle of it.

[Senator James Lankford]

Lankford said calls for Hegseth to resign are, quote, overkill. Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington.

[Nora Raum]

The Department of Health and Human Services is pulling back $11 billion that were allocated to state and community health departments during the pandemic. Brad Bird of member station KTTZ reports. The move comes amid an outbreak of measles in the state.

[Catherine Wells]

At least 40 people in Texas have been hospitalized with measles since the start of the outbreak. Public health Director Catherine Wells explained to Lubbock City Council how the city serves as a hub for treatment and vaccines for nearby affected communities.

[Rebecca Henschke]

We have people traveling in and out of our community with different types of.

[Nora Raum]

Diseases, especially with measles right now.

[Catherine Wells]

But the Texas Department of State Health Services has now notified public health departments of the end to funding from the federal government initially allocated to fight infectious diseases. Wells told the Texas Tribune these cuts will impact the city's ability to respond to the measles outbreak that has claimed the life of at least one child. For NPR News, I'm Brad Burt in Lubbock.

[Nora Raum]

In Myanmar, the death toll from Friday's powerful earthquake is more than 1600. It's feared countless others are buried under the rubble. The quake measured 7.7 and flattened scores of buildings and damaged critical infrastructure. Meanwhile, rebel groups say the military government is continuing airstrikes in that country's Civil War. The BBC's Rebecca Henchke reports.

[Rebecca Henschke]

The People's Defence Forces, a network of pro democracy civilian militias says the military carried out a helicopter attack in the Maguey region, close to the epicentre of the quake. There are also reports of military airstrikes in the Kachin state near the China border. Singapore has called for an immediate ceasefire in the civil war. Its foreign minister, Vivian Balakrishnan, said the country was in a life or death period and that the military that seized power in a coup four years ago must focus on saving lives.

[Nora Raum]

The BBC's Rebecca Henschke. This is NPR News. Longtime actor Richard Chamberlain has died at the age of 90. He was known as the king of the miniseries, including the thornbirds and Shogun. NPR's Juliana Kim reports.

[Juliana Kim]

Richard Chamberlain's acting career spanned six decades. He rose to fame playing a compassionate and handsome physician in the 1960s TV show Dr. Kildare. And after a stint as a theater actor in the UK he starred as a Western prisoner in the 1980s miniseries Shogun and portrayed a Catholic priest torn by love in the miniseries the Thornbirds. Both roles earned Emmy nominations. In the 2000s, Chamberlain publicly revealed that he was gay in his autobiography, and over the years, he spoke more freely about the challenges in Hollywood when he felt he needed to hide his sexuality. Chamberlain died in Hawaii a few days before his 91st birthday. Juliana Kim, NPR News.

[Nora Raum]

Wisconsin and Florida are holding elections on Tuesday. Voters in Wisconsin are filling a seat on the state Supreme Court. Billionaire Elon Musk has spent millions to promote the conservative candidate. In Florida, two House seats are open. One was vacated by the current national security adviser, Mike Waltz. The other race is to succeed Matt Gaetz, who resigned last year. President Trump is not ruling out running for a third term. In a telephone interview with NBC News this morning, he said that he's not joking, that there are methods for doing so. Under the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, no person shall be elect to the office of the president more than twice. I'm Nora Raum, NPR News, in Washington.

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