NPR News Now: March 31, 2026, 10PM EDT

Host: Ryland Barton
Date: April 1, 2026
Duration: 5 minutes
Episode Theme:
A concise update on pressing national and international news: developments in the Iran conflict and energy markets, Ukraine war remembrance, NASA's Artemis 2 mission and diversity, legal battles over public broadcasting and Trump administration policies, and a tribute to a canine surfing legend.

1. U.S.–Iran Conflict & Global Oil Security

00:00–01:01

• President Trump’s Timeline for U.S. Attacks
  • Announces U.S. military operations in Iran will conclude “in two to three weeks.”

    "That's not for us. That'll be for France. That'll be for whoever's using the strait... I think when we leave, probably that's all cleared up. Today I heard tremendous numbers of ships were sailing through." (President Trump, 00:16)

  • The U.S. will not intervene in securing the Strait of Hormuz, vital for global oil trade—shifting responsibility to other nations.
• Status of Iran Conflict
  • Trump claims U.S. has "obliterated Iran’s military capabilities."
  • Ongoing: Iranian strikes against Israel and regional Arab neighbors.
  • Diplomatic Stalemate: Trump asserts negotiations are underway; Iran denies diplomatic progress.
• Impact on Gas Prices (U.S.-wide and in California)
  • U.S. average gas price: over $4/gallon, up more than $1 since start of Iran war.
  • California: $5.89/gallon.
• Americans Are Still Driving Despite High Gas Prices
  • Story from Alabama:
    • Ken Davis, a business traveler, continues driving despite costs.

      "When you have to do it, you have to do it." (Ken Davis, 01:06)

    • At a busy Buc-ee’s: all gas pumps in use.
    • References shift towards electric vehicles in his household.

      "My wife doesn't have that to deal with because she has an EV… you know me, I'm still going with gas, so I've got to pay the price for it." (Ken Davis, 01:21)

    • Notes personal travel cutbacks due to high prices.

2. Ukraine War Anniversary & International Response

01:38–02:15

• European Leaders Mark 4th Anniversary of Bucha Atrocities
  • Commemoration in Bucha near Kyiv: Four years since Russian forces killed over 400 civilians, involving execution-style killings, torture, and mass graves.
• U.S. Diplomatic Shift
  • U.S.-led efforts for Ukraine peace are stalled, as Washington’s attention has shifted to Iran.

3. NASA Artemis 2 Mission & Diversity Policy Changes

02:15–02:58

• Upcoming Lunar Mission
  • Artemis 2: Will include the first woman and first Black man ever assigned to a lunar mission.
• NASA’s Shift Away from Celebrating Diversity
  • Change coincides with President Trump’s executive actions targeting DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) in federal agencies.
  • NASA has scrubbed language highlighting crew diversity from its website.
  • Advocacy Perspective:

    "I think it's really important to explicitly highlight the inclusion of not just Black folks, but other marginalized folks… to back away from that or to erase that, I think is wrong."
    (AJ Link, Black and Astro; 02:37)

4. Legal Rulings: Public Broadcasting & Trump’s Ballroom

02:58–04:17

• Federal Judge Blocks Trump's Federal Funding Ban for NPR & PBS
  • Court rules that the executive order barring funding violates First Amendment rights.
  • Impact unclear, as Congress previously cut funding via legislative vote.
• Trump’s Washington Ballroom Halted
  • Judge Richard Leon issues a preliminary injunction: Construction must stop until Congress authorizes the project.

    "The ballroom construction project must stop until Congress authorizes its completion." (Judge Leon, summarized by Danielle Kurtzleben, 03:39)

  • Enforcement of injunction delayed 14 days, pending expected appeal by administration.
  • Trump responds online, calling the National Trust for Historic Preservation “a radical left group of lunatics,” and airing other grievances.

5. Notable Community Story: Passing of Sugar the Surfing Dog

04:17–04:40

• Sugar the Surfing Dog Dies at 16
  • Rescue dog, five-time world champion, first dog in the Surfing Hall of Fame.
  • Spent years as a therapy dog for veterans.
  • "Spent her days outside the water comforting veterans as a dedicated therapy dog." (Ryland Barton, 04:27)

6. Notable Quotes (with Speakers and Timestamps)

• "That's not for us. That'll be for France. That'll be for whoever's using the strait. But I think when we leave, probably that's all cleared up. Today I heard tremendous numbers of ships were sailing through."
  — President Trump, 00:16

• "When you have to do it, you have to do it."
  — Ken Davis, 01:06

• "My wife doesn't have that to deal with because she has an EV… you know me, I'm still going with gas, so I've got to pay the price for it."
  — Ken Davis, 01:21

• "I think it's really important to explicitly highlight the inclusion of not just black folks, but other marginalized folks that have been left out of the industry and to to back away from that or to erase that, I think is wrong."
  — AJ Link, 02:37

• "The ballroom construction project must stop until Congress authorizes its completion."
  — Judge Richard Leon (summarized), 03:39

7. Key Timestamps

• 00:00 — Iran conflict update & U.S. priorities
• 01:01 — Gas prices and American drivers
• 01:38 — Ukraine war anniversary; Bucha remembrance
• 02:15 — Artemis 2: NASA, crew diversity, and policy change
• 02:58 — Court rulings: Public broadcasting and Trump ballroom
• 04:17 — Sugar the Surfing Dog: Community tribute

Summary:
This fast-paced NPR News Now edition delivers essential headlines on escalating Middle East tensions, consequences at the gas pump, global remembrance and shifting diplomacy, the politicization of space achievements, key legal decisions confronting the Trump administration, and a heartfelt sign-off bidding farewell to a beloved canine icon. The reporting reflects NPR's concise, authoritative tone—with sharp, memorable statements from newsmakers and everyday Americans alike.