NPR News Now: April 3, 2026, 7PM EDT

Host: Ryland Barton (NPR)
Duration: 5 minutes
Episode Theme:
This episode delivers NPR’s concise coverage of major national and international news, highlighting breaking military developments, diplomatic efforts around the Strait of Hormuz, federal workforce updates, labor statistics, notable cultural recoveries, and historic honors for Native American veterans.

Key Stories and Discussion Points

1. U.S. Military Aircraft Downed Over Iran

• [00:13-01:07]
  • Two U.S. Air Force combat planes were shot down, according to an anonymous official.
  • 22 crew members rescued; search continues for a third.
  • Notable context:
    • Trump administration claims that Iran's anti-aircraft capabilities are "destroyed."
    • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth states “the U.S. has control of the skies over Iran,” yet incidents suggest otherwise.
    • Last month, an F-35 struck by Iranian fire; pilot wounded but survived.
  • Quote – Tom Bowman ([00:36]):

    “So again, this latest two aircraft down shows the skies above Iran are still dangerous for U.S. pilots.”

2. International Diplomacy: Strait of Hormuz

• [01:07-01:41]
  • French President Emmanuel Macron and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung agree to cooperate in reopening the vital Strait of Hormuz.
  • Joint briefing in Seoul follows President Trump criticizing allies for lack of support in conflict with Iran.
  • No firm details on the reopening plan were provided.

3. DHS Pay and TSA Operations Amid Congressional Deadlock

• [01:41-02:25]
  • President Trump expected to sign an order to ensure pay for Department of Homeland Security employees, despite ongoing congressional budget deadlock.
  • Positive but uneven TSA recovery after a partial shutdown and payment interruptions:
    • Hundreds of TSA agents resigned; slow replacement due to lengthy training process.
    • Risks of further absenteeism if pay remains unstable.
  • Quote – Henry Harteveldt, airline analyst ([02:02]):

    “This is a day to day situation. If the back pay isn't fully repaid and if the TSA workers are concerned that they won’t be paid for work they do now, we're going to start seeing absenteeism increase again...”

4. March 2026 Unemployment and Jobs Report

• [02:25-03:12]
  • Job growth exceeded expectations: 178,000 jobs added in March.
  • Largest gains in health care (76,000 jobs, half due to end of a strike).
  • Construction, restaurants, and factories also contributed to job growth.
  • Federal government continued to lose workers.
  • Revised data: January hiring was stronger than first reported; February job losses greater.
  • Unemployment rate dropped slightly to 4.3%, mainly because ~400,000 left the workforce.
  • Quote – Scott Horsley ([02:33]):

    “The unemployment rate inched down in March to 4.3%. That was largely because almost 400,000 people dropped out of the workforce.”

5. Tiger Woods Update: Post-Accident Statement

• [03:12-03:43]
  • After an SUV crash in Florida, Tiger Woods told police:
    “I was just talking to the president.”
  • Not clear which president was referenced.
  • Woods pleaded not guilty to suspicion of DUI.

6. ‘Doctor Who’ Lost Episodes Recovered and Restored

• [03:43-04:13]
  • BBC recovered two lost 1965 episodes of ‘Doctor Who,’ found in a private collection by Film is Fabulous.
  • Notable moments:
    • William Hartnell as the Doctor demonstrating an invention (“magnetic chair”):

      “It has a force field strong enough to restrain a herd of elephants.” ([03:50])

    • Daleks’ iconic threat:

      “Find and destroy him. I obey.” ([04:07])

  • BBC archives restored the reels; 95 episodes still missing due to past practices of wiping tapes.

7. Recognition of Choctaw Code Talkers in Texas

• [04:35-end]
  • Choctaw Code Talkers, 19 Native American soldiers, honored with a historical marker in Fort Worth, Texas.
  • They created a secure language code during WWI, laying the groundwork for Navajo Code Talkers of WWII.
  • Notable for volunteering before Native Americans were recognized as U.S. citizens.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Tom Bowman ([00:36]):

  “So again, this latest two aircraft down shows the skies above Iran are still dangerous for U.S. pilots.”

• Henry Harteveldt ([02:02]):

  “If the back pay isn't fully repaid and if the TSA workers are concerned that they won’t be paid for work they do now... absenteeism [could] increase again.”

• Scott Horsley ([02:33]):

  “The unemployment rate inched down in March to 4.3%. That was largely because almost 400,000 people dropped out of the workforce.”

• Tiger Woods ([03:12]):

  “I was just talking to the president.”

• "Doctor Who" Audio ([03:50]):

  “It has a force field strong enough to restrain a herd of elephants.”

• Daleks in "Doctor Who" ([04:07]):

  “Find and destroy him. I obey.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• U.S. aircraft shot down over Iran: 00:13–01:07
• Diplomacy re: Strait of Hormuz: 01:07–01:41
• DHS/TSA pay and operations: 01:41–02:25
• March jobs/unemployment report: 02:25–03:12
• Tiger Woods crash statement: 03:12–03:43
• 'Doctor Who' episodes recovered: 03:43–04:13
• Choctaw Code Talkers honored: 04:35–end

This episode encapsulates global military tensions, domestic workforce and economic trends, a brush with celebrity legal news, a win for science fiction fans, and long overdue historical recognition—all within NPR’s signature fast-paced, factual style.