NPR News Now – 03-26-2026, 8AM EDT

Host: Korva Coleman
Date: March 26, 2026
Duration: ~5 minutes
Theme: The latest world, national, and economic news headlines and quick reports from NPR correspondents.

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode covers major global and U.S. news, focusing on escalating tensions between the U.S., Iran, and Israel, economic impacts of war-driven disruptions, U.S. immigration enforcement costs, military actions in the Caribbean, the widening gender wage gap, and the status of the Baltimore bridge rebuild. NPR’s concise segments highlight breaking developments and contextual analysis from reporters and experts.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S.-Iran Indirect Talks & Escalation in the Middle East

[00:15–01:14]

• Pakistan’s foreign minister confirms acting as intermediary for indirect talks between the U.S. and Iran—messages exchanged, U.S. has provided 15 discussion points.

• Israel’s military actions: Claims to have killed a top Revolutionary Guard Navy officer in an overnight strike; Iran hasn’t officially responded.

• Ceasefire prospects: Despite ceasefire discussions, Israeli airstrikes are intensifying.

  “Israel wants to keep fighting. Two military officials told me they're hoping for weeks more of war in Iran… the Israeli military is speeding up its targeting in Iran right now over the next 48 hours, trying to hit as many Iranian arms factories as it can in case a ceasefire is declared.”
  —Unnamed Military Official (reported by Daniel Estrin), [00:51]

2. Impact of War on Food Prices in Europe vs. the U.S.

[01:14–01:56]

• European concerns: Forecasts in the UK warn food inflation could rise above 8% if energy markets stay disrupted.

• U.S. somewhat insulated: Economist David Ortega explains the U.S. is less vulnerable because it produces much of its own oil and fertilizer.

• Ongoing cost hikes: Rising costs for fuel and fertilizer already impacting U.S. farmers and will continue to drive up consumer prices.

  “We produce a lot of the oil that we consume here in the United States. We also produce fertilizer. Now we rely on imports of fertilizer. And certainly the world price of fertilizer impacts what our farmers pay.”
  —David Ortega, [01:44]

  “Ortega says that makes the US somewhat more insulated than countries that rely more heavily on imports. Still, he says rising costs for fuel and fertilizer are already pushing up expenses for farmers, and those increases are expected to reach consumers in the months ahead.”
  —Windsor Johnston, [01:56]

3. Expensive Local Fallout from Immigration Crackdown

[02:13–03:11]

• ICE deployments: Federal immigration enforcement surges in U.S. cities as part of President Trump’s crackdown.

• Municipal consequences: LA Police Department spent ~$17 million in overtime during eight days of protests in June.
  In Portland, police diverted to ICE protests slowed regular service.

• White House claims: Asserts undocumented immigrants cost Americans $100 billion in 2023 (NPR could not verify).

  “In Los Angeles, the surge of immigration enforcement agents in June meant the LAPD had to spend big on overtime to respond to protests, around $17 million on overtime for just eight days in June.” —Jacqueline Diaz, [02:29]

  “In a statement, the White House told NPR that people who are in the U.S. illegally cost Americans more than $100 billion in 2023. NPR could not independently verify those numbers.” —Jacqueline Diaz, [03:01]

4. U.S. Military Strikes in the Caribbean

[03:11–03:44]

• Alleged drug boat destroyed: Pentagon reports another boat struck, four people killed.

• Context: Over 160 people killed in similar operations since September under the current administration.

  (Brief segment; no unique quote)

5. Equal Pay Day & Gender Wage Gap Update

[03:11–04:29]

• Equal Pay Day: Symbolizes how long women must work into the new year to match men’s previous year’s earnings.
  Notable, the day is arriving later this year than last.

• New data: Women working full-time earn $0.81 for every $1 men earn, a 3-cent drop in recent years.

• Causes: The Census Bureau’s latest data (from 2024) reveals men’s median wages rose; women’s stagnated. The widening wage gap can’t be attributed to current presidential policy changes.

• Racial disparities: Black and Latina women’s “Equal Pay Day” recognized even later in the year (July and October, respectively).

  “For the second year in a row, women have lost ground. Women working full time year round earn $0.81 for every dollar men earn. That's down $0.03 over past couple years… The gender pay gap is even wider for women of color. Black women's equal payday will be marked in July, Latina equal payday in October.”
  —Andrea Hsu, [03:44]

6. Baltimore Bridge Collapse Anniversary & Rebuilding Update

[04:29–04:55]

• Francis Scott Key Bridge: Two years since a cargo ship accident caused the bridge to collapse, killing six workers and disrupting Maryland’s highways and economy.
• Rebuilding plan: State officials expect a new bridge design nearly finished, aiming for completion by 2030.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Israel's military escalation:
  “Israel wants to keep fighting... hoping for weeks more of war... speeding up its targeting in Iran right now over the next 48 hours.”
  —Unnamed Israeli Military Official (via Daniel Estrin), [00:51]
• Food inflation pressure:
  “We produce a lot of the oil that we consume here in the United States…”
  —David Ortega, [01:44]
• Municipal costs of enforcement:
  “$17 million on overtime for just eight days in June.”
  —Jacqueline Diaz, [02:29]
• Gender pay gap:
  “Women working full time year round earn $0.81 for every dollar men earn. That's down $0.03 over past couple years.”
  —Andrea Hsu, [03:44]

Timeline of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment/Story | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:15 | U.S.-Iran indirect talks & Israel-Iran tensions (Korva Coleman, Daniel Estrin) | | 01:14 | Food price inflation forecast for Europe & U.S. context (Windsor Johnston, David Ortega) | | 02:13 | Immigration enforcement & city costs (Jacqueline Diaz) | | 03:11 | U.S. military action in the Caribbean | | 03:44 | Equal Pay Day & gender wage gap (Andrea Hsu) | | 04:29 | Baltimore bridge collapse anniversary and new plans |

Tone & Style

• Factual and urgent, as is typical for NPR newscasts
• Quotes and statements are attributed directly and succinctly
• Economic and social issues are framed with direct data points or expert opinion

This summary should give listeners a detailed grasp of the episode’s coverage, highlight key news moments, and allow for quick referencing of the most pressing headlines and analyses.