NPR News Now - NPR News: 03-16-2025 2PM EDT

Episode Date: March 16, 2025

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Scott Detro Following the news out of Washington, D.C. can be overwhelming. I'm Scott Detro and NPR has a podcast that can help. It's called Trump's Terms, stories about big changes the 47th president is pursuing on his own terms. Each episode is short, usually around five minutes or so. We keep it calm and factual. We help you follow what matters and we leave out what doesn't. Listen to Trump's Terms from NPR.

Nora Rahm Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Noorah Ram. At least 34 people were killed this weekend across several states as a huge storm swept from the Midwest to the Southeast, spotting tornadoes and widespread destruction. NPR's Amy Held reports. Amy Held Across states, dozens of tornadoes, some described as violent, tossed trees, cars and homes. I've got foundations with no houses attached to them.

Mark Smith is coroner in Wayne County, MO where several died in the community of Butler. Tiffany Boyles said the gas station where she worked is no more. We've lost all of our pumps. They were pulled out of the ground. In Arkansas, the governor says

recovery could take months, all from a sprawling system with winds feeding wildfires in Oklahoma and Texas and a deadly dust storm driven 50 car pile up in Kansas. Forecasters say a slight risk remains Sunday for severe weather in the eastern U. S. Amy held N, NPR News. Amy Held, NPR News The Trump administration says it's deported hundreds of gang members under a 1798 law that allows swift deportations at a time of war or invasion. A federal judge yesterday had blocked the deportations while he decides if the use of that law is legal. Now the Trump administration says the plane has landed in El Salvador. It's not clear if that happened before the order was issued.

President Trump's special envoy was in Moscow this weekend meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on ways to end the war in Ukraine. Steve Woodcoff said today the talks were positive and he expects Trump and Putin will speak this week. The president is getting updates in real time on everything that's happening and he expects Trump and Putin will speak this week. The president is getting updates in real time on everything that's happening, and he's involved in every important decision here. I expect that there'll be a call with both presidents this week,

and we're also continuing to engage and have a conversation with the Ukrainians. We're advising them on everything we're thinking about. He was interviewed on CNN. After yesterday's virtual summit conversation with the Ukrainians. We're advising them on everything we're thinking about. He was interviewed on CNN. After yesterday's virtual summit with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Ukraine, European military leaders will now discuss how to ensure Ukraine's security if there is a ceasefire. Vicki Barker has more. A follow-up defense summit scheduled in London this Thursday will see participating military chiefs begin

wargaming possible troop deployments in Ukraine to support and enforce any ceasefire there. Saturday's summit was attended by leaders from across the EU, Canada, Australia and New Zealand with backing from others, including Japan. It is not yet clear how many are prepared to put boots on the ground, but many, if not most, have signaled they are prepared to increase pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to, and then abide by, a peace deal for Ukraine. For NPR News, I'm Vicki Barker in London. This is NPR News. A fire broke out early this morning in a nightclub in North Macedonia. The Interior Minister says at least 51 people were killed and more than 100 were injured.

The blaze began during a concert by a local pop group in the eastern town of Kochani. Officials say pyrotechnics used during the performance most likely set the roof on fire. Students with disabilities have the legal right to a public education that meets their needs. At her confirmation hearing, U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon vowed to preserve that right and its funding even as she works to close the Education Department. As Nebraska Public Media's Jolie Peel reports,

it's often left to parents to advocate for education department. As Nebraska Public Media's Jolie Peel reports, it's often left to parents to advocate for that education. Families of students with disabilities are often on their own to make sure their child's needs are met. Celine Almazan is the legal director for the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, an organization working to protect the legal rights

of students with disabilities. She says meetings with the school can be especially intimidating. Parent education is crucial for parents to understand that they are an equal member of the team, even though the dynamics and the way that it's set up, it doesn't necessarily make you feel like you're a member of the team. Almazan says parents shouldn't be their child's only advocate,

but that's often how it ends up. For NPR News, I'm Jolie Peel in Omaha, Nebraska. Today is Selection Sunday when the NCAA announces the brackets for the men's and women's college basketball tournaments. The men's games begin Tuesday while the women's play starts on Wednesday. I'm Nora Rahm, NPR News in Washington.