NPR News Now - NPR News: 03-20-2026 3AM EDT

Episode Date: March 20, 2026

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Live from NPR news, I'm Jail Snyder. An American F-35 fighter jet made an emergency landing after a combat mission in Iran. NPR's Quill Lawrence reports a pilot was wounded by enemy fire but is in stable condition. U.S. Central Command acknowledged that the F-35 made a safe but unplanned landing and said the incident is under investigation. But a U.S. official not authorized to speak publicly confirmed to NPR that the F-35 fighter was hit by enemy fire and that the pilot is stable after requiring stitches. It's the first known instance of Iran's anti-aircraft defenses damaging a manned American plane.

This news broke hours after Secretary of Defense, Pete Heges said Iran's air defenses have been, quote, flattened. Still, Iran has not shot down a single U.S. or Israeli pilot over nearly three weeks of war and thousands of bombing sorties over Iranian airspace. Quill Lawrence NPR News. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Israel will hold off on more strikes on a key Iranian natural gas field.

Speaking to reporters in Jerusalem, Netanyahu confirmed Thursday that President Trump made the request and that Israel acted alone in attacking Iran's South Pars gas field. TIPRAT strikes on energy facilities have led to sharply escalating prices. NPR has learned that President Trump's Board of Peace has given Hamas a formal proposal to lay down its weapons. The proposal calls for Hamas and all of the other. militant groups in Gaza to decommission their weapons. Here's NPR's Daniel Estrin in Tel Aviv. We have really been waiting for this moment ever since the ceasefire began in Gaza in October.

At that time, the U.S. said that Hamas would have to decommission its weapons, whatever that means. Hamas said it was willing to discuss its weapons, but there really was no movement on that because we were waiting for the U.S. to hand over a formal proposal. And today, my NPR colleague, Abu Bakr Bashir, was told by a senior U.S. official that That proposal was handed over to Hamas last week. We confirmed this with an additional official in the region and also another person briefed on the matter. Trump administration has green let a massive consolidation in local TV markets across the country. NPR's David Fokinflik reports.

Nextar is buying the local TV stations of Tegna. If consummated, Nextar would own 259 stations in 44 states in the District of Columbia. The Federal Communications Commission waived its rules to allow NextR to reach 8,000. 80% of U.S. households more than doubling the current allowed figure. The commission didn't even have a public debate or a vote. Its lone Democrat condemned the decision. FCC Chair Brendan Carr argues the move will ensure the viability of local stations. Carr said he wants to strengthen the hand of local station owners against national networks.

As it sought approval, Nextar backed Carr's attacks on ABC late night host Jimmy Kimmel and mocked CNN in an ad campaign. The Justice Department also signed off on the deal Friday. David Fulkenflik, NPR News. are. California Governor Gavin Newsom is supporting a proposal to rename Cesar Chavez Day. Newsom said Thursday that he will move quickly on legislation. State lawmakers are considering that rename March 31st as Farm Workers Day. Leaders in other states and cities are considering similar moves following abuse allegations against the late labor leader. Thursday's first round win in the NCAA men's basketball tournament for the Nebraska Corn Huskers,

erases a dubious distinction. Greg Eklund reports from Oklahoma City where the game took place. Before this year's tournament, the Huskers were the only team from a power conference, the Big Ten, the Big 12, SEC and ACC, without a win in the NCAA men's basketball tournament. The 76-47 win over Troy of Alabama was extra special to Braden Frager, who finished with 13 points. He grew up practically in the University's backyard in Lake in Nebraska. Just growing up watching this team, I'll never get it done.

And for me to be on that team to get it done, it's just surreal. And I'm just super excited. I mean, just like everybody else in this group is, I mean, we're all excited to get it done. Previously, the Huskers made eight trips to the tournament without a win. The Huskers also set a school record for victories with their 27th win this season. For NPR News, I'm Greg Eklon in Oklahoma City. LeBron James has added another NBA record to his name. James tied the career mark for games played when he started for the Los Angeles.

Lakers in Thursday night's game against a Miami heat. James has now played a 1,611 regular season NBA games tying Robert Parrish's mark. This is NPR News.