NPR News Now - NPR News: 03-21-2025 5AM EDT

Episode Date: March 21, 2025

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NPR informs and connects communities around the country, providing reliable information in times of crisis. Federal funding helps us fulfill our mission to create a more informed public and ensures that public radio remains available to everyone. Learn more about safeguarding the future of public media. Visit ProtectMyPublicMedia.org. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dave Mattingly. Critics of President Trump's effort to close the Department of Education are hoping members of Congress will oppose it. NPR's Deepa Sivaram says the president signed an executive order yesterday that calls for the department to be dismantled. Trump's order vastly scales down the education department, but it can't be entirely eliminated

because that would require an act of Congress. The president cited reading and math test scores that declined during the pandemic as one of the reasons to close down the department, which has already laid off hundreds of staff. We're not doing well with the world of education in this country and we haven't for a long time. Trump said things like Pell grants, Title I resources, and funding for students with disabilities and special needs will remain intact but will be managed by other departments and agencies.

Deepa Sivaram, NPR News, The White House. Trump has said he wants to shift oversight of education from the federal government to states. The Justice Department says three people are facing charges in connection with violent attacks on Tesla dealerships and facilities across the U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi characterizes the attacks as domestic terrorism. NPR's Windsor Johnston says if found guilty, the defendants could face potential sentences of five to twenty years in prison. One of the suspects is charged with throwing Molotov cocktails at a Tesla

dealership in Oregon while armed with an AR-15 rifle. Another person is facing charges for attempting to ignite Tesla vehicles at a location in Colorado. The Justice Department has charged a third person in South Carolina with vandalizing Tesla charging stations with messages against President Trump before setting them on fire. Authorities have lengthy attacks at Tesla locations to anger over the seemingly arbitrary firings of tens of thousands of people overseen by Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Windsor Johnston, NPR News, Washington.

The National Transportation Safety Board is recommending 68 bridges across the U.S. be evaluated for their risk of catastrophic collapse from a vessel collision. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy says the assessments are needed in 19 states as an urgent safety measure. At a news conference yesterday, Homendy criticized the Maryland Transportation Authority for not having assessed the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore over decades. Large sections of the bridge collapsed last year after a cargo ship hit a bridge support, killing six maintenance workers on the bridge at the time. London's Heathrow Airport is closed today because of a fire at a nearby electrical substation. The fire knocked out power

to the airport, disrupting airline flights for thousands. This is NPR News. The International Olympic Committee has its first female president. Kirsty Coventry was elected yesterday from among seven candidates. The 41 year old Zimbabwe sports minister also becomes the first African to hold the IOC president's job. Coventry is a two-time Olympic gold medal swimmer. She will hold the position for eight years. A group of investors led by tech CEO has agreed to purchase the NBA's Boston Celtics. As NPR's Tovia Smith reports, the purchase price is a

record for a sports franchise in North America. The Celtics went on the market shortly after the team won its 18th NBA Championship last June. The record-breaking $6.1 billion sale is to a group headed by William Chisholm of Symphony Technology Group. Current CEO Wick Grousback would stay on for the next three years. The deal still needs to be approved by the NBA Board of Governors. It follows another record-breaking Celts deal last summer when superstar Jason Tatum signed

the largest-ever NBA contract for $315 million for five years. In a statement, Grousback said Chisholm appreciates the importance of the Celtics and burns with a passion to win. Tovia Smith, NPR News, Boston. The president of McNeese State University in Louisiana says yesterday was the biggest day or one of the biggest in the school's history. The men's 12th-seeded basketball team upset number 5 seed Clemson 69 to 67 in the NCAA basketball tournament.

It was the school's first tournament win. I'm Dave Mattingly in Washington. Public media counts on your support to ensure that the reporting and programs you depend on thrive. Make a recurring donation today to get special access to more than 20 NPR podcasts. Perks like sponsor-free listening, bonus episodes, early access, and more. So start supporting what you love today at plus.npr.org.