NPR News Now - NPR News: 03-21-2025 8PM EDT

Episode Date: March 22, 2025

NPR News: 03-21-2025 8PM EDTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Support for NPR and the following message come from American Jewish World Service, committed to the fight for human rights, supporting advocates and grassroots organizations worldwide working towards democracy, equity, and justice at ajws.org. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Janene Herbst. At a hearing in Washington, a federal judge appeared deeply At a hearing in Washington, a federal judge appeared deeply skeptical of how President Trump used an 18th century wartime law to deport more than 100 Venezuelans to El Salvador. As in Piers Adrian Florido reports, Judge James Boasberg called the Trump administration's interpretation of the Alien Enemies Act troublesome. A lawyer for the Trump administration argued before Judge James Boasberg that the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 gives the president broad authority to detain and deport people without

due process. The president declared that members of Venezuela's Tren de Agua gang are invading and therefore subject to immediate deportation under the wartime law. A lawyer for the ACLU said the government overstepped because the U.S. is not at war with Venezuela. He also said anyone targeted under the law should be allowed to challenge their expulsion. Judge Boasberg said he agreed the president's use of the law is unprecedented and concerning. He'll decide whether to block the government from using it for more deportations. Adriene Flaherido, NPR News. The Department of Homeland Security is cutting jobs as part of a broader reduction in force

effort across the federal government. As NPR's Ximena Bustillo reports, these workers are focused on civil rights and immigration oversight. The agency primarily responsible for immigration law enforcement has cut staff who are responsible for overseeing those activities. This includes an office that works with detainees who face issues with immigration and customs enforcement. It also includes another office that helps resolve issues

with those trying to seek immigration benefits, like green cards. In a statement, DHS spokesperson Trisha McLaughlin said DHS remains committed to civil right protections, but must streamline oversight to remove roadblocks to enforcement. Jimena Bustillo, NPR News. Native American government leaders in Arizona are condemning a decision by the Trump administration

that they say disrespects the legacy of tribal contributions. Michele Maritzko of member station KJZZ has more. Last month the Department of Veterans Affairs announced a new policy limiting which flags can fly over its facilities. U.S. flags, military service flags, POW flags, for example, are allowed, but the flags representing the 22 federally recognized tribes in Arizona are not. Local VA officials gave them to the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community. President Martin Harvier said he hopes it's temporary.

You would hope that the VA would change their policy to allow tribal flags to be flown in their facilities. The removal comes days after the Department of Defense stripped any mention of the Navajo Code Talkers from its web pages and then backtracked blaming a technical error amid a backlash. For NPR News, I'm Michel Marisco in Flagstaff, Arizona. Well, street hire by the closing bell. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Tennessee has reported its first confirmed case of the measles this year. As Catherine Sweeney of Member Station WPLN reports, 18 states have now reported more than 350 confirmed cases, according for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Tennessee Health

Department says the Middle Tennessee resident likely became infected in early March. Public health officials are working to identify anyone else who may have been exposed. As case numbers rise, top health officials, working to identify anyone else who may have been exposed. As case numbers rise, top health officials, such as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have emphasized unproven treatment methods over increasing the vaccination rate. Chattanooga pediatrician John Heiss says that is damaging. They are not following any of the current recommendations. It's more their personal opinions or one and two studies

that have not been peer reviewed or been refuted. Infectious disease doctors recommend two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, which offer protection for life. For NPR News, I'm Katherine Sweeney in Nashville. A NASA spacecraft will make its second close brush with the sun tomorrow. Scientists say they hope the data from the Parker Solar Probe will help them better understand the sun's outer atmosphere and what drives the solar wind. The Parker Probe made its record-breaking first pass in December, within 3.8 million miles

of the sun, flying closer than any object sent before. It was launched in 2018 to get a close-up look at the sun and it's the fastest spacecraft built. I'm Janene Herbst in PR News. Neuroscientist Ethan Cross says you may think it's healthy to vent about what's bothering you, but... But the problem is you often leave that conversation feeling really good about the person you just communicated with, but all the negative feelings are still there. Sometimes they're even more activated.

Tools for managing our emotions. That's on the TED Radio Hour podcast from NPR.