NPR News Now - NPR News: 03-22-2025 6AM EDT

Episode Date: March 22, 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 Giles Snyder. At a court hearing in the nation's capital, a federal judge appeared skeptical of President Trump's use of an 18th century wartime law to deport more than 100 Venezuelans to El

Salvador. NPR's Adrian Florido reports that Judge James Boesberg called the Trump administration's interpretation of the Alien Enemies Act troublesome. A lawyer for the Trump administration argued before Judge James Boesberg 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 Trender 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. Adrian Flaherty, NPR News. Toward the end of the Biden administration, officials sought to protect a fund that compensates workers who develop black lung disease while working for coal companies that later go bankrupt. Wyoming Public Radio's Chris Clements reports that House Republicans now asking the Trump-appointed

secretary of labor to get rid of the rule that guarantees those protections. Advocates say the rule closed a loophole that let bankrupt companies push the costs of their workers' black-loan treatments onto the taxpayer-backed trust fund, which is more than $30 billion in debt. Rebecca Shelton with the Appalachian Citizens Law Center says eliminating the rule would steer the fund deeper into debt, which might lead Congress to lower minors' monthly disability payments. Minors really feel that these companies that they gave so much for, now they need to get back when they're sick.

A spokesperson said in an email that the Secretary of Labor is eager to, quote, find common-sense solutions that will boost our economy and put American workers first. For NPR News, I'm Chris Clements in Laramie. Legendary heavyweight boxer George Foreman has died. He was 76. His family announced his death on social media last night. Foreman was a two-time champion who famously fought Muhammad Ali in the Rumble in the Jungle, the 1974 fight in which Foreman lost his first title in an eighth round knockout. The fight was called by broadcasting legend Howard Cosell. Foreman's going more punches now. Maybe this could be the tactic of Ali to let the man punch himself out.

Ali, a sneaky right hand. Another sneaky right hand. This time he works over the shoulder of Foreman. It's a violation. Foreman regained the heavyweight crown 20 years later at the age of 45. A cause of death is not clear. Police in Las Cruces, New Mexico asking the public for help in identifying potential suspects in a mass shooting last night.

Details unclear, but local media say there are multiple victims. This is NPR News. Montana Senator Steve Daines exchanged pleasantries with China's Vice Premier ahead of their meeting today. The two appeared in front of reporters in Beijing. Daines arrived in China on Thursday amid tensions over President Trump's tariffs and the illegal trade in Fentanyl. Daines is a strong supporter of the president. He is the first U.S. Senator to visit China since Trump regained the White House. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

says 18 states have now confirmed measles illnesses this year. More than 350 cases have been confirmed, with much of the focus on the outbreak in Texas. Texas accounts for 309 infections. Katherine Sweeney of Member Station WPLN reports on the first confirmed case in Texas. Texas accounts for 309 infections. Katherine Sweeney of member station WPLN reports on the first confirmed case in Tennessee. 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 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 or 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 Catherine Sweeney in Nashville. And I'm Charles Snyder. This is NPR News. Public media counts on your support to ensure that the reporting and programs you depend And I'm Childe Snyder. This is NPR News.