NPR News Now - NPR News: 03-22-2025 9PM EDT

Episode Date: March 23, 2025

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Am I a propagandist? A truth teller? An influencer? There's probably no more contested profession in the world today than mine, journalism. I'm Brian Reed, and on my show, Question Everything, we dive headfirst into the conflicts we're all facing over truth and who gets to tell it. Listen now to Question Everything, part of the NPR Podcast Network. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Louise Schiavone. Venezuela's government says beginning tomorrow it will once again accept flights of its citizens deported from the United States. Repatriation flights had been halted by Venezuela's leader.

The Trump administration had threatened to slap more sanctions on that nation if the flights did not resume. NPR's Carrie Kahn has more. The president of Venezuela's National Assembly, Jorge Rodriguez, announced the resumption of flights in a statement on Instagram. Rodriguez, who has been negotiating with the U.S., stated, migration is not a crime and Venezuela will not rest until it secures the return of all those who require it. A week ago, the US sent more than 200 Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador, claiming most were members of a violent gang.

President Maduro says the deportations are a kidnapping and demands the migrants return. Maduro's capitulation on accepting repatriation flights come as Trump is considering extending the Chevron Oil Company's license to operate in Venezuela, which provides vital revenue for the country. Carrie Kahn, NPR News, Rio de Janeiro. In Lexington, Kentucky this morning, hundreds packed what was billed as a People's Town Hall to give their member of Congress an update on how things have

been going for them lately. From member station WEKU, John McGarry reports. More than 900 people filled the historic Kentucky Theater, with dozens voicing their anger at Congressman Andy Barr, a staunch ally of Elon Musk and President Trump. Cancer survivor Kim Edwards said she's concerned about the Trump administration's actions towards the type of research funding that saved her life. His sprees, the court interventions, the drastic cuts to any IH grants, all of these have thrown our nation's research on cancer into chaos. The town hall was organized by a group called Gathering for Democracy, which bills itself

as cross-partisan. Earlier in the week, Barr announced to tell a town hall for Monday night he said could reach up to 75,000 people. For NPR News, I'm John McGarry in Lexington, Kentucky. Ukrainian and Russian delegations will not directly interact in Monday's ceasefire talks in Saudi Arabia, according to U.S. and Ukrainian officials. NPR's Elmer Beardsley reports. Drones and missiles continue to rain down on Ukrainian cities

and Ukrainians say they don't trust that Putin will negotiate in good faith. In Kyiv, taxi driver Hanadi Horosimov says he doesn't have much hope for the talks. The fact is it's a big show really. There will be no truce, he says, because Putin does not want peace and Trump doesn't look like the leader of a big country that's defending democracy. Horasimov says the only way to end this war is if the West helps Ukraine beat back Russian forces. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Kyiv.

This is NPR News. Kitty Dukakis has died at the age of 88, the wife of former Massachusetts governor in 1988, Democratic presidential nominee Mike Dukakis. She was an outspoken advocate for people with mental illness and addiction, drawing on her own experiences. Her son John Dukakis says she died peacefully overnight with her family at her side. Lisa Mullins of member station WBUR reports that her openness about her own substance use became part of her legacy. People closest to Kitty Dukakis praise her for turning her experience with depression

and addiction into positive change for others. Phil Johnston served under Governor Michael Dukakis. He saw the First Lady of Massachusetts use her position to raise awareness and help people who were struggling. Whether it was the Holocaust or the homeless or whether it be people who have addiction problems, she was there for them. She was as caring a human being as I've ever met. Johnston says Kitty Dukakis personally reached out to people in state

government who were dealing with addiction and got them help. For NPR News, I'm Lisa Mullins. A male bald eagle known as Murphy gained fame years ago for attempting to incubate a rock and later surpassed the average lifespan of 25 years. The beloved bird is now mourned after sustaining head trauma and dying from it. It's believed the bald eagle was injured during violent storms in Missouri last week. He died at the World Bird Sanctuary in Valley Park, Missouri. Officials there believe his death was linked to the violent storms that ripped apart homes and took lives.

I'm Louise Schiavone, NPR News, Washington. Hey, I'm Scott Schaefer. And I'm Marisa Lagos. We host Political Breakdown. With the 2024 election over and President Trump in the White House, there's going to be a lot to keep up with this year. Political Breakdown has got you covered. We'll bring smart analysis, a wide range of voices, and even some laughs. Join us for Political Breakdown every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from KQED, part of the

NPR Network.