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Episode Date: March 24, 2025

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Hey, I'm Scott Schaeffer. 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. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Congress is set to return to Capitol Hill this week. The Senate will hold a hearing on whether it should confirm President Trump's pick to be the commissioner of Social Security. NPR's Deepa Shivaram reports during the recess, many lawmakers heard that their constituents are worried the Trump administration will make changes to the program. This is a program that's been around since the 1930s that supports millions of retired

people, disabled people, and making any changes to it is politically risky. Democrats have been responding to the comments from Secretary Lutnick. They've also been quick to center any comments on Social Security from Elon Musk, for example, who has made comments inflating how much fraud takes place with Social Security benefits and who recently called the benefit a Ponzi scheme. That's NPR's Deepa Sivaram reporting. The Social Security Administration is implementing stricter identity-proofing measures. Millions of recipients and applicants will soon be required to visit agency field offices instead of interacting by phone. Canada says it will hold a parliamentary election next month. Emma Jacobs reports the announcement

was made today by the newly elected Canadian Prime Minister. Prime Minister Mark Carney replaced former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier this month as the head of Canada's Liberal Party. His calling a snap election dissolves Parliament and launches a five week election campaign. Carney says he wants a strong positive mandate from Canadian voters. We are facing the most significant crisis of our lifetimes because of President Trump's unjustified trade actions and his threats to our sovereignty. Carney's party has gained in the polls in recent weeks

against Canada's Conservative Party, as President Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of making Canada the 51st state. For NPR News, I'm Emma Jacobs in Montreal. Pope Francis returned to the Vatican today after battling pneumonia for more than a month. NPR's Ruth Sherlock reports, Francis made his first public appearance

on a balcony at a hospital in Rome. Pope Francis waved at the crowds from the balcony and then he stopped and smiled in pleasant surprise and pointed, taking the microphone he spoke. I see this woman with the yellow flowers, he said, pointing to a lady holding a bright bouquet. Well done. His hospital discharge is a stunning improvement for the 88-year-old pontiff whose illness at times placed his life in danger. Doctors say he must now convalesce with rest and rehabilitation for the next two months. He struggles to speak clearly due to the damage to his lungs, but as

doctors say with time his voice will return. Ruth Sherlock, NPR News, Rome. This is NPR. The National Weather Service has reduced weather balloon flights by half in some parts of the country. Hannah Merzbach reports the change could endanger people in the Rockies, Great Plains, and elsewhere. The National Weather Service cut Colorado and Wyoming's only balloon flights from twice a day to once, according to federal documents. In some flights were canceled altogether in South Dakota and Nebraska. Retired Denver TV meteorologist Mike Nelson says the changes are unprecedented in his five

decades of experience. This is critical, very potentially life-saving information. We won't have the data to predict when we're going to have an outbreak of large hail and tornadoes." Flights in Wisconsin and Michigan were also reduced. A National Weather Service representative did not say why the reductions were made. For NPR News, I'm Hannah Merzbach in Jackson, Wyoming. Wildfires burning in the Carolinas are prompting evacuations and an emergency declaration. The Governor of South Carolina has declared a state of emergency because of a large wildfire

burning in the state. In North Carolina, a mandatory evacuation order has been issued for parts of Polk County about 80 miles west of Charlotte. Officials in both states say the cause of the fires are under investigation. Parts of North Carolina are still working to rebuild from Hurricane Helene, which devastated the western part of the state last September. This is NPR News.

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