NPR News Now - NPR News: 03-25-2025 3PM EDT

Episode Date: March 25, 2025

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Imagine, if you will, a show from NPR that's not like NPR, a show that focuses not on the important but the stupid, which features stories about people smuggling animals in their pants and competent criminals in ridiculous science studies, and call it Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me because the good names were taken. Listen to NPR's Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me. Yes, that is what it is called wherever you get your. Lyle from NPR News. I'm Lakshmi Singh. Congressional Democrats are accusing top Trump intelligence officials of incompetence after

journalists reported he was inadvertently included in a group text about military plans in Yemen. At a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing today, the new director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, was pressed about it by Democrats who had opposed her confirmation to her current post, including the panel's ranking member, Senator Mark Warner. Senator, I'm not going to get into the specifics. Why are you going to get into the specifics? Is it because it's all classified?

Because this is currently under review by the National Security Council. Because it's all classified? If it's not classified, share the text now. Critics are calling on the administration to fire National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, holding him accountable for including the journalists in the group chat. But President Trump says he's not going to do that.

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson also chalked it up to a mistake. I don't think anyone should have lost their job over that because an errant number found its way onto a dialogue between leaders. It's a mistake, but we got to correct it going forward and they will. Meanwhile, NPR has seen an internal Pentagon memo sent out just last week that warned against the use of a Signal messaging app highlighting a vulnerability. Note, NPR CEO Catherine Maher chairs

the board of the Signal Foundation, a nonprofit that supports the message app. White House border czar Tom Homan's hopeful that immigration enforcement officials will soon have access to tax data. NPR's Jimena Bustia reports the administration wants to use the data to crack down on those without legal status. Homan told reporters at the White House that he thinks and hopes that the Internal Revenue Service will soon share data with the Department of Homeland Security. Holman said that those without legal status may use American social security numbers to find work. Sharing IRS data could help identify those using fake or stolen numbers. Employers can face hefty fines for knowingly hiring people without authorization to work in the U.S.

That's a particular concern in industries like agriculture or construction. But companies say they don't know if records are falsified. Jimena Bustillo, NPR News. J.D. Telehealth employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs are being summoned back into the office. More from NPR's Katie Riddle. K.D. Doctors and therapists say there is just not enough space at VA facilities for them to work.

Many were hired as telehealth employees. Now, many will still be doing telehealth, but from one shared space. H is one such provider. She has to be identified by only her initial for fear of losing her job. She says this arrangement could violate health privacy laws.

It is very unclear how we could continue to deliver treatment because multiple people cannot be in one office trying to do treatment all at the same time. Lylea The VA said in a response that these concerns were quote, nonsensical and promised to continue care for veterans. Katie Arrett on NPR News. Katie The Dow is down 85 points from Washington. This is NPR News.

The Texas State Health Department has reported 18 new cases of measles in association with the outbreak in West Texas. Texas Public Radio's Gabriela Alcorta-Solorio reports 327 cases since the outbreak began in January. Of the cases, only two are in people who are vaccinated with the recommended two doses of the MMR vaccine. The rest are unvaccinated or their status is unknown. Majority of the cases are in Gaines County in West Texas where the outbreak is centered. A six-year-old child has died. She was unvaccinated and lived in the surrounding area. The state is also tracking

cases of measles that do not appear to be linked to the outbreak and are more than likely connected to international travel. Healthcare professionals say the only way to prevent measles is to be fully vaccinated with the MMR vaccine. I'm Gabriella Alcorta Solorio in San Antonio. The White House says that it has agreed to help restore Russian access to agricultural and fertilizer exports, lower maritime security costs, and better access to ports and payment

systems for those transactions. The development comes as a result of talks in Riyadh this week aimed at brokering an end to Russia's war in Ukraine. The White House said it secured an agreement with both Russia and Ukraine on the Black Sea to ensure safe navigation, eliminate the use of force, and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes. It also agreed to help Ukraine with the result of children, civilians, and prisoners of war. I'm Lakshmi Singh in PR News in Washington.