Good morning. Has March made you go mad yet? For three of the teams in the NCAA men’s Final Four tournament, it’s the first time in history they’ve made it this far. Here’s what else we’re following today.
🥇 First Up
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Mississippi is facing a painful recovery after a tornado killed at least 25 people over the weekend and destroyed hundreds of homes. Satellite images show the devastation left behind in Rolling Fork, where basically three-fourths of the town was flattened. NPR’s Debbie Elliot spoke to people there who lost everything. 🎧 She tells the Up First podcast this morning that many say "they’re thankful to have survived and are just taking things day by day" including Mayor Eldridge Walker, who said, "That’s all I got. I ain’t got nothing else."
Grammy-winning musician Pras Michel heads to trial today as jury selection begins. He is facing charges of allegedly conspiring to violate election law and influence American policymakers on behalf of China, and could face decades in prison if convicted. 🎧 On Up First, NPR’s Carrie Johnson explains the details of the trial — which center on Pras Michel’s dealings with a Chinese billionaire and now fugitive Jho Low during the Obama campaign and the Trump administration. She says his defense team will argue he wasn’t a major player in the schemes with China, and he was "kind of in over his head."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to freeze a controversial overhaul of the judiciary after a night of massive protests after he fired his defense minister for opposing reforms. Flights have been grounded, university classes canceled and non-urgent treatments at hospitals canceled in what 🎧 NPR's Daniel Estrin calls a "dramatic, consequential moment" for the country. On Up First, Estrin says "it’s hard to see how Netanyahu’s government moves forward at this moment."
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📷 Picture Show
Michelle Bruzzese for NPR
Dozens of clowns gathered in Florida for a convention last week, but don’t worry: These aren’t the scary clowns from horror movies. According to the World Clown Association, they’re here to “bring happiness, joy, fun and comic relief to children of all ages.” 🎧 Hear from convention-goers on why they choose to clown, and check out some silly, colorful photos from the big event.
🎧 Today’s Listen
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A majority of Americans do not want former President Donald Trump to hold office again, according to a new NPR poll. He’s still popular among Republicans — 8 in 10 have a favorable opinion of him — but almost half of GOP voters say they’re open to voting for another Republican candidate. 🎧 Listen to NPR’s Domenico Montanaro break down the poll's results and what it means for the future of Trump’s presidential campaign on Morning Edition, or read the results.
🛑 Before You Go
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Denver gave the Yuchi Tribe of Oklahoma five bison this month, marking the first time in almost two centuries that the tribe will once again interact with the animal, repairing a spiritual bond broken when the Yuchi were forced from their homeland and the bison nearly eradicated.
Actor Jonathan Majors was arrested and charged with assault, strangulation and harassment over the weekend. His representatives say he "has done nothing wrong" and they "look forward to clearing his name and clearing this up."
Jeremy Renner is walking again nearly three months after his snow plow accident.
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