NPR News: 03-12-2026 2AM EDT

0:00Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dave Mattingley. The Trump administration says it will release 172 million barrels of oil from the U.S.'s strategic petroleum reserve. It's part of the International Energy Agency's larger move to try to stabilize energy prices worldwide amid the ongoing U.S. and Israeli attacks against Iran. NPR's Camila Damanaski reports. The countries in the International Energy Agency have unanimously agreed to their largest ever release from emergency stockpiles. Here's IEA Executive Director Fati Birl. IEA countries will be making 400 million barrels of oil available. I repeat, 400 million barrels of oil available. Nearly 40% of those barrels will come from the U.S. reserve, released gradually over the next four months. Let's say tapping into stockpiles can only partially address the disruption of oil trade caused by the war with Iran.

1:01Camila Damanaski, NPR News. Higher oil prices have led to sharp jumps in the cost of gasoline. AAA says regular gas is now averaging nearly $3.60 a gallon across the U.S. Iran is stepping up its attacks on ships and oil tankers in the Middle East. Two tankers were struck in Iraq's territorial waters yesterday. Iran Iraqi officials says the tankers were hit in an area of the Bosra port, leaving at least one person dead. More than 30 others were rescued. The oil tankers were flagged in the Marshall Islands and Malta, but shipping records show one was owned by a company in New Jersey. Iran has attacked at least six ships in the Middle East in the past couple of days, and vows to continue blocking oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump continues to tout the success of the U.S. military in attacking Iran. He did so again yesterday during a visit to Kentucky, as Sylvia Goodman with Kentucky Public Radio reports. To a cheering crowd, Trump proclaimed the ongoing war in Iran a success.

2:05He said the conflict was essentially decided in the first hour, but warned he didn't want to leave too soon. As we end this threat to America and this threat to the world, we don't want to leave early do we, huh? We got to finish the job, right? According to a new NPR PBS Marist poll, 36% approve of Trump's handling of the war. One more than half of the nearly 1,600 respondents opposed it. Trump also used the rally as a chance to rail against Republican Congressman Thomas Massi, who has been a frequent thorn in the President's side. Massi sponsored a failed war powers resolution to end U.S. military action in Iran. For MPR News, I'm Sylvia Goodman in Hebron, Kentucky. Israeli forces continue attacking Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon and Beirut's southern suburbs. Hezbollah launched drones and rockets into northern Israel last night. This is NPR News. Lawmakers in Washington state have approved attacks on those making more than a million dollars a year.

3:07Sarah Meises Tan with member stations KUOW and KNKX says the tax is expected to affect about 30,000 households in the state. A bill that would levy a 9.9% tax on all household incomes over a million dollars has passed its final legislative hurdle and is now on its way to the governor's desk. The tax is predicted to generate over $3 billion annually from the state's highest earners. Senate Majority Leader Jamie Peterson, who shepherded the tax through the legislature, says the money is desperately needed to support programs like childcare and education. We're on our way toward reforming a tax system that for 93 years has punished poor and working people and has not asked enough of our wealthiest and most successful. The new tax would go into effect in 2029, but court challenges and a potential ballot initiative to repeal it are expected in the coming months. For NPR News, I'm Sarah Meises Tan in Olympia. On Tuesday, former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz posted on social media, he and his wife

4:12would be moving from Seattle to Florida after living in the city for more than 40 years. Schultz didn't cite the new tax, but said he hoped Washington State would remain a place for business and entrepreneurship to thrive. The National Weather Service says it was at least four tornadoes that were responsible for two deaths and widespread damage in Northwest Indiana and Northern Illinois on Tuesday. The storm stump large hail in Western Michigan. I'm Dave Mattingley in Washington, Washington. I'm Dave Mattingley in Washington, Washington. I'm Dave Mattingley in Washington, Washington. I'm Dave Mattingley in Washington. I'm Dave Mattingley in Washington. I'm Dave Mattingley in Washington. I'm Dave Mattingley in Washington. I'm Dave Mattingley in Washington. I'm Dave Mattingley in Washington. I'm Dave Mattingley in Washington. I'm Dave Mattingley in Washington. I'm Dave Mattingley in Washington. I'm Dave Mattingley in Washington.