NPR News: 03-18-2026 1PM EDT

0:00Lie from NPR News, Amlak Shmei Singh. More than 30 years after the Mexican-American civil rights and labor leaders, Hassan Chavez, died. Several women are publicly accusing him of child sexual abuse, assault, and rape. The New York Times has published the findings of an investigation in which a number of women identified in the article have gone on the record for the first time in accusing the revered civil rights icon of sex crimes. They include one of his most prominent allies, Dolores Huerta. She tells the Times that he forced himself on her twice and that both times she became pregnant. Huerta was an adult at the time. The paper says it was able to corroborate two women's accounts of child molestation and rape. The Times conducted interviews with more than 60 people, including Chavez' top aides, relatives, and former members of the United Farm Workers Chavez co-founded. The Senate's holding a confirmation hearing for President Trump's nominee to lead the Department of Homeland Security.

1:01Senator Mark Wayne Mullin says he wants to study the DHS, but the hearing began on shaky ground. Rand Paul, the chair of the Senate Committee that decides whether to advance Mullin's nomination of the full Senate, confronted Mullin over past remarks in question his temperament. Mullin fired back. Sir, I think there's everybody in this room knows that I'm very blunt and direct to the point. And if I have something to say, I'll say it directly to your face. If you recall back in my house days, we actually did have this conversation because remarks that I've made. Iran's threatening attacks on oil and gas infrastructure in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. That, according to Iranian state media, which also reported earlier today that facilities associated with the Iran's offshore southparks natural gas field came under attack today as part of the war. Qatar shares the gas field with Iran and blamed Israel for the strike. In the U.S., the Federal Reserve is expected to hold its benchmark interest rates steady today. NPR Scott Horsley reports the Fed is caught between rising energy prices and a softening

2:05job market. The price of gasoline and diesel fuel has jumped sharply since the U.S. launched its attack on Iran two and a half weeks ago, even before the war began. Inflation was running stubbornly higher than the Fed's target. That makes it harder for the central bank to cut interest rates, even as the job market shows signs of needing more support. Over the last six months, the U.S. economy has added virtually no jobs. Jerome Powell is nearing the end of his term as Fed Chairman, but the timetable for confirming a successor is up in the air. A key Republican senator has promised a block confirmation of President Trump's nominee, Kevin Warsh, until the Justice Department ends its criminal probe with the central bank. Scott Horsley and Pierre News, Washington. The Dow Jones industrial average is down 436 points or nearly 1 percent at 46,558. From Washington, this is NPR News. While historic storms dropped heavy amounts of snow over the upper Midwest, people in the southwest are preparing for more record-breaking heat.

3:08Daniel Montagno of Marensation KUNM reports. The temperature in Albuquerque is expected to go to 91 by Saturday, almost two months earlier than the typical first 90-degree day. That's Clay Anderson, a senior forecaster at the National Weather Service. Even though the highs or numbers New Mexicans are used to seeing every summer, Anderson says temperatures that get this high this quickly, especially this early in the year, could catch people off guard. Before the body has had time to become acclimated to the heat. For NPR News, I'm Daniel Montagno in Albuquerque. And for the first time, Venezuela won the World Baseball Classic last night, beating the U.S. 3-2. Here's NPR's Becky Sullivan. First, Venezuela toppled the defending champs Japan. Then they ended Italy's Cinderella run. The U.S. lineup should have been formidable, stacked with star sluggers from Aaron Judge to Kyle Schwarber, yet the Americans were shut out for seven innings. Before finally, with two outs in the bottom of the eighth, Bryce Harper had a two-run homer to tie it up.

4:08It might have been a hero moment, but it wasn't. Nine minutes later, in the top of the ninth, the Venezuelans answered with the Eugenio Suarez, RBI, double to center left to retake the lead three to two. From second-based Suarez raised his hands into the sky and yelled a thankful prayer. Seven and a half million people watched the semi-final between the U.S. and the Dominican Republic. Ratings for the final are expected to be even higher. Becky Sullivan in P.R. News. The Dow is down more than 400 points at 46 now to 580. You're listening to NPR. This message comes from Midi Health, introducing age well, longevity care designed by women for women. Whether you're looking to prevent future health issues or just feel more like yourself, learn more at joinmidi.com. That's joinmidi.com.