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An F-15 fighter jet flying over Iran was apparently shot down by the country’s military – and, as this afternoon, one of the two pilots was still missing. Reporting from Doha, NBC News Foreign Correspondent Raf Sanchez breaks down how the existence of a military prisoner could change Iran’s leverage in negotiations and its power over the most valued bargaining chip, the Strait of Hormuz. Plus, the American Gambling Association estimates that this year fans will legally bet more than $3 billion on the March Madness tournaments– a 54% increase over the past three years. And more bets can also mean more harassment for student athletes. The NCAA’s managing director of administrative services, Clint Hangebrauck, talks about the mental health challenges players face and what they are doing to ensure that the wagers don’t impact the integrity of student sports. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What was the straw that broke the camel’s back for Attorney General Pam Bondi? Sources close to President Donald Trump told NBC News that he felt she had bungled the Epstein files saga and hadn’t done enough to prosecute the president’s political enemies. NBC News senior Capitol Hill correspondent Garrett Haake breaks down how she has changed the Justice Department — and whether interim AG Todd Blanche will stay on permanently. Plus, the rising cost of medical care is drowning Americans in debt. In the latest edition of NBC News’ “Unaffordable America” series, senior financial reporter Gretchen Morgenson explains how the problem is expected to worsen as more than 10 million Americans lose health care coverage as a result of the president’s signature “big, beautiful bill.” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

President Donald Trump made an unprecedented visit to the Supreme Court on Wednesday as the justices heard oral arguments about whether his executive order limiting birthright citizenship is lawful. NBC News Senior Supreme Court Reporter Lawrence Hurley shares how the justices reacted to the president’s presence — and why they seemed to be skeptical of his lawyers’ arguments. Then, reporter Dan De Luce breaks down the potential impact of pulling out of NATO amid the U.S. and Israel’s war with Iran, after Trump recently renewed a threat to do so. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has repeatedly declined to give information about the Trump administration’s strategy or a timeline for ending the war with Iran. NBC News National Security Correspondent Courtney Kube briefs us on Hegseth’s secret trip to visit with troops in the Middle East and analyzes the impact of the administration’s information vacuum. Plus, NASA’s first manned mission to the moon’s orbit in decades is preparing for liftoff. NBC News Science Reporter Denise Chow joins from Florida to share how the Artemis II crew is getting ready – and why the launch could be a make-or-break moment for NASA. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

President Trump is warning that he may target Iran’s civilian infrastructure if the U.S. and the Iranian regime can’t come to a deal soon. NBC News Foreign Correspondent Raf Sanchez breaks down where negotiations stand and shares insight from an exclusive interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Plus, Business and Data Correspondent Brian Cheung joins from the New York Stock Exchange to explain how investors are considering the potential for long-term conflict with Iran and when consumers will start to feel the broader impacts from the war. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In an interview with Hoda Kotb, Savannah Guthrie opens up for the first time about the “agony” of her mother Nancy Guthrie’s abduction. During an emotional three-part sit down that aired on TODAY March 26 and 27, Savannah reflects on where she was when she first got the call that her mom was missing, how her family is leaning on the faith Nancy taught them, and her journey to find the strength to keep going, one day at a time. Plus, she shares her plans to come back “home” to TODAY. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After an all-night push in the Senate, a deal to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security, excluding ICE, was rejected by House Republicans, with Speaker Mike Johnson calling it “a joke.” NBC News Chief Capitol Hill Correspondent Ryan Nobles explains where it broke down and what this means for TSA workers. Plus, as the war in Iran approaches its first full month, a near-total internet blackout in the country has reduced firsthand accounts to a trickle. NBC News Foreign Correspondent Molly Hunter gathered rare voice memos from Iranian women, who detail their accounts of survival and their hopes for the future. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With funding for the Department of Homeland Security still in limbo, real consequences are being felt: TSA agents are walking off the job, others have been working for weeks without pay, and critical agencies such as FEMA and the Coast Guard are running on fumes. With spring recess just days away, NBC News Chief Capitol Hill Correspondent Ryan Nobles breaks down the ultimate question: Will lawmakers strike a deal or simply head for the break? Plus, ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife were in a Manhattan courtroom today, nearly three months after their capture by the U.S. They have been charged with conspiracy to import cocaine, along with possession of machine guns and destructive devices. Maduro is also charged with narco-terrorism conspiracy. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Department of Homeland Security is now in its sixth week of a partial shutdown. Is a deal even possible, or is the deadlock the new status quo? Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat, joins the pod to discuss what it could take to end the shutdown, whether she would support supplemental funding for the Iran war, and her proposal to rein in the Pentagon’s use of AI. Plus, juries in Los Angeles and New Mexico have returned landmark verdicts against social media giants Meta and Google’s YouTube, finding the platforms liable for harming children. The jury decided on $2.1 million in punitive damages for Meta and $900,000 for YouTube, totaling $3 million in total. It's a small fraction of the $1 billion in punitive damages sought by the plaintiff's counsel. NBC News Legal Analyst Misty Marris dives into how these verdicts could set a precedent for thousands of other legal cases over platform safety waiting in the wings. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Gas prices are spiking, inflation won’t quit, the job market is shaking, and the gap between the wealthy and everyone else has never been wider. So what’s actually going on and who’s really paying the price? NBC News Senior Policy Reporter Shannon Pettypiece joins the pod. She’s been digging into this as part of an NBC News series, Unaffordable America. Plus, prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket have exploded into the mainstream, pulling in $4.5 billion during Super Bowl week alone, by exploiting a legal loophole that lets people bet on sports even where gambling is banned. But now, states and Congress are fighting back, with a new bipartisan Senate bill pushing for a federal crackdown. NBC News National Reporter Suzy Khimm explains what’s driving the pushback, and what could it mean for professional sports. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With hours left on a self-imposed deadline to strike Iran's power plants, President Donald Trump abruptly announced a five-day delay, citing "productive conversations" with Tehran. Oil prices fell and markets surged, but Iran denies that any negotiations were happening. NBC News Senior White House Correspondent Garrett Haake discusses whether this is a real off-ramp or just a pause before further escalation. Plus, NBC News Senior Correspondent Tom Costello on investigations into the Air Canada plane that collided with a fire truck on a runway at New York’s LaGuardia Airport overnight, leaving both pilots dead and injuring dozens. Officials are zeroing in on a critical question: Was air traffic control staffing a factor? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hourslong TSA wait lines are impacting travelers around the country as the partial government shutdown goes into its fifth week, with officers working without pay calling off work – or quitting entirely. NBC News National Correspondent Aaron Gilchrist reports from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on how to deal with the travel pains and where negotiations stand on a deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security. Then, fresh off a sold-out show at Madison Square Garden in New York City, comedian Max Amini joins to talk about what it means to be Iranian-American amidst a war between the U.S. and Iran. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Iran is responding to attacks on the South Pars gas field with strikes in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Economists warn that the situation could trigger global price shocks and add to energy shortages for billions of people already facing disruptions caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. NBC News’ Chief Foreign Correspondent Richard Engel joins to put the escalation into context. Then, Senior Homeland Security Correspondent Julia Ainsley shares insights from a monthslong NBC News investigation into allegations that Corey Lewandowski stood to personally profit from his role as a senior Department of Homeland Security official. Lewandowski denies the allegations. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Top national security officials were on Capitol Hill today for a grilling from the Senate Intelligence Committee. The testimony from Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and FBI Director Kash Patel came a day after one of Gabbard’s top deputies resigned in protest over the war in Iran, saying the country posed “no imminent threat to our nation”. NBC News Reporter Dan De Luce breaks down the biggest moments. Then, NBC News Business and Data Correspondent Brian Cheung explains the Federal Reserve’s decision to keep interest rates steady amid oil price shocks and stuttering economic indicators. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Israel said today it killed two more top Iranian leaders in overnight strikes, including the powerful security chief Ali Larijani. This comes as Israel continues a ground invasion of southern Lebanon, targeting Iranian proxy Hezbollah. NBC News Foreign Correspondent Matt Bradley explains how this top-bottom strategy aligns with the U.S and Israel’s broader goals for the war. Plus: Cuba is still reeling from a total electrical outage that left 11 million people in the dark yesterday. NBC News Correspondent George Solis reports from Havana on the larger impacts of the country’s ongoing energy crisis – and his exclusive interview with the deputy prime minister ahead of a historic announcement opening the country further to foreign investment, including from Cuban nationals who live overseas. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As the price of oil has spiked to approximately $100 a barrel, President Donald Trump is pressuring other countries to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route. But as NBC News Foreign Correspondent Raf Sanchez reports, key allies aren’t exactly jumping into the fray. Plus, the Senate is expected to take up the SAVE Act this week, which has quickly become one of Trump’s top priorities. Senior Reporter Jane C. Timm joins to explain how voters could be affected if it makes its way through the Senate and how states are taking matters into their own hands in case it doesn’t. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sunday is Hollywood’s biggest night: the 98th Academy Awards. “Sinners” may have broken a record with 16 nominations, but many of the top categories still seem to be wide open. Senior Hollywood Reporter Rebecca Keegan and Entertainment Correspondent Chloe Melas give their Oscar predictions, discuss what to expect from Conan O’Brien’s monologue, explain how the Academy Awards are evolving in the age of AI and industry consolidation, and share their own behind-the scenes experiences covering the event over the years. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A shooting at a university. A bomb outside the mayor's residence. And a chilling thread connecting them both. Is ISIS making a comeback on American soil? National Law Enforcement and Intelligence Correspondent Tom Winter discusses how AI and the war in Iran are playing a role and how law enforcement is responding. Plus, after weeks of explosive testimony, including from META CEO Mark Zuckerberg himself, a landmark social media trial is now in the hands of a jury. The question is: did Meta and YouTube knowingly addict children to their platforms, causing them mental health harm? Lori Schott, whose daughter Annalee died by suicide in 2020, is part of a group of parents watching the bellwether trial for what it could mean for their own lawsuits. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

he U.S. strikes in Iran are intensifying – from inside the country to the Strait of Hormuz. On Capitol Hill, lawmakers are asking how much of the targeting is being shaped by artificial intelligence. NBC News AI Fellow Jared Perlo explains the Defense Department’s AI strategy and who is responsible for “bad intelligence.” Plus: when a storm hits, the damage to a home can be devastating. But for hundreds of Oklahomans, the real shock came from their insurance provider. More than 600 families now allege State Farm quietly redefined "hail damage" to avoid paying claims. NBC News Chief Legal Correspondent Laura Jarrett has more on the lawsuit and why the state’s attorney general is now getting involved. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Lebanon, with more than 750,000 people displaced as Israeli strikes have turned the country’s south into an active war zone. NBC News Foreign Correspondent Daniele Hamamdjian joins us from Beirut to explain how and why Lebanon became part of the war in Iran. Meanwhile, 1,700 transgender people in Kansas are having their driver’s licenses invalidated after today a judge upheld a law requiring gender markers to align with the gender assigned at birth. NBC News Enterprise Reporter Jo Yurcaba explains how the ruling fits into the growing rollback of transgender rights nationwide. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We’re getting mixed signals from Washington on the war with Iran. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the U.S. is launching its most intense day of strikes yet, with more fighters, more bombers and more targets. But just hours earlier, President Donald Trump downplayed the conflict, calling it a “little excursion” that could soon end. So, escalation … or an exit ramp? NBC News Senior National Security Correspondent Courtney Kube joins us. Plus, with the internet largely shut down in Iran, it’s been incredibly difficult to report on what’s really happening inside the country. But independent Iranian journalist Shooka Bidarian has found ways to stay in touch with sources on the ground, giving us a rare window into how ordinary Iranians are experiencing this war — and what they hope for the future. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.