NPR News Now covers an Energy Department employee accused of aiding Iran-backed Houthis, who made his first court appearance. The report also details OPEC+ agreeing to release 100 million barrels of oil as soaring diesel prices strain US school district budgets. Additionally, the episode highlights Zambian farmers adopting composting to offset fertilizer costs amid global supply issues, North Korea’s latest ballistic missile launch, and the NFL’s six-game suspension of 49ers owner Jed York.