NPR News: 05-05-2026 5PM EDT - NPR News Now

Summary4 min read

NPR News Now – May 5, 2026, 5PM EDT

Host: Ryland Barton (NPR)
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a snapshot of the latest global and national headlines, focusing on escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf, implications for energy prices, ongoing primaries in the Midwest, the reinstatement of the Presidential Fitness Test, a rare virus outbreak on a cruise ship, a major lawsuit against Meta, and a coyote’s surprising swim to Alcatraz.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Middle East Tensions & The Strait of Hormuz

Ceasefire Status:
U.S. military leaders confirm a ceasefire with Iran remains in place despite new missile and drone attacks by Iran on the UAE, a key U.S. ally.
- Host (Ryland Barton), 00:00: “U.S. military leaders say a ceasefire with Iran remains in effect a day after Tehran launched new attacks in the Strait of Hormuz.”
Strategic Response & Sanctions:
Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks on the importance of maintaining the blockade and ongoing sanctions.
- Marco Rubio, 00:24:
  
  “You can't have a situation in which the straits are close to everyone else, but they benefit from the piracy. That can't happen. That's why the blockade is in place and, and that's why these sanctions are crippling them.”
Oil Prices & Consequences:
Crude oil prices remain volatile, with U.S. drivers facing higher costs.
- Scott Horsley, 00:49:
  
  “Crude oil prices have come down slightly from their peak on Monday, but the US benchmark is still well above $100 a barrel… Retail gasoline prices in the US continue to climb. AAA says the average price of regular gas rose more than 2 cents overnight to about $4.48 a gallon.”

2. Political Primaries & Fitness Test Revival

Midwest Primaries:
President Trump is targeting Republican incumbents through primary challenges in Indiana; major races are happening in Ohio and Michigan.
- Host, 01:17:
  
  “President Trump's campaign to politically punish Republicans who stand in his way moves tonight through Indiana, where seven state senators face Trump-backed primary challengers… and in Michigan, voters in a bellwether district will fill a vacancy in the state Senate, a race with implications for the balance of power in a battleground state's legislature.”
Presidential Fitness Test Returns:
President Trump announces the return of the classic fitness award, last conferred before Obama-era changes.
- Franco Ordoñez, 01:53:
  
  “President Trump signed a proclamation restoring the award that dates back to the 1960s but was later changed to focus more on individual health and to minimize competition.”
- President Trump, 02:04:
  
  “And we're bringing it back. We're bringing it back. My administration is working very hard to defend America's cherished athletic traditions and pass our values of excellence and competitiveness to the next generation.”
- Details of implementation are still pending, but the original test measured various physical activities, with an award for the top performers.

3. Weather & Public Health

Unseasonal Snowstorm:
- Colorado and Wyoming brace for significant late spring snowfall, with Denver potentially seeing its biggest snow of the season.
- Host, 02:39:
  
  “People in Colorado and Wyoming are getting out their snow shovels ahead of a late spring storm that could bring Denver's biggest snowfall of the season... Snow in May is unusual for the region, but not unheard of.”
Cruise Ship Virus Outbreak:
Nearly 150 on a cruise ship off West Africa are stranded after a hantavirus outbreak, with three fatalities reported.
- Host, 02:56:
  
  “Nearly 150 passengers and crew on a cruise ship are waiting another day for help off of West Africa. Authorities say an outbreak of the rare hantavirus has killed three and sickened at least four others.”

4. Major Lawsuit Against Meta (Facebook Parent)

AI & Copyright Concerns:
Five major publishers file a class-action lawsuit against Meta, accusing CEO Mark Zuckerberg of personally authorizing the use of pirated copyrighted books for training their AI.
- Chloe Veltman, 03:34:
  
  “The plaintiffs argue Meta copied materials from notorious pirate websites to train its llama language model with Mark Zuckerberg’s personal authorization to do so.”
- Scott Turow (author), 03:56:
  
  "The bold future promised by AI has been created with stolen words."
- Meta cites legal precedents for fair use and promises to vigorously fight the allegations.

5. Odd News: Coyote Swims to Alcatraz

Unexpected Wildlife:
DNA analysis shows a lone coyote swam from Angel Island to Alcatraz, an even greater distance than previously thought. Officials planned to relocate it for environmental reasons, but the coyote hasn't been seen since.
- Host, 04:17:
  
  “A lone coyote stunned biologists and others by swimming to Alcatraz island earlier this year… but now DNA analysis revealed it came from Angel Island, twice the distance.”

Memorable Quotes & Moments

“That can't happen. That's why the blockade is in place and… that's why these sanctions are crippling them.”
— Marco Rubio, 00:24
“The bold future promised by AI has been created with stolen words.”
— Scott Turow, 03:56
“And we're bringing it back. We're bringing it back. My administration is working very hard to defend America's cherished athletic traditions and pass our values of excellence and competitiveness to the next generation.”
— President Trump, 02:04

Segment Timestamps

00:00: Update on Iran-U.S. tensions and blockade in the Strait of Hormuz
00:49: Oil prices and impact for U.S. drivers
01:17: Trump-backed primaries in Indiana, Ohio, Michigan
01:53: Presidential fitness test reinstated
02:39: Colorado/Wyoming storm and cruise ship health scare
03:34: Lawsuit against Meta over AI copyright infringement
04:17: Coyote’s record swim to Alcatraz

This concise yet comprehensive newscast covers critical U.S. and international events, political maneuverings, technological controversies, environmental surprises, and public health issues—delivering a fast-paced yet informative summary of the day’s most pressing stories.

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Transcript12 lines

[00:01]
A
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. U.S. military leaders say a ceasefire with Iran remains in effect a day after Tehran launched new attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. The United Arab Emirates, a key American ally, said it came under attack by Iranian missiles and drones for a second day. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the US Is pressing ahead with efforts to reopen the strait.
[00:24]
B
You can't have a situation in which the straits are close to everyone else, but they benefit from the piracy. That can't happen. That's why the blockade is in place and, and that's why these sanctions are crippling them.
[00:34]
A
Rubio says the fragile truce reached nearly a month ago appears to be holding. It's unclear whether US Military action can reassure shippers without reigniting the conflict. The price of oil remains high. NPR's Scott Horsley reports on what that means for drivers heading into warmer months.
[00:50]
C
Crude oil prices have come down slightly from their peak on Monday, but the US benchmark is still well above $100 a barrel, and investors are growing nervous that relief could be a long time in coming. Future futures contracts for Brent oil to be delivered six months from now are still priced above $90 a barrel. Retail gasoline prices in the US continue to climb. AAA says the average price of regular gas rose more than 2 cents overnight to about $4.48 a gallon. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.
[01:17]
A
President Trump's campaign to politically punish Republicans who stand in his way moves tonight through Indiana, where seven state senators face Trump backed primary challengers in neighboring Ohio. Primaries for U.S. senate and governor will lock in the candidates for races with national implications. And in Michigan, voters in a bellwether district will fill a vacancy in the state Senate, a race with implications for the balance of power in a battleground state's legislature. President Trump is bringing back the presidential fitness test. NPR's Franco Ordonez reports. The award was given for decades until phased out during the Obama administration.
[01:53]
D
President Trump signed a proclamation restoring the award that dates back to the 1960s but was later changed to focus more on individual health and to minimize competition.
[02:04]
E
And we're bringing it back. We're bringing it back. My administration is working very hard to defend America's cherished athletic traditions and pass our values of excellence and competitiveness to the next generation.
[02:17]
D
So important details of how the new test will be conducted have not been released. The earlier version looked at students performance in a number of exercises, including running and sit ups and push ups. Those who scored above the 85th percentile were eligible for the Presidential Physical Fitness Award. Franco Ordonez, NPR News, the White House.
[02:39]
A
People in Colorado and Wyoming are getting out their snow shovels ahead of a late spring storm that could bring Denver's biggest snowfall of the season. Higher elevations in Colorado could see up to a foot. Up to 8 inches are possible in Denver. Snow in May is unusual for the region, but not unheard of. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Nearly 150 passengers and crew on a cruise ship are waiting another day for help off of West Africa. Authorities say an outbreak of the rare hantavirus has killed three and sickened at least four others. Officials say the ship might move to Spain's Canary Islands, but Spanish officials say they haven't made a decision. Five major publishers filed a major class action lawsuit today against Meta and its CEO, Mark Zuckerberg. NPR's Chloe Veltman reports. The plaintiffs accused the tech company of building AI models from millions of stolen copyrighted works.
[03:35]
F
The plaintiffs argue Meta copied materials from notorious pirate websites to train its llama language model with Mark Zuckerberg's personal authorization to do so. In a statement to npr, author Scott Turow condemns Meta for violating copyright laws, quote, the bold future promised by AI has been created with stolen words. The publishers and author are seeking statutory damages, a permanent injunction against further use of their works, and an order requiring the tech giant to destroy all infringing copies of copyrighted materials. Meta notes that courts have found some training AI on copyrighted material can qualify as fair use and says it plans to fight the lawsuit aggressively. Chloe Veltman, NPR News.
[04:17]
A
A lone coyote stunned biologists and others by swimming to Alcatraz island earlier this year. Initially, biologists thought it swam from San Francisco about a mile away, but now DNA analysis revealed it came from angel island, twice the distance. Park officials planned to relocate it because of Alcatraz's seabird habitat, but the coyote hasn't been seen since. This is npr.
[04:40]
G
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