Summary4 min read

NPR News Now: 05-07-2026 10PM EDT

Host: Ryland Barton
Date: May 8, 2026

Episode Overview

This five-minute news update brings listeners the latest headlines from the U.S. and abroad, focusing on escalating tensions between Iran and the U.S., pivotal Supreme Court actions, developments in the Trump administration’s tariff policies, key UK local elections, an innovative New York City energy program, charges against the Southern Poverty Law Center, and changes to the NCAA March Madness basketball tournaments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Tensions

[00:00] Iran accuses the U.S. of violating a ceasefire agreement by targeting Iranian ships and non-military sites along its southern coast.
U.S. Central Command claims its strikes targeted military sites in retaliation for Iran launching missiles, drones, and small boats at three American warships in the Strait of Hormuz.
President Trump's Statement:
- Refers to the strikes as “a love tap,” insisting the ceasefire is still in effect.
- Notable Quote:
  - “The strikes were, quote, a love tap.” — President Trump ([00:29])

2. Supreme Court and Abortion Access

[00:47] Today marked the Supreme Court’s deadline for briefs in Louisiana vs. FDA, a pivotal case about telemedicine access to mifepristone, a key medication for abortion and miscarriage treatment.
Last week, an appeals court ended telemedicine access to mifepristone, but Justice Alito paused the order and requested briefs.
Two drugmakers and the state of Louisiana submitted briefs; notably, the FDA did not.
Legal experts highlight how unusual it is for the FDA to withhold filing when its regulatory authority is in question.
Notable Quote:
- “Supreme Court watchers say that's very unusual, especially since FDA's power to regulate prescription medicine is a key issue in this case.” — Selena Simmons-Duffin ([01:23])

3. Criticism and Perceptions of the Supreme Court

[01:32] Chief Justice John Roberts defends the Court, asserting rulings are based on law rather than personal preferences.
Comes soon after a decision weakening the Voting Rights Act and amidst ongoing controversy about expanded gun rights and overturned abortion rights.
Public confidence in the Court remains low.

4. Court Rejection of Trump Tariffs

[02:04] The U.S. Court of International Trade found President Trump’s new round of 10% tariffs on most imports unlawful.
The court determined Trump used a statute whose conditions were not met, and the ruling currently applies to two challenging importers.
The administration is refunding tens of billions collected from earlier tariffs and exploring new options.
Notable Quote:
- “Trump relied on a statute that authorizes tariffs only under certain conditions, and two out of three judges concluded those conditions don't currently exist.” — Scott Horsley ([02:18])

5. UK Local Elections' Impact

[02:42] British voters are participating in local elections, which could determine Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s political future.
The Labour Party is expecting losses, and poor results might bring a challenge to Starmer’s leadership.
Results are expected overnight and into the following afternoon.

6. NYC’s Plug-in Battery Program for Air Conditioners

[03:03] A pilot project in New York City uses microwave-sized plug-in batteries to power window AC units during peak demand.
The devices charge during low-demand hours, reducing grid stress without sacrificing resident comfort.

7. Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) Indictment

[03:34] The SPLC, a prominent civil rights organization, pleads not guilty to federal charges including fraud and money laundering.
The Justice Department alleges misuse of $3 million in donations to secretly pay informants in right-wing extremist groups.
SPLC leadership claims the allegations are politically motivated and denies wrongdoing, stating that informant information helped dismantle hate groups.
Notable Quotes:
- “Fair says allegations are politically motivated and provably wrong and that information gathered from informants was used to dismantle hate groups.” — Debbie Elliott ([04:04])
- “There's nothing vindictive about the prosecution.” — Acting U.S. Attorney Kevin Davidson ([04:13])

8. NCAA Tournament Expansion

[04:21] The NCAA will expand both men’s and women’s March Madness basketball tournaments to 76 teams next season, adding eight extra first-week games.
This marks the first expansion of the tournaments in 15 years.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

President Trump describing military strikes as “a love tap.” ([00:29])
Selena Simmons-Duffin on the unusual Supreme Court process:
“Supreme Court watchers say that's very unusual, especially since FDA's power to regulate prescription medicine is a key issue in this case.” ([01:23])
Scott Horsley on the court's rationale for striking down Trump’s tariffs:
“Trump relied on a statute that authorizes tariffs only under certain conditions, and two out of three judges concluded those conditions don't currently exist.” ([02:18])
SPLC Interim CEO’s defense:
“Fair says allegations are politically motivated and provably wrong...” ([04:04])
Acting US Attorney’s response:
“There's nothing vindictive about the prosecution.” ([04:13])

Important Timestamps

00:00: Iran accuses U.S. of ceasefire violation; U.S. response; President Trump’s comments
00:47: Supreme Court deadline, abortion medication briefings
01:32: Chief Justice Roberts’ remarks on judicial impartiality
02:04: Court rejects Trump’s tariffs
02:42: UK local elections and political stakes
03:03: NYC energy program for peak summer demand
03:34: Southern Poverty Law Center pleads not guilty to federal charges
04:21: NCAA March Madness expands to 76 teams

This episode provides a concise yet thorough snapshot of the day’s most pressing stories, ranging from international conflict and domestic legal battles to sports and civic innovation.

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Transcript8 lines

[00:01]
A
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. Iran says the US Violated the ceasefire by targeting Iranian ships and non military sites along the Islamic Republic's southern coast. That's according to Iran's state broadcaster. Citing a military official. U.S. central Command says it targeted Iranian military sites after Iran launched missiles, drones and small boats at three American warships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump said the ceasefire was still in effect, telling ABC News tonight the strikes were, quote, a love tap. Today was the deadline for the Supreme Court or that the Supreme Court set for briefs in the latest cases about abortion access. As NPR's Selena Simmons Duffin reports, even though the case is called Louisiana vs. FDA, the FDA did not file a brief at all.
[00:48]
B
Last Friday, an appeals court ruling ended telemedicine access to mifepristone, one of the medications used for abortion and the treatment of miscarriages. Then Justice Samuel Alito put that order on pause for seven days and instructed the parties involved to file briefs. Now all the briefs are in two drugmakers explained why they think the Supreme Court should preserve telemedicine access. Louisiana explained why it thinks the justices should suspend that access. The Trump administration's Department of justice, which represents the Food and Drug Administration, did not file anything. Supreme Court watchers say that's very unusual, especially since FDA's power to regulate prescription medicine is a key issue in this case. Selena Simmons Duffin, NPR News, Washington.
[01:32]
A
Chief Justice John Roberts says Supreme Court justices are making decision based on the law, not their personal preferences. His remarks to a conference of lawyers come a week after the court handed down a ruling weakening the Voting Rights Act. The high court has also expanded gun rights and overturned the constitutional right to abortion. In recent years, public confidence in the Supreme Court is at a low point. A trade court has dealt another blow to President Trump's tariff policy. NPR's Scott Horsley reports. The court found Trump was wrong to impose impose a blanket 10% tariff on most goods the US imports.
[02:05]
C
President Trump ordered these new tariffs to replace an earlier round of import taxes that were struck down in February by the US Supreme Court. But the Court of International Trade says these new tariffs are also unlawful. Trump relied on a statute that authorizes tariffs only under certain conditions, and two out of three judges concluded those conditions don't currently exist. It's not clear how wide reaching this decision will be. For now, it applies only to two importers who challenge the tariffs. Along with the state of Washington, the administration is already in the process of refunding tens of billions of dollars collected under the original tariffs struck down by the Supreme Court. And it continues to explore other options to impose new tariffs. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.
[02:43]
A
British voters cast ballots in local elections that could determine the fate of Prime Minister Keir Starmer. His Labour Party is bracing for losses. Results will start coming in overnight, with most due tomorrow afternoon. A poor result could lead to a leadership challenge against Starmer from his own party. This is npr. A pilot program in New York City uses plug in batteries that can power air conditioners during peak demand, helping take pressure off the grid at its most stressed moments while still keeping residents cool. The devices are about the size of a microwave charge when electricity demand is low, and then run window AC units for a few hours when demand spikes. The Southern Poverty Law center is pleading not guilty to Federal criminal charges. NPR's Debbie Elliott reports. The Alabama based civil rights organization was era today in Montgomery Federal Court.
[03:34]
D
The Southern Poverty Law Center's interim CEO, Brian Fair, entered the not guilty plea to charges including wire fraud, bank fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. At issue is its work tracking hate groups. The U.S. justice Department accuses the SPLC of fraudulently using some $3 million in donations to secretly pay informants in right wing extremist groups, including the Ku Klux Klan. Fair says allegations are politically motivated and provably wrong and that information gathered from informants was used to dismantle hate groups. Acting U.S. attorney Kevin Davidson says there's nothing vindictive about the prosecution. Debbie Elliott, NPR News, Montgomery.
[04:21]
A
The NCAA will expand its March Madness basketball tournaments by eight teams each next season. The new 76 team brackets will jam eight extra games into the first week of the men's and women's tournaments. It's the first expans of the tournaments in 15 years. This is NPR News from Washington.
[04:40]
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