Summary4 min read

NPR News Now – May 7, 2026, 1AM EDT

Host: Giles Snyder
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This rapid-fire NPR News Now update covers breaking weather in Mississippi, rising tensions and diplomacy efforts between the US and Iran, the political fallout of religious rhetoric in American politics, aggressive redistricting efforts in Tennessee (with national echoes), Rudy Giuliani’s health update, cell phone bans in Georgia schools, and the end of Triple Crown hopes for this year’s Derby winner. Each story is presented with the signature NPR brevity and focus, delivering national headlines with essential context.

Key News Highlights & Discussion Points

1. Severe Weather and Tornadoes in Mississippi

[00:00-00:36]

Reports of multiple tornadoes across central and western Mississippi.
Local media detail widespread downed trees and people trapped.
State Emergency Management Agency: hundreds of structures reported damaged.
Quote:
- “There have been multiple reported tornadoes throughout central and western Mississippi. Local media reporting downed trees and people trapped.” — Giles Snyder ([00:00])

2. US-Iran Diplomacy and Ongoing War

[00:36-01:08]

President Trump signals increasing pressure on Iran to reach a deal to end the war, warning of renewed US bombing.
US disabled an Iranian-flagged tanker in the Gulf of Oman, citing an attempted breach of the US blockade.
Ceasefire remains officially in effect but tensions are high.
Quote:
- “They want to make a deal. We’ve had very good talks over the last 24 hours and it’s very possible that we’ll make a deal.” — President Trump ([00:36])

3. Public Reaction to Religious Rhetoric in Politics

[01:08-01:47]

A new Washington Post/ABC News/Ipsos poll finds 87% of US adults disapprove of President Trump posting a photo of himself as Jesus—disapproval is even higher among white evangelicals.
Nearly 70% of respondents reacted negatively to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s prayer for “overwhelming violence of action … against those who deserve no mercy.”
Pope Leo receives strong support for urging peace and encouraging Americans to contact their representatives.
Quote:
- “Disapproval was even higher among white evangelicals, an important political base for the president.” — Jason DeRose ([01:17])
- “2/3 of Americans have a positive reaction to Pope Leo, urging people to contact their elected representatives in support of peace.” — Jason DeRose ([01:25])

4. Tennessee Redistricting and its Political Implications

[01:47-02:46]

Republicans unveiled a proposal to split Memphis and Shelby County into three districts, potentially erasing Tennessee’s last Democratic seat.
The plan would result in all nine congressional districts being represented by Republicans, despite a third of voters supporting Democrats.
The redistricting follows Indiana primaries where Trump-backed candidates performed strongly and is part of a broader push influenced by the president.
Tennessee joins Alabama, Louisiana, and South Carolina in considering changes after a Supreme Court decision weakening the Voting Rights Act.
Quote:
- “The proposal would split Memphis and Shelby county into three districts…a distance spanning nearly 300 miles.” — Marianna Bakhiyau ([02:01])
- “The president has urged Tennessee and other GOP led states to redraw their maps as part of his mid decade redistricting push.” — Marianna Bakhiyau ([02:37])

5. Rudy Giuliani’s Health

[02:46-03:36]

Ex-NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani is out of intensive care, recovering in Florida after pneumonia.
Spokesman confirms he is breathing on his own and under observation as a precaution; Giuliani is 81.

6. Cell Phone Ban Expansion in Georgia Schools

[03:36-04:22]

Georgia set to extend its K–8 cell phone ban to high schools starting 2027-28 school year, following reports of improved academic outcomes.
Despite bans, a National Bureau of Economic Research study found little to no effect on test scores, attendance, attention, or bullying from locking phones away.
Quote:
- “The improved outcomes following last year’s bill have been incredible. And this common sense step will help both students and faculty learn in safer, distraction-free environments.” — Gov. Brian Kemp ([03:45])
- “A recent study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that locking students phones in pouches has a close to zero effect on standardized test scores.” — Mamie Xu ([04:03])

7. Triple Crown Hopes End

[04:22-04:40]

Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo will skip the Preakness, eliminating any chance of a Triple Crown this year. Trainer Sherry DeVoe cites the horse’s need for recovery ahead of the Belmont Stakes.

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

On the US-Iran Deal:
“They want to make a deal. We’ve had very good talks over the last 24 hours and it’s very possible that we’ll make a deal.” — President Trump ([00:36])
On Religious Rhetoric:
“Disapproval was even higher among white evangelicals, an important political base for the president.” — Jason DeRose ([01:17])
“2/3 of Americans have a positive reaction to Pope Leo, urging people to contact their elected representatives in support of peace.” — Jason DeRose ([01:25])
On Tennessee’s Redistricting:
“The proposal would split Memphis and Shelby county into three districts…a distance spanning nearly 300 miles.” — Marianna Bakhiyau ([02:01])
On Academic Policy:
“The improved outcomes following last year’s bill have been incredible. And this common sense step will help both students and faculty learn in safer, distraction-free environments.” — Gov. Brian Kemp ([03:45])

Important Timestamps

Mississippi Tornadoes: 00:00–00:36
US-Iran War/Diplomacy: 00:36–01:08
Religious Rhetoric & Public Poll: 01:08–01:47
Tennessee Redistricting: 01:47–02:46
Giuliani Health Update: 02:46–03:36
GA Cell Phone Ban: 03:36–04:22
Triple Crown Ends: 04:22–04:40

This succinct episode delivers the nation’s top headlines across politics, policy, education, and culture—with signature NPR clarity and urgency.

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Transcript12 lines

[00:01]
A
Live from NPR News, I'm Giles Snyder. Rough weather in Mississippi. Governor Tate Reeves says there have been multiple reported tornadoes throughout central and western Mississippi. Local media reporting downed trees and people trapped. An official with the State Emergency Management Agency says there are reports of hundreds of structures damaged. President Trump is seeking to pressure Iran into reaching a deal to end the war, warning that the US Will start bombing again if Iran does not agree. But the Speaking to reporters at the White House Wednesday, Trump said a deal is very possible.
[00:36]
B
They want to make a deal. We've had very good talks over the last 24 hours and it's very possible that we'll make a deal.
[00:43]
A
A cease fire officially remains in effect, but the US Military said it disabled an Iranian flagged tanker in the Gulf of Oman Wednesday, saying it was trying to breach the US Blockade of Iranian ports. Another public survey finds many Americans disapprove of the religious rhetoric used by the Trump administration. And NPR's Jason DeRose reports. The survey also finds support for Pope Leo, who has pushed back against the war with Iran.
[01:09]
C
The Washington Post ABC News Ipsos poll found that 87% of US adults view Donald Trump posting a picture of himself as Jesus negatively. Disapproval was even higher among white evangelicals, an important political base for the president. The poll also found that 2/3 of Americans have a positive reaction to Pope Leo, urging people to contact their elected representatives in support of peace. The survey shows nearly 7 in 10 people view negatively Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praying to God for, quote, overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy. The poll included more than 2,500 people and was conducted in late April. Jason DeRose, NPR News.
[01:47]
A
Now to Tennessee, where Republicans unveiled new congressional maps Wednesday in an effort to eliminate the state's last Democratic held congressional seat. From member station wpln, Marianna Bakhiyau reports.
[01:59]
D
The proposal would split Memphis and Shelby county into three districts. If passed, Tennessee's nine congressional districts would all be represented by Republicans in a state where roughly a third of voters support Democrats. Tennessee's 9th Congressional District, which has historically represented Memphis in the U.S. house, would stretch from the bottom of the city to the edge of Nashville, a distance spanning nearly 300 miles. The new maps come on the heels of Indiana's primaries where several Republicans who opposed President Trump's redistricting plan for the state lost to Trump backed challeng. The president has urged Tennessee and other GOP led states to redraw their maps as part of his mid decade redistricting push. For NPR News, I'm Mariana Bacayao in Nashville.
[02:46]
A
Republicans are also considering changes to congressional maps in Alabama, Louisiana and South Carolina following the US Supreme Court's ruling weakening the landmark Voting Rights Act. This is NPR News. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is out of intensive care but remains hospitalized near Palm Beach, Florida. Giuliani's spokesman says he is now breathing on his own after being taken to the hospital with pneumonia and placed on a ventilator. The spokesman says he is being monitored as a precautionary measure. Giuliani is 81 years old. Georgia public high school students will soon no longer be allowed to use cell phones during the school day. Around two thirds of states have limited phone usage in school as May May Shoe reports from member station wabe.
[03:37]
E
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp says lawmakers decided to extend the state's existing ban on cell phones in K8 schools after seeing a positive impact.
[03:46]
A
The improved outcomes following last year's bill have been incredible. And this common sense step will help both students and faculty learn in safer, distraction free environments.
[03:57]
E
The ban would start in the 202728 school year despite widespread cell phone bans in the country. A recent study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that locking students phones in pouches has a close to zero effect on standardized test scores. The study also found small or close to zero effects on attendance, classroom attention and online bullying. For NPR News, I'm Mamie Xu in Atlanta.
[04:22]
A
There will be no chance of a Triple Crown this year. Trainer Sherry DeVoe says Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo will not run the Preakness in Maryland on May16 to give the thoroughbred more time to recover ahead of the Belmont Stakes in upstate New York. This is NPR News.
[04:40]
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