Summary4 min read

NPR News Now – 6AM EDT May 7, 2026

Host: Korva Coleman, NPR

Episode Overview

This concise five-minute news update covers breaking and developing stories across the US and globe. Major topics include deadly tornadoes in Mississippi, controversial redistricting in Alabama, ongoing US-Iran diplomatic negotiations, G7 trade talks under strain, high-profile testimony in the OpenAI trial with Elon Musk, and a health update on Rudy Giuliani.

Key Stories and Insights

1. Widespread Tornado Damage in Mississippi

[00:00-00:37]
- Overnight tornadoes have damaged over 1,000 structures in Mississippi. Several residents remain trapped in the debris.
- Scott Simmons, Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, describes the rescue challenges:
  
  “That's the challenge right now, of course, it's nighttime, there's debris on the roads, power lines down. And getting into those areas is tantamount right now for emergency responders.” (Scott Simmons, 00:18)
- Emergency crews are coordinating with county agencies to access affected areas.
- Tornado watches also posted for parts of Alabama, Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle.

2. Alabama Redistricting and Civil Rights Protests

[00:37-01:42]
- Amid a Supreme Court ruling removing race as a criterion for drawing district lines, Alabama’s GOP-led legislature is set to approve maps previously struck down for discriminating against Black voters.
- Protesters have filled the Alabama State House:
  
  "We shall not be moved." (Protesters singing, 01:14)
- Debbie Elliott reports that civil rights activists are refusing to leave, protesting the proposed district maps:
  
  “Activists refused to move from a state House hallway Wednesday.” (Debbie Elliott, 01:17)
- Republican legislators assert they’re working to "ensure Congress stays red."

3. US-Iran Negotiations and G7 Tensions

[01:42-02:57]
- Iran is considering a new US proposal (details withheld) to end the ongoing war, after President Trump suspended efforts to move ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Simultaneously, G7 trade ministers convened in Paris, with US-EU relations strained by Trump's tariff threats and escalating differences over China’s economic role.
- NPR’s Eleanor Beardsley reports:
  
  “Trump claimed Brussels is not complying with a trade deal reached last year in Turnberry, Scotland.” (Eleanor Beardsley, 02:13)
  - Analysts believe Trump’s response linked to recent comments by the German chancellor about Iran "humiliating" the US.
- EU Trade Commissioner Mauro Sefkovic:
  
  “What I think is very important for this moment is that we both clearly concluded that it's important to respect the deal.” (Mauro Sefkovic, 02:31)
- G7 also grappling with how to reduce dependency on China and secure critical mineral supplies.

4. Congressional Testimony: Howard Lutnick and Jeffrey Epstein Ties

[02:57-03:42]
- Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testified to a House panel behind closed doors over his connections to the late Jeffrey Epstein.
  - Republicans call Lutnick "forthcoming," while Democrats claim he was evasive and potentially dishonest.
- No direct statements from Lutnick in this segment.

5. Elon Musk vs. OpenAI Federal Civil Trial

[03:42-04:22]
- Testimony continued in Elon Musk’s civil lawsuit against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, with Musk alleging OpenAI abandoned its mission to serve humanity.
- Key testimony from Chavon Zillow (mother of Musk’s children and his liaison to OpenAI’s board):
  
  “She contradicted his testimony, revealing he kept the extent of his pursuit of AI at Tesla secret as he poached top talent from OpenAI.” (Rachel Myro, 03:45)
  - Former board member cited Altman's 2023 ouster over transparency issues:
    
    “[Concerns] he wasn't being straight with the board about which AI products had cleared safety review.” (Rachel Myro, 03:58)
  - Sam Altman has not yet testified; his turn is anticipated next week.

6. Rudy Giuliani’s Health Update

[04:22-04:40]
- Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani has left intensive care at a Florida hospital where he is recovering from pneumonia. He will remain hospitalized for further treatment.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Scott Simmons (Mississippi EMA):

“That's the challenge right now, of course, it's nighttime, there's debris on the roads, power lines down. And getting into those areas is tantamount right now for emergency responders.” (00:18)
Alabama Protesters:

“We shall not be moved.” (01:14)
Eleanor Beardsley (Paris):

"Trump claimed Brussels is not complying with a trade deal reached last year in Turnberry, Scotland." (02:13)
Mauro Sefkovic (EU Trade Commissioner):

“...it’s important to respect the deal.” (02:31)
Rachel Myro (OpenAI Testimony):

“[Chavon Zillow] contradicted his testimony, revealing he kept the extent of his pursuit of AI at Tesla secret as he poached top talent from OpenAI.” (03:45)

Timestamps for Key Segments

Mississippi Tornadoes & Emergency Response: 00:00 – 00:37
Alabama Redistricting & Protests: 00:37 – 01:42
Iran Peace Talks & G7 Trade Tensions: 01:42 – 02:57
Lutnick-Epstein Testimony: 02:57 – 03:42
Elon Musk v. OpenAI Trial Update: 03:42 – 04:22
Giuliani Health Update: 04:22 – 04:40

End of content summary.
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Transcript14 lines

[00:00]
A
Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Officials in Mississippi say more than a thousand structures have been damaged overnight in a series of widespread tornadoes. Some people are trapped in the wreckage of their homes. Scott Simmons is with the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. He says rescuers are trying to reach them.
[00:19]
B
That's the challenge right now, of course, it's nighttime, there's debris on the roads, power lines down. And getting into those areas is tantamount right now for emergency responders. As we coordinate with those county emergency management agencies, they're dealing with their situations right now and getting as many boots on the ground as they can.
[00:38]
A
Forecasters have posted tornado watches for southern Alabama, southwestern Georgia and the Florida Panhandle this morning. Alabama's legislature is poised to adopt congressional districts that favor Republicans. This is after last week's landmark US Supreme Court ruling that removed race as a consideration for drawing district lines. NPR's Debbie Elliott reports. Civil rights activists are fighting back.
[01:02]
C
Protesters have descended on the Alabama State House in Montgomery as lawmakers meet in a special session designed to change the state's political power structure.
[01:14]
D
We shall not be moved.
[01:17]
C
Activists refused to move from a state House hallway Wednesday. In a party line vote, the Alabama House approved a plan to use maps drawn in 2023 that were struck down courts for discriminating against black voters. Afterwards, the GOP caucus issued a statement saying they're doing their part to ensure Congress stays red. Debbie Elliott, NPR News, Montgomery.
[01:43]
A
Iran's Foreign Ministry says Iranian officials are examining the Trump administration's latest proposal to end the war. The details have not been made public. This comes after President Trump suddenly suspended an effort to get ships through the strait of Hormuz. G7 trade ministers have met in Paris under the shadow of the Iran war. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports. Their unity is also being tested by threats from President Trump to raise tariffs on cars made in the European Union.
[02:14]
E
Trump claimed Brussels is not complying with a trade deal reached last year in Turnberry, Scotland. But analysts say he likely reacted because of the German chancellor's recent comments that Iran is humiliating the US in the Strait of Hormuz. EU Trade Commissioner Mauro Sefkovic said both sides are trying to lower tensions.
[02:32]
F
What I think is very important for this moment is that we both clearly concluded that it's important to respect the deal.
[02:40]
E
From Terbury, the main topics for ministers how to deal with China's industrial overcapacity. There are differences on how to reduce reliance on China and securing critical mineral supplies so as not to be held hostage by certain countries. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Paris.
[02:57]
A
You're listening to npr. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testified behind closed doors to a House panel yesterday. It's investigating his ties to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The panel's Republican chair says Lutnick was forthcoming. Democrats say Lutnick evaded their questions and may have lied. Testimony continues in the federal civil trial that billionaire Elon Musk has filed the against artificial intelligence company OpenAI and its boss, Sam Altman. Musk alleges the company betrayed its founding principles to serve humanity. Yesterday, the mother of four of Musk's children testified in the Oakland, California, courtroom. From member station kqed, Rachel Myro reports.
[03:42]
G
Chavon Zillow served as Musk's eyes and ears on OpenAI's board and as a go between after Musk left. But she contradicted his testimony, revealing he kept the extent of his pursuit of AI Tesla secret as he poached top talent from OpenAI. Later testimony shed unflattering light on Sam Altman, too. A former board member explained Altman's five day ouster in 2023 stemmed from concerns that he wasn't being straight with the board about which AI Products had cleared safety review. Altman has yet to testify. That's set for next week. For NPR News, I'm Rachel Myron.
[04:23]
A
Former New York City Republican Mayor Rudy Giuliani has been moved out of intensive care in a Florida hospital. A spokesman for Giuliani says he is recovering from pneumonia. He will stay in the Florida hospital for now. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News.
[04:40]
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