Summary4 min read

NPR News Now – May 11, 2026, 5PM EDT

Host: Ryland Barton, NPR News
Duration: ~5 minutes
Main Focus: The latest updates on the Supreme Court’s abortion pill case, President Trump’s upcoming China visit amidst war, high oil prices, political tensions in Washington, a wellness supplement under scientific scrutiny, and new pediatric recommendations on recess.

Supreme Court Delays Ruling on Abortion Pill Telemedicine

[00:00–00:57]

Justice Samuel Alito has postponed his decision on a critical abortion case involving mifepristone, keeping telemedicine access available.
The case stems from Louisiana, challenging the FDA’s approval of mifepristone via telemedicine, which the state says undermines its abortion ban.
A federal appeals panel sided with Louisiana, seeking to halt telemedicine access.
Alito paused that ruling for an additional three days, extending the window for mailed prescription access.
Key Insight: Telemedicine now accounts for one-quarter of U.S. abortions.
Quote:

"That means patients can continue to receive mifepristone by mail at least until Thursday, at which point the Supreme Court is likely to make a longer-term decision."
— Selena Simmons Duffin, NPR ([00:46])

President Trump’s State Visit to China Amid Iran War

[00:57–01:48]

President Trump is scheduled to leave for a state visit to China; the trip was previously delayed due to the ongoing war with Iran.
The war is described as being in an “unsteady and uncertain holding pattern.”
Kurt Campbell (Asia Group):
- Notes the timing is “remarkable” and “deeply unusual,” both for Trump’s willingness to travel and China’s willingness to host, given the wartime context.
- Emphasizes mutual U.S.-China interest in stabilizing bilateral relations.
Quote:

"It is remarkable that President Trump is prepared to go to China under these circumstances. But may I also say that it's also deeply unusual that China is prepared to host him."
— Kurt Campbell ([01:20])

Oil Prices Stay High, Fuel Costs Climb for Drivers

[01:48–02:21]

Crude oil prices remain above $100 per barrel, though down slightly from their recent peak.
Brent Oil futures still price above $90 per barrel for six months out, suggesting no immediate relief.
US gas prices:
- Average now $4.48/gallon for regular, up more than 2 cents overnight (AAA data).
Implication: Continued high costs likely for drivers entering warmer months.
Quote:

"Investors are growing nervous that relief could be a long time in coming."
— Scott Horsley, NPR ([01:57])

Congressional Tensions: Security, Immigration, and Redistricting

[02:21–03:36]

Senate Republicans propose a $1 billion White House security package, tied to overall spending—Democrats vow to oppose it.
- The package would potentially fund a new ballroom for President Trump, opposed by Democrats, especially after Trump's promise not to use taxpayer money for this.
- Security concerns heightened after an assassination attempt on Trump at the White Correspondents’ Dinner.
Redistricting Battles:
- Republican-led redistricting confuses southern states' elections during primaries.
- Thousands in Louisiana may have cast early votes for congressional races in soon-to-be incorrect districts, as lines shift to protect the GOP’s slim House majority.
Notable Insight: These political moves are direct fallout from partisan battles and ongoing efforts to secure or shift political power.

NAD Supplement Push: Science vs. Hype

[03:36–04:12]

NAD (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) supplements are gaining attention in wellness circles for purported anti-aging and energy-boosting benefits.
Early research, mostly in animals, looks positive, but scientists say the evidence is preliminary.
Dr. Shailender Bassin (Brigham and Women's Hospital):
- Warns that “the hype exceeds the reality.”
- Calls for larger human trials before firm conclusions.
Quote:

"It certainly is very promising, but I think the hype exceeds the reality where we are in the field."
— Dr. Shailender Bassin ([03:59])

Pediatricians Push for Recess to Aid Health & Learning

[04:12–04:40]

The American Academy of Pediatrics issues new guidance: recess is crucial for children’s educational and overall health outcomes.
Recent trends show shrinking breaks and worsening child health.
Breaks are described as vital for academic success as well as mental, physical, and social health.
Notable Point: Evidence links recess with improved grades and overall well-being.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

Selena Simmons Duffin ([00:46]):
"Telemedicine now accounts for one quarter of all abortions nationally."
Kurt Campbell ([01:20]):
"It's also deeply unusual that China is prepared to host him."
Scott Horsley ([01:57]):
"Investors are growing nervous that relief could be a long time in coming."
Dr. Shailender Bassin ([03:59]):
"I think the hype exceeds the reality where we are in the field."

Key Segment Timestamps

Abortion Pill/Telemedicine Supreme Court Update: [00:00–00:57]
Trump’s China Visit/Iran War: [00:57–01:48]
Oil Prices & Impact on Drivers: [01:48–02:21]
Political Fights: Security Bill & Redistricting: [02:21–03:36]
NAD Supplement Hype vs. Evidence: [03:36–04:12]
Pediatricians' Recess Guidance: [04:12–04:40]

Summary:
This episode covered major U.S. headlines: ongoing abortion rights litigation and its national implications, the diplomatic balancing act between the U.S. and China set against the backdrop of war, tough news for drivers on fuel costs, the intersection of politics and policy over security funding and redistricting, scientific reality checks for popular wellness trends, and the call to restore children’s recess for better health and learning outcomes. The tone is concise, informative, and carries the authoritative yet urgent NPR style.

Loading summary

Transcript14 lines

[00:01]
A
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito today pushed his deadline to make a decision on the latest abortion case before the court. As NPR's Selena Simmons Duffin reports, that means the abortion pill mifepristone remains available via telemedicine for now.
[00:18]
B
The case comes from the state of Louisiana. It argued that the Food and Drug Administration allowing telemedicine access to mifepristone undermines its abortion ban. Earlier this month, a panel of federal appeals court judges agreed with the state and ended telemedicine access. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito paused that decision for one week and has now extended that pause for three more days. That means patients can continue to receive mifepristone by mail at least until Thursday, at which point the Supreme Court is likely to make a longer term decision. Telemedicine now accounts for one quarter of all abortions nationally. Selena Simmons Duffin, NPR News, Washington.
[00:57]
A
President Trump leaves tomorrow for a state visit to China. As NPR's Tamara Keith reports, the Iran war looms large over the trip.
[01:04]
C
In March, President Trump postponed his trip to China because of the war. The trip is back on, but the war isn't over. Instead, it's in an unsteady and uncertain holding pattern. Kurt Campbell at the Asia Group says the timing is awkward.
[01:21]
D
It is remarkable that President Trump is prepared to go to China under these circumstances. But may I also say that it's also deeply unusual that China is prepared to host him.
[01:34]
C
Iran and China are allies and trading partners. Campbell says the fact that the trip is moving forward is an indication of how important it is to both the US And China to stabilize their relationship. Tamara Keith and NPR News.
[01:49]
A
The price of oil remains high. NPR's Scott Horsley reports on what that means for drivers heading into warmer months.
[01:54]
E
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. 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 gallon. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.
[02:22]
A
Republicans returning to Washington are facing questions about a $1 billion Senate security proposal that could help pay for President Trump's ballroom. Democrats say they'll try to defeat it. Senate Republicans added the money for White House security to a spending bill that would restore funding for immigration enforcement agencies that Democrats have blocked since February. Trump had previously said the ballroom wouldn't be paid for with taxpayer money. The steep security proposal was put forward after a man was charged with trying to assassinate Trump at the White Correspondent's dinner last month. U.S. stocks rose today. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Republican state officials are confusing elections officials and voters across the south by redistricting U.S. house seats as primary season is underway. It's the latest fallout from an intensely partisan redistricting battle kicked off by President Trump last year to protect the GOP's slim House majority. Thousands of Louisiana residents have voted early for congressional candidates in what soon could be the wrong districts. The supplement NAD is attracting attention in the wellness world. Scientists are studying its potential. But as NPR's Will Stone reports, many of the claims are ahead of the current evidence.
[03:36]
F
NAD boosting products are often billed as a kind of cure all, a potent substance that can reverse aging and enhance energy. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide is a crucial molecule in our body, and the early research on animals suggests taking NAD precursor supplements can have many benefits. Dr. Shailender Bassin at Brigham and Women's Hospital is one of the researchers looking into NAD early in this field.
[04:00]
G
It certainly is very promising, but I think the hype exceeds the reality where we are in the field.
[04:07]
F
He says what's needed now are larger human trials. Will Stone, NPR News.
[04:12]
A
A leading pediatrician's group has put out new guidance about recess, saying it's crucial for good health and good grades. The updated policy statement by the American Academy of Pediatrics comes after years of shrinking breaks between lessons and worsenings children's health. The group says these breaks are essential for kids academic success and mental, physical and social health. This is NPR News from Washington.
[04:40]
H
Want to hear this podcast without sponsor breaks? Amazon prime members can listen to NPR News now sponsor free through Amazon Music. Or you can also support NPR's vital journalism and get NPR plus@plus.NPR.org that's plus.NPR.org.