NPR News: 05-12-2026 8AM EDT - NPR News Now

Summary4 min read

NPR News Now – May 12, 2026, 8AM EDT

Host: Korva Coleman (NPR)
Duration: 5 minutes
Episode Focus: A rapid update on critical U.S. and global news: Iran-Kuwait tensions, inflation’s surge linked to war, political redistricting battles, promising developments for pancreatic cancer, a controversial FEMA nomination, weather extremes, and the final days of Stephen Colbert’s late-night show.

Global Affairs & U.S. Foreign Policy

Iran-Kuwait Tensions and Peace Talks

[00:00] Korva Coleman reports that Kuwait accuses Iran of sending a team to attack a Kuwaiti island, but the attack was foiled.
Context: This is cited as “the latest in a series of attacks by Iran since the US and Israel began the war more than 10 weeks ago.”
Peace efforts are faltering: “President Trump has rejected Iran's response to a US proposed peace plan.”
Impact at home: Anticipation of a new federal report on inflation, which will reflect “how much the war in Iran is affecting consumer prices.”

Economy & Inflation

Gas Prices and Rising Inflation

[00:32] (Scott Horsley, NPR):
- AAA reports average gas prices have hit $4.50/gallon, “up more than a buck and a half since the war began.”
- “That's expected to be a significant driver of inflation in April, just as it was in March.”
- Forecast: Annual inflation rate may reach 3.7-3.8%, “the highest inflation we've seen in at least two and a half years.”
Memorable Quote:
- “Nowhere is that more obvious than at the gas pumps.” — Scott Horsley [00:32]

U.S. Politics & Redistricting

Virginia Democrats Appeal Redistricting Ruling

[00:56] Korva Coleman introduces the story: Virginia Democrats are petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court to pause a state court’s redistricting ruling.
[01:26] (Jad Khalil, VPN):
- “Democrats in Virginia have been rushing to join an effort to counter a gerrymandering push President Trump started in July.”
- Voters approved an amendment for more Democratic-leaning districts, but the state Supreme Court ruled the legislature “didn’t follow the state constitution’s amendment process.”
- Simultaneously, Republicans in Alabama, Louisiana, and South Carolina pursue redistricting “at Trump's urging after the Supreme Court weakened protections for minority voters.”
Key Moment:
- “Last month, voters approved the constitutional amendment that would lead to a map with a big advantage for Democrats.” — Jad Khalil [01:26]

Health & Science

Breakthroughs in Pancreatic Cancer Treatment

[01:58] New hope for pancreatic cancer patients after successful clinical trials in Richmond.
[02:12] (Yuki Noguchi, NPR):
- Focuses on Vicki Stinson, an Arizona native diagnosed late with pancreatic cancer and initially given only months to live.
- Stinson has survived two years—she credits “Diraxan Rasib,” an experimental drug now with FDA pre-approval expanded access.
- Patient voice:
  - “It feels like it’s so close, and I kind of feel like a ripe tomato on a vine. It’s like if I can just keep holding on for a little bit longer, this just might work for me.” — Vicki Stinson [02:39]
- Other promising treatments are in the pipeline.

Government & Appointments

FEMA Leadership Change

[02:55] President Trump nominates Cameron Hamilton as FEMA administrator.
- Hamilton was previously ousted after stating to Congress that “FEMA should not be eliminated.”

Weather & Climate

Extreme Weather Alerts

[02:55]
- Central California faces triple-digit temperatures; the heatwave is expected to last through tomorrow.
- Meanwhile, “freeze warnings are posted” in the Midwest, Northeast, and New England.

Media & Culture

The End of Colbert’s Late Night

[03:47] (Mandalit del Barco, NPR):
- Stephen Colbert hosted John Oliver, Seth Meyers, Jimmy Fallon, and Jimmy Kimmel on one of his “final shows before it goes off the air May 21.”
- The five, together known as “Strike Force 5,” originally united for a podcast during the Hollywood writers’ strike.
[03:59] (Colbert):
- “Late night is in a bit of a weird spot right now.”
[04:01]
- CBS Paramount cited “financial reasons” for the cancellation, but fans allege retribution for Colbert's criticism of President Trump.
[04:15] (Kimmel):
- “When I got knocked off the air for a few days, people canceled Disney. Why aren't you people canceling Paramount Plus? Because you didn't have it in the first place.”
[04:27]
- Colbert announces a “Strike Force 5” reunion podcast for Wednesday.

Notable Quotes

Scott Horsley [00:32]:
- "AAA says the average price of regular gas today is $4.50 a gallon. That's up more than a buck and a half since the war began.”
Vicki Stinson [02:39]:
- "It feels like it's so close, and I kind of feel like a ripe tomato on a vine. It's like if I can just keep holding on for a little bit longer, this just might work for me."
Stephen Colbert [03:59]:
- "Late night is in a bit of a weird spot right now."
Jimmy Kimmel [04:15]:
- "When I got knocked off the air for a few days, people canceled Disney. Why aren't you people canceling Paramount Plus? Because you didn't have it in the first place."

Timeline of Key Segments

[00:00] Iran-Kuwait tensions; US peace plan and inflation preview
[00:32] Gas prices and inflation discussion
[00:56] Virginia Democrats’ Supreme Court appeal
[01:26] Broader redistricting battles (Jad Khalil)
[01:58] Pancreatic cancer trial (Yuki Noguchi)
[02:55] FEMA nomination; weather updates
[03:47] Colbert late night finale and “Strike Force 5” reunion (Mandalit del Barco)

This episode delivers a quick but thorough ride through breaking headlines, economic anxieties, legal and political struggles, science’s latest hopes, and pop culture’s shifting landscape—leaving listeners informed and ready for the day ahead.

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Transcript16 lines

[00:00]
A
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. The government of Kuwait is accusing Iran of sending a team to attack a Kuwaiti island. The attack was foiled. Iran has attacked Kuwait since the US and Israel began the war more than 10 weeks ago. The news comes as President Trump has rejected Iran's response to a US Proposed peace plan. The federal government will release a new report on inflation today. It will show how much the war in Iran is affecting consumer prices. And NPR's Scott Horsley says nowhere is that more obvious than at the gas pumps.
[00:32]
B
AAA says the average price of regular gas today is $4.50 a gallon. That's up more than a buck and a half since the war began. And that's expected to be a significant driver of inflation in April, just as it was in March. Forecasters think the annual inflation rate last month climbed to 3.7, maybe 3.8%. If so, that would be the highest inflation we've seen in at least two and a half years.
[00:56]
A
NPR's Scott Horsley reporting. Virginia Democrats are going to the U.S. supreme Court with a request on redistricting. Recently, Virginia voters narrowly approved a redistricting plan that would have given Democrats the chance to draw four districts more favorable to their candidates, but Virginia's state Supreme Court overturned that. From member station VPN, Jad Khalil reports. The Virginia Democrats are asking the U.S. supreme Court to pause the state court's ruling.
[01:26]
C
Democrats in Virginia have been rushing to join an effort to counter a gerrymandering push President Trump started in July. Last month, voters approved the constitutional amendment that would lead to a map with a big advantage for Democrats. But Friday, the Supreme Court of Virginia ruled that the legislature didn't follow the state constitution's amendment process. Meanwhile, Republicans this week in Alabama, Louisiana and South Carolina are taking steps to redistrict at Trump's urging as after the Supreme Court weakened protections for minority voters. For NPR News, I'm Jad Khalil.
[01:59]
A
In Richmond, some pancreatic cancer patients are expressing hope following successful clinical trials of new treatments. NPR's Yuki Noguchi reports. Some hope that science might outrun the deadly cancer.
[02:12]
D
Vicki Stinson has defied odds typical for pancreatic cancer patients. The Arizona native was diagnosed at a late stage. A doctor gave Stinson months, not years, to live. Two years on. Stinson is alive and has felt well thanks to a drug. In a clinical trial, Diraxan Rasib, that is so promising, the Food and Drug Administration expanded access for patients prior to its approval. Stinson notes there are other promising treatments as well.
[02:39]
A
It feels like it's so close, and I kind of feel like a ripe tomato on a vine. It's like if I can just keep holding on for a little bit longer, this just might work for me.
[02:53]
D
Yukin Iguchi, NPR News.
[02:55]
A
You're listening to NPR News from Washington. President Trump has nominated Cameron Hamilton to be the administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Hamilton was fired last year as the acting FEMA administrator. He was ousted after he told Congress FEMA should not be eliminated. Weather forecasters are warning parts of Central California could see temperatures rise into the triple digits later today. The heat will last through tomorrow, but in the Midwest, Northeast and New England, freeze warnings are posted this morning. Last night, late night host Stephen Colbert invited five fellow late night TV hosts to one of his final shows before it goes off the air May 21. As NPR's Mandalay del Barco reports, the cancellation was a topic of conversation and jokes.
[03:47]
E
Joining Stephen Colbert were John Oliver, Seth Meyers and the two Jimmies, Kimmel and Fallon. They call themselves Strike Force 5. Also the name of the podcast they hosted during the Hollywood writers strike. Here's Colbert.
[04:00]
C
Late night is in a bit of a weird spot right now.
[04:02]
E
Spoiler alert, CBS Paramount canceled Colbert show citing financial reasons. Though many fans say it was retribution for Colbert skewering President Trump. Kimmel said fans should outraged by the ending of the late show.
[04:15]
C
When I got knocked off the air for a few days, people canceled Disney. Why isn't why aren't you people canceling Paramount plus because you didn't have it in the first place.
[04:27]
E
Colbert announced that Strike Force 5 will reunite on Wednesday for an emergency podcast. Mandalit Dalbarco, NPR News.
[04:36]
A
And I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News, from Washington.
[04:40]
C
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