Summary4 min read

NPR News Now: 05-13-2026 12AM EDT

Overview

This episode delivers a concise roundup of the latest domestic and international news: President Trump’s anticipated China visit and its implications for US farmers, the financial scrutiny over the ongoing Iran war, congressional questioning of the FBI Director, a healthcare investigation into charity care at Minnesota hospitals, notable federal appointments, and the passing of two NBA players. Throughout, reporters and sources provide firsthand perspectives, and the segment maintains NPR's signature fact-driven and sober tone.

Key Stories & Insights

1. President Trump Heads to China: US Farmers on Edge

[00:00–01:08]

Theme: President Trump’s state visit to Beijing is expected to have major implications for American agriculture, especially soybean exports.
Farmers’ Anxiety: Midwest farmers are anxious, hoping for a trade deal that expands Chinese purchases of US soybeans, in competition with Brazil.
Expert Skepticism: Joe Vaclovic, a notable analyst and podcast host, expresses doubt about the likelihood of a concrete trade deal.
- Quote [00:28]:
  “Is China really going to buy 25 million metric tons of US soybeans next year despite the fact that Brazil's got more than ever to export? Chinese demand maybe falling off a little bit? I don't know. It’s a hot topic and a good question.” —Narrator/Reporter
On-the-ground Perspective:
- Justin Sherlock (farmer) Quote [00:48]:
  “I think most American farmers right now will tell you that we have to have faith that he gets us a deal because kind of the only thing we've got left is hope right now.”

2. Cost of the Iran War Under Scrutiny

[01:08–02:05]

Pentagon’s Estimate: Top military officials reveal the Iran conflict has cost $29 billion so far, not including repair costs for damaged US facilities.
Additional Costs: The Center for Strategic and International Studies projects repairs could add $4 billion.
Budget Proposal: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth presents a $1.5 trillion defense budget—the largest in US history—promising to “remake the military.”
Skeptical Lawmakers: Both Democrats and some Republicans push back, demanding more transparency before supporting the proposal.
- Insight [01:24]:
  "Democrats and some Republicans say they won’t be able to sign off on the planet without more information from the Trump White House." —Claudia Grosales

3. FBI Director Clashes with Congress over Allegations

[02:05–02:51]

Budget Hearing Drama: FBI Director Cash Patel faces tough questions from Senator Chris Van Hollen about reports of on-the-job drinking, highlighted by The Atlantic.
Senator Van Hollen's Challenge [02:19]:
- “Director Patel, come on. These are serious allegations…a $7,000 bar tab at the lobby bar…this is the ultimate example of hypocrisy.”
Patel’s Response: Patel strongly denies the claims, calling them “baseless allegations” and has filed a $250 million lawsuit against The Atlantic.
Media Stance: The Atlantic states it stands by its investigation.

4. Charity Care Falling Short at Minnesota Hospitals

[02:51–03:55]

Background: With imminent federal health care cuts, scrutiny intensifies over charity care at nonprofit hospitals in Minnesota.
Findings: Investigation by KFF Health News and the Star Tribune finds most hospitals allocate minimal budgets to patient assistance.
System Accessibility Issues:
- Jared Walker (advocate) [03:38]:
  “Hospitals do a poor job of making these resources known. It is not accessible and I think that that's by design.”
Deterrence by Complexity:
- Many hospitals maintain “confusing standards and intrusive applications that discourage patients from even asking for aid.”

5. Other News Highlights

[03:55–04:39]

ICE Leadership Change:
- President Trump appoints David Venturella, an agency veteran and former private prison official, as acting ICE director following Todd Lyons' departure.
NBA Community Losses:
- Jason Collins, the NBA’s first openly gay player, dies at 47 from brain cancer; remembered for his 13-season career and 2013 coming out.
- Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clark dies at 29; the team released no additional details.

Notable Quotes & Moments

On trade uncertainty (Joe Vaclovic) [00:28]: “Is China really going to buy 25 million metric tons of US soybeans next year despite the fact that Brazil's got more than ever to export? Chinese demand maybe falling off a little bit? I don't know.”
On farmers’ hope (Justin Sherlock) [00:48]: “Kind of the only thing we've got left is hope right now.”
On transparency in defense spending (Claudia Grosales) [01:24]: “Democrats and some Republicans say they won't be able to sign off on the planet without more information from the Trump White House.”
On hospital charity care (Jared Walker) [03:38]: “Hospitals do a poor job of making these resources known. It is not accessible and I think that that's by design.”

Timestamps of Important Segments

00:00 — Trump’s China trip; US farmers’ anxieties
01:08 — Iran war costs and Pentagon budget scrutiny
02:05 — FBI Director Cash Patel faces Senate questioning
02:51 — Report on Minnesota hospital charity care failures
03:55 — ICE directorship change and NBA obituaries

Summary:
This episode captures key moments shaping national conversation: international trade anxieties, fiscal scrutiny over military engagement, challenges to institutional accountability, gaps in healthcare safety nets, and notable changes and losses in government and sports. The reporting is tight, clear, and focused, offering listeners a multi-layered snapshot of the latest news.

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Transcript16 lines

[00:01]
Giles Snyder
Live from NPR News, I'm Giles Snyder. President Trump is on his way to China. He is expected to arrive in Beijing Wednesday. His state visit will be closely watched in The American Heartland. NPR's Kirk Sigler reports that farmers are anxious for a finalized trade deal.
[00:19]
Kirk Sigler
Joe Vaclovic is a former Chicago trade board analyst who hosts the closely followed podcast Standard Grain. He's been skeptical that a solid deal will come out of this summit.
[00:28]
Narrator/Reporter
Is China really going to buy 25 million metric tons of US soybeans next year despite the fact that Brazil's got more than ever to export? Chinese demand maybe falling off a little bit? I don't know. It's a hot topic and a good question.
[00:40]
Kirk Sigler
A hot topic and stressful time for farmers like Justin Sherlock. He'd rather be talking about what he's putting in the ground this spring, not geopolitics.
[00:49]
Justin Sherlock
I think most American farmers right now will tell you that we have to have faith that he gets us a deal because kind of the only thing we've got left is hope right now,
[01:00]
Kirk Sigler
hope that any trade deal with China includes a firm commitment to buy a lot of soybeans. Kirk Zigler, NPR News, Fargo, North Dakota.
[01:09]
Giles Snyder
Top Pentagon officials have told lawmakers the Iran war has cost $29 billion so far. NPR's Claudia Grosales reports that some congressional appropriators argue the Trump White House needs to provide a lot more information to defend the war's costs.
[01:24]
Claudia Grosales
Pentagon officials said the 20 billion dollar Iran war costume does not include repairs to US facilities attacked during the conflict. The center for Strategic and International Studies estimate that could add another $4 billion. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also told lawmakers a $1.5 trillion Pentagon budget proposal for the next fiscal year will remake the military. But Democrats and some Republicans say they won't be able to sign off on the planet without more information from the Trump White House. The largest defense budget request in history will face challenges drawing support amid fallout from an unpopular war. Claudia Rezales, NPR News.
[02:05]
Giles Snyder
FBI Director Cash Patel was also on Capitol Hill Tuesday, ostensibly for a budget hearing before a Senate committee. Patel clashed with Maryland Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen over reporting by the Atlantic magazine about excessive drinking on the job.
[02:20]
Senator Chris Van Hollen
Director Patel, come on. These are serious allegations that were made against you. They're allegations filed you drinking margaritas with a gang that you're true and on just goes to show you running a $7,000 bar tab at the lobby bar has been filed by your own office. Goes to show during the day that's you this is the ultimate example of hypocrisy. Chairman, I will not be tarnished by baseless allegations. Let me ask fraudulent statements from the media. The fact that you mentioned that indicates you don't know what you are talking about.
[02:51]
Giles Snyder
Patel has filed a $250 million lawsuit over the Atlantic story. The Atlantic says it stands by it. This is npr. Hospital bills can be big, and with federal health care cuts on the way, they're going to get bigger. I'm Levy with part with our partner. KFF Health News reports that many patients are not getting the help they need.
[03:15]
Jared Walker
Charity care is a community benefit that nonprofit hospitals are supposed to offer in exchange for tax breaks. KFF Health News and the Minnesota Star Tribune investigated charity care programs at 123 hospitals in Minnesota. Most earmarked just a tiny fraction of their budgets for patient assistance. Jared Walker heads $4, a nonprofit that works with patients across the country to apply for charity care.
[03:38]
Justin Sherlock
Hospitals do a poor job of making these resources known. It is not accessible and I think that that's by design.
[03:46]
Jared Walker
The investigation found many Minnesota hospitals have confusing standards and intrusive applications that discourages patients from even asking for aid.
[03:55]
Giles Snyder
President Trump has tapped David Venturella to be the next acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. A spokesman confirmed the appointment to npr. He is expected to take over from Todd Lyons, who is leaving the post at the end of the month. Venturella is a veter agency and a former private prison official. The NBA's first openly gay player has died. Jason Collins was 47. His family says he died from an aggressive form of brain cancer. Collins played for six different NBA teams over 13 years. He announced that he was gay in 2013, toward the end of his playing career. Also, Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clark has died. The Grizzlies announced his death Tuesday. No other details were given. Clark was 29.
[04:39]
Narrator/Reporter
This is NPR support for NPR and the following message come from Washington. Wise decisions made in Washington can affect your portfolio every day. Washington Wise from Charles Schwab is an original podcast that unpacks the stories making news in Washington. Listen @schwab.com washingtonwise.