NPR News: 05-14-2025 9AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Episode Summary – May 14, 2025, 9AM EDT

On the May 14, 2025, episode of NPR News Now, host Korva Coleman delivers a comprehensive update on pressing international developments, significant U.S. political maneuvers, ongoing legal proceedings, and urgent environmental crises. This summary encapsulates the key discussions, insightful analyses, and critical conclusions from the episode.

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International Affairs

Ukrainian Leadership Seeks Peace Talks in Turkey

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced his imminent visit to Turkey on May 15, 2025, aiming to broker an end to the ongoing conflict with Russia. In his statement, Zelensky emphasized the importance of direct dialogue, stating his intention to hold a "one-on-one meeting" with Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, uncertainty looms as Russia has indicated it will send a delegation without specifying its members.

NPR reporter Korva Coleman highlights the complexities surrounding this diplomatic endeavor, especially with former President Donald Trump expressing skepticism about Putin’s participation. Trump, currently traveling in the Middle East, remarked, “[00:50] 'I don't know if he's showing up. I know he would like me to be there, and that's a possibility. If we could end the war, I'd be thinking about that tomorrow.'” Trump's comments reflect the tight international schedule and the challenges in securing high-level commitments from Russian leadership.

U.S.-Syria Relations Take a Turn

In other international news, former President Trump met with Syria’s interim leader earlier in the day, signaling a potential shift in U.S. policy toward Syria. Trump announced the lifting of sanctions against the Syrian government, suggesting that the United States could normalize relations. This move represents a significant departure from previous administrations' stances and could reshape geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East.

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U.S. Political Landscape

House Republicans Strive for Spending Bill Consensus

House Republicans are actively working to finalize a substantial spending bill, aiming to advance it to the Senate by Memorial Day. The process, however, is marred by internal party divisions, particularly concerning the state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap.

House Speaker Mike Johnson conveyed optimism about bridging these gaps, stating, “[01:59] 'One of the divides is over the state and local tax deduction, or salt. Some members representing districts with high local property taxes say their support is tied to a higher cap on salt.'” An unnamed Republican Representative added, “[01:44] 'There's a lot in this piece of legislation, and so it takes a lot of calculation and discussion and negotiation.'” The leadership emphasizes that securing nearly unanimous party support is crucial for the bill's passage, highlighting the delicate balance of interests within the GOP.

Assassination Attempt Case Against Ryan Routh

A significant legal development involves Ryan Routh, the individual charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump during the 2020 presidential campaign. Prosecutors allege that a Secret Service agent observed Routh brandishing a rifle, leading to Routh being shot while Trump was golfing in West Palm Beach last September.

At today’s hearing in Fort Pierce, Florida, Routh’s defense attorneys are challenging the felony gun charges on the grounds that they infringe upon his Second Amendment rights. Additionally, they are seeking to suppress testimony from the key witness who identified Routh, arguing that the witness's identification process was flawed and suggestive. Cole Judge Eileen Cannon, known for previously dismissing charges against Trump related to classified documents, will preside over the case. NPR’s Greg Allen provides an in-depth account of these legal strategies and their potential implications.

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Legal and Immigration Matters

Alien Enemies Act Employed for Deporting Venezuelan Migrants

In a landmark decision, a federal judge in Pennsylvania has permitted the Trump administration to utilize the controversial Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelan migrants suspected of gang affiliations. This marks the first instance of the Trump administration invoking this wartime power. However, the judge mandated that the administration must provide migrants with a three-week notice before deportation, adding a layer of procedural safeguard to the process. This ruling has sparked discussions about the balance between national security and individual rights, especially concerning immigration policies.

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Environmental and Emergency Situations

Flash Flooding Devastates Western Maryland and West Virginia

Over the past 24 hours, the mid-Atlantic region has been battered by unexpected heavy rainfall, leading to severe flash flooding in the mountainous areas of western Maryland and neighboring West Virginia. Mayor Judy Hamilton of Western Port, Maryland, described the rapid onset of flooding: “[03:59] 'It just seemed to happen all at once.'” The deluge submerged downtown areas, compelling first responders to evacuate students and staff from multiple elementary schools using boats. Allegheny County officials reported individuals stranded in vehicles and homes, exacerbating the community’s crisis.

Governor of West Virginia has declared a state of emergency for Mineral County, where over six inches of rain have fallen in the county seat of Keizer. The sudden nature of the floods has overwhelmed local infrastructure, highlighting the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather events.

Wildfires Rage in Northeastern Minnesota

Simultaneously, northeastern Minnesota faces a dire wildfire situation with three significant blazes—Camp House, Jenkins Creek, and Munger Shah Fires—combining to burn over 30 square miles of forest land. The Camp House and Jenkins Creek fires have collectively destroyed more than 140 structures, including residential homes. The Munger Shah fire remains a persistent threat near Duluth, posing ongoing challenges for firefighting efforts. These wildfires underscore the escalating threat of climate change-induced extreme weather conditions impacting communities and ecosystems.

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Conclusion

The May 14, 2025, episode of NPR News Now provides listeners with a succinct yet comprehensive overview of critical global and domestic issues. From high-stakes diplomatic negotiations and political maneuvering within the U.S. government to significant legal battles and urgent environmental disasters, the episode encapsulates the multifaceted challenges facing the world today. Through insightful reporting and firsthand accounts, NPR continues to deliver timely and essential information to its audience.

Transcript

[Eric]

Eric, we there?

[Mufasa]

That's Mufasa.

[Jennifer Hudson]

You've probably seen clips from the Jennifer Hudson show spirit tunnel on TikTok or Instagram, the ones where celebrities dance down the hallway to a clever song. These videos can reveal a lot. Do they have rhythm and how famous are they really? We're breaking down the inescapable Internet trend. Listen to the Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast from npr.

[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he's going to Turkey tomorrow to talk about ending the war. His country, Russia, has said it's sending a delegation but didn't say who would be there. Zelensky has called for a one on one meeting in Turkey with Russian President Vladimir Putin. President Trump, traveling in the Middle east, says he is not sure if Putin will attend. Trump himself is not going, but hinted he could change his mind.

[Donald Trump]

I don't know if he's showing up. I know he would like me to be there, and that's a possibility. If we could end the war, I'd be thinking about that tomorrow. We're all booked out. You understand that we're going to go UAE tomorrow. And so we have a very full situation now. That doesn't mean I wouldn't do it to save a lot of lives and come back separately.

[Korva Coleman]

Trump met the interim leader of Syria today and says the US could normalize relations with the Syrian government. Trump has announced the US Is lifting sanctions against Syria. House Republicans are trying to finalize a massive spending bill. They hope to pass it and send it to the Senate by Memorial Day. As NPR's Elena Moore reports, GOP leaders are trying to solve ongoing party divisions.

[Mike Johnson]

House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters on Monday that he's building consensus with party holdouts.

[Unnamed Republican Representative]

There's a lot in this piece of legislation, and so it takes a lot of calculation and discussion and negotiation. And as you know, 220 colleagues. There's a lot of different ideas on what the best outcome is, and it takes a while to get there. And sometimes you go right up to the edge. That's how this process works.

[Mike Johnson]

One of the divides is over the state and local tax deduction, or salt. Some members representing districts with high local property taxes say their support is tied to a higher cap on salt. But Johnson says they're getting closer to an agreement that may be crucial since Republicans will need virtually full party support to get this bill passed. Elena Moore, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

The man charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump when he was running for president last year will be in court today. Prosecutors say a Secret Service agent saw Ryan Ruth holding a rifle. The agent fired on Ruth while Trump was golfing at his West Palm beach Club last September. NPR's Greg Allen reports.

[Greg Allen]

At today's hearing in Fort Pierce, Florida, Ruth's defense lawyers will argue that two felony gun counts should be dismissed because they violate their client's Second Amendment rights. The US District judge hearing the case, Eileen Cannon, is the same judge who dismissed charges against against Trump over his handling of classified documents. Ryan Routh's lawyers are also asking Judge Cannon to suppress the testimony of the witness who identified their client as the person seen running from Trump's golf club. The unidentified witness was flown by helicopter and presented with a single suspect, a handcuffed Ruth. The defense says that was impermissibly suggestive and created a substantial likelihood that he was misidentified. Greg Allen, NPR News, Fort Pierce, Florida.

[Korva Coleman]

You're listening to NPR News. A federal judge in Pennsylvania has ruled the Trump administration may use the controversial Alien Enemies act to deport Venezuelan migrants alleged to be gang members. This appears to be the first case where President Trump has been authorized to use the wartime power. But this federal judge said that the Trump administration must give migrants three weeks notice before deporting them. Hours of heavy rain in the mid Atlantic have led to dramatic flash flooding in the mountains of western Maryland and Neighboring West Virginia. NPR's Giles Snyder reports. The water came up unexpectedly.

[Judy Hamilton]

Western Port, Maryland Mayor Judy Hamilton says it just seemed to happen all at once. Photos show the downtown area swamped with angry water. First responders used boats to evacuate students and staff from one elementary school. And Allegheny county officials say another elementary school was also evacuated, and there were reports of people trapped in their cars and homes. Western Port is located in a mountainous corner of western Maryland, near the border with neighboring West Virginia, where the governor has declared a state of emergency. In Mineral county, officials there were also taken by surprise. More than 6 inches of heavy rain fell on the county seat of Keizer trial. Snyder, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

Three wildfires continued to grow out of control in northeastern Minnesota. The Camp House and the Jenkins Creek fires together have burned more than 30 square miles of fore. The Munger Shah fire is burning not far from Duluth. At least 140 structures have been destroyed in the fires, including some homes. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News.

[Unnamed NPR Sponsor]

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