NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of May 15, 2025 Episode

Released on May 15, 2025

1. Supreme Court Reviews Trump's Executive Order on Birthright Citizenship

Host: Korva Coleman
Key Points:

• The U.S. Supreme Court is currently reviewing arguments regarding an executive order signed by former President Trump aimed at overturning birthright citizenship for certain Americans.
• The central technical argument revolves around whether federal court judges can block Trump's executive orders through nationwide injunctions.
• Amanda Frost, a professor at the University of Virginia School of Law, critiques Trump's approach, emphasizing the expansion of presidential power.

Notable Quote:

“The hallmark of the Trump presidency is the power to unilaterally change law. ... the birthright citizenship executive order purporting to end a constitutional right ... epitomizes that approach to law.”
— Amanda Frost (00:44)

Additional Information:

• The Supreme Court's decision on this matter is anticipated by summer.

2. Ukraine and Russia Set to Hold First Direct Talks in Three Years

Host: Korva Coleman
Key Points:

• Representatives from Ukraine and Russia are scheduled to engage in direct talks in Turkey, marking the first such discussions since Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago.
• The Kremlin has indicated that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the talks.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is the sole leader present, questioning the Russian delegation's authority and decision-making capacity.
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio is also in Turkey and may participate in the negotiations.

Notable Quote:

“We need to understand the level of the Russian delegation, what their mandate is and whether they are capable of making any decisions on their own because we all know who makes the decisions in Russia.”
— Volodymyr Zelensky (01:24)

Additional Information:

• The Kremlin plans to send technocrats instead of high-level officials, signaling a potentially limited dialogue.

3. California Considers Rolling Back Health Insurance for Undocumented Adults Amid Budget Deficit

Host: Korva Coleman
Key Points:

• California Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed freezing Medi-Cal enrollment for adult immigrants without legal status to address the state's $12 billion deficit.
• The proposal follows a surge in Medi-Cal enrollments exceeding expectations.
• Newsom emphasizes the necessity of adjusting healthcare provisions rather than cutting off basic care entirely.
• The plan maintains Medi-Cal access for children without legal status.
• Democrats in the state legislature are expected to oppose the proposal during the upcoming budget negotiations, with a final budget expected by mid-June.

Notable Quotes:

“I don't want to be in this position, but we are in this position. ... we have to adjust the comprehensive nature of the care.”
— Gavin Newsom (02:40)

Additional Information:

• The shift marks a significant policy adjustment from the 2024 expansion allowing undocumented adults to enroll in Medi-Cal.

4. Wall Street Update and Trump's Middle East Trip

Host: Korva Coleman
Key Points:

• The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 60 points in the latest trading session.
• Former President Trump concluded his Middle East tour in the United Arab Emirates after starting the day in Qatar.
• In Qatar, Trump announced substantial new business deals, including a $96 billion order from the Qatari government to U.S. aircraft manufacturer Boeing.

5. Record Drop in Drug Overdoses in the U.S. According to CDC Report

Host: Korva Coleman
Key Points:

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a 27% decrease in fatal drug overdoses in 2024, marking the largest drop ever recorded.
• This decline is attributed to a combination of improved healthcare policies initiated under the Biden administration, the circulation of weaker fentanyl on the streets, and a high number of drug users already succumbing to overdoses.
• Despite the decline, overdose fatalities remain significantly higher in the U.S. compared to other countries, with approximately 80,300 deaths reported in 2024.

Notable Quote:

“The drop [in fatal overdoses] is remarkable ... attributed to policies that began in 2017, when President Trump declared an opioid emergency during his first term.”
— CDC Statement (03:50)

Additional Information:

• Drug fatalities had previously surged from 2017 through 2023 before starting to decline in the past year.

6. Missouri Lawmakers to Reintroduce Abortion Vote for Voters

Host: Korva Coleman
Key Points:

• Missouri state legislators have voted to place the abortion issue back on the ballot, despite voters approving an abortion rights amendment just last year.
• The Republican-controlled legislature aims to overturn the previous amendment to impose a near-total abortion ban.
• The ballot initiative is expected to appear in late next year’s elections.

Additional Information:

• The move reflects ongoing tensions and political maneuvering surrounding reproductive rights in the state.

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now covered a broad spectrum of pressing national and international issues, including significant legal battles over presidential power, critical geopolitical negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, state-level policy changes in California, economic updates from Wall Street, public health advancements in combating drug overdoses, and the evolving landscape of abortion rights in Missouri. Each story was presented with insightful analysis and direct quotes from key figures, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of current events.