NPR News: 05-15-2025 6AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now Episode: 05-15-2025 6AM EDT Release Date: May 15, 2025

---

International Relations: Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks in Istanbul

Korva Coleman opens the episode with breaking news on the anticipated peace talks between Russia and Ukraine set to take place in Istanbul. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived for the negotiations, marking the first potential dialogue between the two nations since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin is notably absent from the meetings.

Charles Maynes reports from Moscow, detailing the skepticism surrounding Putin’s participation:

"There had been speculation as to whether Putin would attend the talks ever since the Russian leader proposed them, choosing to reveal the idea to journalists in a surprise announcement over the weekend." ([00:42])

Putin's offer for peace comes amid intensified pressure from Western nations advocating for an immediate 30-day ceasefire, threatening new sanctions targeting Russian banking and energy sectors. While Zelenskyy has indicated his willingness to attend the negotiations contingent on Putin’s presence, the Kremlin has instead dispatched mid-level technocrats who were previously involved in unsuccessful talks three years prior.

U.S. Supreme Court: Challenge to Birthright Citizenship

Shifting focus to domestic issues, Korva Coleman highlights a significant legal challenge currently before the U.S. Supreme Court. Former President Donald Trump is contesting the traditional interpretation of the 14th Amendment, which guarantees citizenship to all babies born on U.S. soil.

Nina Totenberg provides an in-depth analysis:

"Trump has long claimed that there is no such thing as birthright citizenship in the Constitution. And on his first day in office, he issued an executive order barring automatic citizenship for any child whose parents entered the country illegally or on a temporary visa." ([01:23])

The court's focus is expected to center on a technical legal question posed by the Trump administration, which could potentially complicate future challenges to Trump-era policies.

Health Sector: Department of Health and Human Services Under Scrutiny

Korva Coleman reports on internal turmoil within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Lawmakers from both the House and Senate have expressed concerns over significant layoffs and budget cuts initiated by Secretary Kennedy.

Selena Simmons Duffin elaborates on the situation:

"10,000 staffers at HHS have been fired since Secretary Kennedy began leading the agency, with thousands more taking buyouts or early retirement." ([02:31])

During congressional hearings, Kennedy acknowledged external assistance in identifying inefficiencies:

"Elon Musk gave us help in figuring out where there was waste, fraud and abuse in the department, but it was up to me to make the decision." ([02:44])

The reduction in HHS staff has raised alarms about the potential impact on critical health services. Additionally, Kennedy has advocated for downsizing the National Institutes of Health (NIH), labeling it as "corrupt and in need of a new direction," a stance that has been met with bipartisan criticism.

Legal Proceedings: Wisconsin Judge Faces Federal Charges

A notable legal case emerges from Wisconsin, where Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan is set to appear in federal court. Accused of unlawfully directing a migrant out of her courtroom to avoid arrest, Judge Dugan is expected to plead not guilty to two federal charges.

Korva Coleman reports:

"Dugan has argued the Trump administration's case is unprecedented and unconstitutional." ([03:09])

This case underscores ongoing tensions between local judicial actions and federal immigration policies.

Health Awareness: Navigating Perimenopause Symptoms

Addressing women's health, Korva Coleman introduces the topic of perimenopause, a transitional phase with a wide array of symptoms that often complicate diagnosis.

Katia Riddle reports:

"Some clinicians caution women who are in their late 30s through early 50s don't assume all maladies are related to perimenopause. There's a lot of other health conditions that can show up in midlife." ([03:46])

Gynecologist Nanette Santoro emphasizes the complexity of diagnosing perimenopause:

"Maybe it isn't your hormones. Let's try these other things first. And that's a little tricky. So sometimes that involves judgment on the part of the clinician. It also involves some possibly a need for the doctor or the patient to be more assertive." ([04:00])

Santoro also notes the limitations of hormone level testing:

"Testing for hormone levels can be inconclusive and is not always that helpful." ([04:13])

Environmental News: Wildfires in Minnesota and Heat Advisories in Texas

The episode concludes with urgent environmental updates. Korva Coleman reports that wildfires in northern Minnesota have devastated approximately 150 structures, including homes and cabins, across three main fires covering 58 square miles. The fires remain uncontained, prompting mass evacuations and the activation of the National Guard by Governor Tim Walz.

Additionally, forecasters have issued heat advisories for southern Texas, with temperatures soaring to an anticipated 113 degrees near Corpus Christi:

"Forecasts have again posted heat advisories for southern Texas today. It could feel like 113 degrees in areas near Corpus Christi." ([04:20])

These environmental crises highlight the increasing challenges posed by extreme weather conditions.

---

This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the NPR News Now episode released on May 15, 2025, providing a comprehensive overview for listeners seeking to stay informed on pressing national and international issues.

Transcript

[Capital One Ad]

This message comes from Capital One. Access comprehensive solutions from a top commercial bank that prioritizes your needs today and goals for tomorrow. Learn more at Capital1.com Commercial Member FDIC.

[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Representatives from Russia and Ukraine are expected to gather in Turkey today for peace talks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived, but it's not clear that he'll join the negotiations. This is the first time the two sides may meet for talks since the early months of Russia's full scale invasion in 2022. But NPR's Charles mainnes reports from Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin won't be there.

[Charles Maynes]

There had been speculation as to whether Putin would attend the talks ever since the Russian leader proposed them, choosing to reveal the idea to journalists in a surprise announcement over the weekend. Putin's offer came amid pressure from Western powers to agree to an immediate 30 day ceasefire or face new sanctions on Russian banking and energy. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to attend the negotiations if Putin did the same. President Trump, currently in the Middle east, also said he might join if it helped bring the sides together. Yet late Monday, the Kremlin announced it was sending mid level technocrats to Istanbul, several of whom were involved in earlier failed negotiations three years ago. Charles Maynes, NPR News, Moscow.

[Korva Coleman]

At the U.S. supreme Court today, President Trump is challenging the longstanding interpretation of the 14th Amendment. It was enacted after the Civil war to guarantee citizenship to all babies born in the United States. NPR's Nina Totenberg reports.

[Nina Totenberg]

Trump has long claimed that there is no such thing as birthright citizenship in the Constitution. And on his first day in office, he issued an executive order barring automatic citizenship for any child whose parents entered the country illegally or on a temporary visa. Today's arguments, however, are likely to focus on a separate question that the Trump administration is asking the court to resolve, a technical legal question that could make the process for challenging any Trump policy far more difficult and lengthy. Nina Totenberg, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Told lawmakers yesterday he wants less money for his agency, the Department of Health and Human Services. He was questioned by separate panels in the House and Senate. NPR's Selena Simmons Duffin reports that lawmakers grilled Kennedy about mass layoffs at his agency.

[Selena Simmons Duffin]

10,000 staffers at HHS have been fired since Secretary Kennedy began leading the agency, with thousands more taking buyouts or early retirement. Here's Kennedy responding to a question about who decided which staff to cut.

[Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.]

Elon Musk gave us help in figuring out where there was waste, fraud and abuse in the department, but it was up to me to make the decision.

[Selena Simmons Duffin]

Lawmakers of both parties questioned the wisdom of shrinking the size of the National Institutes of Health, which Kennedy described as being corrupt and in need of a new direction. Selena Simmons Duffin, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

You're listening to NPR News. A county judge in Wisconsin will be arraigned in federal court today. Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan is expected to plead not guilty to two federal charges. She's accused of directing a migrant in the US Illegally out of her courtroom in order to evade arrest. Dugan has argued the Trump administration's case is unprecedented and unconstitutional. Perimenopause is a topic of increasing interest. That's partly due to the long list of symptoms associated with it. NPR's Katia Riddle reports. The condition is hard to diagnose.

[Katia Riddle]

Some clinicians caution women who are in their late 30s through early 50s don't assume all maladies are related to perimenopause. There's a lot of other health conditions that can show up in midlife. Nanette Santoro is a gynecologist in Colorado.

[Nanette Santoro]

Maybe it isn't your hormones. Let's try these other things first. And that's a little tricky. So sometimes that involves judgment on the part of the clinician. It also involves some possibly a need for the doctor or the patient to be more assertive.

[Katia Riddle]

Santora says testing for hormone levels can be inconclusive and is not always that helpful. Katie Riddle, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

Authorities in northern Minnesota say wildfires have destroyed about 150 structures, including homes and cabins. Three main wildfires have scorched about 58 square miles of fire. None of the wildfires is contained. Scores of people have evacuated. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has activated the National Guard to help. Forecasters have again posted heat advisories for southern Texas today. It could feel like 113 degrees in areas near Corpus Christi. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News in Washington.

[Capital One Ad]

This message comes from Carvana. Sell your car right now to Carvana. Just enter your license plate or VIN and get a real offer. That's good for seven days. Sell to Carvana today.