NPR News: 05-15-2025 7PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: May 15, 2025, 7PM EDT

Host: Jack Spear

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1. Delayed Peace Talks Between Russia and Ukraine

Timestamp: [00:17]

In a significant development, scaled-down peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, slated to take place in Turkey, have been postponed until at least Friday. This delay marks a setback in the fragile diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict that has persisted for over three years.

Charles Maines of NPR reported from Moscow, highlighting that these would have been the first direct negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv since the invasion began. However, the talks were disrupted when Russian President Vladimir Putin decided to send mid-level technocrats instead of attending personally. This decision infuriated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who had traveled to Turkey with the expectation of a high-level dialogue. Zelenskyy stated, “a lower level Ukrainian delegation would engage with the Russian team” instead of meeting Putin directly.

Additionally, Former President Donald Trump hinted at the necessity of a face-to-face meeting with Putin for any substantial progress, reflecting his skepticism about the current diplomatic efforts. As Trump remarked, “diplomatic progress to end the war remains unlikely until he and Putin meet face to face.”

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2. Federal Charges Against Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan

Timestamp: [01:15]

Judge Hannah Dugan of Wisconsin has pleaded not guilty to federal charges accusing her of aiding an individual in evading immigration authorities. Specifically, she faces allegations of concealing a man without legal status to prevent his arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The case has ignited protests against the current administration's stringent immigration enforcement policies. Ayan Silver from WTM reported that supporters of Judge Dugan gathered outside the Milwaukee courthouse, chanting, “Are we going to allow dedicated public servants to be smeared? And are we going to allow them to smear the reputation of the Honorable Hannah Dugan?” in defense of the judge.

Dugan and her legal team have requested a speedy trial, maintaining their stance of innocence. The indictment by a federal grand jury came on Tuesday, further polarizing public opinion on immigration enforcement practices and the judiciary's role within that framework.

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3. UnitedHealth Group Shares Plummet Amid Investigation Reports

Timestamp: [02:10]

Shares of UnitedHealth Group, a leading healthcare and insurance conglomerate, experienced a sharp decline, closing down nearly 11% following unconfirmed reports of a government investigation. Maria Aspen of NPR detailed that the company's stock has fallen more than 50% in the past month, resulting in a significant reduction of its market capitalization by hundreds of billions of dollars.

UnitedHealth Group has recently undergone substantial turmoil, including the abrupt replacement of its CEO and the suspension of its financial guidance for the year. Rumors suggest that the Department of Justice (DOJ) might be investigating the company's Medicare business. Despite these reports, UnitedHealth Group has officially denied any ongoing investigation, asserting, “we have not been notified by the DOJ of such an investigation and that it stands by the integrity of its business.” Nevertheless, investor confidence has been severely shaken, reflecting broader concerns about the company's governance and future prospects.

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4. New Jersey Transit Faces Potential Train Engineers' Strike

Timestamp: [03:08]

New Jersey Transit is currently in negotiations with the union representing its train engineers amidst growing tensions over wage disputes. An advisory issued this afternoon warned customers to conclude their travel by 11:59 PM due to the looming threat of a strike that could disrupt services for approximately 350,000 commuters across New Jersey and New York.

The primary contention in the negotiations revolves around wage increases, with engineers pushing for better compensation. As the situation evolves, some bus services may also experience interruptions. The transit authorities are striving to avert the strike, understanding the significant impact it would have on daily commuters and the broader transportation network.

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5. Death of Broadway Songwriter Charles Strauss

Timestamp: [03:08 - 04:49]

The Broadway community mourns the passing of Charles Strauss, a celebrated songwriter whose contributions to American musical theater spanned several decades. At the age of 96, Strauss leaves behind a legacy of iconic works, including the beloved musicals "Bye Bye Birdie," "Applause," and "Annie."

Jeff London shared a heartfelt tribute, noting that Strauss's debut on Broadway with the rock and roll parody "Bye Bye Birdie" in 1960 was a monumental success, earning a Tony Award and becoming a staple in community theaters and high schools. Reflecting on Strauss's life, Jeff London quoted the composer himself: “It's a wonderful feeling and I am modest, though not humble or anyway. But I'm a very lucky man.”

Despite experiencing both hits and flops, Strauss achieved substantial success with "Applause," an adaptation of the film "All About Eve," and "Annie," based on the iconic comic book character. Even in his 80s, Strauss remained active, continuing to work on new projects and contributing to the vibrant landscape of musical theater.

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6. Oil Prices Update

Timestamp: [04:49]

In the latest market movements, oil prices have seen a decrease, with prices falling by $1.53 per barrel to settle at $61.62 a barrel. This dip reflects the current volatility in the energy sector, influenced by various factors including geopolitical tensions and shifts in supply and demand dynamics.

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This summary aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the key discussions and insights featured in the NPR News Now episode released on May 15, 2025. For detailed information and real-time updates, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full podcast.

Transcript

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[Jack Spear]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. Scaled down peace talks between Russia and Ukraine anticipated today in Turkey now appear on hold till at least Friday. The delay comes amid dimming hopes for a diplomatic breakthrough to end Russia's war with Ukraine. From Moscow, NPR's Charles Maines reports.

[Charles Maines]

If they occur, the negotiations would mark the first between Moscow and Kyiv since the early months of the Russian invasion more than three years ago. The planned meeting was derailed by news. Russian President Vladimir Putin would skip the event, instead dispatching mid level technocrats to negotiate. The move clearly angered Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who had traveled to Turkey and challenged Putin to do the same. Instead, Zelenskyy said a lower level Ukrainian delegation would engage with the Russian team. Mean President Trump, who had indicated he might attend if it brought the two sides closer, now says diplomatic progress to end the war remains unlikely until he and Putin meet face to face. Charles Maynes, NPR News, Moscow.

[Jack Spear]

A Wisconsin judge accused of helping a man evade immigration authorities has pleaded not guilty in federal court. Her case has sparked protest over President Trump's enforcement against illegal immigration. Mayon Silver from member station WWM reports.

[Ayan Silver]

Supporters of Judge Hannah Dugan protested outside the courthouse in Milwaukee.

[Supporter of Hannah Dugan]

Are we going to allow dedicated public serv servants to be smeared? And are we going to allow them to smear the reputation of the Honorable Hannah Dugan?

[Judge Hannah Dugan]

No.

[Ayan Silver]

Dugan pleaded not guilty to concealing an individual to prevent arrest and obstruction. The judge is accused of directing a defendant without legal status out of her courtroom as U.S. immigration and Customs Enforcement agents tried to arrest him. A federal grand jury indicted Dugan Tuesday. She and her attorneys left the hearing without speaking to reporters. They're asking for a speedy trial. For NPR News, I'm Ayan Silver in Milwaukee.

[Jack Spear]

Shares in UnitedHealth Group plunged today after the massive healthcare and insurance conglomerate dismissed reports of a government investigation. NPR's Maria Aspen reports. The company's shares closed down nearly 11%.

[Maria Aspen]

UnitedHealth Group is one of the largest and most powerful companies in the world. It controls how tens of millions of Americans access and pay for health care. But it's having a terrible year, which kept getting worse this week. On Tuesday, UnitedHealth abruptly replaced its CEO and suspended its financial guidance for this year. Now it's facing reports of a potentially criminal investigation by the Department of Justice into its Medicare business. The company says it has not been notified by the DOJ of such an investigation and that it stands by the integrity of its business. But investors are spooked. Shares in UnitedHealth have fallen more than 50% in the past month, shaving hundreds of billions of dollars off its market cap. Maria Aspen, NPR News, New York.

[Jack Spear]

Stocks drifted to a mix close again today. The dow was up 271 points, the NASDAQ down 34. This is NPR. New Jersey Transit authorities are continuing to negotiate with the union representing train engineers. Though an advisory put out this afternoon, the transit system advised all customers to complete their travel before 11:59pm this evening. That's because of a threatened strike by train engineers that could affect some 350,000 commuters in New Jersey and New who use the transit line. Some bus service is also being affected. Engineers have threatened to strike just after midnight with wages the main sticking point in the negotiations. Tony Award winning Broadway songwriter Charles Strauss has died. The composer of the hit musicals Bye Bye Birdie, Applause and Annie was 96. Jeff London has this remembrance.

[Jeff London]

The classically trained composer first hit Broadway with the rock and roll parody Bye bye birdie in 1960. It became an enormous hit, winning the Tony Award. Since then, it's been one of the most perform in community theaters and high schools.

[Charles Strauss]

It's a wonderful feeling and I am modest, though not humble or anyway. But I'm a very lucky man.

[Jeff London]

And Strauss became a very rich man. While he penned his share of flops, he also had two more smash hits, Applause, based on the film All About Eve and Annie based on the comic book character.

[Judge Hannah Dugan]

The sun will come out tomorrow, so you gotta hang on till tomorrow come up.

[Jeff London]

Strauss kept working into his 80s on new projects. For NPR News, I'm Jeff London in New York.

[Jack Spear]

Oil fell $1.53 a barrel to $61.62 a barrel. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News, in Washington.

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This message comes from Mint Mobile. Mint Mobile took what's wrong with wireless and made it right. They offer premium wireless plans for less and all plans include high speed data, unlimited talk and text and nationwide coverage. See for [e-mail] Switch.