Summary4 min read

NPR News Now – May 15, 2026, 10AM EDT

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode offers a concise update on key national and international events as of the morning of May 15, 2026. The coverage includes financial market movements, major leadership changes in government agencies, domestic policy developments, conflict updates in Ukraine, Africa’s Ebola response, and US-Cuba relations.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Stock Market Opening & Fed Leadership Change

[00:00 – 00:57]

Market Update:
- The Dow Jones Industrial Average opened down approximately 420 points (almost 1%), erasing gains from the previous day.
US-China Trade Relations & Business Delegation:
- President Trump announced China's intention to increase purchases of US products, including soybeans and jetliners.
- CEOs from major companies like Cargill and Boeing accompanied Trump to Beijing to stabilize economic relations.
Federal Reserve Transition:
- Jerome Powell’s eight-year term as Fed Chair ends. Powell led the bank through the pandemic and record inflation.
- Kevin Warsh confirmed as new Fed Chair; notably, Powell will remain on the Fed's governing board.
“Powell helped steer the central bank through a tumultuous period that included double digit unemployment during the pandemic, followed by the highest inflation in four decades.”
— Scott Horsley [00:31]

2. Border Patrol Chief Resignation

[00:57 – 01:57]

Leadership Turmoil:
- Michael Banks retires as US Border Patrol Chief, adding to recent high-level departures from agencies leading Trump’s immigration enforcement.
Agency Actions & Backlash:
- Under Banks, agents extended enforcement into interior US, not just border zones.
- The policy drew sharp criticism, culminating in controversy over a fatal shooting by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis.
Leadership Succession:
- Next chief to be appointed by new Homeland Security Secretary Mark Wayne Mullen, who favors a "quieter approach" to enforcement.
“During Banks’ time as chief, the border was transformed into the most secure border ever recorded.”
— Rodney Scott, as reported by Ximena Bustillo [01:17]

“The agency was caught up in backlash over enforcement tactics, which came to a head after Border Patrol agents shot and killed 37-year-old Alex Preddy in Minneapolis.”
— Ximena Bustillo [01:36]

3. South Carolina Congressional Map Special Session

[01:57 – 02:54]

Legislative Action:
- Governor Henry McMaster calls a special session for lawmakers to revisit congressional redistricting.
Political Implications:
- At stake: Potential flip of South Carolina’s only Democratic-majority district to Republican control.
Voting Deadlines:
- Absentee ballots already being cast; early in-person voting set to begin May 26.
- Legal and political uncertainty about ballots already submitted if redistricting occurs.
“Republican Governor McMaster… has called lawmakers back to start a new session which could flip the state’s sole Democratic majority district, represented by Congressman Jim Clyburn, to a Republican majority.”
— Gavin Jackson [02:23]

4. Ukraine’s Largest Missile Attack Since 2022

[02:54 – 03:35]

Attack Update:
- Ukrainian officials raise death toll to 24 (including 3 children) after a Russian missile barrage hit an apartment building in Kyiv.
- Described as Russia’s largest missile/drone attack since the full-scale invasion began.

5. Ebola Outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo

[03:35 – 04:07]

Epidemic Response:
- At least 65 deaths reported in the latest DRC Ebola outbreak.
- Africa CDC convenes DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan health officials to prevent cross-border spread.
- Lessons from past outbreaks: The largest (2013–2016) saw 11,000 deaths; more recent responses have been more effective due to improved systems.
“More recent outbreaks have been more contained due to improved local response systems.”
— Emmanuel Akinwotu [04:04]

6. CIA Director Visits Cuba Amid Tensions and Crisis

[04:07 – 04:40]

Diplomatic Meeting:
- CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Havana for talks on intelligence cooperation with top Cuban officials.
US-Cuba Tensions and Blackouts:
- Cuba faces severe oil shortages (normally supplied by Venezuela), resulting in widespread blackouts and street protests this week.

Notable Quotes

“Powell helped steer the central bank through a tumultuous period that included double digit unemployment during the pandemic, followed by the highest inflation in four decades.”
— Scott Horsley [00:31]
“During Banks’ time as chief, the border was transformed into the most secure border ever recorded.”
— Rodney Scott (via Ximena Bustillo) [01:17]
“The agency was caught up in backlash over enforcement tactics, which came to a head after Border Patrol agents shot and killed 37-year-old Alex Preddy in Minneapolis.”
— Ximena Bustillo [01:36]
“Republican Governor McMaster… has called lawmakers back to start a new session which could flip the state’s sole Democratic majority district, represented by Congressman Jim Clyburn, to a Republican majority.”
— Gavin Jackson [02:23]
“More recent outbreaks have been more contained due to improved local response systems.”
— Emmanuel Akinwotu [04:04]

Important Timestamps

00:00 – Market news, US-China trade, and Federal Reserve transition
00:57 – Border Patrol Chief retirement and immigration enforcement controversies
01:57 – South Carolina redistricting special session and implications for upcoming elections
02:54 – Russian missile attack in Kyiv, Ukraine
03:35 – Ebola outbreak response in the DRC
04:07 – CIA Director’s visit to Cuba amid island-wide shortages and protests

This summary delivers a clear, comprehensive overview of all essential news items from the episode, reflecting the pace and gravity of the NPR News Now format.

Loading summary

Transcript10 lines

[00:01]
A
Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Stocks opened lower this morning, erasing some of yesterday's gains. NPR's Scott Horsley reports. The Dow Jones industrial average tumbled about 420 points, or nearly 1%, in early trading.
[00:17]
B
President Trump says China is promising to boost its purchases of U.S. products ranging from soybeans to jetliners. CEOs of Cargill, Boeing and other U.S. businesses accompanied the president on his trip to Beijing, which was partly aimed at stabilizing relations between the world's two biggest economies. Today marks the end of Jerome Powell's eight year tenure as chairman of the Federal Reserve. Powell helped steer the central bank through a tumultuous period that included double digit unemployment during the pandemic, followed by the highest inflation in four decades. Kevin Warsh will take over as Fed chairman after winning Senate confirmation this week. But in an unusual move, Powell will remain on the Fed's governing board. Scott Horsley, NPR news, Washington.
[00:58]
A
The U.S. border Patrol Chief Michael Banks has retired from his position. His departure is the latest in a string of exits from the agencies that lead President Trump's immigration enforcement efforts. NPR's Ximena Bustillo has more.
[01:13]
C
In a statement to NPR, Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott said that during Banks time as chief, the border was transformed into the most secure border ever recorded. Border Patrol agents work within a 100 mile radius of the US border and ports of entry like airports. But under Banks leadership, agents were sent out into what's considered the interior of the country to make immigration arrests. The agency was caught up in backlash over enforcement tactics, which came to a head after Border Patrol agents shot and killed 37 year old Alex Preddy in Minneapolis. The next chief will be appointed by Homeland Security Secretary Mark Wayne Mullen. Mullen, who is still new to his position, has said he wants to take a quieter approach to immigration enforcement. Ximena Bustillo, NPR News, Washington.
[01:58]
A
South Carolina's governor is calling state lawmakers back special session today. The governor wants them to take another look at changing the state's congressional map. From South Carolina Public Radio, Gavin Jackson has more.
[02:14]
D
On Tuesday, the Republican controlled state Senate fell narrowly short of the two thirds support needed to extend a legislative session already underway and take up redistricting now. Republican Governor McMaster, who was an early supporter of Trump's in 2016, has called lawmakers back to start a new session which could flip the state's sole Democratic majority district, represented by Congressman Jim Clyburn, to a Republican majority. Absentee ballots are already being cast in primaries and in person. Early voting is set to begin May 26, a deadline lawmakers are also using for a new map and legislation to delay the voting. It's unclear what this will mean for ballots that have already been cast. For NPR News, I'm Gavin Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina.
[02:55]
A
And you're listening to NPR News from Washington. Ukrainian officials have increased the death toll to 24 people from a Russian attack on an apartment building in the capital Kyiv. Officials say that includes three children. Ukrainian officials say the Russian attack Thursday is Russia's biggest barrage of missiles and drones since the full scale war started in 2022. African health officials are meeting today to plan a response to an Ebola virus outbreak in in the Democratic Republic of Congo. At least 65 people have been killed since it started. NPR's Emanuel Akinwutu reports.
[03:35]
E
The Africa CDC said it's convening a meeting of health officials from the DRC and neighbouring Uganda and South Sudan to try and stop the outbreak from spreading across borders. There have been numerous Ebola outbreaks in Africa within the last two decades, with the largest and deadliest outbreak occurring in West Africa between 2013 and 2016. At least 11,000 people were killed and almost 30,000 cases recorded. But more recent outbreaks have been more contained due to improved local response systems. Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR News, Lagos.
[04:07]
A
The government of Cuba says CIA Director John Ratcliffe has visited Havana. He came to talk with top Cuban officials about intelligence cooperation. This comes as tension between Cuba and the US Is high. Cuba says it has run out of oil, which it usually gets from Venezuela. That means blackouts are likely to continue across the island. Protesters have turned out in the streets this week in parts of Cuba. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News, from Washington.
[04:40]
D
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