NPR News: 05-16-2026 10AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now – May 16, 2026, 10AM EDT

Episode Overview

This concise episode of NPR News Now delivers the latest developments in U.S. politics, global affairs, business, and sports in just five minutes. Key topics include a crucial Senate primary in Louisiana, economic market updates amid wartime inflation, significant developments in the Israel-Hamas conflict, updates from the PGA Championship, and a preview of the Preakness Stakes horse race.

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Key News Stories and Insights

1. Louisiana Senate Primary: A Test of Trump's Influence

• Summary: The episode opens with coverage of today's Senate primary in Louisiana, where Republican Senator Bill Cassidy faces strong challengers after his vote to convict former President Trump in the second impeachment trial.
• Details:
  • Cassidy’s vote has put him at odds with many party loyalists.
  • Trump has backed challenger Julia Letlow.
  • The primary reflects broader questions about the post-Trump Republican Party’s future.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Kevin Dupre, Louisiana voter (00:43):
    “I'm the type of person if you cross me, I probably won't trust you anymore. So I think his political career in Louisiana is finished.”
  • Kelby Daigle, St. Martin Parish GOP Chair (00:53):
    “Conservatism is about ideas and principles, and they always make it about Trump. What you gonna do when he's no longer in the picture?”
• Analysis: Cassidy’s attempt to balance independence with rebuilding ties to Trump supporters will be a key metric for the strength of Trump’s influence within the GOP.
• Correspondent: Sam Greenglass (00:28 - 01:10)

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2. U.S. Markets React to Inflation and War

• Summary: This segment discusses market volatility as rising inflation unsettles investors, partly due to elevated energy prices caused by the ongoing war with Iran.
• Details:
  • S&P 500 and Nasdaq reached record highs this week; Dow Jones crested 50,000.
  • Surge in energy prices and overall inflation hits a three-year high.
  • Retail sales rise, but primarily due to higher gas prices, not increased consumer activity.
  • By week's end, initial gains fade as bond prices dip.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Scott Horsley, Reporter (01:21):
    “The more money people had to spend at the gas station, the less willing they were to spend on furniture, clothing and cars.”
• Key Stats (Week’s End):
  • S&P 500: +0.1%
  • Nasdaq: -0.1%
  • Dow Jones: -0.2%
• Correspondent: Scott Horsley (01:21 - 02:02)

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3. Israel-Hamas Conflict: Key Hamas Leader Killed During Ceasefire

• Summary: The Israeli military has killed Azzedine Al Hadad, the leader of Hamas’s Qassam Brigades, in a strike on a Gaza City residential building, raising fears over the fragility of an ongoing ceasefire.
• Details:
  • At least seven people reported dead by local hospitals.
  • Al Hadad played a central role in the 2023 attacks and hostage situation.
  • The raid occurs during a ceasefire in place for seven months, heightening regional tensions.
  • Hamas refuses to disarm until Israel halts lethal operations as per ceasefire terms.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Aya Batrawi, Reporter (02:14):
    “Unlike those attacks, this took place during a ceasefire that was agreed upon seven months ago. That ceasefire remains fragile.”
• Correspondent: Aya Batrawi (02:14 - 02:59)

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4. PGA Championship: Two New Faces Lead at Halftime

• Summary: Two Americans, Alex Smalley and Maverick McNeely, both seeking their first major title, share the halfway lead at the PGA Championship.
• Details:
  • Several former champions, including Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler, remain in contention.
  • McIlroy shot a 67 in the second round, improving his standing to within five shots of the lead.
  • Competitive field going into the third round.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Rory McIlroy (03:38):
    “I do feel like I'm right in the tournament, and that's really what I wanted to do today, was to just get myself back in it, and I feel like I've done that.”
• Correspondent: Greg Eklund (03:16 - 04:02)

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5. Preakness Stakes: First Female Trainer Hopes to Make History

• Summary: The 151st Preakness Stakes will be run at Laurel Park in Maryland as Pimlico Racecourse undergoes renovations; it's a wide-open field with no clear favorite. Trainer Brittany Russell could become the first female to win the race.
• Details:
  • Several contenders have similar odds; Taj Mahal, trained by Russell, is drawing attention.
  • Post time scheduled just after 7:00 p.m. ET; Belmont Stakes to follow in New York next month.
• Correspondent: Windsor Johnston (04:02 - 04:40)

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Memorable Moments & Speaker Highlights

• Political Division Over Trump’s Legacy
  • “What you gonna do when he's no longer in the picture?” – Kelby Daigle (00:53)
• Economic Unease
  • “The more money people had to spend at the gas station, the less willing they were to spend on furniture, clothing and cars.” – Scott Horsley (01:21)
• Ceasefire on the Brink
  • “That ceasefire remains fragile.” – Aya Batrawi (02:14)
• Sportsmanship and Comebacks
  • “I do feel like I'm right in the tournament, and that's really what I wanted to do today...” – Rory McIlroy (03:38)

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Timeline of Important Segments

• 00:01 – 01:10 — Louisiana GOP Senate Primary & Trump’s Party Influence
• 01:10 – 02:02 — Wall Street, Inflation, and Retail Sales Update
• 02:02 – 02:59 — Israeli Airstrike Kills Hamas Commander Amid Ceasefire
• 02:59 – 04:02 — PGA Championship Halftime Leaders and Competition
• 04:02 – 04:40 — Preakness Stakes Preview and History-Making Potential

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This episode provides a brisk yet detailed roundup for listeners seeking a snapshot of key events in politics, economics, global affairs, and sports as of mid-May 2026.

Transcript

[Windsor Johnston]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Voters in Louisiana are heading to the polls today for a Senate primary election that will test President Trump's grip on the Republican Party. Republican Senator Bill Cassidy is facing two primary challengers after he voted to convict Trump on impeachment charges after the January 6th insurrection. And NPR's Sam Greenglass reports most of

[Sam Greenglass]

the seven Republican senators who voted to remove Trump in 2021 have retired. Cassidy is seeking a third term despite Trump recruiting Congresswoman Julia Letlow to challenge him. Voters like Kevin Dupre say Cassidy's vote felt like a betrayal.

[Kevin Dupre]

I'm the type of person if you cross me, I probably won't trust you anymore. So I think his political career in Louisiana is finished.

[Sam Greenglass]

Saint Martin, Paris GOP chair Kelby Daigle says that's troubling.

[Kelby Daigle]

Conservatism is about ideas and principles, and they always make it about Trump. What you gonna do when he's no longer in the picture?

[Sam Greenglass]

Cassidy wants to repair his relationship with Trump supporters and tout his independence. This race will test whether that's possible. Sam Greenglass, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

Stocks on Wall street bounced up and down this week before ending about where they started. NPR's Scott Horsley reports. Rising inflation spooked investors in the bond market.

[Scott Horsley]

Both the S&P 500 index and the Nasdaq were in record territory on Thursday, while the Dow Jones industrial average topped 50,000 for the first time since the US went to war with Iran. That war has caused a spike in energy prices and pushed the annual inflation rate to its highest level in almost three years. Retail sales continued to climb last month, but that was largely due to those higher prices. The more money people had to spend at the gas station, the less willing they were to spend on furniture, clothing and cars. Buy Bond prices slumped on Friday, and stocks gave up some of their earlier gains for the week, the S and P gained 0.1%, the Nasdaq slipped about a tenth of a percent, and the Dow fell close to 0.2. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Windsor Johnston]

Israel says it has killed the man in charge of Hamas's armed wing hitting a residential building in Khare in Gaza City. NPR's Eha Batrawi reports. Local hospitals say at least seven people were killed.

[Aya Batrawi]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office says he instructed the military to carry out the strike on on Azzedine Al Hadad, who leads Hamas's armed wing, the Qassan Brigades. The statement described Al Haddad as one of the architects of the deadly October 7 attack on Israel in 2023, saying he also oversaw the captivity of hostages. Al Hadad was among the armed group's founding members more than 30 years ago and took over after its previous leader and his deputy were assassinated by Israel during the war in Gaza. Unlike those attacks, this took place during a ceasefire that was agreed upon seven months ago. That ceasefire remains fragile. Hamas says it will not discuss disarming until Israel fulfills the first phase of the deal, including halting its lethal attacks. Aya Buterawi, NPR News, Dubai.

[Windsor Johnston]

It's npr. Two Americans who've never won a golf major, Alex sMalley and Maverick McNeely, now share the lead halfway through the PGA Championship outside of Philadelphia. But as Greg Eklund reports, there are several former major champions also in contention.

[Greg Eklund]

One of them is Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, who with a win would be one step closer to the elusive Grand Slam. In other words, winning all four majors this year. Tiger woods came the closest by winning four straight majors over a two year period. After a mediocre opening round, McIlroy shot a three under par 67 on Friday at five back.

[Rory McIlroy]

I do feel like I'm right in the tournament, and that's really what I wanted to do today, was to just get myself back in it, and I feel like I've done that.

[Greg Eklund]

But the contenders are bunched together. McIlroy is tied for 30th entering the third round. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler of Dallas, the world's top ranked golfer, is only two strokes off the lead. For NPR News, I'm Greg Aclinan. Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.

[Windsor Johnston]

The 151st running of the Preakness Stakes takes place today at Laurel park in Maryland while Pimlico Racecourse undergoes reconstruction. There's no clear favorite heading into the race, with several horses opening at six similar odds. Trainer Brittany Russell is drawing attention with her horse Taj Mahal, as she looks to become the first female trainer to win the Preakness. Post time is scheduled for just after 7 o' clock Eastern, the third leg of the Triple Crown. The Belmont Stakes, will be held in New York next month. I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News, in Washington.

[Pop Culture Happy Hour Host]

It can be hard to keep up with all the new movies on streaming services. How do you tell the good ones worth watching from the bad or the silly ones you can laugh along along with or at? On NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour, we're recommending some fun movies you may have missed. Listen via the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.