NPR News: 05-16-2026 8PM EDT

Summary

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NPR News: 05-16-2026 8PM EDT

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Date: May 17, 2026

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Overview

This concise, five-minute NPR News Now episode delivers updates on major U.S. and international news events, focusing on U.S.-China trade talks and their impact on American farmers, voting rights protests in Alabama, major leadership shifts at the FDA, developments in the Israel-Hamas conflict, new research on the impact of the arts on aging, and highlights from the Preakness Stakes.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S.-China Trade Talks and Impact on Soybean Farmers

[00:01–00:53]

• President Trump returns from Beijing: No concrete progress announced after discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
• Continued trade tensions: U.S. soybean farmers express disappointment at the lack of commitments on reducing tariffs or increasing exports.
• Farmer struggles: Caleb Ragland, chair of the American Soybean Association, voices concern over the ongoing 10% tariff on U.S. soybeans exported to China, highlighting financial difficulties for American farmers.
• Financial challenges: Ragland reveals significant losses for farmers in the previous year and emphasizes the community's dependence on farming income.

Notable Quotes:

• "There's a 10% tariff on soybeans that are exported to China. That puts us at a disadvantage to competitors in South America."
  — Caleb Ragland [00:30]
• "Our families are 100% dependent on our farm to live. In 2025, the American soybean farmer lost over $100 an acre."
  — Caleb Ragland [00:45]

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2. Voting Rights Marches in Alabama

[00:53–02:02]

• Mass demonstrations: Marchers gather in key Alabama cities in response to new legislation that threatens Congressional seats historically held by African Americans.
• Supreme Court decision: The U.S. Supreme Court overturns an injunction, paving the way for lawmakers to redraw congressional maps before 2030 and potentially diminish representation for Black voters.
• Activist perspectives: March organizer Trey Murphy underscores a history of discrimination and says the court’s decision increases protestors’ resolve.

Notable Quotes:

• "The justices made the case for the protesters. They added further fuel to the fire where they said in this state of Alabama, that has proven time and time again, even in the 21st century, that they are discriminated based on the basis of race."
  — Trey Murphy [01:40]

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3. FDA Leadership Shake-Up

[02:02–02:54]

• Firing of a key official: Dr. Tracy Beth Hogue, acting head of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, announces on X she was dismissed after six months in the position.
• Leadership exodus: Hogue was previously critical of COVID-19 vaccines before joining the FDA. Her departure follows the resignations of FDA Commissioner Marty Makary and Vinay Prasad, head of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.
• Uncertainty in agency oversight: Three major FDA divisions are now without permanent leadership. The Department of Health and Human Services has offered no comment.

Notable Quotes:

• "Tracy Beth Hogue says she's no longer the acting head... she was fired after six months on the job."
  — Sidney Lupkin [02:14]

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4. Israel-Hamas Conflict Update

[02:54–03:42]

• Targeted killing: Israel reports killing Izzaldin Al Haddad, the top Hamas official in Gaza and head of the group’s military wing.
• Hamas confirms death: Israel names Haddad as an architect of the October 2023 attack.
• Ceasefire tension: The truce between Israel and Hamas is described as fragile, with ongoing accusations of violations from both sides.

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5. Arts Engagement and Aging: New Study Findings

[03:42–04:23]

• Research from University College London: Analysis of genetic aging markers in thousands of participants finds a 4% slower aging rate among those engaged in artistic activities, whether as creators or consumers.
• Mechanisms: Dr. Douglas Vaughn suggests stress reduction and lowered inflammation as potential reasons for the effect.
• Benefits of the arts: Study published in 'Innovation in Aging' highlights the arts as a non-pharmacological intervention for healthier aging.

Notable Quotes:

• "The arts or being creative or enjoying the arts, is a non pharmacological intervention,"
  — Dr. Douglas Vaughn [04:08]
• "...a strategy to stay healthy that doesn't require a prescription."
  — Alison Aubrey [04:14]

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6. Sports Highlight: Preakness Stakes

[04:23–end]

• Napoleon Solo wins: Surprising finish as Napoleon Solo overtakes favorite Taj Mahal at 7 to 1 odds. Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo did not compete.

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• U.S.-China trade and soybean farmers: 00:01–00:53
• Voting rights protests & Supreme Court update: 00:53–02:02
• FDA leadership changes: 02:02–02:54
• Israel-Hamas conflict update: 02:54–03:42
• Arts and aging study: 03:42–04:23
• Preakness Stakes results: 04:23–end

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This NPR News Now segment offers a rapid yet thorough overview of national and global developments, touching on politics, policy, scientific research, and culture.

Transcript

[A]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. President Trump is back in Washington after talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing this week. But U.S. soybean farmers say the trip ended without clear commitments on exports or tariffs. NPR's Windsor Johnston has more. Soybean farmers say they were hoping for progress on trade tensions that continue to hurt exports. Caleb Ragland, a farmer in Kentucky, chairs the American Soybean Association.

[B]

There's a 10% tariff on soybeans that are exported to China. That puts us at a disadvantage to competitors in South America.

[A]

Ragland says many farmers are struggling financially as prices rise.

[B]

Our families are 100% dependent on our farm to live. In 2025, the American soybean farmer lost over $100 an acre.

[A]

Ragland says farmers are now waiting to see whether the Trump administration can turn the meetings in Beijing into actual export sales. Windsor Johnston, NPR News, Washington. Voting rights marchers demonstrated across the south today, converging on two cities in Alabama that are associated with the civil rights movement. Pat Duggans of Alabama Public Radio says this is in response to Southern states taking steps to erase US House seats occupied by African Americans.

[B]

The NAACP Legal Defense Fund announced the protests before the U.S. supreme Court cleared the way for state lawmakers to change congressional maps. The high court overturned an injunction that kept Alabama lawmakers from eliminating an African American leaning congressional seat until 2030. Now they don't have to wait. March organizer Trey Murphy says the justices made the case for the protesters. They added further fuel to the fire where they said in this state of Alabama, that has proven time and time again, even in the 21st century, that they are discriminated based on the basis of rape. For NPR News, I'm Pat Duggans in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

[A]

The head of the Food and Drug Administration center that deals with drug approvals and regulation has posted on social media that she's been fired. NPR's Sidney Lupkin has more.

[C]

Tracy Beth Hogue says she's no longer the acting head of the FDA's center for Drug Evaluation and Research. In a post on X, she said she was fired after six months on the job. Hogue had been vocally critical of COVID 19 vaccines prior to joining the agency. Her exit comes just days after FDA Commission Marty Makary resigned from his job. The head of the agency's center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Vinay Prasad, also resigned earlier this year. That leaves three top roles at the FDA without permanent leaders. The Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to NPR's request for comment. Sidney Lupkin, NPR News.

[A]

And you're listening to NPR News from Washington. Israel says Hamas top leader in Gaza was killed in a strike. Izzaldin Al Haddad was the most senior Hamas official killed by Israel since the war started last fall. Hamas confirmed his death. He took over the group's military wing last year. Israel calls him another architect of the October 2023 attack on Southern Israel. Meanwhile, the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas remains fragile as both sides accuse the other of violations. A new study finds creative pursuits like singing, dancing and painting may help slow down aging. NPR's Allison Aubrey reports. The study is based on an analysis of genetic changes among thousands of people who participated in the arts.

[D]

Researchers at University College London analyzed data from epigenetic clocks, which can assess a person's rate of aging. They found arts engagement was related to a 4% slower aging rate, which held up for both people who create art as well as those who take it in by going to concerts, theater or music. Dr. Douglas Vaughn of Northwestern University says creative activities can help reduce stress and fend off inflammation, which may help explain the slower rate of aging.

[B]

The arts or being creative or enjoying the arts, is a non pharmacological intervention,

[D]

a strategy to stay healthy that doesn't require a prescription. The study was published in the journal Innovation in Aging. Alison Aubrey, NPR News.

[A]

Napoleon Solow has won the 151st running of the Preakness Stakes. The Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo didn't run. Napoleon Solo entered the race at 7 to 1 odds today, overtaking the favorite, Taj Mahal. You're listening to NPR News from Washington.