NPR News: 05-17-2025 10AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: May 17, 2025, 10AM EDT Summary

From devastating storms in Kentucky to international conflicts and significant legal decisions, today’s episode of NPR News Now covers a wide range of crucial topics impacting communities both domestically and globally.

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Severe Storms Devastate London, Kentucky

Timestamp: [00:17]

Last night, London, Kentucky, was battered by powerful storms that left widespread destruction in their wake. The local community is grappling with the aftermath as emergency services work tirelessly to manage the crisis.

Mayor Randall Weddell reported:

"Right now, you know, we're just working diligently the emergency services. All of our first responders still retrieving people out of debris. We do have multiple fatalities at this time."
[00:30]

The severe weather system not only impacted Kentucky but also had far-reaching effects across several states. The storm system was responsible for seven fatalities in Missouri, including five in St. Louis. Over 5,000 homes sustained damage, and power outages extended from Missouri to Ohio, Virginia, and North Carolina. Emergency personnel continue to search for those trapped or injured amidst the debris.

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Investigation Into Doge’s Interaction with the National Labor Relations Board

Timestamp: [01:16]

An investigation has been launched into Doge's interactions with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), following NPR's reporting on sensitive data breaches within the agency.

Stephen Fowler explains:

"The inspector general for the NLRB is investigating the Department of Government Efficiency's actions at the independent agency. This after both a whistleblower disclosure and NPR reporting revealed reams of sensitive case management data was removed from the NLRB's network."
[01:16]

The probe was initially reported by FedScoop and highlights concerns over over a dozen federal court cases alleging that Doge staffers unlawfully accessed sensitive data from various federal agencies, including Social Security data. The lack of transparency regarding who has access to this data and how it complies with privacy laws has raised significant legal and ethical questions.

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Russian Drone Strike in Ukraine’s Sumy Region

Timestamp: [01:55]

A Russian drone strike targeted Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region, resulting in the deaths of nine individuals and injuring four others.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack:

"The dead are civilians."
[01:55]

Photos released by Ukrainian police show a nearly destroyed passenger van, underscoring the civilian impact of the strike. This attack occurred amidst failed negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv to establish a ceasefire, escalating tensions in the region.

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Intensified Israeli Military Operations in Gaza

Timestamp: [01:55] - [02:32]

Israel has initiated a significant expansion of its military operations within Gaza, dramatically increasing airstrikes over the past week.

NPR’s Hadil Al Shalchi reports:

"Israel is calling this new expansion of its military operations in Gaza Gideon's chariots. The military gave Hamas an ultimatum before launching surrender or it will increase its strikes."
[02:32]

The operation involves mobilizing tens of thousands of Israeli reservists with plans that may displace a large portion of Gaza's population. Israel postponed launching "Gideon's chariots" until after former President Trump concluded his Middle East trip. Trump's visit to Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar, excluding Israel, was initially hoped to facilitate progress in ceasefire talks, which remain stalled.

Additionally, Gaza health officials have reported that more than 150 Palestinians have been killed in the past 24 hours, highlighting the human cost of the intensified military actions.

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U.S. Supreme Court Blocks Trump Administration’s Deportation Plan

Timestamp: [03:11]

The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld a temporary block preventing the Trump administration from deploying the 18th-century wartime Alien Enemies Act to deport a group of migrants in Texas. The administration accused these individuals of being part of a Venezuelan gang.

The Court criticized the White House for attempting to remove the migrants without ensuring adequate due process. Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented, disagreeing with the majority's decision to block the administration's actions.

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Escape from New Orleans Jail Under Investigation

Timestamp: [03:11]

A shocking incident unfolded in New Orleans as ten inmates escaped from a local jail yesterday.

A parish sheriff indicated:

"There are indications that the 10 inmates who escaped from a New Orleans jail yesterday had help."
[03:11]

Three employees have been suspended pending the investigation's outcome. Efforts to recapture the escapees are ongoing, with three already apprehended. The remaining seven include suspects charged with murder, heightening concerns over public safety.

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Eurovision Song Contest Finals Tonight in Basel, Switzerland

Timestamp: [03:11]

The Eurovision Song Contest finals are set to take place tonight in Basel, Switzerland, and will be available for live streaming in the United States on Peacock starting at 3:00 PM Eastern Time.

NPR’s Chloe Veltman shares insights:

"The favorite to win this year's top prize is Sweden's Bara Bara Bastu. Let's just sauna. This earwormy ode to the beloved Scandinavian tradition is performed by Kaj, a group from Finland's Swedish-speaking minority."
[04:11]

Sweden is vying for its eighth Eurovision win, tying with Ireland for the most victories in the competition's 69-year history. Other notable contenders include Finland's "Ich comma, I'm coming" and Australia's "Milkshake man," which features playful references to bananas, adding a layer of humor and intrigue to the contest.

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Stay informed with NPR News Now for the latest updates across the globe.

Transcript

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[Giles Snyder]

From NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. Last night was a tough one for the city of London, Kentucky. Powerful storms tore through the state, leaving behind widespread destruction. Mayor Randall Weddell is London's mayor.

[Randall Weddell]

Right now, you know, we're just working diligently the emergency services. All of our first responders still retrieving people out of debris. We do have multiple fatalities at this time.

[Giles Snyder]

The storms that hit Kentucky last night were part of a severe weather system that killed seven people in Missouri, five of them in St. Louis. Researchers are going building to building looking for those who may be trapped or hurt. City officials say more than 5,000 homes were damaged. Power outages stretch from Missouri to Ohio, Virginia and North Carolina. A labor watchdog has opened an investigation into Doge's interaction with the National Labor Relations Board. Stephen Fowler reports. This comes after NPR's reporting about sensitive data leaving the agency.

[Stephen Fowler]

The inspector general for the NLRB is investigating the Department of Government Efficiency's actions at the independent agency. This after both a whistleblower disclosure and NPR reporting revealed reams of sensitive case management data was removed from the NLRB's network. News of the investigation was first reported by FedScoop. More than a dozen federal court cases allege Doge staffers have unlawfully gained access to sensitive data maintained by federal agencies across the government, including Social Security data, with little explanation about who has access to that data and how that access complies with privacy laws. Stephen Fowler, NPR News, Atlanta.

[Giles Snyder]

A Russian drone strike in Ukraine's northeastern Sumy region is being blamed for killing nine people and injuring four others. UK Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says the dead are civilians and police have posted photos of a nearly destroyed passenger van. The attack came after Moscow and Kyiv failed to agree to a ceasefire. Attacks in Istanbul. Israeli military says it's begun a massive expansion of its military operations inside Gaza over the past week, Israeli airstrikes are dramatically intensified. Gaza health officials say more than 150 Palestinians have been killed in just the past 24 hours. Here's NPR's Hadil Al Shalchi reporting.

[Hadil Al Shalchi]

Israel is calling this new expansion of its military operations in Gaza Gideon's chariots. The military gave Hamas an ultimatum before launching surrender or it will increase its strikes. Tens of thousands of Israeli reservists were called up for the operation, and the plan includes displacing a large majority of Gaza's population. South Israel said it would wait to launch Gideon's chariots until after President Trump ended his trip to the Middle east this week. Trump visited Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, but not Israel. He departed the region on Friday. There was hope that during his visit there would be a breakthrough in the long stalled ceasefire talks. Hadil Al Shalchi, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Giles Snyder]

And you're listening to NPR News. The U.S. supreme Court has kept in place a temporary block preventing the Trump administration From using the 18th century wartime alien Enemies act to deport a group of migrants in Texas that it accuses of being in a Venezuelan gang. The court is faulting the White House for seeking to remove them without adequate due process. Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented. A parish sheriff in Louisiana says there are indications that the 10 inmates who escaped from a New Orleans jail yesterday had help. Three employees have been placed on suspension pending the outcome of an investigation. Three of the inmates have been recaptured, the remaining seven still free, including suspects charged with murder. The Eurovision Song Contest finals are tonight in Basel, Switzerland, and will stream live in the United States on peacock starting at 3:00pm Eastern Time. NPR's Chloe Veltman reports. A winner will be selected for the remaining pool of 26 songs.

[Chloe Veltman]

The favorite to win this year's top prize is Sweden's Bara Bara Bastu. Let's just sauna. This earwormy ode to the beloved Scandinavian tradition is performed by Kaj, a group from Finland's Swedish speaking minority. Sweden has won the Eurovision Song Contest seven times. It's tied with Ireland for the most wins in the competition's 69 year history. And it seems that number's potential naughtiness is not lost on some of the competitors this year. Among Eurovision 69's offerings are Finland's Ich comma, I'm coming and Australia's Milkshake man with its wink, wink references to bananas. Chloe Veltman, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

And I'm Jael Snyder. This is npr.

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