NPR News: 05-17-2025 10PM EDT

Summary

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

NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on significant national and international events in their latest episode released on May 18, 2025. The summary below encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions presented during the broadcast.

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Deliberate Explosion Near Palm Springs Clinic

Reporter: Jeanine Herbst
Timestamp: [00:20]

The FBI confirmed that an explosion occurred this morning near a reproductive clinic in Palm Springs, California, labeling it a deliberate act of terrorism. Akil Davis, Assistant Director of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office, stated, “This was an intentional act of terrorism. As our investigation unfolds, we will determine if it's international or domestic terrorism” (00:31).

• Casualties and Damage: One person died, while several others sustained injuries. Davis mentioned, “It's one of the largest bombings in Southern California,” highlighting the extensive damage to multiple buildings and the scattering of debris across several city blocks.

• Investigation Efforts: Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills described the scene as “a massive crime scene” (00:41). Additionally, Dr. Maher Abdallah from the clinic reassured that despite the structural damage, the IVF lab's eggs and embryos remained intact.

The FBI, along with the ATF and local police, are collaboratively investigating the incident. As of the broadcast, no clear motive for the bombing has been identified.

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Devastating Storms Hit Central United States

Reporter: Karen Zahra, WUKY
Timestamp: [01:38]

Severe storms and tornadoes swept through the central United States yesterday, resulting in tragic losses and widespread destruction.

• Casualties: Over two dozen fatalities were reported, with 18 of them in Kentucky alone. Numerous others sustained injuries, some critical.

• Governor's Response: Governor Andy Beshear conducted aerial and ground assessments of the damage. Expressing his concerns, Beshear shared, “I worry there might be a block, a whole block out there. Everybody's dead, and I hope that's not the case” (01:49). He emphasized that all efforts are currently focused on search and rescue operations.

• Federal Support: Beshear has requested an official federal disaster declaration. Additionally, members of the Kentucky General Assembly have pledged state funding to aid in the recovery process.

Karen Zahra concluded her report by highlighting the urgent need for assistance and the ongoing efforts to mitigate the disaster's impact (02:00).

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Controversy Over Selling Federal Public Lands

Reporter: Jeanine Herbst
Timestamp: [02:15]

A contentious proposal by House Republicans to sell nearly half a million acres of federal public land in Nevada and southern Utah has sparked significant debate.

• Key Figure: Ryan Zinke, former Secretary of the Interior under President Trump and a Montana Republican, has been vocal against the plan. He remarked on NPR's Here and Now, “The fundamental idea that you're going to sell public land and somehow that's going to pay off our $36 trillion debt is folly” (02:33).

• Supporters' Argument: Proponents argue that the land sales would provide counties with increased flexibility for developments, including housing projects.

• Political Backing: Celeste Malloy, a Utah Republican and member of the House budget bill sponsors, supports the amendments. Malloy's district encompasses the rapidly growing city of St. George, Utah. Notably, she is related to Cliven Bundy, whose family is known for armed standoffs over federal land control in the Western United States.

The proposal has ignited debates over environmental conservation, federal land management, and fiscal strategies, with Ryan Zinke leading the opposition against the measure (02:56).

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Progress in Maternal Mental Health Care

Reporter: Ritu Chatterjee, NPR News
Timestamp: [03:18]

A new report has shed light on the progress and ongoing challenges in addressing maternal mental health across the United States.

• Prevalence of Postpartum Depression: Approximately one in five mothers experiences postpartum depression each year, yet about three-quarters do not receive treatment.

• Report Findings: The Policy Center on Maternal Mental Health released a report card evaluating states based on their access to mental health care for pregnant women and new mothers. While the nation continues to fall short in adequately addressing these needs, there have been notable improvements since the previous year.

  • Top Performers: Five states—California, Colorado, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Washington—earned the highest grade of B for the first time. Michigan demonstrated the most significant improvement, advancing from a D to a B by implementing comprehensive measures, including mandatory screening for maternal mental health conditions.

  • States Needing Improvement: Alabama and Mississippi received failing grades, indicating a dire need for enhanced mental health services for mothers.

Ritu Chatterjee emphasized the critical nature of these findings and the necessity for continued efforts to support maternal mental health across all states (03:40).

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Preakness Stakes and Triple Crown Update

Reporter: Jeanine Herbst
Timestamp: [04:24]

The 150th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Racetrack in Baltimore concluded today without a Triple Crown winner.

• Race Results: Gosker finished in second place, while Sandman secured third. The Kentucky Derby winner, Sovereignty, did not participate in today’s race, thereby eliminating the possibility of a Triple Crown victory this year.

• Future of the Preakness: This edition marks the final Preakness held at Pimlico Racetrack before extensive renovations commence, anticipated to last at least two years. During the renovation period, the Preakness will relocate to Laurel Park in Maryland.

Jeanine Herbst wrapped up the news segment by highlighting the historical significance of the event and its upcoming transition (04:24).

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Conclusion

The episode of NPR News Now provided listeners with urgent updates on significant events, including a terrorist bombing in Palm Springs, devastating storms in Kentucky, political debates over federal land sales, advancements and challenges in maternal mental health care, and updates from the world of horse racing. Through detailed reporting and expert insights, the program ensured a comprehensive understanding of the day's most pressing news.

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This summary aims to provide a detailed overview of the NPR News Now episode for those who were unable to listen. For the full broadcast, please refer to NPR's official channels.

Transcript

[Sponsor Voice]

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[Jeanine Herbst]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. In California, the FBI says an explosion this morning near a reproductive cliff clinic in Palm Springs was deliberate.

[Sponsor Voice]

This was an intentional act of terrorism. As our investigation will unfold, we will determine if it's an international terrorism or domestic terrorism.

[Jeanine Herbst]

That's Akil Davis, the assistant director of the FBI's Los Angeles Field office. He says one person died and they're working to identify them. Several others were injured. Davis also says the FBI has a person of interest, but that they aren't actively searching for a suspect. He says it's one of the largest bombings in Southern California. The explosion damaged several buildings and left blocks littered with debris. Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills says they're dealing with a massive crime scene. A doctor at the clinic, Maher Abdallah, says the building is damaged, but the IVF lab eggs and embryos are okay. The FBI and ATF are joining local police in investigating this bombing. There's no word on a motive. Severe storms and tornadoes in the central part of the country yesterday left more than two dozen people dead, 18 of them in Kentucky. Dozens of others are injured, some crit. Karen Zahra with member station WUKY, has more. From London, one of the hardest hit cities.

[Karen Zahra]

Governor Andy Beshear surveyed damage from the air, then on the ground. Beshear said right now all efforts are on search and rescue. And he has one fear in mind.

[Sponsor Voice]

I worry there might be a block, a whole block out there. Everybody's dead, and I hope that's not the case. But you see five houses in a row. They're just gone.

[Karen Zahra]

Beshear has put in a request for an official federal disaster declaration, and several members of the Kentucky General assembly have promised state funding would be made available for recovery. For NPR News, I'm Karen Zarr.

[Jeanine Herbst]

In London, a Republican congressman and former Trump Cabinet member is blasting a House GOP plan to sell close to a half million acres of federal public land. And Pierce Kirk Zigler has more on the controversial proposal for the Nevada and southern Utah desert.

[Kirk Zigler]

Montana Republican Ryan Zinke served as secretary of the interior during Trump 1. He recently helped start a bipartisan public lands caucus. Speaking on NPR's Here and Now, Zinke said selling off federal lands is a red line.

[Sponsor Voice]

The fundamental idea that you're going to sell public land and somehow that's going to pay off our $36 trillion debt is folly.

[Kirk Zigler]

Backers say the sales would give counties more flexibility for developments like housing. One of the sponsors of the amendments in the House budget bill is Utah Republican Celeste Malloy, whose district includes booming St. George, Utah. She's related to Cliven Bundy, whose family led armed standoffs over control of federal lands in the West. Kirk Zigler, NPR News, Boise.

[Jeanine Herbst]

This is npr. A new report finds that states across the country have made some progress in addressing the mental health needs of pregnant and postpartum maternal mental health. Conditions like postpartum depression affect about one in five mothers every year. NPR's Rito Chatterjee reports. About three quarters never get treatment.

[Ritu Chatterjee]

Researchers at the Policy center on Maternal Mental Health put out a report card that graded states for their level of access to care for mental health problems in pregnant women and new moms. They found that while overall the country is still failing to adequately address maternal mental health needs, there were incremental improvements since the year before. Five states, California, Colorado, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Washington got the top grade of B for the very first time. Michigan had the biggest jump in grade from a D to a B by taking several steps to improve care, including screening for maternal mental health conditions. Two states, Alabama and Mississippi, received failing grades. Ritu Chatterjee, NPR News, Journalism won the.

[Jeanine Herbst]

150Th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Racetrack in Baltimore today, the second leg of the Triple Cross. Gosker finished second, Sandman was third. There is no Triple Crown winner this year because Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty didn't race today. This is the final Preakness at that race course before renovations start at the track that are expected to take at least two years. In the meantime, the Preakness will be held at nearby Laurel park in Maryland. I'm Jeanine Herbst, and you're listening to NPR News from Washington. 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].

[Karen Zahra]

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