NPR News Now: Episode Summary – May 17, 2025

Released: May 17, 2025, 11 AM EDT

1. Devastating Storms Claim Lives in Missouri and Kentucky

Reporter: Dwahili Sai Kowtao
Timestamp: [00:17]

Communities in Missouri and Kentucky are mourning the tragic loss of 24 individuals due to severe storms and tornadoes. The city of London, Kentucky, has been particularly hard-hit, with the mayor anticipating the death toll to rise.

Local Reporter Karen Zar from WUKY provides harrowing details:

“There are areas where there used to be a neighborhood and there's nothing left but sticks. It is completely flat. The damage is devastating and it looks similar to what we saw in western Kentucky several years ago.”
— Karen Zar, [00:42]

Emergency responders continue their efforts, having found seven bodies so far, and are diligently searching homes and buildings for potential survivors. Local officials urge the public to stay away from the hardest-hit areas to allow unobstructed rescue operations.

2. Supreme Court Halts Deportation of Venezuelan Migrants

Reporter: Sergio Martinez Beltran
Timestamp: [00:56]

In a significant legal development, the U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily blocked the Trump administration's attempt to deport a group of Venezuelan migrants in Texas under the Alien Enemies Act.

Sergio Martinez Beltran explains:

“The Supreme Court says the Trump administration did not give the men at a detention center in northern Texas enough time to challenge their deportations under the Alien Enemies Act.”
— Sergio Martinez Beltran, [01:31]

The court criticized the administration for providing insufficient notice—roughly 24 hours—to the detainees, hindering their ability to contest the deportation. While Conservative Justices Samo Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented, the ruling did not address the legality of invoking the Alien Enemies Act itself. Importantly, the decision does not prevent the government from deporting individuals under other lawful authorities.

3. 71st Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education Raises Desegregation Concerns

Reporter: Sandhya Dirks
Timestamp: [02:09]

Today marks the 71st anniversary of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision, which mandated the desegregation of public schools. However, civil rights leaders are sounding alarms over the potential rollback of desegregation efforts.

Sandhya Dirks reports:

“The Justice Department has already dismissed a desegregation order in a school district in Louisiana. Civil rights leaders worry more could follow.”
— Sandhya Dirks, [02:25]

Janae Nelson, head of the Legal Defense Fund, warns:

“Ending enforcement of Brown would render the ruling toothless. Our public school system has never been fully desegregated, which means that we've never fully tapped into the promise of Brown.”
— Janae Nelson, [02:25]

Studies indicate that public schools are more segregated today than in the 1980s, exacerbating educational inequalities. The Trump administration and Louisiana Republicans argue that desegregation orders are outdated and burdensome, citing excessive paperwork and legal costs as hindrances.

4. Israel Intensifies Military Operations in Gaza Amid Ceasefire Negotiations

Reporter: Dwahili Sai Kowtao
Timestamp: [03:12]

Israel's Defense Forces have escalated their military campaigns within the Gaza Strip, resulting in nearly 150 deaths over the past 24 hours, according to Palestinian health authorities. The Israeli defense minister announced the launch of Operation Gideon Chariots, aiming to compel Hamas to release remaining hostages.

This surge in violence occurs while both parties engage in ceasefire negotiations in Qatar. Concurrently, President Donald Trump has returned to the United States, concluding his recent Middle East visit.

5. Baltimore Hosts the 150th Preakness Stakes with Cultural Celebrations

Reporter: Wamboy Kamau
Timestamp: [03:12]

The horse racing community is abuzz as Baltimore prepares to host the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes, the second jewel in the Triple Crown. Organizers are sparing no effort to commemorate this milestone anniversary.

Wamboy Kamau details the festivities:

“Wyclef Jean will perform trackside before the thoroughbreds thunder down the stretch. 'Journalism' is the favorite, chasing a two million dollar purse.”
— Wamboy Kamau, [04:04]

This year's Preakness Stakes is particularly significant as it is the final race before the historic Pimlico Racecourse undergoes demolition and redevelopment into a year-round venue. Residents of the Park Heights neighborhood, home to the track, view this as an opportunity for job creation and essential investment.

Enhancing the event's cultural impact, the Afro Preak celebrates the city's predominantly Black community. Derek Chase, co-founder, states:

“Historically people didn't see themselves as a part of, and now they feel welcome.”
— Sergio Martinez Beltran, [04:42]

The celebration will culminate with a performance by T-Pain, ensuring a vibrant conclusion to a day of racing and cultural unity.

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