NPR News: 05-17-2025 1PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Episode Summary – May 17, 2025

Release Date: May 17, 2025
Host: NPR
Duration: Approximately 5 minutes

---

Severe Weather Strikes Kentucky and Missouri

Timestamp: [00:24]

NPR's Dwahli Psykowtao opens the episode by reporting on powerful storms that have recently devastated parts of Kentucky and Missouri. In Kentucky, tornadoes have caused fatalities and extensive damage following weeks of deadly flooding.

Kentucky's Struggle with Tornadoes

Reporter Karen Zarr details the severe impact of the storms in Kentucky, highlighting the community's ongoing battle with extreme weather conditions.

• Mayor Alan Keck of Somerset shared his concerns:
  "[00:59] Of structures took on significant damage and it's a really scary time for our community."

He described the tornado's path, noting, "it looked as if a tornado touched down, lifted off the ground and briefly hit again, creating a swath of crumpled buildings, vehicles, and trees."

Missouri's Devastation

In Missouri, particularly in St. Louis, the storms have been equally catastrophic. Mayor Kara Spencer reported:

• Mayor Kara Spencer:
  "[01:39] I would describe this as one of the worst storms. Absolutely. The devastation is truly heartbreaking. And let's not forget, people have lost their lives."

The city has suffered five deaths, 38 injuries, over 5,000 homes affected, and approximately 90,000 residences without power. Weather Service radar confirmed a likely tornado touchdown near the St. Louis Zoo, exacerbating the damage and complicating rescue efforts.

---

Supreme Court Blocks Trump Administration's Deportation Measure

Timestamp: [01:55]

Turning to national politics, Psykowtao reports on a significant Supreme Court decision that halts the Trump administration's attempt to deport a group of migrants in Texas under the 18th-century Alien Enemies Act.

The migrants, accused of involvement in a Venezuelan gang, were facing deportation without adequate due process. The court found the White House's actions insufficiently justified, ensuring that the migrants retain their legal protections.

Dissenting Opinions

Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented from the majority decision, though the specifics of their dissenting opinions were not detailed in the transcript.

Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) Controversial Moves

Further elaborating on government agency dynamics, NPR's Chris Arnold reports that the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been attempting to place a team within the Government Accountability Office (GAO), a legislative branch agency.

• Chris Arnold:
  "[02:49] DOGE has been strong, arming its way into government agencies, gaining access to sensitive data and directly or indirectly firing workers."

The GAO spokesman emphasized that the GAO, being an independent agency under Congress, is not subject to executive orders, thereby rejecting DOGE's attempts to interfere.

---

Ukraine Unveils Advanced Sea Drones

Timestamp: [03:19]

In international news, Ukraine has introduced a groundbreaking sea drone designed to neutralize Russian fighter jets, as reported by Joanna Kakissis from Kyiv.

Details of the Magura 57 Drones

These sea drones, resembling small speedboats, are equipped with missiles and machine guns. Operated by the elite Group 13 unit, the drones represent a significant advancement in Ukraine's defensive and offensive capabilities.

• Unit Commander (Call Sign 13th):
  "[03:40] Ukraine must keep adapting drones to stay ahead of the Russians."

The deployment of such technology underscores Ukraine's commitment to enhancing its military strategies amidst ongoing conflicts.

---

Escalation in the Middle East: Israel and Gaza

Timestamp: [04:22]

The episode shifts focus to the escalating conflict in the Middle East, where Israel has intensified its military actions in the Gaza Strip.

Operation Gideon Chariots

Israel's Defense Minister announced the launch of "Operation Gideon Chariots," a campaign aimed at pressuring Hamas to release remaining hostages.

• Impact of the Operation:
  According to Palestinian health authorities, nearly 150 people have been killed in the last 24 hours due to Israel's intensified attacks.

Regional and International Responses

In Baghdad, Arab leaders convened at a summit to address the crisis. Their demands include:

• An immediate cessation of hostilities in Gaza.
• Allowance of international aid into the region.
• Global community assistance in funding a reconstruction plan for Gaza.

These calls reflect the growing concern and desire for a unified response to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the area.

---

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now provides a concise yet comprehensive overview of significant events occurring on May 17, 2025. From severe weather impacting communities in the United States to pivotal Supreme Court decisions and international conflicts, the report encapsulates the pressing issues of the day with clarity and depth.

For those seeking a detailed briefing on current events, this episode offers valuable insights backed by firsthand reports and authoritative quotes from key figures.

Transcript

[Shortwave Host]

Shortwave thinks of science as an invisible force showing up in your everyday life, empowering the food you eat, the medicine you use, the tech in your pocket. Science is approachable because it's already part of your life. Come explore these connections on the Shortwave podcast from npr.

[Dwahli Psykowtao]

Live from NPR News in New York City, I'm Dwahli Psykowtao. Powerful storms overnight spun off, reported tornadoes leading to fatalities and widespread damage in Kentucky. Karen Zarr reports from member station WKY in Lexington.

[Karen Zarr]

Just weeks ago, Kentucky was hit with deadly flooding. Today, the state is reeling from more destructive weather, high winds, torrential rain and golf ball sized hail. In Somerset, Mayor Alan Keck surveyed the destruction. In the dark of night, a lot.

[Alan Keck]

Of structures took on significant damage and it's a really scary time for our community.

[Karen Zarr]

Keck said it looked as if a tornado touched down, lifted off the ground and briefly hit again, creating a swath of crumpled buildings, vehicles and trees. The storms have since passed, but areas of Kentucky dealt with the risk of flash flooding in their wake. For NPR News, I'm Karen Zarr in Lexington.

[Dwahli Psykowtao]

In Missouri, St. Louis Mayor Kara Spencer said five people died, 38 were injured. More than 5,000 homes were affected in our city, and about 90,000 homes are still without power.

[Kara Spencer]

I would describe this as one of the worst storms. Absolutely. The devastation is truly heartbreaking. And let's not forget, people have lost their lives. We are continuing to make sure that we are identifying all those that are injured in addition to the massive amount of of property damage.

[Dwahli Psykowtao]

Weather Service radar indicated a likely tornado touched down yesterday afternoon near the St. Louis Zoo and the site of the 1904 World's Fair and 1904 Olympic Games. The 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 accused of being gang members accused 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. NPR has learned that the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency, or doge, has attempted to assign a team to the congressional watchdog, the Government Accountability Office. NPR's Chris Arnold reports.

[Chris Arnold]

Since its inception, DOGE has been strong, arming its way into government agencies, gaining access to sensitive data and directly or indirectly firing workers. NPR has learned, and a GAO spokesman confirms that DOGE is trying to assign a team to the watchdog agency, citing an executive order from President Trump. But the GAO is an independent agency that's part of the legislative branch. In other words, Congress, not the White House. So Gao says it is not subject to executive orders and is therefore.

[Dwahli Psykowtao]

This is NPR News. Ukraine has unveiled a first of its kind sea drone used to shoot down Russian fighter jets earlier this month. NPR's Joanna Kisses has more from Kyiv.

[Joanna Kakissis]

In a nondescript conference room, Ukraine's military intelligence turned up an industrial metal song in and unveiled two large sea drones. The Magura 57 drones resemble small speedboats, but they're equipped with missiles and machine guns. They're piloted by an elite unit called Group 13. Members wore balaclavas and sunglasses to hide their identities for security reasons, and they had their voices mechanically distorted while they spoke. At a press conference, the unit's commander, whose military call sign is 13th, said Ukraine must keep adapting drones to stay ahead of the Russians. Joanna Kakissis, NPR News, Kyiv.

[Dwahli Psykowtao]

Israel's army has intensified attacks in the Gaza strip, killing nearly 150 people in the last 24 hours, according to Palestinian health authorities. The defense minister of Israel says it launched Operation Gideon Chariots to pressure Hamas into releasing remaining hostages. Meanwhile, in Baghdad, Arab leaders meeting at a summit in Iraq's capital demanded an immediate end to the war in Gaza and asked Israel to allow international aid to enter the region. They also called on the global community to help fund a Gaza reconstruction plan. I'm Dai Kael, NPR News, in New York.

[Dai Kael]

Listen to this podcast sponsor free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR News Now [e-mail] that's plus.NPR.org.