NPR News: 05-17-2025 2PM EDT

Summary

NPR News: May 17, 2025, 2PM EDT – Comprehensive Summary

On May 17, 2025, NPR News delivered a series of impactful stories ranging from severe weather events in Kentucky to significant geopolitical developments involving Russia and Ukraine. Below is a detailed summary of the key topics covered in the episode, enriched with notable quotes and structured for clarity.

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1. Severe Storms Devastate Southern Kentucky

Reporter: Karen Zahar
Timestamp: [00:45]

Southern Kentucky faced catastrophic storms last night, bringing heavy winds, rain, and possible tornadoes. In London, Kentucky, the aftermath is starkly visible:

“A short walk past Fire Station 2 in London, Kentucky, everything seems normal. Families sit on their porches. Kids jump on a trampoline. A dog runs across the yard. But about a half mile down the road, a swath of destruction cuts across the landscape...”
— Karen Zahar [00:45]

Key Points:

• Damage Assessment: Extensive destruction to homes and businesses, with debris scattered and vehicles crushed.
• Emergency Response: Governor Andy Beshear is on-site and plans to hold a press briefing with emergency officials.
• Ongoing Risks: Power lines remain hazardous, and the scene is still active with recovery efforts underway.

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2. Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza Due to Blockade

Reporter: Dwahalisai Kowtel
Timestamp: [01:34]

A British surgeon, Dr. Victoria Rose, highlights the dire situation in southern Gaza, where the Israeli blockade has led to severe food shortages affecting children.

“A lot of the kids have really poor dentition, but all quite sort of cachectic. Really thin... without nutrition, we can’t really operate because the wounds won’t heal.”
— Dr. Victoria Rose [02:00]

Key Points:

• Health Impact: Malnutrition is causing Palestinian children to lose teeth and hair, with skeletal appearances.
• Medical Challenges: Nutritional deficiencies hinder medical operations and increase the risk of secondary infections.
• Israeli Stance: Officials deny that the blockade is responsible for the current malnutrition crisis in Gaza.

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3. Supreme Court Blocks Deportation of Venezuelan Migrants

Reporter: Adrian Florido
Timestamp: [02:26]

The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld a temporary block preventing the Trump administration from deporting migrants accused of being part of a Venezuelan gang, citing the need for due process under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798.

“Surely this is NPR.”
— Adrian Florido [02:53]

Key Points:

• Legal Proceedings: The case involves two Venezuelan men slated for deportation from a Texas detention center.
• ACLU Intervention: An emergency lawsuit filed by the ACLU successfully halted the deportations.
• Court's Decision: A 7-2 majority requires that targeted migrants receive adequate time to challenge their deportations, granting them approximately 24 hours to commence legal appeals.

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4. 150th Preakness Stakes Celebrates Milestone Anniversary

Reporter: Wamboy Kamau
Timestamp: [03:26]

Baltimore hosts the 150th Preakness Stakes, the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, marking a significant anniversary with grand festivities.

“We've created a bridge for something that historically people didn't see themselves as a part of, and now they feel welcome after the race.”
— Derek Chase, Co-founder of Afro Preak [04:20]

Key Points:

• Event Highlights: Performances by Wyclef Jean and T-Pain add to the excitement surrounding the race.
• Economic Impact: The event is pivotal as Pimlico Racecourse is set to be torn down and rebuilt into a year-round venue, promising job creation and investment for the Park Heights neighborhood.
• Cultural Integration: The infield hosts Afro Preak, a cultural event aimed at attracting new fans and fostering inclusivity in Baltimore’s predominantly Black community.

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5. President Trump's Engagement with Russia and Ukraine Conflict

Reporter: Dwahalisai Kowtel
Timestamp: [04:33]

President Trump announced his intention to engage directly with Russian and Ukrainian leaders via his Truth Social platform, aiming to broker a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict.

“Hopefully it will be a pretty productive day. A ceasefire will take place and this very violent war, a war that should have never happened, will end.”
— President Trump [04:33]

Key Points:

• Diplomatic Efforts: Trump's statement follows the first direct talks between Moscow and Kiev since 2022, which resulted in a significant prisoner swap.
• Conflict Resolution: The proposed discussions aim to achieve a ceasefire and end the protracted and violent war.
• Strategic Timing: The announcement comes at a critical juncture, reflecting ongoing international efforts to mediate the conflict.

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Conclusion

The May 17th episode of NPR News Now provides a comprehensive overview of pressing issues, from natural disasters and humanitarian crises to significant legal battles and cultural milestones. The inclusion of firsthand reports and direct quotes enhances the depth and authenticity of each story, offering listeners a well-rounded perspective on current events.

Transcript

[Pop Culture Host]

Know that fizzy feeling you get when you read something really good. Watch the movie everyone's been talking about, or catch the show that the Internet can't get over. At the Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast, we chase that feeling four times a week. We'll serve you recommendations and commentary on the buzziest movies, tv, music and more, from lowbrow to highbrow to the stuff in between. Catch the Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast from NPR.

[Dwahalisai Kowtel]

Live from NPR News in New York City. I'm Dwahalisai Kowtel. Fatalities and extensive damage are being reported in southern Kentucky following last night's storms that brought heavy winds, rain and possible tornadoes. Karen Zahar with member station WUKY reports.

[Karen Zahar]

A short walk past Fire Station 2 in London, Kentucky, everything seems normal. Families sit on their porches. Kids jump on a trampoline. A dog runs across the yard. But about a half mile down the road, a swath of destruction cuts across the landscape and a helicopter flies above, surveying the scene. Next to a home that is unscathed. Another is reduced to sticks, a car crushed beneath it. All debris is scattered everywhere. The coroner's van is parked nearby, and police say the scene remains active. Governor Andy Beshear is in London and will hold a press briefing later today, along with emergency management officials and first responders. For NPR News, I'm Karen Zarr in London.

[Dwahalisai Kowtel]

Images coming out of London, Kentucky, and published by the Courier Journal show widespread devastation to homes and businesses, as well as dangers down power lines. A British surgeon working at a hospital in southern Gaza has told the BBC that food shortages due to the Israeli blockade are causing Palestinian children to lose their teeth and hair. Dr. Victoria Rose says that child patients are basically skeletal.

[Dr. Victoria Rose]

A lot of the kids really poor dentition, but all quite sort of cachectic. Really thin sort of pictures that we saw in the Ethiopian disaster in the 80s, that sort of thing is happening here now. It is really an issue for because obviously without nutrition, we can't really operate because the wounds won't heal. And then on top of that, there's a huge risk of secondary infection.

[Dwahalisai Kowtel]

Israeli officials have denied that the blockade Imposed more than 10 weeks ago is causing malnutrition in Gaza. The Supreme Court will keep in place a temporary block that prevents the Trump administration from deporting migrants that it accuses of being members of a Venezuelan gang. NPR's Adrian Florido reports. The the court says migrants targeted under the 18th century Wartime law must get due process.

[Adrian Florido]

The case was brought by two Venezuelan men at a northern Texas detention center who were set to be deported last month under the Alien enemies Act of 1798. The ACLU filed an emergency lawsuit and blocked the deportations. The Supreme Court has rejected the government's request to be allowed to deport the migrants or any others in Northern Texas, saying they must get more time to challenge their deportations. The the 7 to 2 majority wrote that, giving them about 24 hours to do that. Quote Surely this is NPR.

[Dwahalisai Kowtel]

The eyes of the horse racing world turn to Baltimore today for the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes, the middle jewel of the Triple Crown. Wamboy Kamau of member station WYPR says organizers are pulling out all the stops for the milestone anniversary.

[Wamboy Kamau]

Wyclef Jean will perform trackside before the thoroughbreds thunder down the stretch. Journalism is the favorite, chasing a two million dollar purse. But this year's race comes with a twist. It's the last one before Pimlico Racecourse is torn down and rebuilt into a year round venue. Residents of the Park Heights neighborhood, home to the track, say it's a chance to bring jobs and much needed investment. And in the infield, a cultural event called Afro Preak is drawing new fans in a city that's majority black. Co founder Derek Chase says the goal is to make more people feel at home.

[Derek Chase]

We've created a bridge for something that historically people didn't see themselves as a.

[Wamboy Kamau]

Part of, and now they feel welcome after the race. T pain closes it out. For NPR News, I'm Oneboy Kamau in Baltimore.

[Dwahalisai Kowtel]

President Trump says he'll speak to leaders of both Russia and Ukraine on Monday on his Truth social media platform. He said, quote, hopefully it will be a pretty productive day. A ceasefire will take place and this very violent war, a war that should have never happened, will end. His comments come a day after the first direct talks between Moscow and Kiev since 2022. The meeting held in Istanbul led to a 1000 strong prisoner swap. I'm Dwahilisai Kowtel, NPR News in New York.

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