NPR News: 05-17-2025 4AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Episode Summary – May 17, 2025

Released on May 17, 2025

NPR News Now's episode for May 17, 2025, delivered a comprehensive roundup of the day's most pressing events, ranging from severe weather impacts and economic developments to international conflicts and upcoming global events. This summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions presented during the show.

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Severe Weather Strikes the Midwest

Tornadoes in Missouri and Beyond

The episode opened with a grim report on the devastating tornado that swept through St. Louis, Missouri, resulting in at least five fatalities during the busy afternoon rush hour.

Key Highlights:

• Casualties and Response Efforts: Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson emphasized the priority of ensuring everyone's safety amidst the chaos. At [00:17], he stated, "We have 17 search teams in place that are searching a coordinated grid... they are searching with the police department who's providing assistance."

• Broader Impact: The severe weather system also wreaked havoc in Wisconsin and other parts of the Midwest, leading to two additional deaths in Missouri and leaving hundreds of thousands without power.

Local Impact in Kentucky:

• Eyewitness Account: Karen Zar from WUKY in Lexington reported on the intense conditions in Kentucky, including high winds, heavy rain, and tornadoes. She narrated the harrowing experience of Shawn Likens and his son Garrett, who captured footage of a funnel cloud. Garrett's plea to his father, "Dad, we gotta go" ([01:42]), highlighted the immediate danger faced by residents.

• Power Outages and Flooding: Thousands in Kentucky are currently without power, and flooding poses an ongoing threat to the affected communities.

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Economic Developments and Stock Market Update

US-China Tariff Truce Boosts Markets

The financial segment detailed a temporary easing of tensions between the United States and China, leading to a positive surge in the stock markets.

Key Highlights:

• Tariff Rollback: NPR's Scott Horsley reported that the US and China agreed to a 90-day rollback of triple-digit tariffs, restoring some flow of goods. Although most imports from China still face significant taxes, the temporary agreement has reinvigorated investor confidence ([01:52]).

• Inflation Insights: The latest inflation report showed consumer prices in April rose by just 2.3% year-over-year, the smallest increase in over four years. Scott noted, "The government's latest inflation report showed little evidence that tariffs are pushing up prices" ([02:04]).

• Market Reaction: Positive sentiment was reflected in the stock market's performance for the week, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising 3.4%, the S&P 500 up by 5.25%, and the Nasdaq soaring more than 7% ([02:04]).

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Political and International News

US Legislative Developments and Ukraine Conflict

The episode also touched upon significant political maneuvers in Washington and escalating tensions in Ukraine.

Key Highlights:

• Tax Legislation Stalemate: President Trump's proposed tax break and spending cuts bill failed to pass out of committee. Four conservative Republicans opposed the measure, insisting on further cuts to Medicaid and additional green energy tax breaks before their support could be secured. The budget committee is slated to reconvene on Sunday to address these concerns ([02:44]).

• International Tensions: A Russian drone attack targeted a passenger bus in Ukraine's Sumy region, resulting in nine deaths and four injuries. Ukrainian officials confirmed the attack occurred on Saturday, underscoring the ongoing volatility in the region ([02:44]).

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Upcoming Los Angeles Olympics 2028: The Future of Transportation

Futuristic Air Taxis and Urban Planning

NPR's Brandon R. Reynolds explored the innovative transportation plans for the Los Angeles Olympics scheduled for 2028, drawing parallels to the 1984 Games' display of a man with a jetpack.

Key Highlights:

• Air Taxi Implementation: The LA Olympics Committee's partnership with Archer Aviation aims to deploy electric air taxis to shuttle VIPs and fans across the city. However, UCLA urban planning professor Michael Manville expressed skepticism, noting that the scale of air taxi usage would be minimal and not significantly contribute to making the Olympics "car-free" ([03:51] - [04:20]).

• Alternative Solutions: Professor Manville suggested more pragmatic approaches to traffic management, such as encouraging remote work, rather than relying on futuristic vehicles for the majority of transportation needs during the Games ([04:06]).

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Sports News: New York Knicks Advance to Eastern Conference Finals

Historic Victory Over Boston Celtics

In sports, the New York Knicks achieved a milestone by advancing to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years.

Key Highlights:

• Game Six Triumph: The Knicks secured a decisive 119-81 victory against the Boston Celtics, marking their largest postseason win ever with a 38-point margin ([04:30]).

• Performance Highlights: Two Knicks players each scored 23 points, contributing significantly to the team's success. The upcoming conference finals will see the Knicks face the Indiana Pacers, with Game One scheduled for Wednesday night in New York ([04:30]).

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This episode of NPR News Now provided listeners with a thorough overview of critical events shaping the day, from natural disasters and economic shifts to political developments and sporting achievements. By delivering detailed reports and firsthand accounts, the show ensured that even those who missed the broadcast could stay informed on the latest news.

Transcript

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[Dale Wilman]

Live from NPR News, I'm Dale willman. At least five people are dead after a possible tornado swept through St. Louis Friday during the afternoon rush hour there. Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson says the focus now is on making sure everyone is Safe.

[Dennis Jenkerson]

We have 17 search teams in place that are searching a coordinated grid, if you will, that's reporting back to a command post so we can track everything they that they do. They are searching with the police department who's providing assistance.

[Dale Wilman]

The storms also killed two other people in Missouri. They're part of a major weather system that's also spawned tornadoes in Wisconsin and left hundreds of thousands of people without power over a broad swath of the Midwest.

[Karen Zar]

I'm Karen Zar from members station WUKY in Lexington, Kentucky. High winds, torrential rain, golf ball sized hail and tornadoes thrashed parts of the state overnight. The mayor confirmed fatalities in London, Kentucky, although the number of dead hasn't been confirmed by authorities. Confirmed tornado warnings were issued in Somerset. Shawn Likens and his son Garrett captured what appeared to be a funnel cloud illuminated in the darkness by flashes of lightning.

[Garrett Likens]

It's right there. It's right there. It's a rope. It's right there.

[Karen Zar]

Less than a minute and a half later, Garrett pleaded for his father to come inside.

[Dale Wilman]

Dad, we gotta go.

[Karen Zar]

Thousands of Kentuckians are without power and flooding is now a concern. For NPR News, I'm Karen Zarr in Lexington.

[Dale Wilman]

Stocks finished up this week after the US And China agreed to temporarily lower their most punishing tariffs. As NPR's Scott Horsley reports, investors also welcomed an encouraging inflation reports investors cheered.

[Scott Horsley]

The 90 day rollback of triple digit tariffs which had brought trade between the US And China to a near standstill. Most imports from China still face taxes of at least 30%, much higher than they were paying at the beginning of the year. But the temporary truce was enough to get goods flowing again, and investors are hoping for further relief. The government's latest inflation report showed little evidence that tariffs are pushing up prices, yet. Consumer prices in April were up just 2.3% from year ago. That's the smallest annual increase in more than four years. For the week, the Dow jumped 3.4%, the S&P 500 index rose 5.25%, and the Nasdaq soared more than 7%. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Dale Wilman]

President Trump's major tax break and spending cuts bill did not make it out of committee on Friday. Four conservative Republicans voted against the measure and demanded more cuts to Medicaid and green energy tax breaks before they would support it. The budget committee will meet again on Sunday. Democrats call the package bad economics. A Russian drone has struck a passenger bus in Ukraine's northeastern Sumy region, killing nine people and injuring four others. Ukrainian officials say that the attack happened on Saturday. You're listening to NPR News. During the opening ceremonies of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, audiences marveled at a man with a jetpack. The who soared around the Los Angeles Coliseum. When the Olympics returns to LA in 2028, futuristic vehicles will once again be flying around. This time it's air taxis. A fleet of helicopters will shuttle VIPs and fans around the city. But reporter Brandon R. Reynolds of member station KCRW tells us that a future of flying cars, just like the jetpacks isn't quite here yet.

[Brandon R. Reynolds]

When the LA Olympics Committee announced a partnership with Archery Aviation to deploy electric air taxis in 2028, it might have seemed like part of the city's goal for a car free Olympics. But UCLA urban planning professor Michael Manville says it's not exactly a wide scale.

[Garrett Likens]

Solution, and it would represent a real convenience and value for a small number of people who wanted to move around quickly during the Olympics. I mean, it would be probably an exaggeration to even call it a drop in the bucket in terms of this goal of having a car free Olympics.

[Brandon R. Reynolds]

Manville says one solution to the traffic is less futuristic for the city to just encourage people to work from home. For NPR News, I'm Brandon R. Reynolds in Los Angeles.

[Dale Wilman]

The New York Knicks have made it to the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years with a 11981 win Friday night over the Boston Celtics in game six of their series. Two players each scored 23 points in the win. The 38 point margin of victory was the Knicks largest ever in a postseason game. The Knicks will now face the Indiana Pacers in the conference finals. Game one is Wednesday night in New York. I'm Dale Wilman, NPR News.

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