NPR News Now Episode: NPR News: 05-17-2025 6AM EDT Release Date: May 17, 2025

Severe Storms Devastate the Midwest and South

St. Louis, Missouri: Yesterday afternoon, St. Louis was battered by severe storms that included an apparent tornado during the rush hour. The aftermath has been tragic and widespread.

• Mayor Kara Spencer emphasized the ongoing rescue efforts, stating, “Your focus on life, saving lives and keeping people safe and allowing our community to grieve the loss of the folks that have suffered so far through this horrific, horrific storm” (00:28).

• The catastrophic weather led to the loss of five lives and damaged over 5,000 homes. In neighboring London, Kentucky, the death toll has risen to at least 14, with storms bringing high winds, torrential rain, golf ball-sized hail, and suspected tornadoes.

• Power outages have affected tens of thousands of residents from Missouri to Virginia and North Carolina, compounding the challenges faced by those affected.

Supreme Court Halts Deportation of Migrants Accused of Gang Affiliation

In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court has temporarily blocked the Trump administration's efforts to deport migrants accused of being part of a Venezuelan gang.

• Adrian Florido reports, “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” (01:21).

• The case revolves around two Venezuelan men at a northern Texas detention center set for deportation under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. The ACLU intervened with an emergency lawsuit, resulting in the court's decision that migrants targeted under this outdated law deserve due process.

• The Court's 7-2 majority opinion highlighted that merely granting 24 hours for challenges is insufficient, although it has yet to determine the legality of utilizing the Alien Enemies Act in this context.

President Trump Returns Amid Budget Push and GAO Tensions

President Donald Trump has returned to the White House from his Middle East trip as Republicans gear up to advance his proposed budget package, known as the “big beautiful bill.”

• The bill encountered obstacles in the House Budget Committee, with the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DGE or DOGE) attempting to exert influence over the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

• Chris Arnold reports, “Since its inception, DOGE has been strong, arming its way into government agencies, gaining access to sensitive data and directly or indirectly firing workers” (02:25).

• The GAO, an independent legislative agency, has refused DOGE's attempts to assign a team, citing that the agency is not subject to executive orders. Concurrently, the GAO is investigating potential legal violations by the White House related to the freezing of previously allocated Congressional funding.

Former Tennessee House Speaker Convicted on Federal Corruption Charges

In a landmark case, former Tennessee House Speaker Glenn Cassida has been found guilty on federal corruption charges related to a kickback scheme.

• Mariana Bakiel from WPLN details, “Federal jury found that former House Speaker Glenn Cassida and his top aide, Cade Cawthran, created a political consulting firm under a fake name to win state contracts” (03:25).

• The duo established a sham consulting firm to secure state contracts, funneling approximately $51,000 through illicit kickbacks. Cassida benefited by referring other lawmakers to their company for mailer services, while attempts were made to conceal Cawthran's involvement after his resignation amid a scandal involving racist and sexist text messages.

• Both Cassida and Cawthran now face up to 20 years in prison for their roles in the scheme.

Iran Maintains Stance on Nuclear Negotiations Amid Tensions

Tehran: Iran's President, Masoud Possesskian, announced continued willingness to engage in talks with the United States regarding the nation's nuclear program but firmly rejected President Trump's recent threats.

• Possesskian stated, “Iran will not respond to President Trump's threats”, asserting Iran's right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes despite external pressures (04:04).

• This declaration comes after President Trump warned that Iran must act swiftly or face severe consequences. Iran's commitment to its nuclear activities remains unwavering, complicating diplomatic efforts.

• Additionally, three Iranian men are scheduled to appear in a British courtroom today facing charges under the UK's National Security Act. These charges allege that the individuals engaged in actions likely to assist a foreign intelligence service, part of a broader investigation that led to the arrest of eight individuals, including seven Iranian nationals.

This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the key topics discussed in the NPR News Now episode released on May 17, 2025. For more detailed coverage, please refer to the full podcast transcript.