NPR News: 05-17-2025 7AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: May 17, 2025, 7 AM EDT

Hosted by Giles Snyder

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Severe Storms Devastate St. Louis and Kentucky

St. Louis, Missouri experienced severe storms yesterday afternoon, including a tornado, during the rush hour. These storms tragically resulted in at least five fatalities. Among the deceased was a member of a local church, as stated by Pastor Derek Perkins.

"Our hearts are good about all of this, the neighbors, the homes, the residents, the members of the church."
— Derek Perkins, Pastor ([00:44])

In Kentucky, the storms brought high winds, torrential rain, golf ball-sized hail, and tornadoes, particularly affecting areas like Lexington and Somerset. The mayor confirmed fatalities in London, Kentucky, though official numbers are yet to be released. The severe weather left thousands without power, and flooding has become a significant concern.

A poignant moment captured by Garrett Likens highlighted the suddenness of the danger:

"It's right there. It's right there. A rope. It's right there."
— Garrett Likens ([01:28])

His father, Shawn Likens, urgently called him to safety:

"Dad, we gotta go."
— Shawn Likens ([01:36])

For NPR News, Karen Zar reported from Lexington, Kentucky.

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Federal Judge Dismisses Trespassing Charges for Migrants in New Mexico

In a significant legal development, a federal judge in New Mexico dismissed trespassing charges against dozens of migrants who were apprehended in a newly established military buffer zone along the southern border. This buffer zone was part of the Trump administration's broader strategy to intensify immigration enforcement.

"The Trump administration imposed this military zone without transparency, and to this day, we still don't know where it begins or where it ends. It's not clear to the public, not to local officials, and certainly it's not clear to the people who are being arrested."
— Gabe Vasquez, Democratic Congressman ([02:20])

Federal Magistrate Judge Gregory B. Warmuth ruled that the original criminal complaint lacked probable cause, leading to the dismissal of the charges.

Despite the dismissal, the detained migrants remain in custody and face potential deportation. The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld a temporary block preventing the Trump administration from utilizing the 18th-century Alien Enemies Act to deport a group of migrants alleged to be part of a Venezuelan gang. This move has been criticized for bypassing adequate due process.

For NPR News, Johnny Coker provided updates from Las Cruces, New Mexico.

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Sean Combs Trial Concludes First Week Amid Serious Allegations

The high-profile trial of Sean Combs, the renowned hip-hop mogul, concluded its first week in New York City. Combs faces serious charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. The trial has garnered significant attention, with testimonies shedding light on Combs' personal conduct.

Cassie Ventura, the star witness for the prosecution, detailed her tumultuous relationship with Combs:

"I loved Combs, but he was often violent and forced me to have sex with male escorts."
— Cassie Ventura ([03:35])

During cross-examination, an agent from Homeland Security Investigations testified, laying the groundwork for the sex trafficking charges. Additionally, singer Dawn Richard testified, recounting instances where Combs was physically abusive towards Ventura:

"I saw Combs hit Ventura more than once."
— Dawn Richard

The trial is set to continue, with more witness testimonies expected to unfold in the coming days. Isabella Gomez Sarmiento reported on these developments for NPR News.

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International Affairs: Israel and Ukraine Face Escalating Conflicts

Israel's Operation in Gaza

Israel has announced extensive airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, signaling a potential expansion of their military operations. The stated objectives are to defeat Hamas and secure the release of remaining hostages. Health officials in Gaza report that Israeli attacks have resulted in approximately 250 deaths since Thursday.

"The operation is aimed at defeating Hamas and freeing remaining hostages."
— Giles Snyder ([04:24])

Ukraine's Struggle Against Russian Drone Strikes

In Ukraine's Sumy region, a Russian drone strike has been condemned for killing nine civilians and injuring four others. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that the victims were non-combatants. Police released images of a nearly destroyed passenger van, underscoring the brutality of the attack.

This incident occurred shortly after failed ceasefire talks between Moscow and Kyiv in Istanbul, highlighting the ongoing volatility in the region.

"The dead are civilians."
— Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine ([04:42])

For NPR News, Jael Snyder provided the latest updates on these international conflicts.

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This summary captures the key news stories from the NPR News Now episode released on May 17, 2025. For more detailed coverage, please listen to the full episode.

Transcript

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[Giles Snyder]

In Washington, I'm Giles Snyder.

[Reporter]

In St. Louis, searchers have been going.

[Giles Snyder]

Building to building looking for people who've been trapped or hurt following severe storms that included at least one tornado.

[Reporter]

The storms had hit during the afternoon rush hour yesterday, led to the deaths of at least five people in St. Louis. Derek Perkins is a pastor there. He told ABC News that one of those killed was a member of his.

[Giles Snyder]

Church, which is sad.

[Derek Perkins]

Our hearts are good about about all of this, the neighbors, the homes, the residents, the members of the church.

[Reporter]

The storms killed multiple people in Kentucky.

[Karen Zar]

I'm Karen Zar from members station WUKY in Lexington, Kentucky. I 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. A rope. It's right there.

[Karen Zar]

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

[Shawn Likens]

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.

[Reporter]

This week, a federal judge in New Mexico dismissed trespassing charges for dozens of.

[Giles Snyder]

Migrants caught in a newly created military buffer zone along the southern border.

[Reporter]

The dismissals are the latest development in.

[Giles Snyder]

The Trump administration's expansion of immigration enforcement in the state.

[Reporter]

Johnny Coker of member station KRWG reports.

[Johnny Coker]

Federal Magistrate Judge Gregory B. Warmuth ruled that the original criminal complaint failed to establish probable cause. New Mexico Democratic Congressman Gabe Vasquez said the ruling highlights the lack of clarity.

[Shawn Likens]

The Trump administration imposed this military zone without transparency, and to this day, we still don't know where it begins or where it ends. It's not clear to the public, not to local officials, and certainly it's not clear to the people who are being arrested.

[Johnny Coker]

The arrested migrants are still being detained and face deportation. The U.S. attorney's office for the District of New Mexico did not immediately respond to requests for comment. For NPR News, I'm Johnny Coker in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

[Reporter]

The U.S. supreme Court has kept in place a temporary block preventing the Trump.

[Giles Snyder]

Administration From using the 18th century wartime.

[Reporter]

Alien Enemies act to deport a group of migrants.

[Giles Snyder]

And Texas said it accuses of being.

[Reporter]

In a Venezuelan gang. The Gorge is faulting the White House for seeking to remove them without adequate due process.

[Giles Snyder]

Justices Samuel Alito and Clarice Thomas dissented. And you're listening to NPR News. The first week of the closely watched Sean Combs trial wrapped up in New York City yesterday.

[Reporter]

The hip hop mogul accused of sex.

[Giles Snyder]

Trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.

[Reporter]

Several witnesses have testified, as NPR's Isabella Gomez Sarmiento reports. And this note that this report includes a mention of sexual activity and physical violence.

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

The star witness in the government's case against Sean Combs finished her testimony today. Cassie Ventura spent four days answering questions from the prosecution and Combs defense about their relationship. Ventura testified that she loved Combs, but he was often violent and forced her to have sex with male escorts. After Ventura's cross examination, prosecutors called an agent from Homeland Security Investigations to the Standard to lay some of the groundwork for the sex trafficking charges. At the end of the day, singer Dawn Richard began her testimony. She said she saw Combs hit Ventura more than once. Richard will continue testifying on Monday. Isabela Gomez Sarmiento, NPR News.

[Reporter]

Israel says it conducted extensive strikes and it's mobilizing for an expanded operation in the Gaza Strip. Israel says the operation is aimed at.

[Giles Snyder]

Defeating Hamas and freeing remaining hostages.

[Reporter]

Health officials in Gaza say Israeli attacks.

[Giles Snyder]

Have killed around 250 people since since Thursday.

[Reporter]

A Russian drone strike in Ukraine's northeastern.

[Giles Snyder]

Sumy region is being blamed for killing nine people, injuring four others.

[Reporter]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says the dead are civilians.

[Giles Snyder]

And police have posted photos of a nearly destroyed passenger van.

[Reporter]

The attack came after Moscow and Kyiv.

[Giles Snyder]

Failed to agree to a cease fire.

[Reporter]

During talks in Istanbul. I'm Jael Snyder, NPR News.

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