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

1. Vehicle Explosion Near Palm Springs Fertility Clinic

At 00:16, Jeanine Herbst reports a concerning incident in Palm Springs, California. Authorities are investigating a vehicle explosion near a fertility clinic that resulted in significant property damage and scattered debris. Tragically, one person lost their life in the blast. Palm Springs Police have indicated that the explosion appears intentional, though no motive or connection to the deceased has been established yet.

Jeanine Herbst stated, “[…] it appears to have been an intentional act” (00:16). The FBI and ATF have joined the investigation to determine the underlying reasons behind this attack. Despite the damage to the building, the head of the clinic assured the public that the IVF lab and stored embryos remained intact. Authorities are continuing their efforts to uncover the motive behind this tragic event.

2. Severe Storms Devastate St. Louis

Moving to severe weather impacts, Jeanine Herbst transitions to the aftermath of destructive storms in St. Louis, Missouri. The storms, which swept through the city yesterday afternoon, have resulted in at least seven fatalities across the state. Holly Edgell of the Midwest Newsroom provides an on-the-ground perspective at 01:04.

Holly Edgell described the recovery efforts: “Recovery and cleanup were already underway in the city's central West End on Saturday, where high and low income neighborhoods were hit hard by the storms” (01:04). She highlights the widespread damage affecting both affluent and impoverished areas alike, showcasing a unified community response. Community members, business owners, and volunteers are actively clearing debris, including glass and slate, while roofing crews tackle the removal of fallen branches obstructing streets and public spaces.

Local resident Rolissa Lakhine shared her personal experience at 01:29: “I was affected by the storm, but luckily for me, my house is still standing just one street over.” This sentiment echoes the resilience of St. Louis residents as they work tirelessly to restore normalcy amidst the devastation.

3. Escalating Tensions in Ukraine

The international spotlight shifts to Ukraine. At 01:43, Jeanine Herbst reports on escalating tensions following recent developments in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. President Trump has announced plans to engage in direct talks with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, aiming to broker a ceasefire.

Jeanine Herbst elaborates, “President Trump says he will speak with Russian President Putin on Monday morning and then with Ukrainian President Zelensky in an all-cap post on social media” (01:43). These discussions come on the heels of the first bilateral talks between the two nations in three years, initiated yesterday. However, the efforts towards peace face setbacks as a Russian drone attack targeted a passenger bus in northeastern Ukraine shortly after the negotiations concluded, resulting in at least nine fatalities.

4. U.S. Census Bureau Reopens Hiring Amid Freeze

Shifting focus to domestic affairs, the U.S. Census Bureau is set to hire temporary workers despite a broader federal hiring freeze. Jeanine Herbst introduces this topic at 02:36, with detailed insights from NPR's An Zi Lo Wang.

An Zi Lo Wang explains, “Most parts of the federal government are banned from hiring workers through mid-July, but the Census Bureau has new job postings for temporary field representatives to conduct interviews for government surveys” (02:36). This move addresses the longstanding challenge of recruiting sufficient interviewers, a critical factor in ensuring the reliability of governmental statistics, including the monthly jobs report.

A recent report by the Commerce Department’s inspector general warns that staffing issues could compromise data accuracy, impacting important measures such as the 2030 Census results. These results are pivotal for redrawing voting maps and influencing electoral outcomes for U.S. Presidents and Congress members over the next decade.

5. Trump Administration Alters Gun Control Regulations

At 03:14, Jeanine Herbst covers the Trump administration's recent decision to permit the sale of "forced reset" triggers—devices that enable semi-automatic weapons to fire more rapidly. The Justice Department has reached a settlement that lifts the previous ban on these triggers, contingent upon returning seized devices.

Jeanine Herbst reports, “The settlement resolves a series of cases over the aftermarket trigger the government had previously argued qualified as machine guns under federal law” (03:14). This regulatory change has sparked controversy, with gun control advocates arguing that it will exacerbate gun violence in the United States.

6. Polio Outbreak Declared in Papua New Guinea

In a significant public health update, Jeanine Herbst discusses the World Health Organization’s declaration of a polio outbreak in Papua New Guinea (PNG) at 04:01. This marks a concerning development in a region that had remained polio-free since 2000, except for a contained outbreak in 2018.

Rachel Buongiorno reports, “Papua New Guinea has been polio free since 2000, except for an outbreak in 2018 that it managed to contain within the same year” (04:01). The recent outbreak was initially detected through wastewater testing, and subsequent cases have confirmed community transmission. Despite the high efficacy of the polio vaccine—99% with three doses—current vaccination rates in PNG fall below 50%, posing a significant risk to public health.

The WHO emphasizes that global efforts to eradicate polio are being undermined by sudden cuts in U.S. aid funding, as noted by the WHO Director-General. This reduction in support hampers vaccination campaigns, especially in vulnerable regions facing recent violence and instability. Rachel Buongiorno concludes, “The WHO's director general told NPR that the sudden cuts to U.S. aid funding are also affecting efforts to eradicate the disease” (04:01).

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now delivers a comprehensive overview of pressing local and international issues, from tragic incidents in California and Missouri to critical developments in Ukraine and public health challenges in Papua New Guinea. The coverage underscores the interconnectedness of global events and their profound impact on communities worldwide.