NPR News: 05-18-2025 10PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: May 19, 2025 – Comprehensive Summary

1. Former President Joe Biden Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer

At 00:18, host Jeanine Herbst announced that Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Tamara Keith provided further details, stating:

"According to a statement from Biden's personal office, the cancer has metastasized to bone and is a more aggressive form of prostate cancer. But it appears to be hormone sensitive, which means there are options for effective management." (00:32)

This diagnosis places Biden, who served as the oldest president at 82, under medical scrutiny as his family and medical team evaluate treatment options. The news arrives amid ongoing media discussions about Biden's health and performance during his presidency, as highlighted in an upcoming book.

2. Terrorist Attack at Palm Springs Fertility Clinic Identified

Jeanine Herbst reported at 01:09 that law enforcement officials in Palm Springs, California, have identified a 25-year-old man as the suspect responsible for the bombing of a fertility clinic. The tragic event resulted in the death of one person and injuries to four others. The FBI has confirmed that Guy Barkus was the individual who died in the explosion, categorizing the incident as an act of terrorism.

3. Rising H2A Visa Wages Threaten U.S. Farmers' Viability

The agricultural sector faces challenges as farmers nationwide prepare for the harvest season amid concerns over escalating wages for H2A visa workers. Michelle Jocas Polo from Michigan Public Radio delved into the issue, highlighting comments from Scott Powell, nursery manager at Dutchman Tree Farms:

"In Michigan, the H2A rate has jumped nearly $3 since 2022." (02:13)

Historically, Payne noted:

"When I came back to The Farm in 2011, our H2A wage was $10.02. In 2024, our wage was $18.50." (02:04)

The significant increase in wages is squeezing farmers financially, prompting two bipartisan congressional bills aimed at freezing H2A wages to help sustain farming operations. The outcomes of these legislative efforts are crucial for the agricultural community's future.

4. Coinbase to Join the S&P 500 Index

In a notable development for the cryptocurrency industry, Jeanine Herbst announced at 02:27 that Coinbase will be added to the S&P 500 index starting Monday. Rafael Nam elaborated:

"The inclusion is a seminal moment for the crypto industry. It's the first time a crypto company joins the broad index." (02:31)

Coinbase replaces Discover Financial Services, which is being acquired by Capital One. This move reflects Coinbase's growing significance in the financial sector, with its shares experiencing gains in anticipation of joining the S&P 500. Investors are keenly observing how Coinbase will perform within this prestigious index on its first trading day.

5. Devastating Storms and Tornadoes Hit the Midwest

Cleanup and recovery efforts are underway across multiple Midwestern states following severe storms and tornadoes that struck Friday night, resulting in over two dozen fatalities. Jeanine Herbst provided details:

• Kentucky bears the brunt with at least 19 deaths.
• Missouri reports at least 7 deaths.
• Approximately 5,000 buildings in St. Louis were impacted by the storms.

These natural disasters have caused significant loss and infrastructure damage, prompting widespread relief and rebuilding initiatives in the affected regions.

6. Resolution of New Jersey Transit Strike

In labor news, New Jersey transit officials have reached a tentative contract agreement with engineers, effectively ending a strike that had halted rail services on Friday. Herbst noted that:

"The union says it includes a better pay than an earlier rejected proposal still has to be approved by the union and the state transit board." (03:13)

This agreement marks a positive outcome for commuters affected by the strike, pending final approvals from the union and relevant state authorities.

7. Insight into Flamingo Feeding Behaviors

NPR's Jeff Brumfiel shared fascinating research on flamingos' eating habits:

"One obvious question is what are they doing with their feet? People say that they are dancing." (04:19)

Victor Ortega Jimenez from UC Berkeley clarified that the visible foot stomping, bill chattering, and head bobbing are strategic actions to stir up and trap tiny shrimp and other food in the water. This behavior creates swirling vortices that help flamingos scoop up their prey efficiently. The study, conducted in collaboration with Georgia Tech, is published in the latest edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

8. U.S. Futures Trading Trends

Concluding the episode, Jeanine Herbst briefly mentioned at 04:49 that U.S. futures contracts are trading lower at the time of reporting, indicating potential shifts in the financial markets.

---

This summary encapsulates the key news highlights from the May 19, 2025, episode of NPR News Now, offering a comprehensive overview for listeners and those seeking a detailed briefing on current events.

Transcript

[Mint Mobile Ad]

This message comes from Mint Mobile. Mint Mobile took what's wrong with wireless and made it right. They offer premium wireless plans for less. And all plans include high speed data, unlimited talk and text and nationwide coverage. See for [e-mail] Switch live from NPR.

[Jeanine Herbst]

News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Hurst. Former President Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, as NPR's Tamara Keith reports. At 82, Biden was America's oldest president to serve.

[Tamara Keith]

According to a statement from Biden's personal office, the cancer has metastasized to bone and is a more aggressive form of prostate cancer. But it appears to be hormone sensitive, which means there are options for effective management. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in elderly men. For Biden, the diagnosis came after experiencing urinary symptoms. The statement goes on to say that the former president and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians. This comes as media attention has been focused on Biden's decline while in office, as documented in a forthcoming book. Tamara Keith, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Police in Palm Springs, California, have identified a 25 year old man as the suspect in the bombing of a fertility clinic yesterday. They killed one person and wounded four others. The FBI says they believe Guy Barkus is the person who died in the explosion and that the bombing was an act of terrorism. Growers around the country are getting ready for harvest season and the arrival of thousands of workers through a federal program to help pick the produce. But with rising wages, farmers say they're worried about their businesses. Michelle Jocas Polo from Michigan Public Radio has more.

[Scott Powell]

It's been just over two months since about two dozen mostly Mexican workers arrived at Dutchman Tree Farms, Michigan's largest Christmas tree grower. They've already planted nearly 3 million seeds. Nursery manager Scott Powell says he relies on the H2A visa program because it's hard to find local labor. But rising wages are squeezing the farmers.

[Michelle Jocas Polo]

When I came back to The Farm In 2011, our H2A wage was $10.02. In 2024, our wage was $18.50.

[Scott Powell]

In Michigan, the H2A rate has jumped nearly $3 since 2022. Two bipartisan bills in Congress aim to freeze those wages, something some say could keep farms afloat. For NPR News, I'm Michelle Jokeship in Grand Rapids.

[Jeanine Herbst]

A new company is joining the S&P 500 tomorrow. Coinbase NPR's Rafael Nam reports.

[Rafael Nam]

The S&P 500 is meant to represent a broad swath of leading companies in the US and starting on Monday, it will have a new member, Coinbase, a major exchange where people go to trade all kinds of cryptocurrencies like bitcoin. Coinbase will be replacing Discover Financial Services, which is being acquired by Capital One. The inclusion is a seminal moment for the crypto industry. It's the first time a crypto company joins the broad index. Coinbase shares have gained in the lead up to its inclusion in the S&P 500, and investors will be keen to see how it performs on the first day as part of this broad index.

[Jeanine Herbst]

You're listening to NPR News. Cleanup and recovery efforts are underway in several Midwestern states after strong storms and tornadoes slammed the area Friday night, killing more than two dozen. The hardest hit state is Kentucky, where at least 19 people died. In Missouri, at least seven people died. Some 5,000 buildings in St. Louis were affected by the storms. New Jersey transit officials reached a tentative contract agreement with the engineers, ending a strike that brought rail service to a halt on Friday. The union says it includes a better pay than an earlier rejected proposal still has to be approved by the union and the state transit board. Scientists have uncovered some secrets about how flamingos eat. NPR's Jeff Brumfiel has more.

[Jeff Brumfiel]

Flamingos are graceful, iconic birds until it's dinner time. This video from the San Diego Zoo captures just how weird they look when they eat. They bob their heads in and out of the water, chatter their bills and stomp their feet. Victor Ortega Jimenez is a researcher at UC Berkeley.

[Victor Ortega Jimenez]

One obvious question is what are they doing with their feet? People say that they are dancing.

[Jeff Brumfiel]

It turns out they're not. Ortega Jimenez worked with a group at Georgia Tech that showed the foot stomping, beat chattering and bobbing was all designed to stir up and trap tiny shrimp and other food in the water. The food gets swept up in swirling vortices, then the flamingo scoops it up with its bill. The work appears in this week's edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Jeff Brumfiel, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

U.S. futures contracts are trading lower at this hour. I'm Jeanine Herbst, NPR News, in Washington.

[Bluehost Ad]

This message comes from bluehost. Bluehost can make building a great website easy and offers a 30 day money back guarantee. Customize and launch your site in minutes with AI, then optimize with built in search engine tools. Get your great [e-mail].