NPR News: 05-18-2025 11AM EDT

Summary

Podcast Summary: NPR News Now Episode: NPR News: 05-18-2025 11AM EDT
Release Date: May 18, 2025
Host: NPR
Description: The latest news in five minutes. Updated hourly.

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1. Devastating Tornadoes Hit Missouri and Kentucky

Overview:
Emergency responders are actively working to restore electricity to households severely impacted by deadly tornadoes that struck Missouri and Kentucky on Friday. The small town of London, Kentucky, has been particularly hard-hit, with 18 fatalities reported so far. The region is grappling with extensive debris, making cleanup efforts expected to take weeks, and the broader recovery process could span years. London is still recovering from tornadoes that hit western Kentucky in 2021 and severe flooding in eastern Kentucky in 2022.

Notable Quotes:

• Karen Zahr ([00:43]): "You can hear chainsaws and heavy equipment everywhere, but the amount of debris here is so massive it could take weeks to clean up and then the recovery process could take years."

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2. Explosion Near Fertility Clinic in Palm Springs Possibly Deliberate

Overview:
Officials in Palm Springs, California, are investigating an explosion near a fertility clinic, which they believe was a deliberate act. The blast caused significant damage to the clinic and nearby structures, including a burned-out car. FBI's Los Angeles office, led by Akil Davis, and Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills have concluded that the explosion was intentional.

Notable Quotes:

• Akil Davis ([01:18]): "As law enforcement officials gather evidence, they've come to one key conclusion. This explosion was no accident."
• Andy Mills ([01:29]): "Make no mistake, an intentional act of terrorism."
• Andy Mills ([01:46]): "There are blocks of debris and it'll take a meticulous effort so we understand very thoroughly what happened."
• Akil Davis ([01:54]): "Police believe this was an isolated incident."

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3. Renewed Ceasefire Talks Between Israel and Hamas

Overview:
Ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas are underway amid intensified military actions and a dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. Israel is preparing to resume food supplies to Gaza, where there is a severe shortage of provisions. The latest bombings have resulted in over 500 deaths in the past five days, with reports of significant civilian casualties, including children. The U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, is actively involved in facilitating the talks, aiming for a ceasefire and the release of more Israeli hostages.

Notable Quotes:

• Marco Rubio ([02:19]): "Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the US is involved in the talks, seeking a ceasefire and the release of more Israeli hostages."
• Anonymous Source ([02:55]): "Israel estimates civilians in Gaza only have about a week's supply of food left and is planning to end its 11-week aid blockade this week."

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4. 150th Preakness Stakes Won by Journalism

Overview:
The 150th running of the Preakness Stakes took place at Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore, with the horse Journalism securing victory amid a crowded field. The race saw intense competition, with nine horses bursting from the gate and a challenging final stretch. Italian jockey Umberto Rispoli, winning the Preakness Stakes for the first time, expressed his relief and joy after the race, especially following his previous struggles after the Kentucky Derby.

Notable Quotes:

• Umberto Rispoli ([03:45]): "I can tell you I couldn't sleep for four nights after the Kentucky Derby, but I know if I could ride a perfect race. But this takes some of the pain off and I'm glad that I have this opportunity. I have to wait 20 years, but it was worth it to wait."

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5. Ongoing Transit Strike in New Jersey

Overview:
Transit officials and locomotive engineers in New Jersey have resumed negotiations as their strike enters its second day. The primary sticking point in the negotiations is wages, which Transit CEO Chris Cullery describes as a complex issue. While both parties are making progress on several fronts, an agreement has yet to be reached. In the interim, transit agencies are increasing bus services to mitigate the strike's impact, and there are calls for employees to work from home where possible to help manage the situation.

Notable Quotes:

• Chris Cullery ([04:26]): "We understand their side. I now need them to understand our position that we will not break the bank in getting this deal done."
• Chris Cullery ([04:35]): "Should this go on till Monday, and if you can continue to work from home, it would be a hugely helpful moment for us to manage the bottom."

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Conclusion:
This episode of NPR News Now covered a range of critical topics, including natural disasters in the Midwest, a potential act of terrorism in California, ongoing conflict and humanitarian crises in the Middle East, a major sporting event milestone, and labor disputes affecting public transportation. Notable quotes from key figures provided deeper insights into each story, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of the current events shaping our world.

Transcript

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[Doualisai Kautao]

Live from NPR News in New York City, I'm Doualisai Kautao. Emergency crews continue to work to restore electricity to households that were hard hit by deadly tornadoes in Missouri and Kentucky on Friday. The small town of London, Kentucky, suffered the most deaths, 18 so far. Reporter Karen Zahr with member station WKY has been in London since yesterday morning.

[Karen Zahr]

You can hear chainsaws and heavy equipment everywhere, but the amount of debris here is so massive it could take weeks to clean up and then the recovery process could take years. We are still rebuilding from deadly tornadoes that hit western Kentucky that was in 2021, and deadly flooding in eastern Kentucky that was in 2022.

[Doualisai Kautao]

Karen Zarr with member station WUKY Officials in Palm Springs, California, say they believe an explosion near a fertility clinic was a deliberate act. More from Steve Futterman.

[Akil Davis]

As law enforcement officials gather evidence, they've come to one key conclusion. This explosion was no accident. Akil Davis is in charge of the FBI's Los Angeles office.

[Andy Mills]

Make no mistake, an intentional act of terrorism.

[Akil Davis]

The explosion occurred just before noon near the clinic, which suffered significant damage. A nearby car was burned out. Adjacent buildings nearby also suffered damage. Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills.

[Andy Mills]

There are blocks of debris and it'll take a meticulous effort so we understand very thoroughly what happened.

[Akil Davis]

Police believe this was an isolated incident. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Los Angeles.

[Doualisai Kautao]

New ceasefire talks are now underway between Israel and Hamas. Israel says it is preparing to resume food supplies to Gaza amid a dire shortage, as NPR's Daniel Estrin reports from Tel Aviv. The new negotiations come as Israel intensifies its bombardment of Gaza.

[Marco Rubio]

Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the US Is involved in the talks, seeking a ceasefire and the release of more Israeli hostages. Meanwhile, Israeli military strikes and Gaza have intensified, with more than 500 dead in the past five days, according to Gaza health officials. They say one strike on a home killed 20 people, including five women and five children at a Gaza City morgue. A relative of the family cries out. Israel estimates civilians in Gaza only have about a week's supply of food left and is planning to end its 11 week aid blockade this week, says a person briefed on the matter who did not have authorization to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity Daniel Estrin, NPR News, tel Aviv, with NPR's Anas Baba in Gaza City.

[Doualisai Kautao]

New York City's annual Israel Day on Fifth Avenue is taking place today. You're listening to NPR News from New York. The horse Journalism has won the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore. Wamboy Kamau from member station WYPR reports.

[Wamboy Kamau]

Nine horses burst from the gate at Pimlico Racecourse after a bump in battle in the final stretch, Journalism surged ahead, galloping to victory. Italian jockey Umberto Rispoli is a first time Freakness winner.

[Umberto Rispoli]

I can tell you I couldn't sleep for four nights after the Kentucky Derby, but I know if I could ride a perfect race. But this takes some of the pain off and I'm glad that I have this opportunity. I have to wait 20 years, but it was worth it to wait.

[Wamboy Kamau]

The first place comes with a $1.2 million payout of the race's 2 million purse. The next leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes, is in three weeks. For NPR News, I'm Wamboikamau in Baltimore.

[Doualisai Kautao]

Transit officials and locomotive engineers in New Jersey are back at the bargaining table as their strike continues for a second day. Transit CEO Chris Cullery says they are close to an agreement on many points, but he said the issue of wages is complex.

[Chris Cullery]

We understand their side. I now need them to understand our position that we will not break the bank in getting this deal done.

[Doualisai Kautao]

They have buses in place to help.

[Chris Cullery]

He adds, should this go on till Monday, and if you can continue to work from home, it would be a hugely helpful moment for us to manage the bottom.

[Doualisai Kautao]

Other transit agencies are also adding service to help mitigate the impact of the strike. I'm Doua Halisai Kowtel, NPR News in New York.

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