NPR News: 05-18-2025 7PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of May 18, 2025, 7PM EDT Episode

On the May 18, 2025, episode of NPR News Now, host Jeanine Herbst delves into a range of pressing national and international issues. This summary encapsulates the key topics discussed, enriched with notable quotes and organized for clarity.

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1. Walmart Faces Rising Prices Amid Tariff Disputes

Timestamp: [00:16] - [01:12]

Walmart CEO Doug McMillan has issued a warning that impending tariff increases will lead to higher prices for customers. In response to President Trump's directive for Walmart to absorb some of the tariff costs, McMillan engaged in direct talks with the White House.

Doug McMillan stated, “Tariffs will soon increase prices for customers at the retail giant” ([00:16]).

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessen highlighted the potential for consumer price hikes, emphasizing the administration's strategic stance on reciprocal tariffs. He remarked, “The treasury secretary also defended the whiplash of the on again and off again reciprocal tariffs” ([00:49]).

President Trump asserted, “Walmart will be absorbing some of the tariffs. Some may get passed on to consumers” ([00:44]).

Bessen further cautioned that if trading partners fail to negotiate in good faith, the administration would reinstate higher reciprocal tariffs: “You will ratchet back up to your April 2 level” ([01:03]). The discussions involve 18 key trading partners, though specifics were not disclosed ([01:12]).

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2. Former President Biden Diagnosed with Aggressive Prostate Cancer

Timestamp: [01:23] - [02:03]

In a significant health update, Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. According to NPR's Tamara Keith, the cancer has metastasized to Biden's bones, indicating a more severe progression. However, the condition is hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management.

Tamara Keith reported, “The prostate cancer has metastasized to the former president's bone, which means it is a more aggressive form of the disease” ([01:33]).

Biden, at 82 years old, becomes the oldest individual to serve as President of the United States. The announcement reassures that the President and his family are actively reviewing treatment options. Prostate cancer remains a common ailment among older men, adding context to the diagnosis ([02:03]).

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3. Palm Springs Fertility Clinic Bombing: Suspect Identified

Timestamp: [02:03] - [03:06]

Authorities in Palm Springs, California, have identified Edward Bartkiss, a 25-year-old resident from Twentynine Palms, as the primary suspect in the recent bombing of a fertility clinic that resulted in four injuries. The FBI believes Bartkiss was the individual killed in the explosion.

Madison Almond of NPR's member station KVCR detailed, “FBI officials say they are fairly confident the primary suspect is 25-year-old guy Edward Bartkiss” ([02:24]).

Thomas Bickle, a neighbor, recounted the harrowing experience: “All of a sudden it wasn't just a knock that the sheriffs were pounding on my door” ([02:43]). As of the morning following the incident, Bartkiss had not been allowed back into his home, and authorities are seeking public assistance to verify his whereabouts prior to the explosion ([02:53]).

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4. Severe Storms and Tornadoes Devastate the Midwest

Timestamp: [03:06] - [04:16]

Severe weather systems have wreaked havoc across several Midwestern states, resulting in over two dozen fatalities, with Kentucky being the hardest hit, suffering at least 19 deaths. Cleanup and recovery efforts are ongoing.

At the First Baptist Church in London, Kentucky, congregation members gathered to find solace. Pastor Jesse Armstrong provided a message of faith amidst the tragedy: “God was and he is and he will continue to be” ([03:37] - [03:50]).

The church has become a central hub for aid, collecting supplies for those affected by the storms. Armstrong shared, “All over this community, the church has become a hub to collect supplies for storm survivors” ([03:53] - [03:59]). Due to the overwhelming number of volunteers, Armstrong had to enlist help from a nearby church to maintain effective aid distribution ([04:04]).

Karen Zahr from member station WUKY reported on these developments ([04:16]).

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5. Diddy Combs’ Sex Trafficking Trial: New Testimonies Emerge

Timestamp: [04:16] - [04:55]

The high-profile sex trafficking trial of music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs is set to continue in New York City. As the trial enters its second week, expectations are high for new testimonies.

Singer Dawn Richard, formerly of the group Danity Kane, testified, alleging that Combs created a “toxic and abusive working environment.” She recounted witnessing him violently assaulting his then-girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura, on multiple occasions ([04:16]).

Combs, 55 years old, has pleaded not guilty to the charges. His legal team is preparing for further testimonies as the case progresses. Jeanine Herbst provided comprehensive coverage of these developments ([04:55]).

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This episode of NPR News Now encapsulates critical updates ranging from economic challenges faced by major retailers, significant health news concerning a former president, ongoing investigations into violent crimes, the impact of natural disasters, and high-stakes legal battles involving prominent figures. Listeners gain a broad perspective on events shaping the national discourse.

Transcript

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[Jeanine Herbst]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. Walmart CEO Doug McMillan recently warned tariffs will soon increase prices for customers at the retail giant. NPR's Luke Garrett reports. Now McMillan is on the phone with the White House after President Trump told Walmart to eat some of the cost of the tariffs.

[Scott Bessen]

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessen is in direct talks with the Walmart CEO. He tells CNN consumers could see price hikes.

[President Trump]

Walmart will be absorbing some of the tariffs. Some may get passed on to consumers.

[Scott Bessen]

The treasury secretary also defended the whiplash of the on again and off again reciprocal tariffs. Bessen called it strategic uncertainty. He also threatened that the Trump administration will bring back high reciprocal tariffs if certain countries don't come to the table.

[President Trump]

President Trump has put them on notice that if you do not negotiate in good faith that you will ratchet back up to your April 2 level.

[Scott Bessen]

Bessen said this goes for 18 important trading partners, but he did not say which ones or how quickly these tariffs would return. Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Former President Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, according to a statement from his office. NPR's Tamara Keith has more.

[Tamara Keith]

The prostate cancer has metastasized to the former president's bone, which means it is a more aggressive form of the disease. But according to a statement from his office, the cancer appears to be hormone sensitive, which allows for effective management. The statement goes on to say that the president and his family are reviewing treatment options. Biden was the oldest person to ever serve as president of the United States. Prostate cancer is a common cancer among older men.

[Jeanine Herbst]

NPR's Tamara Keith reporting. Biden is 82 years old. In California, authorities have identified the primary suspect in the bombing of a fertility clinic in Palm Springs yesterday morning. The FBI says they believe the suspect was the person killed in the explosion that injured four others. For member station kvcr, Madison Almond has more.

[Madison Almond]

FBI officials say they are fairly confident the primary suspect is 25 year old guy Edward Bartkiss from Twentynine Palms, some 50 miles northeast of Palm Springs. FBI investigators and local law have converged on a house where they believe Bartkus lived and evacuated neighbors Saturday, including Thomas Bickle.

[Thomas Bickle]

All of a sudden it wasn't just a knock that the sheriffs were pounding on my door. So I opened the door. There was about I think like five sheriffs there, and they told me I needed to evacu.

[Madison Almond]

Bickel had not been allowed back home as of Sunday morning. Authorities have asked the public to help them piece together Barkus's whereabouts before the explosion. For NPR News, I'm Madison Ammon in Twentynine Palms.

[Jeanine Herbst]

US Futures contracts are trading lower at this hour. Dow futures are down nearly 7.10of a percent. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Cleanup continues in several Midwestern states today where severe storms and tornadoes Friday left more than two dozen people dead. Kentucky was hardest hit with at least 19 people killed. Karen Zahr with member station WUKY has more.

[Jesse Armstrong]

At First Baptist Church in London, Kentucky, congregation members celebrated their faith less than 48 hours after some of them lost everything. Pastor Jesse Armstrong's message to them, God.

[Congregation Member]

Was and he is and he will continue to be.

[Jesse Armstrong]

All over this community, the church has become a hub to collect supplies for storm survivors.

[Congregation Member]

There were so many people that came up here to help and I didn't call a single one of them.

[Jesse Armstrong]

Within hours they were out of room. So Armstrong recruited the church down the street to become a second donation center. For NPR News, I'm Karen Zarr in London.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Music mogul Sean Diddy Combs sex trafficking trial continues in New York City tomorrow for the second week. Expected back on the stand. Singer Dawn Richard, a member of the group Danity Kane, which Combs helped to put together. The group was signed to Combs record label for years. Last year, Richard filed a civil suit against Combs alleging a toxic and abusive working environment. Richard testified Friday she witnessed him violently assaulting his then girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura, more than once. The 55 year old combs has pled not guilty to the charges. I'm Jeanine Herbst and you're listening to NPR News from Washington.

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