NPR News: 05-18-2026 1PM EDT

Summary

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NPR News Now - 05-18-2026 1PM EDT

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Date: May 18, 2026
Episode Theme:
A fast-paced rundown of the latest national and international news, including developments involving President Trump’s IRS lawsuit settlement, new Ebola-related travel restrictions, the OpenAI leadership trial, the ongoing Long Island Railroad strike, and new neurological research on soccer-related head injuries.

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Key News Stories & Insights

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1. President Trump Drops IRS Lawsuit, Controversial Settlement Reached

[00:31 - 01:33]

• Summary:
  President Trump has chosen to abandon his $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS concerning the prior leak of his tax returns. Instead of a direct payout, the Department of Justice has proposed a settlement establishing a substantial fund.
• Details:
  • Trump will receive an official apology but no financial compensation.
  • DOJ to set up a $1.7 billion “anti weaponization” fund aimed at compensating individuals targeted by the Biden administration.
  • Congressional opposition, spearheaded by nearly 100 Democrats, seeks to block the fund, warning it could be exploited for political rewards.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “The machinery of government should never be weaponized against Americans.” — Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche [Approx. 01:10]
  • “The new pool of money is corruption on steroids, a slush fund to reward MAGA allies.” — Senator Elizabeth Warren [01:20]
  • Watchdogs caution the fund might be misused to reward individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riot.
• Correspondents: Kerry Johnson reporting from Washington.

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2. New Ebola-Related US Travel Restrictions

[01:33 - 02:41]

• Summary:
  The Trump administration introduces heightened screening and travel restrictions for non-citizens from three African nations due to a worsening Ebola outbreak.
• Details:
  • The CDC coordinates the evacuation of affected Americans from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
  • As of now, 89 deaths have been reported; risk to the US public is low.
  • WHO has declared this outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, urging stronger infection control.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “The risk to the American public remains low.” — CDC Statement via Michael Kaloki [02:13]
• Correspondents: Michael Kaloki from Nairobi.

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3. Jury Deliberates in Elon Musk v. Sam Altman/OpenAI Lawsuit

[02:41 - 03:26]

• Summary:
  A California jury is set to deliberate on Elon Musk’s lawsuit against Sam Altman and OpenAI, rooted in disputes over the company’s nonprofit vs. for-profit mission and Musk’s departure.
• Details:
  • Musk alleges OpenAI shifted away from its original nonprofit mission.
  • Musk sought control over the for-profit arm, but was denied and subsequently left in 2018.
  • Altman and OpenAI maintain the nonprofit remains central but acknowledge the need for a profit entity.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “All the co founders agreed that they needed to start a for profit entity, too, including Elon Musk, who actually wanted control of it. Altman's lawyers say the others weren't comfortable with that and said no. So Musk left in 2018.” — Steve Kassenbaum [03:16]
• Correspondents: Steve Kassenbaum.

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4. Long Island Railroad Strike Continues

[03:26 - 04:17]

• Summary:
  The Long Island Railroad strike reaches its third day, significantly disrupting commutes for up to 250,000 daily riders.
• Details:
  • Governor Kathy Hochul appeals directly to workers and encourages remote work.
  • Shuttle buses being deployed for essential in-person commuters.
  • Key contract issues: raises, health premiums, and work rule changes have stalled negotiations.
• Memorable Moments:
  • Governor Hochul (to workers): “You are welcome to come back. I'll provide refreshments, whatever you like.” [03:54–03:56]
• Correspondents: Steve Kassenbaum in New York.

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5. New Study on Soccer Headers and Brain Health

[04:17 - 05:08]

• Summary:
  Research published in JAMA Neurology links heading a soccer ball—especially high-impact headers—to protein markers for brain cell damage in amateur male players.
• Details:
  • Study used video recordings and blood tests from over 300 Dutch amateur players.
  • Players with more high-impact headers had greater increases in SB100, a protein indicating brain cell injury.
  • Raises concerns for amateur players’ long-term risks of neurodegenerative disease, similar to those seen in professionals.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “They found that after a match, players who experienced one or more high impact headers had increased levels of a protein called SB100, which indicates damage to brain cells.” — John Hamilton [04:30]
  • “The more high impact headers a player had, the greater the increase in SB100.” — John Hamilton [04:38]
• Correspondents: John Hamilton.

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Notable Quotes by Segment

| Time | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|----------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:10 | Acting Attorney Gen. Blanche | “The machinery of government should never be weaponized against Americans.” | | 01:20 | Sen. Elizabeth Warren | “The new pool of money is corruption on steroids, a slush fund to reward MAGA allies.” | | 02:13 | CDC via Michael Kaloki | “The risk to the American public remains low.” | | 03:16 | Steve Kassenbaum (summary) | “All the co founders agreed that they needed to start a for profit entity, too, including Elon Musk, who actually wanted control of it. Altman's lawyers say the others weren't comfortable with that and said no. So Musk left in 2018.” | | 03:54 | Gov. Kathy Hochul | “You are welcome to come back. I'll provide refreshments, whatever you like.” | | 04:30 | John Hamilton | “They found that after a match, players who experienced one or more high impact headers had increased levels of a protein called SB100, which indicates damage to brain cells.” | | 04:38 | John Hamilton | “The more high impact headers a player had, the greater the increase in SB100.” |

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:31 — President Trump IRS lawsuit settlement
• 01:33 — US imposes Ebola-related travel restrictions
• 02:41 — Elon Musk vs. Sam Altman/OpenAI lawsuit deliberations
• 03:26 — Long Island Railroad strike coverage
• 04:17 — New research: Soccer headers and brain injury

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For more hourly updates, tune in to NPR News Now.

Transcript

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[Lakshmi Singh]

live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Singh. President Trump has moved to abandon his $10 billion case against the IRS over the leak of his tax returns years ago. NPR's Kerry Johnson reports. The settlement creates a path for the president's allies to recover money from taxpayers.

[Kerry Johnson]

The Justice Department says the president will receive an apology, but no direct financial payments. Instead, DOJ will create an anti weaponization fund, some $1.7 billion to compensate people who were targeted by the Biden administration. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche says the machinery of government should never be weaponized against Americans. Nearly 100 Democrats in Congress are trying to block the move. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts says the new pool of money is corruption on steroids, a slush fund to reward MAGA allies. Watchdogs warn the new fund could be used to reward people who riot at Capitol nearly five years ago. Carrie Johnson, NPR News, Washington.

[Lakshmi Singh]

The Trump administration says it's adopting even more screening measures and restricting people who do not have US Passports from entering the country if they have recently been in three African nations affected by a growing Ebola outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it's helping move Americans who've been affected by the current Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Michael Koloki explains. The CDC says 89 people are reported to have died since the start of this latest outbreak.

[Michael Kaloki]

The CDC did not indicate the location of the small group of affected US Citizens or where they would be moved to, but said that at the moment, the risk to the American public remains low. The agency said it has been supporting surveillance of the disease through its Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo offices and that it continues to closely monitor the situation. On over the weekend, the World Health Organization declared the Ebola outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, urging authorities in affected countries to strengthen infection prevention measures. For NPR News, I'm Michael Kaloki in Nairobi.

[Lakshmi Singh]

A California jury begins deliberations today in Elon Musk's lawsuit against CEO Sam Altman and OpenAI, the company Musk helped Altman launch. NPR's John Ruich reports. Musk left after a power struggle.

[Steve Kassenbaum]

Musk's side basically argues that Altman and another founder, Greg Brock, sidelined the nonprofit entity, jettisoned its founding mission and have basically made the for profit arm the main thing at OpenAI. Of course, Altman and OpenAI disagree. They point out that the nonprofit still exists. They say the mission is still very much intact. But all the co founders agreed that they needed to start a for profit entity, too, including Elon Musk, who actually wanted control of it. Altman's lawyers say the others weren't comfortable with that and said no. So Musk left in 2018.

[Lakshmi Singh]

NPR's John Ruich reporting. It's NPR. The nation's largest commuter railroad is in its third day of a strike. The walkout affects as many as 250,000 people who ride the Long Island Railroad every day. Steve Kassenbaum has the latest from New York.

[Steve Kassenbaum]

Governor Kathy Hochul gave a pep talk to workers at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's command center on Sunday.

[Kerry Johnson]

We didn't want you to leave. You left.

[Lakshmi Singh]

You are welcome to come back.

[Kerry Johnson]

I'll provide refreshments, whatever you like.

[Steve Kassenbaum]

She urged Long Islanders to work from home today. Shuttle buses are set to handle those who are needed in person. The governor called on striking unions to come back to the table. Contract talks stalled over raises, health care premiums and proposed work rule changes. For NPR News, I'm Steve Kastenbaum in New York.

[Lakshmi Singh]

New research suggests heading a soccer ball can affect the health of a person's brain. NPR's John Hamilton reports on a study

[John Hamilton]

in the journal JAMA Neurology video recordings to study head impacts among more than 300amateur male soccer players in the Netherlands. The scientists measured levels of proteins in the blood that are associated with brain injury. They found that after a match, players who experienced one or more high impact headers had increased levels of a protein called SB100, which indicates damage to brain cells. The more high impact headers a player had, the greater the increase in SB100. Previous studies have found that professional soccer players are at higher risk for neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer'. The authors say this study suggests amateur athletes may also face long term risks. John Hamilton, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

This is NPR.

[ZipRecruiter Announcer]

This message comes from ZipRecruiter. Finding great candidates to hire can be like trying to find a needle in a haystack, unless you use ZipRecruiter. ZipRecruiter doesn't depend on candidates finding you. It finds them for you. That's why four out of five employers who post a job on ZipRecruiter get a quality candidate within the first day. And right now, you can try ZipRecruiter for free at ZipRecruiter.com Zip that's ZipRecruiter.com Zip.