NPR News: 05-19-2025 11AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Summary of May 19, 2025, 11 AM EDT Episode

Host: Korva Coleman
Release Date: May 19, 2025

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1. Lawsuit Filed Against Trump Administration for FOIA Violations

Timestamp: [00:17]

A significant legal battle has emerged as the watchdog group American Oversight initiates a lawsuit against the Trump administration. The group accuses multiple federal agencies of violating the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) by withholding public records.

Key Points:

• Executive Director Chiomo of American Oversight stated, “[Our lawsuit] seeks to compel the IRS, the Department of Treasury, and Department of Education to release records that they're unlawfully withholding from the public” ([00:40]).
• The lawsuit specifically targets communications related to President Trump's criticisms of Harvard University. The administration has reportedly lambasted Harvard for perceived inadequacies in protecting Jewish students and has seized control of billions in grants to the institution.
• Chiomo emphasized the broader implications: “Today is Harvard. Tomorrow it could be any university” ([01:02]).
• The White House has yet to respond to these accusations.

Conclusion: Lou Garrett of NPR highlights the potential widespread impact of this lawsuit, suggesting that if successful, it could set a precedent for greater transparency across various federal agencies.

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2. Israel's Partial Approval of Food Aid into Gaza Amid Ongoing Conflict

Timestamp: [01:11]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that Israel will permit some food aid into Gaza, a significant shift after previously blocking all relief efforts. This decision emerges amidst fears of famine in the Palestinian territory, where severe restrictions have compounded humanitarian crises.

Key Points:

• Daniel Estrin reports that Netanyahu faces internal criticism from right-wing factions who oppose any aid reaching Palestinians.
• Netanyahu justified the aid by stating, “We would not be able to continue to have international support for our offensive in Gaza if there is mass starvation” ([01:33]).
• The Israeli government continues its aggressive stance, aiming to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages, with ongoing heavy bombing and shelling reported in northern Gaza.

Conclusion: This partial allowance of aid reflects a delicate balance Netanyahu is attempting between military objectives and international humanitarian expectations.

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3. Verizon Scales Back on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives Under Federal Pressure

Timestamp: [01:50]

In a significant policy shift, telecommunications giant Verizon has decided to reduce its commitment to DEI efforts amidst increased pressure from the federal government.

Key Points:

• Maria Aspen reports that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved Verizon's $20 billion acquisition of Frontier, contingent upon Verizon ending DEI-related policies.
• Following this directive, Verizon will:
  • Cease setting hiring goals for minorities.
  • Remove all references to DEI from its corporate websites.
• The move aligns with President Trump's stance, which has declared DEI programs illegal, pushing companies to abandon previously established equitable opportunity initiatives.

Quote: Maria Aspen notes, “Many big companies are backing away from what's known as DEI after once promising to create more equitable opportunities for all employees” ([02:19]).

Conclusion: This development marks a notable retreat by major corporations from DEI commitments, driven by evolving federal regulations and political pressures.

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4. Wall Street Dips as President Trump Engages in Diplomatic Efforts

Timestamp: [03:07]

The stock market experienced a downturn, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipping by over 20 points, reflecting investor uncertainty.

Key Points:

• Concurrently, the White House announced that President Trump has initiated a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, continuing his efforts to end Russia's war in Ukraine.
• The administration also plans for Trump to speak with Ukraine's leadership and NATO officials later in the day.

Conclusion: While financial markets react cautiously, diplomatic channels are actively being pursued by the Trump administration to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

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5. Discrepancy in Disability Reporting within the Medical Field and Civil Rights Complaint

Timestamp: [03:07]

A significant disparity exists between the number of adults in the U.S. who report having a disability and those recognized within the medical profession. Over 25% of U.S. adults report a disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), yet less than 3% of medical professionals identify as having a disability.

Key Points:

• Kristen Wright covers the case of Taylor Carty, a California woman with cerebral palsy, who has filed a civil rights complaint with the Justice Department.
• Carty alleges that Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit denied her admission despite initially accepting her application, citing her disability-related limitations in meeting technical standards.
• Her requests for accommodations, such as modifications to perform CPR and suture wounds, were reportedly deemed “unreasonable” by the school.
• Carty advocates for more inclusive policies, stating, “I know there is a young child who is putting on that stethoscope, and I want to make that accessible for them” ([04:15]).
• The Association of American Medical Colleges has been urging medical schools to make technical standards more inclusive since 2021, but Wayne State has not responded to NPR's inquiries.

Conclusion: Taylor Carty's case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in entering the medical field and underscores the need for institutional reforms to ensure equitable access.

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6. Austria Triumphs at Eurovision Song Contest

Timestamp: [04:35]

In a notable cultural event, Austria’s contestant JJ emerged victorious at this year's Eurovision Song Contest, outperforming 25 other competitors.

Key Points:

• Korva Coleman celebrated Austria's win, noting Eurovision's history of launching global acts, including the iconic group ABBA.
• This victory adds to Austria’s legacy in the competition and showcases the diverse musical talents represented.

Conclusion: Austria’s success at Eurovision emphasizes the country's vibrant presence in international music competitions and the contest’s role in propelling artists to stardom.

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Additional Information:

• Market Update: Wall Street saw a decline with the Dow Jones industrials falling by more than 20 points.
• Diplomatic Moves: President Trump’s engagement with Putin and upcoming discussions with Ukraine and NATO officials signal ongoing international efforts to address conflicts and diplomatic relations.

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This episode of NPR News Now provides a comprehensive overview of critical political, social, and economic issues, from legal battles over transparency and international conflicts to corporate policy shifts and cultural victories. The inclusion of direct quotes and precise timestamps offers listeners a clear and detailed understanding of each topic discussed.

Transcript

[Eduardo]

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[Korva Coleman]

In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. A watchdog group is suing the Trump administration for allegedly withholding public records in a new lawsuit. The group American Oversight is accusing multiple agencies of of violating the Freedom of Information Act. NPR's Lou Garrett reports.

[Lou Garrett]

The watchdog group says the White House is breaking federal law by blocking the release of its records. Here's American Oversight Executive Director Chiomo.

[Chiomo]

Our lawsuit seeks to compel the irs, the Department of Treasury and Department of Education to release records that they're unlawfully withholding from the public.

[Lou Garrett]

The group is seeking White House communications regarding President Trump's attacks against Harvard University. The White House has criticized Harvard for not doing enough to protect Jewish students and and cut billions in grants to the university. But Chukwu says the suit is about more than just Harvard.

[Chiomo]

Today is Harvard. Tomorrow it could be any university.

[Lou Garrett]

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel is going to allow some food aid to get into Gaza. Israel has blocked all relief aid from reaching Palestinians in the territory, raising fears of famine. The Israeli government is trying to pressure Hamas to release hostages. NPR's Daniel Estrin says some Israelis do not want Netanyahu to allow any supplies to reach Palestinians.

[Daniel Estrin]

And Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been facing right wing criticism in Israel about renewing this food. And he said, look, we would not be able to continue to have international support for our offensive in Gaza if there is mass starvation. He said, we're going to take control of Gaza. We need to do it in a way that they won't stop us.

[Korva Coleman]

NPR's Daniel Estrin reporting. Separately, Israel has launched an expansive ground offensive in northern Gaza. Palestinians are reporting constant and heavy bombing and shelling. Telecommunications company Verizon is the latest big company to scale back on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts under pressure from the federal government. NPR's Maria Aspen reports. The Federal Communications Commission gave Verizon its blessing on Friday for a $20 billion deal.

[Maria Aspen]

Many big companies are backing away from what's known as DEI after once promising to create more equitable opportunities for all employees. But now President Trump has declared such programs illegal. And the Federal Communications Commission has taken a big role in trying to pressure companies to do away with them. For example, Verizon has been seeking approval to buy Frontier, a broadband provider. So it told the FCC that it would end many of its policies relating to diversity, equity and inclusion. Verizon will no longer set goals to hire more minorities, and it will remove references to DEI from its websites. Now the FCC has approved Verizon's deal, and it specifically cited Verizon's promise to end DEI related practices. Maria Aspen, NPR News, New York.

[Korva Coleman]

On Wall street, stocks are lower. The Dow Jones industrials are down more than 20 points. You're listening to NPR. The White House says President Trump has begun his phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump has been pushing for an end to Russia' war in Ukraine. The White House says Trump will speak with the leader of Ukraine and NATO officials later. More than a quarter of adults in the US Report having a disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But in the medical field, the number is less than 3%. NPR's Kristen Wright has this report on a California woman who filed a civil rights complaint in an effort to change that.

[Kristen Wright]

Taylor Carty's complaint to the Justice Department alleges, Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit accepted but then denied her admission because of her disability. Cardi has cerebral palsy. Limited mobility in her hand made it hard to meet the med school's technical standards. These are required skills set by each school. Cardi asks for modifications to perform CPR and suture a wound, but Wayne states that her request for accommodations wasn't reasonable. She's focused on changing the rules.

[Taylor Carty]

I know there is a young child who is putting on that stethoscope, and I want to make that accessible for them.

[Kristen Wright]

Since 2021, the association of American Medical Colleges has encouraged med schools to make their technical standards more inclusive. Wayne State declined to talk to npr. Kristen Wright, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

In case you missed it over the weekend, Austria won this year's Eurovision Song Contest. The Austrian contestant JJ beat out 25 other competitors for the top prize. Eurovision has launched other groups to stardom like abba. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News, in Washington.

[Eduardo]

This message comes from Capella University. At Capella, you can earn your degree with support from people who care about your success. A different future is closer than you think with Capella University. Learn more at Capella. Eduardo.