NPR News: 05-19-2025 1AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: May 19, 2025

Host: Dale Willman | Source: NPR

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1. Former President Joe Biden Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer

In a significant development, former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, just four months after leaving office at the age of 82. This news was first announced by NPR's Dale Willman, with further details provided by Luke Garrett.

A small nodule was discovered in Biden's prostate during a medical evaluation, prompting the diagnosis. According to the official statement, Biden had been "experiencing increasing urinary symptoms" prior to the discovery. The cancer has been assigned a Gleason score of nine, indicating a more aggressive form. However, the statement noted that the cancer "appears to be hormone sensitive, which allows for effective management." The Bidens are currently reviewing treatment options, providing a cautiously optimistic outlook despite the severity of the diagnosis (00:17).

2. Devastating Tornado Strikes Southern Kentucky

Tragedy struck southern Kentucky overnight on Friday when a powerful tornado devastated the region, resulting in at least 19 fatalities. NPR's John McGarry reported that 17 of the deceased were in the city of London.

Survivors shared harrowing accounts of the storm's impact. Mamie Cottle recounted a terrifying experience, stating, "The house started shaking and then the next thing I heard was like rumbling. Next thing was just like glass breaking everywhere and wood breaking, and we couldn't hardly open the closet door to get out" (01:30). Fortunately, Cottle and her young grandson escaped uninjured, though the destruction threatens the safety of her decade-long home.

Governor Andy Beshear has announced that efforts are underway to secure emergency housing for those affected. The community now faces the daunting task of rebuilding amidst the emotional and physical scars left by the tornado (01:45).

3. California Fertility Clinic Bombing: Suspect Identified

In a shocking incident on Saturday, a bombing at a California fertility clinic has left authorities scrambling for answers. Kentucky police have identified the 25-year-old suspect as Guy Edward Bartkus. Reports indicate that Bartkus left behind anti-pro-life writings at the scene, suggesting a possible motive rooted in extremist beliefs.

The FBI believes Bartkus was killed in the explosion, complicating the investigation into his motives. As Dale Willman highlighted, the agency is now focused on uncovering the underlying reasons for the attack, amid growing concerns over similar extremist acts targeting medical facilities (01:58).

4. Moody’s Downgrades U.S. Credit Rating: Wall Street Reacts

In a move that has sent shockwaves through financial markets, the credit ratings agency Moody’s downgraded the United States’ credit rating. Raul Aspen from NPR detailed that Dow futures are already trading down in anticipation of a tumultuous week on Wall Street.

Moody’s cited excessive national debt and rising interest costs as primary factors, attributing the fiscal mismanagement to "both past and current US Administrations and Congress for not doing enough to reverse this trend." The agency expressed skepticism that current budget proposals by lawmakers would effectively address the issues at hand (02:26).

This downgrade comes at a time when the U.S. is grappling with President Trump's sweeping tariffs, which have fueled market jitters, driven up consumer prices, and heightened fears of an impending recession. The combination of Moody’s warning and existing economic pressures underscores the fragile state of the U.S. economy in the global arena (02:26).

5. Romania Elects New President Amid Allegations of Russian Interference

In international news, Romania has elected a new president in a closely contested race fraught with allegations of Russian interference. Terry Schultz reports that the election had to be conducted twice due to irregularities in the initial vote.

Nikosar Dan, a centrist and former mathematics professor, emerged victorious in the second round on Sunday, defeating his opponent Georges Simeone, a far-right candidate aligned with President Donald Trump. Simeone had pledged to "cut off Romanian aid to Ukraine" and distance Romania further from the European Union, positions that were heavily scrutinized during the campaign (03:27).

The first attempt to elect a new president in November was invalidated after investigations revealed that the initial winner, Colin Georgescu, was influenced by Russia through promoted online accounts and bots. Simeone, who won the first round earlier in the month, has suggested he may contest the results, though Nikosar Dan’s victory marks a significant shift in Romania’s political landscape amid concerns over foreign interference (03:27).

6. Israel Announces Limited Humanitarian Aid to Gaza

Israel has announced it will permit a limited amount of humanitarian aid into Gaza, a move that comes after more than two months of a stringent blockade. The decision addresses the escalating humanitarian crisis in the densely populated enclave, which houses over 2 million people.

Health experts had been warning for weeks about the severe shortages of food and medical supplies due to the blockade. Despite the announcement, officials have yet to specify when the aid will commence or the volume that will be permitted, leaving many concerned about the immediate needs of Gaza's residents (04:06).

The limited nature of the aid raises questions about the sufficiency of support provided to alleviate the growing humanitarian distress in the region. As negotiations and logistical planning continue, the international community watches closely to assess the impact of this development on the ground (04:06).

7. Scottie Scheffler Wins Third Major Golf Title

In a remarkable display of skill and composure, Scottie Scheffler secured his third major golf title over the weekend. Dale Willman highlights that Scheffler, currently ranked as golf's number one player, remained mistake-free on the back nine to finish the PGA Championship in North Carolina with an impressive five-stroke lead.

Scheffler’s victory not only earned him the Wanamaker Trophy but also puts him halfway to achieving a career Grand Slam, cementing his status among the sport's elite. Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau was one of three players tied for second place, showcasing the high level of competition in the tournament (04:06).

This triumph further elevates Scheffler's standing in the golfing world, as he continues to build a legacy marked by consistent excellence and determination (04:06).

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This summary encapsulates the key stories from the NPR News Now episode released on May 19, 2025. For comprehensive coverage and real-time updates, listeners are encouraged to tune into NPR’s broadcasts.

Transcript

[Sponsor Announcement]

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[Dale Willman]

Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The announcement comes four months after the 82 year old left office. NPR's Luke Garrett has this update.

[Sponsor Announcement]

Last week, former President Biden went to the doctors and was evaluated for a small nodule found in his prostate. The 82 year old had also been, quote, experiencing increasing urinary symptoms, end quote, according to a statement. It goes on to say that Biden was diagnosed with prostate cancer on Friday and that the cancer received a Gleason score of nine. This means it's a more aggressive case. The statement ends by saying that the cancer, quote, appears to be hormone sensitive, which allows for effective management, end quote, and that the Bidens are reviewing treatment options.

[Dale Willman]

NPR's Luke Garrett. People in Kentucky are now beginning the process of cleaning up damage following what's believed to be a tornado that hit the southern part of that state overnight on Friday. At least 19 people were killed. As John McGarry of member station WEKU reports, 17 of the dead were in the city of London.

[Mamie Cottle]

Mamie Cottle says it was a close call for her and her young grandson. She lives in an area where many homes were destroyed by the severe weather. She says her daughter called to say it's at the nearby London Corbin Airport and to get in the closet.

[John McGarry]

The house started shaking and then the next thing I heard was like rumbling. Next thing was just like glass breaking everywhere and wood breaking and we couldn't hardly open the closet door to get out.

[Mamie Cottle]

Caudle says she and her grandson were uninjured, but she doesn't know whether her home of 10 years can be saved. Governor Andy Beshear says efforts are underway to secure emergency housing. For NPR news, I'm John McGarry in London.

[Dale Willman]

Kentucky police say the 25 year old man they believe is responsible for Saturday's bombing at a California fertility clinic left behind anti pro life writings. The FBI identified the suspect as Guy Edward Bartkus, and they believe he was killed in the explosion. They're now trying to identify the motive for the bombing. Wall street is bracing for a bumpy start to the week after the credit ratings agency Moody's downgraded the U.S. and as NPR's Maria Aspen reports, Dow futures are now trading down.

[Maria Aspen]

Moody says that the United States government is taking on too much debt and facing rising interest costs. The ratings agency blames both past and current US Administrations and Congress for not doing enough to reverse this trend. And it's not optimistic that any of lawmakers current budget proposals will help. Moody's was the last of the three major ratings agencies to downgrade the United States. Its warning comes at a time when Wall street and much of the country are already worried about the United States standing in the global economy. President Trump's sweeping tariffs have sent jitters through the markets, driven up prices for consumers and raised concerns about increased risk of a recession. Maria Aspen, NPR News, New York.

[Dale Willman]

And you're listening to NPR News. Romanians have chosen the mayor of Bucharest to be their new president. Terry Schultz reports it was a tough race which had to be run twice because of allegations of Russian interference.

[Terry Schultz]

A centrist former mathematics professor has beat out a far right supporter of President Donald Trump in the race to become Romania's president. Nikosar Dan won the second round Sunday over his opponent, Georges Simeone, who said he would cut off Romanian aid to Ukraine if elected and move the country further from the European Union. The first attempt to elect a new president last November was thrown out after an investigation showed the surprise winner, Colin Georgescu, had been promoted by Russia, linked online accounts and bots. Simeon, who won the first round earlier this month, suggested he may contest the results. For NPR News, I'm Terry Schultz.

[Dale Willman]

Israel says it will allow a limited amount of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Israel has enforced a total blockade on the enclave for more than two months, and health experts have been warning for weeks of a humanitarian crisis in the region. Gaza holds more than 2 million people and access to food and medical supplies has been severely restricted by Israel. Officials have not yet said when aid will begin or how much will be offered. Scott E. Scheffler won his third major title this weekend. Golf's number one player was mistake free on the back nine and finished the PGA Championship in North Carolina with a five stroke lead. He won the Wanamaker Trophy and and is now halfway to a career Grand Slam. Bryson DeChambeau, meanwhile, was one of three players who were tied for second place. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.

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