NPR News: 05-19-2025 2AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of May 19, 2025 Episode

NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on global and national events in its May 19, 2025 episode. Below is a detailed summary of the key topics discussed, enriched with notable quotes and timestamps for reference.

---

Former President Joe Biden Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer

Timestamps: [00:19] - [00:45]

NPR reported significant news concerning former President Joe Biden's health. Dale Willman announced, "Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with cancer" ([00:19]).

Tamara Keith elaborated on the specifics: "The prostate cancer has metastasized to the former president's bone, which means it is a more advanced stage of the disease. But according to a statement from his office, the cancer appears to be hormone sensitive, which allows for effective management" ([00:25]).

The president and his family are currently reviewing treatment options with his physicians, indicating a proactive approach to managing his health condition.

---

Palm Springs Fertility Clinic Bombing Suspect Identified

Timestamps: [00:45] - [01:52]

Dale Willman introduced a breaking news story about the Palm Springs bombing: "Authorities in California have identified the primary suspect in the bombing of a fertility clinic in Palm Springs on Saturday morning" ([00:45]).

Madison Almond reported that FBI officials are confident the suspect is 25-year-old Edward Bartkiss from Twentynine Palms, located approximately 50 miles northeast of Palm Springs ([01:12]).

Eyewitness Thomas Bickle provided a firsthand account: "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 evacuate" ([01:31]).

As of Sunday morning, Bartkiss had not been allowed back home, and authorities are seeking public assistance to locate him before the explosion.

---

Severe Storms Devastate Midwest States, Kentucky Hardest Hit

Timestamps: [01:52] - [02:53]

Continuing with national news, Dale Willman reported ongoing cleanup efforts in Twentynine Palms following severe storms and tornadoes that struck several Midwestern states on Friday, resulting in over two dozen fatalities ([01:52]). Kentucky bore the brunt, with at least 19 deaths reported.

Karen Zar from WKY highlighted the resilience of the affected communities: "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 was and he is, and he will continue to be all over this community" ([02:15] - [02:28]).

The church has transformed into a central hub for collecting supplies, with Pastor Armstrong noting the overwhelming support: "There were so many people that came up here to help and I didn't call a single one of them" ([02:37]). As a result, a second donation center was established to accommodate the influx of assistance.

---

Israel Reverses Blockade, Allows Basic Food Aid into Gaza

Timestamp: [02:53] - [03:39]

In international news, Dale Willman reported on a pivotal shift in Israel's policies regarding Gaza: "After enforcing a blockade on humanitarian supplies to Gaza for more than two months, Israel has reversed course. The country's cabinet has approved a decision to allow in what it calls a basic amount of food" ([02:53]).

This decision arrives amidst warnings from global food security experts about the imminent threat of famine in Gaza. However, specific details regarding the commencement and logistics of the aid introduction remain undisclosed.

---

Portugal's Snap Legislative Election Results and Political Turmoil

Timestamp: [03:39] - [04:19]

Alison Roberts provided an in-depth analysis of Portugal's recent legislative election. The governing right-of-center coalition secured a victory in a snap election but failed to achieve an outright majority in Parliament ([03:39]).

Roberts explained, "The Democratic alliance increased its seat tally but fell short of a majority, even if it teams up with the smaller liberal initiative. So still, its leader, Luis Montenegro, told supporters he's ready to get back to work if Portugal's president asks him to form a new government" ([03:39]).

The opposition Socialist Party is experiencing internal turmoil, with its leader resigning after the party ended up tied with the far-right Chega Party. Chega, an anti-immigration faction that also campaigned on corruption issues, is poised to become the largest opposition bloc. Roberts noted, "Its leader, Andre Ventura, has already declared this election as marking the end of two-party dominance" ([03:39]).

---

Sports Update: Florida Panthers Advance and Oklahoma Thunder in NBA Finals

Timestamp: [04:19] - [04:58]

In the realm of sports, Dale Willman delivered exciting updates:

• The Florida Panthers triumphed over the Toronto Maple Leafs with Sergei Bobrovsky making 19 saves and Florida scoring three times in the second period ([04:19]). This victory propels the Panthers to the Eastern Conference final, where they will face the Carolina Hurricanes, with game one scheduled for Tuesday night in Raleigh, North Carolina.

• The Oklahoma Thunder advanced to the NBA Western Conference finals after a convincing 125-93 win over the Denver Nuggets in Game 7 on Sunday ([04:19]). As the top-seeded Thunder heads to host the Minnesota Timberwolves, the first game is set for Tuesday. This marks Oklahoma City's first appearance in the conference finals since 2016.

---

NPR News Now continues to provide timely and in-depth coverage of pressing issues and events worldwide, ensuring listeners are well-informed on the latest developments.

Transcript

[Sponsor Announcement]

This message comes from NPR sponsor Rosetta Stone, an expert in language learning for 30 years. Right now, NPR listeners can get Rosetta Stone's lifetime membership to 25 different languages for 50% off. Learn more at Rosetta Stone.com NPR.

[Dale Willman]

LIVE from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with cancer.

[Tamara Keith]

The prostate cancer has metastasized to the former president's bone, which means it is a more ag 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 with his physicians.

[Dale Willman]

That's NPR's Tamara Keith with that report. The diagnosis came on Friday after Biden had reported urinary tract problems to his doctors. Authorities in California have identified the primary suspect in the bombing of a fertility clinic in in Palm Springs on Saturday 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 our report.

[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 Bartkiss 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 evacuate.

[Madison Almond]

Bickle 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 and.

[Dale Willman]

Twentynine Palms cleanup is continuing in several Midwestern states this weekend. More severe storms and tornadoes Friday left more than two dozen people dead. Kentucky was hardest hit with at least 19 people killed there. Karen Zar with member station WKY reports.

[Karen Zar]

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.

[Jesse Armstrong]

Was and he is, and he will continue to be all over this community.

[Karen Zar]

The church has become a hub to collect supplies for storm survivors.

[Jesse Armstrong]

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

[Karen Zar]

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 Zahar in London.

[Dale Willman]

After enforcing a blockade on humanitarian supplies to Gaza for more than two months. Israel has reversed course. That country's cabinet has approved a decision to allow in what it calls a basic amount of food. The move comes days after global experts on food security warned of famine in Gaza. However, no details have been released on when the aid will begin or how. This is NPR News. In Portugal, the governing Right of Center coalition has won a snap legislative election, but it's again fallen short of a majority in Parliament. But the opposition Socialist Party is in turmoil, with its leader announcing his resignation after it ended up neck and neck with the far right Chega Party. Alison Roberts has more details from Lisbon.

[Alison Roberts]

The Democratic alliance increased its seat tally but fell short of a majority, even if it teams up with the smaller liberal initiative. So still, its leader, Luis Montenegro, told supporters he's ready to get back to work if Portugal's president asks him to form a new government. It's unclear who will lead the opposition as the historic Socialist Party was left with the same number of seats as Chege, an anti immigration party that also campaigned on the issue of corruption. Chega looks set to pick up another two seats from votes cast abroad, and it is likely it will form the largest opposition bloc. Its leader, Andre Ventura, has already declared this election as marking the end of two party dominance. For NPR News, I'm Alison Roberts in Lisbon.

[Dale Willman]

Sergei Bobrovsky made 19 saves and Florida scored three times in the second period as the Panthers routed the Toronto Maple Leafs 61 Sunday night. The Panthers now advance to the Eastern Conference final where they'll play the Carolina Hurricanes. Game one will be Tuesday night in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Oklahoma Thunder is moving into the NBA Western Conference finals. They had a convincing 12593 win over the Denver Nuggets in Game 7 on Sunday. The top seeded Thunder will now host the Minnesota Timberwolves. The first game will be on Tuesday. It's Oklahoma City's first trip to the conference finals since 2016. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.

[Sponsor Announcement]

This message comes from Viking, committed to exploring the world in comfort. Journey through the heart of Europe on an elegant Viking longship with thoughtful service, destination focused dining and cultural enrichment on board and on shore. And every Viking voyage is all inclusive with no choice children and no casinos. Discover [e-mail].