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

Release Date: May 19, 2025
Host: Korva Coleman
Podcast: NPR News Now

1. House Budget Committee Advances Multi-Trillion Dollar Spending Package

In a significant development, the House Budget Committee voted late last night to advance a multi-trillion dollar spending package. This move comes after intense negotiations with fiscal conservatives who had previously blocked the bill.

• Key Developments:
  • A small faction of Republican lawmakers initially opposed the package, leading to a weekend of discussions with House leadership.
  • House Speaker Mike Johnson highlighted that one of the negotiation points involved "accelerating work requirements for Medicaid" (00:31).
  • The original holdouts ultimately chose to "vote present" during a redo committee vote late Sunday night, allowing the bill to proceed.
  • Despite this advancement, multiple groups within the conference remain "not yet satisfied", indicating that negotiations are ongoing.
  • Johnson remains optimistic, stating the bill is "still on track to pass by Memorial Day" (00:31).

Barbara Sprunt, reporting from the Capitol, emphasized the delicate balance House leadership is striving to maintain to ensure the bill's passage.

2. Former President Joe Biden Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer

In health-related news, former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

• Details:
  • Biden's office announced that the cancer "has spread to the bone", yet it is "hormone sensitive", offering "options for effective management" (01:09).
  • The diagnosis came after Biden developed symptoms that prompted medical evaluation.

3. Severe Storms and Tornadoes Devastate Central United States

The central U.S. has been hit hard by severe storms and tornadoes over the past few days, resulting in at least 28 fatalities.

• Impact:
  • St. Louis experienced the loss of five lives.
  • Kentucky faced the highest toll with 19 deaths reported.

Karen Zarr from London, Kentucky, provided a poignant account of the devastation:

• Personal Story:
  • Amanda Radford shared her harrowing experience: "They were in the bed. So we did not, did not get to keep them. They were gone." (02:06)
  • The tornado obliterated the home of Richard and Wanda McFall, tossing their SUV into the air and destroying their bedroom.

Despite efforts by Bradford, her children, friends, and volunteers to salvage anything from the wreckage, Amanda Radford confirmed, "it was all gone" (02:14).

4. Louisiana Authorities Hunt for Escaped Prisoners

In a separate incident, Louisiana authorities are intensifying their search for seven prisoners who escaped from a New Orleans jail last Friday.

• Current Status:
  • Three of the escapees have already been recaptured.
  • The Louisiana State Police suspect that the fugitives are receiving assistance from external sources.

Colonel Robert Hodges, Louisiana State Police Superintendent, issued a stern warning:

• Warning Statement:
  • "If you are helping and assisting these fugitives, allowing them to remain uncaptured and not brought to justice, there will be consequences and there may be charges for you," Hodges stated (02:54).

Authorities have increased the reward for capturing each inmate to $20,000 (03:06).

5. International Relations: Trump’s Diplomatic Efforts and UK-EU Summit

President Trump is set to engage in multiple high-level phone calls today aimed at addressing international conflicts and strengthening alliances.

• Scheduled Calls:
  • Vladimir Putin, Russian President
  • Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President

Trump aims to "push toward an end to Russia's war in Ukraine" during these discussions (03:06).

Additionally, the UK and the European Union are convening their first official summit since Brexit, marking five years of evolving relations influenced by the Ukraine war and previous Trump-era policies.

Lauren Frayer from London reports on the summit’s key points:

• Highlights of the Summit:
  • Prime Minister Keir Starmer, a Brexit opponent, describes the meeting as a "reset of British relations with the EU".
  • The summit includes an agreement to "extend European fishing rights in UK waters".
  • It does not cover freedom of mobility, which would allow EU citizens to live and work freely in Britain.
  • Negotiations are underway for a limited youth mobility scheme, enabling British students and young adults to take short-term jobs in Europe and vice versa.
  • Collaboration extends to continental security and defense, with commitments to boost defense spending and bolster aid and weapons shipments to Ukraine (03:56).

6. Austria Triumphs at Eurovision Song Contest

In a lighter vein, Austria emerged victorious in this year's Eurovision Song Contest.

• Details:
  • Austrian contestant JJ secured the top prize, outperforming 25 other competitors.
  • Eurovision, known for catapulting artists like ABBA to international stardom, continues to showcase diverse musical talent across Europe (04:39).

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now encapsulates pivotal political developments in the U.S. legislature, significant health news concerning a former president, devastating weather events affecting the central U.S., law enforcement efforts in Louisiana, and notable international diplomatic activities. Additionally, the cultural highlight of Austria's Eurovision victory provides a glimpse into the vibrant European music scene.

For comprehensive updates and ongoing coverage, listeners are encouraged to stay tuned to NPR.

Note: Timestamps in brackets refer to the position in the podcast transcript where the information was discussed.