NPR News: 05-19-2025 9AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: May 19, 2025, 9AM EDT

Host: Korva Coleman

---

1. Presidential Diplomacy: Trump’s Upcoming Call with Putin

At the outset of today's episode, Korva Coleman reports on an anticipated significant diplomatic interaction: President Donald Trump is scheduled to hold a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin within the next hour. Trump expressed optimism about ending Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, highlighting his continued efforts towards peace.

Charles Maynes adds context to this development, noting that these discussions follow recent peace talks in Istanbul, Turkey, marking the first direct negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian leaders since the conflict began. The talks achieved an agreement for a mass prisoner swap but did not meet Western demands for an immediate 30-day ceasefire. Instead, Russia has maintained military pressure, including launching mass drone attacks over the past weekend.

Notable Quote:

“I’m still hoping to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.” — President Donald Trump (00:17)

---

2. Devastating Storms Hit Central United States

The central United States faced severe weather over the weekend, resulting in significant loss of life and property. Korva Coleman highlights that powerful storms have claimed at least 28 lives, with Kentucky bearing the brunt of the tragedy, suffering at least 19 fatalities.

Stan Ingold from WEKU reports that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is set to assess the damage in Kentucky today. Governor Andy Beshear acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating:

Notable Quote:

“It’s one of the worst in terms of the loss of human life. It’s one of the worst in terms of damage, and it’s tough.” — Governor Andy Beshear (01:23)

This is Kentucky's third major natural disaster this year, following heavy flooding in February and April. Additionally, Missouri experienced destructive tornadoes, with significant damage reported near St. Louis, including thousands of buildings affected and estimated damages reaching $1 billion. Tornado warnings also emerged in Kansas, where extensive structural damage has been reported.

---

3. Coinbase Joins the S&P 500: A Milestone for Cryptocurrency

In a landmark event for the cryptocurrency industry, Coinbase is set to be the first crypto exchange to join the S&P 500 index. Korva Coleman introduces this major financial development, with Rafael Nam providing further insights.

Faryar Shirzad, Coinbase’s Chief Policy Officer, describes the inclusion as historic:

Notable Quote:

“I think it’s a historic moment for the industry and it’s a really special moment for Coinbase.” — Faryar Shirzad (02:42)

Shirzad contrasts Coinbase's success with the downfall of FTX two years prior, emphasizing the positive regulatory changes under President Trump's administration, which has adopted a friendlier stance towards crypto. However, he raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest, noting that President Trump has a financial stake in the crypto sector. Consumer advocates remain wary, citing the industry's nascent stage and susceptibility to fraud.

---

4. Political Tensions: Republicans Advance Budget Amidst Opposition

Republicans have moved to advance a multi-trillion-dollar budget package out of committee and towards a full House vote. Korva Coleman outlines the political clash, with Democrats strongly opposing the package. Democrats argue that the budget proposal will significantly reduce essential social services while simultaneously providing tax cuts to wealthy individuals, sparking intense debate over fiscal priorities and economic equity.

---

5. President Biden’s Health Update: Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

In a significant health update, Korva Coleman reports that former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. According to his office, the cancer has metastasized to the bone. However, it appears to be hormone-sensitive, offering effective management options. Biden's diagnosis came after he experienced pertinent symptoms, and he is expected to undergo treatment that addresses this stage of the disease.

---

6. Real Estate Commission Reforms: New Rules for Agent Payments

With the spring housing market in full swing, Korva Coleman discusses the recent changes in how real estate agents are compensated. Laurel Wamsley explains that following a settlement with the National Association of Realtors, agents must now inform prospective clients that commission rates are negotiable.

Jim Shau, a homebuyer from Georgia, shares his experience:

Notable Quote:

“When you try to negotiate, you basically just told, nope, that’s, that’s our rate.” — Jim Shau (04:20)

Despite the new regulations, commissions for buyer's agents have remained relatively stable. Shau was able to negotiate a flat fee with his agent, allowing him to save $14,000 for closing costs. Laurel Wamsley emphasizes that consumers should feel empowered to explore payment options beyond traditional commission structures to maximize their financial benefits when purchasing a home.

---

Conclusion

Today's episode of NPR News Now provided a comprehensive overview of pressing national and international issues, from high-stakes diplomacy and devastating natural disasters to significant financial milestones and political developments. The updates on President Biden's health and the evolving landscape of real estate commissions highlighted the episode's diverse range of topics, offering listeners valuable insights into current events shaping the nation and the world.

---

This summary has been crafted to encapsulate the key discussions and insights presented during the May 19, 2025, episode of NPR News Now.

Transcript

[NPR Sponsor]

This message comes from Hometap. With a home equity investment from Hometap, you get access to your home equity in cash without monthly payments. Use it to pay off debt, pad your emergency fund and more. See if you pre qualify [e-mail] live from NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. President Trump is expected to hold a phone call next hour with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump says he's still hoping to end Russia's war in Ukraine. NPR's Charles Mainz reports. Trump will also speak with leaders from Ukraine and NATO.

[Charles Maynes]

Calls come in the wake of peace talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul, Turkey, on Friday, their first direct negotiations since the early days of the war that led to an agreement for a mass prisoner swap but fell short of Western demands. Russia join Ukraine in signing on to an immediate 30 day ceasefire. Instead, Russia has kept up the military pressure, launching mass drone attacks over the weekend. Charles Maynes, NPR News, Moscow.

[Korva Coleman]

Powerful storms that raked the central US over the weekend have killed at least 28 people and at least 19 victims are in Kentucky. From member station WEKU, Stan Ingold reports. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is expected to start assessing Kentucky damage today.

[Stan Ingold]

Over the weekend, Governor Andy Beshear said he had put in a request for a federal disaster declaration, a process that he noted that's become familiar.

[Andy Beshear]

I've now been governor for at least 14 federally declared disasters, 13 of them weather, and this is one of the worst. It's one of the worst in terms of the loss of human life. It's one of the worst in terms of damage, and it's tough.

[Stan Ingold]

This is the third major natural disaster to hit Kentucky this year, with two rounds of heavy flooding happening in April and in February. For NPR News, I'm Stan Engold in Richmond, Kentucky.

[Korva Coleman]

The storms also killed several people in Missouri On Friday, A tornado left 8 miles of damage outside St. Louis. Officials say thousands of buildings were damaged, causing at least 1 billion doll in damage. Last night, tornado warnings were issued in Kansas, where there are now reports of extensive damage to several buildings in the western part of the state. The cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase is set to join the S&P 500 when trading opens later this hour. NPR's Rafael Nam reports. It's the first crypto company to become part of this major stock index.

[Faryar Shirzad]

Just over two years ago, crypto exchange FTX collapse. Today, a different exchange, Coinbase, is set to join the ranks of 500 of the biggest public companies in the U.S. here's Faryar Shirzad, Coinbase chief policy officer.

I think it's a historic moment for the industry and it's a really special moment for Coinbase.

And that's in part because things have changed under President Trump. His administration is taking a far friendlier approach to the crypto industry. He Trump himself has a financial stake in the crypto sector, raising major concerns about conflicts of interest. All of this is alarming consumer advocates who warn this is a nascent industry rife with potential for fraud and shady characters.

[Korva Coleman]

NPR's Rafael Nam. This is NPR. Republicans have voted to advance a multi trillion dollar budget package out of committee and to the full House for a vote to Democrats vehemently oppose it. They say the package will deeply cut social services Americans need and instead fund tax cuts for wealthy people. Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. According to his office, the cancer has spread to the bone. Biden's office says he was checked after developing symptoms, and it says the cancer appears to be hormone sensitive. This means there are options for effective disease management. Many consumers look to purchase homes during the spring and this season. There are new rules around how agents are paid. It follows a settlement last year with the national association of Realtors and appears Laurel Walmsley has more on flat fee payments.

[Laurel Wamsley]

For a long time, buying and selling a home was pretty straightforward. The seller paid a commission to both the buyer's and seller's agent totaling 5 to 6% of the sales price. For Jim Shau, a home buyer in Georgia, it was just too much money going to the realtors.

[Jim Shau]

When you try to negotiate, you basically just told, nope, that's, that's our rate.

[Laurel Wamsley]

But following the Realtor's settlement, agents must now tell their prospective clients that the rates are fully negotiable. So Xiao found an agent who agreed to a flat fee to help him buy a new home, and he got $14,000 back to put toward the closing. Despite the new rules, commissions for buyer's agents overall have barely budged. Hsiao says consumers just need the confidence to ask for options beyond the status quo. Laurel Wamsley, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

And I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News from Washington.

[Carvana Sponsor]

This message comes from Carvana. Carvana makes financing your next car easy. Buy 100% online with customizable terms good for 30 days. Buy your car the convenient way with Carvana terms may apply.