NPR News: 05-21-2025 12AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: May 21, 2025 – Detailed Summary

Hosted by Shea Stevens, this episode of NPR News Now covers significant national and international events, ranging from political maneuvers in Washington to devastating natural disasters and notable cultural losses.

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President Trump Urges Support for Multi-Billion Dollar Spending Plan

Timestamp: [00:18]

President Donald Trump is actively seeking to garner support from Republican holdouts for a substantial multi-billion dollar spending bill that narrowly advanced out of committee. The proposed plan aligns closely with Trump's broader agenda, prominently featuring substantial tax cuts. In an effort to bolster his case on Capitol Hill, Trump addressed supporters directly:

“...He didn't approve this up because when Joe Biden was with it, he would never have approved it. You take a look, he would have never approved open borders.”
— Donald Trump at [00:46]

This statement references the use of an auto pen, a tool for expediting legislative processes, which Trump controversially claimed his predecessor would not have approved. However, fact-checking reveals that the use of an auto pen by presidents, including previous administrations, has been a longstanding practice not restricted by law.

Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration's Deportation Plans

Timestamp: [01:03]

A significant legal setback for the Trump administration emerged as U.S. District Court Judge Brian Murphy of Massachusetts ruled against the administration's strategy to deport migrants to South Sudan. The judge emphasized the necessity for deported individuals to have the opportunity to present their cases before a judicial authority, ensuring proceedings are conducted in their native languages. This decision upholds the rights of migrants and challenges the administration's expedited deportation measures.

European Union Implements Sanctions on Russia's Shadow Fleet

Timestamp: [01:41]

In a concerted effort to undermine Russia's oil export capabilities, the European Union has introduced new sanctions targeting approximately 200 Russian oil tankers known as the "shadow fleet." NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports that these sanctions include asset freezes and visa bans on numerous Russian officials. Simultaneously, the British government has announced additional sanctions aimed at entities supporting Russia's military efforts, energy exports, and information warfare strategies.

“Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has assembled a bipartisan veto-proof package of 500% tariffs on products from countries that continue to buy Russian gas and oil.”
— Eleanor Beardsley at [01:41]

Despite these international measures, the Trump administration has shown little inclination to impose its own penalties on Russia. Senator Lindsey Graham's proposed tariffs represent a significant legislative push to further restrict Russia's economic activities.

Devastating EF4 Tornado Strikes Southern Kentucky

Timestamp: [02:14]

Southern Kentucky was struck by a powerful EF4 tornado last weekend, resulting in the tragic loss of 19 lives. Karen Zarr from WUKY provides on-the-ground insights from London, Kentucky, highlighting the severe impact on the community:

“The emergency operations center remains activated in Kentucky, where severe weather warnings have been issued off and on since last Friday.”
— Karen Zarr at [02:33]

Eric Gibson, the director of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), noted the unusually high number of operational days in 2025 and the steep rise in fatalities:

“This adds up to the 60th fatality that we've documented in these storms, and that's an incredible number for this early in the year.”
— Eleanor Beardsley at [02:53]

Over 900 residents displaced by the storms are currently utilizing state shelter resources, with ongoing recovery efforts in place.

Orleans Parish Jail Escape in Louisiana

Timestamp: [03:14]

In a troubling incident in Louisiana, authorities arrested a maintenance worker in connection with the escape of ten inmates from an Orleans Parish jail. The situation escalated when three-year-old Sterling Williams reported that an inmate threatened to stab him unless he facilitated the escapees' departure. To date, five of the escaped individuals remain at large, intensifying concerns over local jail security protocols.

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner Secures Third Term

Timestamp: [03:14]

Philadelphia's District Attorney, Larry Krasner, has triumphed in a Democratic primary, securing his third term in office. Krasner overcame a challenge from Pat Dugan, a civil rights attorney and army veteran. This victory effectively ensures his continued tenure, as no Republican candidates contested the race. Krasner's administration has recently weathered an impeachment attempt by the state House and faced criticism from President Trump, underscoring the contentious political landscape he navigates.

Passing of Beloved Actor George Wendt

Timestamp: [03:14]

NPR mourns the loss of George Wendt, best known for his iconic role as Norm Peterson on the beloved TV series Cheers. Celebrated for his memorable entrance and witty one-liners at the Boston Bar, Wendt became a household name over the show's 11-year run, appearing in all 275 episodes and earning six Emmy Award nominations.

“George Wendt played Norm Peterson, a regular at the Boston Bar where everyone knows your name. They certainly knew his name.”
— Steve Futterman at [04:07]

Beyond Cheers, Wendt also gained acclaim through his recurring performances on Saturday Night Live, where he portrayed fervent Chicago Bears fans. His career, rooted in his Chicago beginnings and honed at the Second City Comedy Club, left an indelible mark on American television and comedy.

“Wendt got his start in his hometown of Chicago as part of the Second City Comedy Club.”
— Steve Futterman at [04:44]

George Wendt passed away at the age of 76, leaving behind a legacy cherished by fans and peers alike.

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Note: This summary excludes all advertisements, introductory remarks, and concluding sections to focus solely on the substantive news content presented in the episode.

Transcript

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[Shea Stevens]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. President Trump is trying to persuade holdout Republicans to sign onto a multi billion dollar spending plan that that barely made it out of committee. Trump traveled to Capitol Hill Tuesday to make his case for passing a proposal that encompasses his agenda, which includes massive tax cuts. Before the meeting, the president repeated a misleading claim about use of an auto pen by his predecessor.

[Donald Trump]

And then after about two weeks, they said, wait a minute, this is a gift. He'll do anything. We're going to use the auto pen. And they used the auto pen and everything. He didn't approve this up because when Joe Biden was with it, he would never have approved it. You take a look, he would have never approved open borders.

[Shea Stevens]

The law does not govern the president's use of auto pen, which has been used by other presidents for decades. A federal judge in Massachusetts is blocking Trump administration plans to send deported migrants to South Sudan. US District Court Judge Brian Murphy says those migrants must first be given a chance to argue their case before a judge and in their native language. The European Union has adopted a new round of sanctions targeting Russia's shadow fleet of oil tankers. As NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports, the sanctions are meant to curb Moscow's ability to export oil on some 200 tankers that are now blacklisted.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

The EU sanctions also include asset freezes and visa bans on dozens more Russian officials. And in a same day coordinated effort, the British government unveiled new sanctions targeted at entities supporting Russia's military machine energy exports and information war. So far, the Trump administration shows no inclination to punish Russia, but Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has assembled a bipartisan veto proof package of 500% tariffs on products from countries that continue to buy Russian gas and oil. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Paris.

[Shea Stevens]

The National Weather Service has confirmed that it was an EF4 tornado that touched down in Southern Kentucky last weekend, killing 19 people. WUKY's Karen Zarr reports from London, Kentucky, where 17 of the victims lived and where recovery efforts are still underway.

[Karen Zarr]

The emergency operations center remains activated in Kentucky, where severe weather warnings have been issued off and on since last Friday. Eric Gibson, director of the EOC, says they have operated 58 days so far in 2025 and the number of deaths has been steep.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

This adds up to the 60th fatality that we've documented in these storms, and that's an incredible number for this early in the year.

[Karen Zarr]

Gibson says currently more than 900 Kentuckians who've been displaced by storms this year are utilizing the state shelter resources. For NPR News, I'm Karen Zarr in London, Kentucky.

[Shea Stevens]

This is npr. In Louisiana, a maintenance worker has been arrested in connection with the escape of 10 inmates from an Orleans Parish jail. Three year old Sterling Williams has told authorities an inmate threatened to stab him if he did not help the escapees, five of whom remain on the loose. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner has won a Democratic primary for a third term in office. Krasner defeated a challenge from civil rights attorney and army veteran Pat Dugan. The victory all but guarantees another term since no Republicans entered the race. Krasner has survived an impeachment effort by the state House and criticism from President Trump. Actor George Wendt, who starred in the hugely popular TV series Cheers, has died at the age of 76. Steve Futterman looks back at his career.

[Steve Futterman]

George Wendt played Norm Peterson, a regular at the Boston Bar where everyone knows your name. They certainly knew his name. His entrance and quick one liners became a mainstay.

[Shea Stevens]

Morning, everybody.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

Hey, Mr. Peterson, what's up?

[Steve Futterman]

The warranty on my liver Wundt received six Emmy Award nominations for the role, appearing in all 275 episodes of the show during its 11 year run. He also earned acclaim as part of a recurring sketch on Saturday Night Live, being part of a group of devoted Chicago Bears fans, the Bears.

[Shea Stevens]

The Bears.

[Steve Futterman]

Wendt got his start in his hometown of Chicago as part of the Second City Comedy Club. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Los Angeles.

[Shea Stevens]

This is NPR News.

[Amazon Business]

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