NPR News: 05-22-2025 3AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Episode Summary – May 22, 2025

Release Date: May 22, 2025

---

Violence at Israeli Embassy Event in Washington, D.C.

At the onset of the episode (00:15), Shea Stevens reports a tragic incident where two Israeli Embassy employees were shot and killed outside a museum during an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee in Washington, D.C. The suspect, identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Illinois, has been apprehended.

D.C. Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith provided insights into the incident (00:37):

“We believe the shooting was committed by a single suspect who is now in custody. Prior to the shooting, the suspect was observed pacing back and forth outside of the museum. He approached a group of four people, produced a handgun and opened fire, striking both of our decedents.”

Israeli Ambassador Yakiel Leider added a personal dimension to the tragedy, noting that the victims were a couple on the verge of engagement. He extended his condolences via his social media platform.

President Trump addressed the nation, emphasizing the administration's stance against hatred and radicalism:

“Hatred and radicalism have no place in the U.S.”

---

President Trump Accepts Qatari-Governed Boeing 747 for Air Force Use

In a significant development (00:55), President Trump announced that his administration has accepted a Boeing 747 luxury jetliner from the Qatari government, valued at several hundred million dollars. This aircraft is slated for conversion into a new Air Force One.

NPR’s Kat Lonsdorf delved deeper into the matter (01:25):

“The Department of Defense had instructed the Air Force to, quote, award a contract to modify a Boeing 747 aircraft for an executive airlift, saying further details classified.”

While President Trump suggested a swift transformation of the plane into Air Force One, experts have expressed concerns:

“It will likely require significant upgrades to meet the high security and communications requirements, work that could take several years and cost anywhere from several hundred million to a billion dollars.”

---

Passing of Congressman Jerry Connolly

The U.S. House of Representatives took a moment of silence (01:58) to honor Congressman Jerry Connolly, a Virginian Democrat who succumbed to esophageal cancer at the age of 75. His death occurred just weeks after he revealed the recurrence of his illness.

---

Justice Department Withdraws from Police Oversight Agreements

Significant shifts in federal oversight of local police departments were highlighted (01:58). The Trump administration's Justice Department has decided to retract proposed oversight agreements with the police departments of Louisville, Kentucky, and Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Minnesota Public Radio's Matt Sepik provided context on the Minneapolis situation (02:30):

“A federal investigation after the 2020 murder of George Floyd, who was Black, by a white officer, found widespread racial discrimination in the finalized the consent decree in January, just before President Biden left office.”

However, the Trump administration contends that:

“They wrongly equates statistical disparities with intentional discrimination.”

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Fry responded firmly:

“People should expect us to do this work. People have been demanding for years that we do this work and we're not going to let them down.” (02:55)

Similarly, in Louisville, after the controversial killing of Breonna Taylor, Mayor Craig Greenberg defended the city's decision to disengage from federal oversight:

“We see the writing on the wall and it's time to move forward,” said Mayor Greenberg (03:57).

Amina Elahi from Louisville Public Media added:

“It's time to focus on reforms, not the process, and said he's designed a plan to improve the Louisville Metro Police Department without federal oversight.” (04:01)

---

Archdiocese of New Orleans Settles Clergy Sex Abuse Claims

In an important legal resolution (04:13), the Archdiocese of New Orleans has agreed to a settlement of nearly $180 million to address clergy sex abuse allegations. This settlement is contingent upon the diocese exiting bankruptcy and receiving approval from survivors, creditors, and the bankruptcy court. The lawsuit originated in 2020, with claims of abuse by a priest during the claimant's 8th grade.

---

Tsunami Alerts Issued After Crete Earthquake

A magnitude 6 earthquake struck off the coast of Crete today, prompting tsunami alerts across the region (04:13). The tremors were felt in neighboring countries, including Albania, Bulgaria, and Turkey. Thankfully, there have been no reports of injuries or significant damage thus far.

---

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on critical events ranging from international incidents and significant political developments to local governance changes and natural disasters. Through timely reporting and firsthand accounts, listeners are kept well-informed on matters of national and global importance.

---

Timestamp Key:

• 00:15 – Shooting at Israeli Embassy Event
• 01:25 – Air Force One Update
• 01:58 – Congressman Connolly’s Passing
• 02:30 – Justice Department Withdraws Oversight
• 03:57 – Louisville Police Reform
• 04:13 – Sex Abuse Settlement & Crete Earthquake

Transcript

[Capital One Representative]

This message comes from Capital One. Access comprehensive solutions from a top commercial bank that prioritizes your needs today and goals for tomorrow. Learn [e-mail] Commercial Member FDIC.

[Shea Stevens]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. Two Israeli Embassy employees have been shot and killed outside of a museum where the American Jewish Committee have been holding an event in Washington, D.C. authorities have arrested a suspect identified as 30 year old Elias Rodriguez of Illinois. Here's D.C. metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith.

[Pamela Smith]

We believe the shooting was committed by a single suspect who is now in custody. Prior to the shooting, the suspect was observed pacing back and forth outside of the museum. He approached a group of four people, produced a handgun and opened fire, striking both of our decedents.

[Shea Stevens]

Israeli Ambassador Yakiel Leider says the slain embassy staff members were a couple about to become engaged to marry. And it post on his social media site. President Trump says hatred and radicalism have no place in the U.S. the Trump administration has officially accepted a gift from the Qatari government, a Boeing 747 luxury jetliner worth several hundred million dollars. As NPR's Kat Lonsdorf reports, an Air Force spokesperson says the aircraft will be upgraded for use as Air Force One.

[Kat Lonsdorf]

The spokesperson told NPR that the Department of Defense had instructed the Air Force to, quote, award a contract to modify a Boeing 747 aircraft for an executive airlift, saying further details classified. They spoke on the condition of anonymity as they weren't authorized to speak publicly. Trump has suggested the plane could be converted quickly for use as a new Air Force One. But experts say it will likely require significant upgrades to meet the high security and communications requirements, work that could take several years and cost anywhere from several hundred million to a billion dollars. Cat Lansdorf, NPR News, Washington.

[Shea Stevens]

U.S. house members paused for a moment of silence during their marathon session on a massive tax and spending plan this morning to remember Congressman Jerry Connolly. The virgin Democrat died Wednesday, weeks after announcing that his esophageal cancer had returned. Connally was 75. The Justice Department is backing out of proposed oversight agreements with police departments in Louisville, Kentucky and Minneapolis. As Minnesota Public Radio's Matt Sepik reports, the move comes days ahead of the fifth anniversary of George Floyd's killing.

[Matt Sepik]

A federal investigation after the 2020 murder of George Floyd, who was black, by a white officer, found widespread racial discrimination in the finalized the consent decree in January, just before President Biden left office. But President Trump's Justice Department says it wrongly equates statistical disparities with intentional discrimination. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Fry says the city still plans to abide by the agreement.

[Jacob Fry]

People should expect us to do this work. People have been demanding for years that we do this work and we're not going to let them down.

[Matt Sepik]

The city is already under a similar court ordered settlement agreement with the state of Minnesota. For NPR News, I'm Matt Sepik in Minneapolis.

[Shea Stevens]

This is npr. The Justice Department is also backing out of Biden era police reform decree with the Louisville, Kentucky Police Department signed in the aftermath of Breonna Taylor's shooting death. As Louisville Public Media's Amina Elahi reports, local officials are promising that police reforms there will continue.

[Amina Elahi]

Louisville officials have made policing changes in the five years since police killed Breonna Taylor and an incident that sparked mass racial justice protests here and beyond. And following a scathing Department of Justice report that alleged patterns of wrongdoing by Louisville police, local leaders agreed to work with the feds on reforms. Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg defended the city's decision not to oppose the DOJ's motion to dismiss the consent decree case.

[Jacob Fry]

We see the writing on the wall and it's time to move forward, he said.

[Amina Elahi]

It's time to focus on reforms, not the process, and said he's designed a plan to improve the Louisville Metro Police Department without federal oversight. For NPR News, I'm Amina Elahi in Louisville.

[Shea Stevens]

The Archdiocese of New Orleans has agreed to pay almost $180 million to settle clergy sex abuse claims. The settlement is to be paid out after the diocese emerges from bankruptcy and is subject to approval by survivors, creditors and the bankruptcy court. The agreement stems from a lawsuit filed in 2020 by a man who claims he was sexually abused by a priest when he 8th grade. Tsunami alerts were issued following a magnitude 6 earthquake off the Greek island of Crete today. The quake could be felt in Albania, Bulgaria and in Turkey. There have been no reports of injuries or serious damage. This is NPR News.

[Capital One Representative]

This message comes from Warby Parker. What makes a great pair of glasses at Warby Parker? It's all the invisible extras without the extra cost, like free adjustments for life. Find your [e-mail] or visit one of their hundreds of stores around the country.