NPR News: 05-22-2026 12PM EDT

Summary

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NPR News Now: 05-22-2026 12PM EDT

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Broadcast Date: May 22, 2026

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Episode Overview

This concise news update covers major global and U.S. headlines, including the rapidly escalating Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, progress and concerns in U.S.-Iran peace talks, the ongoing issue of DACA detentions, Stephen Colbert’s final Late Show episode, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Atlantic hurricane season forecast. The reporting delivers urgent updates along with expert commentary and memorable moments.

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Key Stories and Highlights

1. Ebola Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo

[00:31 – 01:35]

• The latest Ebola outbreak, declared just a week ago, is quickly becoming one of the largest on record with over 800 suspected and confirmed cases and at least 177 deaths.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) considers the risk outside the region low but “high” in Central Africa.
• Efforts to contain the outbreak hinge on basic health strategies like contact tracing, as there are no approved vaccines or treatments for this virus species.
• Over 1,400 contacts are being tracked for signs of illness.

Memorable Quote:

“There are no approved vaccines or treatments for this particular species of Ebola, so basic public health measures like contact tracing are key.”
— Jonathan Lambert, NPR [01:16]

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2. Developments in U.S.-Iran Peace Talks

[01:35 – 02:15]

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio reports "slight progress" in peace talks with Iran amidst the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war in Iran, now entering its third month.
• Rubio emphasizes the significance of the Strait of Hormuz, expressing concern about its potential closure by Iran, which could escalate global tensions and disrupt shipping.

Notable Exchange:

“We have to start thinking about what do we do if a few weeks from now Iran decides we don’t care, we’re going to keep the straits closed, we’re going to sink any ship that doesn’t listen to us or doesn’t pay us, then someone’s going to have to do something about it, okay? They’re not just going to voluntarily reopen the straits in that scenario. So we have to start thinking about it.”
— Marco Rubio, Secretary of State [01:56]

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3. DACA Recipient Detention in Arizona

[02:15 – 03:21]

• Lawyers for Carla Toledo, a DACA recipient detained by ICE in Arizona, say she may be released on a $1,500 bond.
• Her case is indicative of a broader trend: ICE detained 261 DACA recipients in the first nine months of the Trump administration, and arrests continue.
• DACA provides protections for immigrants who arrived as children, but DHS is reportedly encouraging some recipients to self-deport.

Key Quotes:

“She’s had DACA for over a decade, so the targeting of Ms. Toledo and other DACA recipients is abhorrent.”
— Mo Goldman, Toledo’s lawyer [03:03]

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4. Stephen Colbert’s Final Late Show Episode

[03:21 – 04:40]

• Stephen Colbert said goodbye after nearly 11 years hosting The Late Show, which CBS cancelled for financial reasons.
• The farewell included appearances from Jon Stewart, John Oliver, Seth Meyers, Jimmy Fallon, and Jimmy Kimmel, and a musical send-off with Paul McCartney.
• The show ended with a striking visual of the Ed Sullivan Theater, and the program itself, being “sucked into a giant intergalactic wormhole.”

Memorable Moments:

“Where will Americans turn to see a middle aged white man make jokes about the news?”
— John Oliver (as part of the group guest farewell) [04:01]

“And in the end, Colbert and McCartney switched off the lights of the Ed Sullivan Theater, where the Beatles debuted in America in 1964 and where the Late Show franchise broadcast for nearly 33 years.”
— Mandalit del Barco, NPR [04:16]

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5. 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast

[04:40 – 05:10]

• NOAA predicts a below-average Atlantic hurricane season: 8 to 14 named storms expected.
• This outlook is due largely to a strong El Niño system currently positioned off South America, suppressing tropical storm formation.

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Ebola outbreak update: [00:31 – 01:35]
• Iran peace talks & Strait of Hormuz: [01:35 – 02:15]
• DACA detention case in Arizona: [02:15 – 03:21]
• Colbert’s Late Show farewell: [03:21 – 04:40]
• Hurricane season forecast: [04:40 – 05:10]

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Overall Tone

Fast-paced, urgent, and informative, blending breaking hard news with cultural commentary and a touch of pop culture nostalgia. The episode provides serious reporting on global crises and policy debates, leavened by lighter, culturally significant moments.

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Transcript

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[Jeanine Herbst]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is spreading rapidly according to the World health organization. As NPR's Jonathan Lambert reports, there are now more than 800 suspected and confirmed cases and at least 177 deaths.

[Jonathan Lambert]

Despite being declared only one week ago, this Ebola outbreak has already become the third largest on record. The WHO says the risk outside of the region is low but high. In Central Africa, there is some good news. On Friday, WHO officials said that there have been no new cases reported in neighboring Uganda after the two that popped up last weekend. As the virus spreads in northeastern DRC response teams are scrambling to contain the outbreak. There are no approved vaccines or treatments for this particular species of Ebola, so basic public health measures like contact tracing are key. Depending on who, officials say that over 1400 contacts of suspected cases have been notified and are being tracked for any signs of illness. Jonathan Lambert, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Secretary of State Marco Rubio says there's, quote, slight progress in peace talks with Iran. This amid uncertainty over whether the U. S. Israeli war in Iran that's now in its third month will continue. And he says serious talks are underway. Speaking ahead of a NATO foreign ministers meeting in Sweden, he says the Strait of Hormuz, though, is is a main

[Marco Rubio]

issue we have to start thinking about what do we do if a few weeks from now Iran decides we don't care, we're going to keep the straits closed, we're going to sink any ship that doesn't listen to us or doesn't pay us, then someone's going to have to do something about it, okay? They're not just going to voluntarily reopen the straits in that scenario. So we have to start thinking about it.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Speaking ahead of that meeting, that NATO meeting where the strait is expected to be a main topic, lawyers for a DACA recipient being held in federal immigration detention in Arizona say she could be released today on a $1,500 bond from Arizona Public Media in Tucson, Angela Gervaise reports that her case is one of a growing number of DACA detentions.

[Angela Gervaise]

ICE arrested 261 DACA recipients in the first nine months of the Trump administration, according to the Department of Homeland Security. And the practice hasn't stopped. Federal agents detained carla Toledo, a 31 year old Tucson resident, on May 18th. Toledo's family say she's a DACA recipient who's lived in the US since she was a year old. Her lawyer, Mo Goldman, addressed reporters after her arrest.

[Marco Rubio]

She's had DACA for over a decade, so the targeting of Ms. Toledo and other DACA recipients is abhorrent.

[Angela Gervaise]

DACA provides certain legal protections for immigrants who arrived in the US as children. But in addition to making arrest, DHS has encouraged recipients to self deport and Angela Gervasi, NPR News, Tucson.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Wall Street's trading higher at this hour. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Last night, comedian Stephen Colbert ended the late night show he's hosted for nearly 11 years. NPR's Mandalit del Barco reports on how he said farewell to the highly rated program that CBS canceled, claiming financial reasons.

[Mandalit Del Barco]

For his finale, Stephen Colbert was joined by his mentor Jon Stewart, host of the Daily show, and by his TV friends John Oliver, Seth Meyers and the Jimmies, Fallon and Kimmel.

[ZipRecruiter Announcer]

We came to say we're gonna miss you. Late night is not gonna be the same without you.

[Marco Rubio]

Yeah, without you. Where will Americans turn to see a middle aged white man make jokes about the news?

[Mandalit Del Barco]

Colbert also sang with his surprise guest, former Beatle Paul McCartney.

[Marco Rubio]

You say goodbye, I say.

[Mandalit Del Barco]

And in the end, Colbert and McCartney switched off the lights of the Ed Sullivan Theater, where the Beatles debuted in America in 1964 and where the Late show franchise broadcast for nearly 33 years. Finally, through visual effects, Colbert's show and the entire theater were sucked into a giant intergalactic wormhole. Mandalit Del Barco, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Federal weather officials say they expect the Atlantic hurricane season to be below average in terms of the number of storms. The national oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says they expect eight to 14 named storms this season, which starts on June 1. This thanks to a strong El Nino system just off South America that will interfere with tropical storm formation. I'm Jeanine Hirst and you're listening to NPR News from Washington.

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