Summary4 min read

NPR News Now – 05-22-2026 1PM EDT

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Date: May 22, 2026
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This brisk NPR News Now segment presents the top U.S. and international news for May 22, 2026. Major developments include the swearing-in of a new Federal Reserve Chair, the ongoing U.S.–Iran standoff and diplomatic efforts, California’s regulatory push against artificial stone linked to silicosis, a community's continued resilience in Joplin, Missouri post-tornado, and the latest SpaceX launch attempt.

Key News Developments

1. Kevin Warsh Sworn in as New Federal Reserve Chair

[00:01 – 01:13]

Event: President Donald Trump swears in Kevin Warsh, age 56, as Federal Reserve Chair at the White House—the first such ceremony at this venue since Alan Greenspan in 1987.
Background: Warsh succeeds Jerome Powell, who served nearly eight years and will remain on the Fed’s Board of Governors.
Policy Outlook: Warsh emphasizes restoring the Fed’s integrity and focusing on its “fundamental responsibilities, maintaining price stability and low inflation and achieving full employment.”
Quote:

“Kevin has spoken often about the need to restore the Fed's integrity by returning to a proper focus on its too functional and really fundamental responsibilities, maintaining price stability and low inflation and achieving full employment.”
—Jeanine Herbst, summarizing current sentiment [00:23]
Significance: The appointment comes just after Senate Republicans’ confirmation and amid Trump’s previous criticisms of Powell for not cutting rates more aggressively.

2. U.S.–Iran Negotiations & NATO Relations

[01:13 – 01:56]

Update: Secretary of State Marco Rubio comments on the ongoing diplomatic negotiations with Iran following a meeting with NATO counterparts in Sweden.
Core Issues:
- U.S. seeks a deal to cover Iran’s nuclear activities and ensure the Strait of Hormuz reopens fully.
- Rubio warns of a “Plan B” if Iran refuses:
  - Quote:
    
    “But we also have to have a plan B. And plan B is, what if Iran refuses to open the straits? What if Iran decides we refuse to open the straits? We're going to own the straits and we're going to charge tolls for it, okay? At that point, something has to be done about it.”
    —Secretary Marco Rubio [01:25]
- He notes European reliance on these routes is even greater than America’s.
Diplomatic Frustration: Rubio repeats frustration about some NATO allies withholding U.S. base access during the war.
Status: Strait of Hormuz operating normally before the conflict.

3. California Moves to Ban Artificial Stone Over Health Concerns

[01:56 – 02:55]

Development: California regulators initiate steps to ban popular countertop materials linked to silicosis, a severe lung disease.
Reporter: Farida Javlova Romero, KQED
Health Risk: Hundreds sickened, 31 deaths in California linked to inhaling silica dust from cutting artificial stone.
- Quote:
  
  “Stonecutters who had lung transplants as well as multiple doctors urged the Occupational Safety and Health stay to prohibit the use of artificial stone. Hundreds of workers in several states are ill. 31 have died in California in recent years from inhaling toxic silica dust generated by the factory made material when it's cut.”
  —Farida Javlova Romero [02:14]
Regulatory Response:
- Board member Derek Irwin calls for action:
  
  “We have to take effective action to prevent further cases.”
  —Derek Irwin [02:38]
- Cal OSHA to develop rules limiting crystalline silica content in man-made stone.

4. Joplin, Missouri: 15 Years After the Historic Tornado

[02:55 – 04:03]

Anniversary: Marking 15 years since an EF5 tornado devastated Joplin, killing 158.
Community Response: Operation Barbecue Relief continues to serve residents as part of ongoing recovery.
Reporter: Rachel Schnelli, KRPS
Human Interest:
- Organization CEO Stan Hayes on their mission:
  
  “Who better than us to go set up in a parking lot with minimal needs and feed a community? Community hurting after something so devastating?”
  —Stan Hayes [03:41]
- Memorial event features signature barbecue for survivors and the community.

5. SpaceX Starship Test Flight Scrubbed

[04:03 – 04:40]

Latest: SpaceX’s ambitious new Starship launch from Texas was called off; another attempt may come soon.
Technical Note: The test used a new pad at Starbase near the Mexican border, implicated in causing issues.
Significance: NASA is relying on this version of Starship for future lunar missions.
Outlook: Countdown continues for the next launch window.

Notable Quotes

On the Fed's Mission:
“Kevin has spoken often about the need to restore the Fed's integrity by returning to a proper focus on its too functional and really fundamental responsibilities, maintaining price stability and low inflation and achieving full employment.”
—Jeanine Herbst [00:23]
On U.S.–Iran Negotiations:
“But we also have to have a plan B. And plan B is, what if Iran refuses to open the straits?... At that point, something has to be done about it.”
—Secretary Marco Rubio [01:25]
Workplace Safety and Health:
“We have to take effective action to prevent further cases.”
—Derek Irwin [02:38]
Community Resilience:
“Who better than us to go set up in a parking lot with minimal needs and feed a community? Community hurting after something so devastating?”
—Stan Hayes [03:41]

Segment Timestamps

Kevin Warsh Sworn in as Fed Chair: 00:01 – 01:13
U.S.–Iran Nuclear Deal & NATO Tensions: 01:13 – 01:56
California Silicosis & Artificial Stone Ban: 01:56 – 02:55
Joplin Tornado 15th Anniversary & Community BBQ: 02:55 – 04:03
SpaceX Starship Launch Attempt: 04:03 – 04:40

NPR News Now packs a range of newsworthy stories and voices into a tight update, delivering the essentials for an informed audience.

Loading summary

Transcript16 lines

[00:01]
A
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. President Trump swore in the new Fed Chair, Kevin Warsh this morning. The 56 year old succeeds Jerome Powell, who served as chair for nearly four, eight years and was appointed by President Trump in his first term. But he was also a frequent target of Trump for not lowering interest rates quickly or deeply enough.
[00:24]
B
Kevin has spoken often about the need to restore the Fed's integrity by returning to a proper focus on its too functional and really fundamental responsibilities, maintaining price stability and low inflation and achieving full employment.
[00:41]
A
Warsh is the first Fed chair to be sworn in at the White House since alan Greenspan in 1987. He says he will lead a reform oriented Fed, learning from past mistakes and successes. Powell will stay as a member of the Fed's Board of Governors. Senate Republicans confirmed Warsh just ahead of Powell's departure from the top job. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says there's still more work to do to reach a deal with Iran. President Trump has been threatening more military action if a deal can't be reached, as NPR's Michelle Kellerman reports.
[01:13]
C
After meeting NATO counterparts in Sweden, Secretary Rubio was asked about the prospects of a deal with Iran. He says the goal is an agreement that covers Iran's nuclear program and reopens the Strait of Hormuz.
[01:26]
D
But we also have to have a plan B. And plan B is, what if Iran refuses to open the straits? What if Iran decides we refuse to open the straits? We're going to own the straits and we're going to charge tolls for it, okay? At that point, something has to be done about it.
[01:39]
C
And he says this affects Europe more than the U.S. rubio repeated his frustration that a few NATO allies did not let the US Use bases to launch the war against Iran. The Strait of Hormuz was operating normally before the war. Michelle Kellerman, NPR News. The State Department.
[01:57]
A
In California, regulators voted this week to take the first step toward banning a popular material that's used to make countertops. From member station kqed, Farida Javlova Romero reports that the material is linked to a surging lung disease called silicosis.
[02:14]
E
Stonecutters who had lung transplants as well as multiple doctors urged the Occupational Safety and Health stay to prohibit the use of artificial stone. Hundreds of workers in several states are ill. 31 have died in California in recent years from inhaling toxic silica dust generated by the factory made material when it's cut. Board member Derek Irwin.
[02:38]
A
We have to take effective action to prevent further cases.
[02:41]
E
Now it could now take months for Cal OSHA to develop a rule prohibiting the fabrication of artificial stone with more than 1% crystalline silica. For NPR News, I'm Farida Javala Romero in Oakland, California.
[02:55]
A
And you're listening to NPR News from Washington. It's been 15 years since the deadliest tornado of modern history struck Joplin, Missouri, but a local organization is still serving barbecue for its community long after the storm passed. Rachel Schnelli with member station KRPS has more.
[03:18]
F
On May 22, 2011, an EF5 tornado went right through the middle of Joplin, killing 158 people in its path. A local organization, Operation Barbecue Relief, was born out of the idea that competitive barbecue cooks could help their community by cooking meat and serving it to those in need. Stan Hayes is the CEO and co founder.
[03:41]
G
Who better than us to go set up in a parking lot with minimal needs and feed a community? Community hurting after something so devastating?
[03:48]
F
The organization is holding an event at a park in Joplin to commemorate the tornado victims. It will feature their signature smoked pulled pork sandwiches and snacks. For NPR News, I'm Rachel Schnelly in Joplin, Missouri.
[04:03]
A
A launch attempt last night for SpaceX's newest and biggest starship test flight from Texas had to be scrubbed and now officials will have to wait for another chance, which could possibly come today to try to launch again for a space skimming journey. The 407 foot rocket is using a brand new pad at Starbase near the Mexican border, which officials say contributed to some of the issues. NASA is counting on this latest version of the starship to land astronauts on the moon in just a few years. I'm Jeanine Herbst and you're listening to NPR News from Washington.
[04:40]
H
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