NPR News: 05-23-2026 6AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: 05-23-2026 6AM EDT – Episode Summary

Overview:
This concise NPR News Now episode, hosted by Windsor Johnston, covers major breaking news and key updates from around the world on May 23, 2026. Themes include a deadly industrial disaster in China, leadership change at the Federal Reserve, rising travel costs for Americans, details of Donald Trump Jr.’s wedding, and the historic sign-off of CBS News Radio.

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1. Deadly Coal Mine Explosion in China (00:11 – 01:13)

• Incident: A catastrophic gas explosion occurred at a coal mine in Shanxi Province, northern China, leaving at least 90 people dead.
• Context and Response:
  • Initially, state media reported only eight deaths, despite over 247 workers underground.
  • Chinese President Xi Jinping orders a comprehensive investigation and accountability.
  • Shanxi Province’s significance as China’s leading coal mining region highlighted.
• Notable Quote:
  • “Xi Jinping called for a thorough investigation and said those responsible should be held accountable.” — Jennifer Pack (00:55)
  • “Shanxi Province is known as China’s main coal mining province. It produces almost a third of China’s coal each year.” — Jennifer Pack (01:03)

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2. New Federal Reserve Chairman Sworn In (01:13 – 02:11)

• Key Event: Kevin Warsh is sworn in as Chairman of the Federal Reserve, with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas presiding.
• Political Context: Ceremony in the White House East Room for the first time since the 1980s; political independence of the Fed emphasized.
• Presidential Remarks:
  • President Trump asserts the importance of Fed independence despite past criticisms.
  • Quote: “I want Kevin to be totally independent. I want him to be independent and just do a great job. Don’t look at me, don’t look at anybody. Just do your own thing and do a great job.” — President Trump (01:51)
• Economic Outlook:
  • Interest rate cuts now less likely due to the US war with Iran causing higher gas prices and inflation.
  • “Interest rate cuts are less likely now that the US war with Iran is putting upward pressure on gas prices and inflation.” — Scott Horsley (02:02)

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3. Travel Prices Surge for Memorial Day Weekend (02:11 – 03:10)

• Statistics:
  • Domestic airfare up ~30% year-over-year (source: Kayak).
  • Gas prices up ~40%.
• Traveler Behavior:
  • 45 million Americans expected to travel, mostly by car (AAA).
  • International flights cost $200 more on average.
• Tips to Save:
  • Slow driving and properly inflated tires to improve fuel efficiency.
  • Southern states including Louisiana, Georgia, Mississippi, and Indiana have the cheapest gas.
• Notable Quote:
  • “Those who are flying to L.A. paid some of the biggest price increases compared to last year, about $140 more for a flight.” — Stephen Besaha (02:38)

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4. Donald Trump Jr.’s Wedding – President Trump Not in Attendance (03:10 – 04:04)

• Personal News: Donald Trump Jr. celebrates his second marriage; President Trump remains in Washington rather than attend.
• Reason Given:
  • Trump’s official statement cites a need to remain at the White House due to important national circumstances.
  • Quote: “Circumstances pertaining to government and my love for the United States of America do not allow me to do so.” — President Trump (03:46, via Tamara Keith)

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5. CBS News Radio Signs Off After Nearly a Century (04:04 – 04:53)

• Historic Moment:
  • CBS News Radio—on air since 1927—ends operations, marking the end of an era in American broadcast journalism.
• Legacy:
  • Impact on shaping broadcast news, with notable journalists such as Edward R. Murrow and Dan Rather.
  • Quote: “For all of us at CBS News Radio, the hundreds of affiliated radio stations and the millions of listeners, this is CBS News.” — Scott Horsley (04:10)
  • “Former CBS anchor Dan Rather recently called the service a national institution that helped hold the country together.” — Windsor Johnston (04:45)

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Key Timestamps

• China Coal Mine Explosion: 00:11 – 01:13
• New Fed Chairman: 01:13 – 02:11
• Memorial Day Travel Costs: 02:11 – 03:10
• Trump Jr. Wedding / Trump’s Absence: 03:10 – 04:04
• CBS News Radio Sign-off: 04:04 – 04:53

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Tone:
Straightforward, factual, and authoritative, focusing on succinctly summarizing events and their broader context for listeners seeking major headlines and essential details.

Transcript

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[Windsor Johnston]

[e-mail] Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Search and rescue operations are underway in northern China after an explosion at a coal mine left at least 90 people dead. NPR's Jennifer Pack reports from Shanghai.

[Jennifer Pack]

The gas explosion happened after 7pm on Friday at a coal mine in northern China's Shanxi Province. State media on Saturday initially reported there were 247 people on duty underground and that the majority were brought out safely with only eight deaths. It did not explain why the death toll has jumped. Chinese leader Xi Jinping called for a thorough investigation and said those responsible should be held accountable. China has a history of industrial accidents, but it has reduced the number in recent years with stricter rules and SAF practices. Shanxi Province is known as China's main coal mining province. It produces almost a third of China's coal each year. Jennifer Paak, NPR News, Shanghai.

[Windsor Johnston]

The new chairman of the Federal Reserve says he's hoping to learn from past successes and mistakes to help get inflation under control. NPR's Scott Horsley reports. Kevin Warsh has been sworn in as the central bank's new leader.

[Scott Horsley]

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas administered the oath in the White House East Room. Warsh is the first Fed chairman to be sworn in there since Alan greenspan in the 1980s. By design, the Fed is supposed to be insulated from political interference. President Trump has repeatedly challenged those boundaries, though, attacking the central bank for not slashing interest rates. Trump hinted at a different approach with

[Windsor Johnston]

I want Kevin to be totally independent. I want him to be independent and just do a great job. Don't look at me, don't look at anybody. Just do your own thing and do a great job.

[Scott Horsley]

Interest rate cuts are less likely now that the US War with Iran is putting upward pressure on gas prices and inflation. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Windsor Johnston]

Domestic airfares are nearly 30% higher than they were a year ago. That's according to the travel site Kayak. Gas prices are up some 40%. NPR's Stephen Besaha reports. Millions of Americans are still expected to travel for the Memorial Day weekend, despite the prices.

[Stephen Besaha]

AAA expects 45 million Americans to travel this weekend, mostly by car. Those who are flying to LA paid some of the biggest price increases compared to last year, about $140 more for a flight. International trips are even more expensive. They're up about $200 on average. Drivers who want to save money can follow a few tips. Slow down. That's more fuel efficient. And make sure your tires are inflated. That also helps. And if you really want to save this travel season, consider moving your next road trip south. Louisiana, Georgia and Mississippi have some of the cheapest gas prices in the country, only beaten by Indiana. Stephen Messaha, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

This is NPR News. In Washington. The president's son, Donald Trump Jr. Is celebrating his second marriage this weekend. NPR's Tamara Keith reports. The father of the groom is not attending the ceremony.

[Tamara Keith]

When he was initially asked whether he would attend the wedding, President Trump seemed unsure. His schedule had him spending the weekend at his Bedminster Club in New Jersey, nowhere near his son's island nuptials. Then Trump's official schedule was modified. He is staying in Washington. President Trump announced on social media that although he wanted to be with his son and the newest member of the family, quote, circumstances pertaining to government and my love for the United States of America do not allow me to do so. Trump added that he felt he needed to be at the White House, quote, during this important period of time. Tamara Keith, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

CBS News Radio has signed off after nearly a century on the air.

[Scott Horsley]

For all of us at CBS News Radio, the hundreds of affiliated radio stations and the millions of listeners, this is CBS News.

[Windsor Johnston]

This is Edward Morrow speaking from Vienna.

[Scott Horsley]

This is CBS News.

[Windsor Johnston]

This is CBS News. The network, which launched in 1927, reached hundreds of radio stations across the country and helped shape broadcast journalism in America. Legendary broadcasters including Edward R. Merrow, Charles Osgood and Douglas Edwards were among the voices heard on the network over the decades. Former CBS anchor Dan Rather recently called the service a national institution that helped hold the country together. I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News, in Washington.

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