NPR News: 05-24-2026 9PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: May 24, 2026 – 9PM EDT

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Episode Theme:
A concise roundup of major U.S. and international news events, including diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, a deadly missile attack in Ukraine, lobbying for increased worship security, developing public safety threats, and wildfire recovery in the Grand Canyon region.

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Key News Updates

Efforts to Resolve the US-Israeli War in Iran

• [00:18] President Trump announced progress toward a deal to end the US-Israeli war in Iran. However, there is no confirmation or details from Tehran.
  • "There seems to be a basis for a potential agreement, but it's still not clear what that would look like, and details haven't been released." – Jeanine Herbst [00:24]
• [00:40] Jane Araf (from Beirut) provided additional context:
  • Iran’s Foreign Ministry acknowledged “narrowing differences.”
  • Iranian semi-official media highlighted lingering “serious disagreements” on one or two key issues, especially Iran's demand for the unfreezing of funds held by the U.S.
  • "Cast out on an imminent agreement and said there were disagreements on one or two key issues, serious disagreements." – Jane Araf [00:52]

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Massive Russian Missile Attack on Kyiv, Ukraine

• [01:02] The Ukrainian capital was assaulted with a large barrage of Russian missiles and drones.
  • Casualties: At least two dead, more than 50 injured.
  • Ukrainian President Zelensky reported use of new Russian hypersonic ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads; it’s the third confirmed use during the war.
  • "For hours, all we could hear in Kyiv was the sound of constant explosions and the low growl of attack drones flying overhead." – Joanna Kakissis [01:31]
  • Ukrainian air defenses worked to intercept roughly 90 missiles and 600 drones.
  • "It's the third time Russia has used this missile during its full-scale war on Ukraine." – Joanna Kakissis [02:04]

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Push for Increased Security Funding for Houses of Worship

• [02:08] More than 400 Jewish leaders visited Capitol Hill, urging lawmakers to boost funding for security at religious institutions.
  • Prompted by a recent deadly attack at a San Diego Islamic Center (three people killed).
  • The focus: Increasing the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to $1 billion; in 2024, only about 33% of applicants received funding.
  • "The needs are going up because places that didn't feel threatened or vulnerable before are now asking themselves, do we need to apply for these funds? Do we need to harden our building? Do we need to have security guards?" – Eric Fingerhut, Jewish Federations of North America [02:46]
  • Security funding covers door locks, cameras, and building protections.

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Public Safety Emergency in Orange County, California

• [03:09] Firefighters working continuously to prevent a major toxic chemical tank failure.
  • Monitoring the tank’s temperature and spraying water to reduce risk.
  • Overnight inspection discovered a crack, potentially releasing pressure.
  • "With this new information, it could change our trajectory and our strategy to this event." – Fire Chief TJ McGovern [03:41]
  • Tens of thousands ordered to evacuate.

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Grand Canyon North Rim Reopens, Heightened Flood Risk

• [03:51] Northern section of Grand Canyon National Park has reopened after last year’s wildfire.
  • Summer monsoon rains pose high risk for flash floods and debris flows on burn scars covering over 145,000 acres.
  • Park spokesperson Joelle Baird:
    • "It is still safe. However, with a post-fire landscape, it is susceptible to change." [04:28]
  • Park officials activate warning and evacuation systems as needed.

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Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• "There seems to be a basis for a potential agreement, but it's still not clear what that would look like, and details haven't been released." – Jeanine Herbst [00:24]
• "Cast out on an imminent agreement and said there were disagreements on one or two key issues, serious disagreements." – Jane Araf [00:52]
• "For hours, all we could hear in Kyiv was the sound of constant explosions and the low growl of attack drones flying overhead." – Joanna Kakissis [01:31]
• "The needs are going up because places that didn't feel threatened or vulnerable before are now asking themselves, do we need to apply for these funds?" – Eric Fingerhut [02:46]
• "With this new information, it could change our trajectory and our strategy to this event." – Fire Chief TJ McGovern [03:41]
• "It is still safe. However, with a post-fire landscape, it is susceptible to change." – Joelle Baird [04:28]

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Additional Notes & Memorable Moments

• Wall Street Closure: Markets closed for Memorial Day [03:09].
• Urgency & Caution: Each segment emphasized developing situations and the need for vigilance, whether diplomatic (Iran), military (Ukraine), or public safety (chemical tank, flooding).

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This summary captures the episode’s news, critical voices, and the emotional gravity of each story for listeners who missed the broadcast.

Transcript

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[Jeanine Herbst]

In Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. President Trump says he's closing in on a deal to end the US Israeli war in Iran, but Tehran hasn't confirmed that. There seems to be a basis for a potential agreement, but it' still not clear what that would look like, and details haven't been released. NPR's Jane Araf has been following developments in the Middle east and has more from Beirut.

[Jane Araf]

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman did say Saturday that there were narrowing differences between the two, but he noted caution now Iranian semi official media, which is often used for messaging by Iranian leaders, cast out on an imminent agreement and said there were disagreements on one or two key issues, serious disagreements.

[Jeanine Herbst]

NPR's Jane Araf reporting from Beirut. One apparent sticking point is Iran's insistence for the unfreezing of its funds that are held by the U.S. the capital of Ukraine was struck by a massive wave of Russian missile and drone attacks today. It took place shortly after the Ukrainian air force warned that Russia would launch a hypersonic ballistic missile. NPR's Joanna Kakis reports. At least two people were killed. More than 50 were injured.

[Joanna Kakissis]

For hours, all we could hear in Kyiv was the sound of constant explosions and the low growl of attack drones flying overhead. Many blasts came from Ukrainian air defense trying to shoot down 90 missiles and 600 attack drones launched by Russia. Writing on social media, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia hit a city near Kyiv with a hypersonic or reshnik, ballistic missile, which can carry nuclear warheads. It's the third time Russia has used this missile during its full scale war on Ukraine. Joanna Kakissis, NPR News, kyiv.

[Jeanine Herbst]

More than 400 Jewish leaders from around the country came to Capitol Hill to push lawmakers to increase funding for a program that provides security infrastructure for houses of worship. As NPR's Barbara Sprunt report reports. Rather, this came on the heels of an attack at a San Diego Islamic center that killed three people.

[Barbara Sprunt]

Religious and community leaders lobbied Congress to boost funding the nonprofit security grant program to $1 billion. In 2024, around 33% of applicants to the program were approved. Eric Fingerhut is the president and CEO of the Jewish Federations of North America, which led the lobbying effort.

[Eric Fingerhut]

The needs are going up because places that didn't feel threatened or vulnerable before are now asking themselves, do we need to apply for these funds? Do we need to harden our building? Do we need to have security guards?

[Barbara Sprunt]

The program can be used to fund installing door locks and security cameras and erecting bollards to stop vehicles from crashing into buildings. Barbara Sprunt, NPR News, Washington.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Wall street is closed tomorrow in observance of the Memorial Day federal holiday. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. In Orange County, California, firefighters are working around the clock to prevent a catastrophic failure of a toxic chemical tank. They're hoping to get crucial data on the temperature inside that tank, which fire officials say is rising. They're using Dr. To monitor that temperature and spring water over it to cool it. Orange County Fire Chief TJ McGovern says an overnight inspection of the tank found a crack that could be relieving the pressure inside.

[TJ McGovern]

What we're doing is we are vetting and validating that information. With this new information, it could change our trajectory and our strategy to this event.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Tens of thousands of residents have been forced to flee. The north side of Grand Canyon national park is back open after a major wildfire last summer. From member station kjzz, Alex Hager reports that officials are keeping an eye out for big floods that could happen this summer.

[Alex Hager]

When rain starts falling, things can get dangerous fast, sending mud and debris rushing downhill. That'll be a big risk when summer monsoons arrive on the burn scar, which spans across more than 145,000 acres. Joelle Baird is a spokeswoman for the national park.

[Barbara Sprunt]

It is still safe. However, with a post fire landscape, it is susceptible to change.

[Alex Hager]

Because of that, park officials have a warning system in place. They'll study forecasts and water sensors to issue evacuations and get people out of harm's way. For NPR News, I'm Alex Hager in Phoenix.

[Jeanine Herbst]

And I'm Jeanine Herbst. And you're listening to NPR News from Washington.

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