NPR News: 05-25-2025 5PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: May 25, 2025 – Detailed Summary

1. Escalation in the Russia-Ukraine Conflict

NPR News Now opens with a grave update on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. According to Jeanine Herbst, Russian forces launched an extensive aerial assault overnight, deploying over 350 missiles and drones across various Ukrainian cities and towns. This attack is reported to be the largest since the conflict began in 2022, resulting in the deaths of at least 12 individuals and numerous injuries.

Charles Maynes provides deeper insights into the situation:

• Widespread Destruction: "The Russian attack struck cities and towns across Ukraine with images posted online showing several houses and apartment buildings reduced to rubble" (00:38).
• Accusations of Targeting Civilians: Ukrainian officials have accused Russia of deliberately aiming at civilian areas. In contrast, Russia's Defense Ministry claims the strikes were precision attacks targeting military installations.
• Counter-Accusations: Russia has also accused Ukraine of launching continuous waves of drones into Russian airspace for the third consecutive day.
• Prisoner Exchange Efforts: Amidst the conflict, both Moscow and Kyiv have honored a mutual pledge to release 1,000 prisoners from each side. However, recent peace negotiations have stalled, with Russia declining to join Ukraine in adopting a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal, leaving the talks without substantive progress.

2. U.S. Senate Tackles Controversial Budget Bill

The Senate has initiated discussions on a contentious budget bill recently passed by the House, a move that has attracted significant attention. Jeanine Herbst reports that the bill encompasses substantial tax cuts and spending measures, leading to a split among Republican senators.

Key points from Amy Held and Charles Maynes include:

• Tax Cuts and Deficit Concerns: The bill proposes $3.8 trillion in tax cuts favoring the wealthy, which critics argue will exacerbate the national deficit. "That's a problem for fiscal hawks" (01:32).

• Senator Ron Johnson's Stance: Emphasizing fiscal responsibility, Johnson states, "We have to reduce the deficit" (01:40), highlighting the Republican concern over increased spending.

• Spending Cuts: The legislation includes approximately $1.5 trillion in cuts, primarily targeting social safety net programs. "We need to focus on spending, spending, spending," Johnson adds (01:46).

• House Speaker Mike Johnson's Position: Urging the Senate to proceed cautiously, Mike Johnson remarks, "Now is not the time for the Senate to meddle much with the bill because we’ve got to pass it one more time to ratify their change and I have a very delicate balance here" (01:49).

• Senate Leadership's Commitment: Senate Majority Leader John Thune assures that the Senate will "put their stamp on the legislation" (02:06), indicating a strong intention to move forward despite differing viewpoints.

3. Reflecting on the Five-Year Anniversary of George Floyd’s Death

Marking five years since the tragic death of George Floyd, NPR News Now delves into the enduring impact on the Minneapolis community. Reporter Meg Anderson explores the contentious debate over the future of the intersection where Floyd lost his life.

Insights from community members include:

• Marquise Bowie: Describing the intersection as "an open wound," Bowie expresses frustration over the ongoing division, stating, "If we're only going somewhere to kind of feel sad about a black man getting killed, I don't see that being a good thing" (02:27 - 02:36).

• Business Impact: Bowie also notes that local businesses have "suffered since Floyd's murder," highlighting the broader economic repercussions of the unresolved tension.

• Janelle Austin's Perspective: Contrasting Bowie's view, Austin regards the site as "a sacred memorial site," emphasizing its importance in the community's collective memory.

• City's Stance: The mayor supports reopening the intersection to normal activities, while the city council favors maintaining it as a memorial. As a result, the area will remain divided indefinitely, preserving its status as both a reminder and a point of contention (02:57).

4. Upcoming National Memorial Day Concert

Looking ahead, NPR News Now announces this year's National Memorial Day Concert set to air live from the U.S. Capitol. Co-hosted by Gary Sinise and Issai Morales, the event will be broadcast on PBS at 8 PM Eastern.

Elizabeth Blair highlights key features of the concert:

• Tributes: The program will honor World War II soldiers and Vietnam War Air medevac units, known as dustoff crews.

• Musical Performances: Notable artists include gospel singer Yolanda Adams and country musician Scotty Hastings, who is also a veteran.

• Personal Tribute: The concert will feature a piece composed by Max Sinise, Gary Sinise's late son, performed by the National Symphony Orchestra. This personal element adds an emotional layer to the event (03:31 - 04:10).

• Accessibility: In addition to its PBS broadcast, the concert will be streamed live on YouTube, making it accessible to a broader audience.

5. Weekend Box Office Highlights

Concluding the episode, Jeanine Herbst provides a snapshot of the current movie theater landscape:

• Disney’s "Lilo and Stitch" Reboot: Dominating the weekend box office, this film grossed approximately $145 million, making it the second-highest opening of the year following a Minecraft-themed movie. The remake stays true to the original 2002 storyline, focusing on a six-legged alien and a Hawaiian girl, thereby nurturing its devoted fanbase (04:10).

• Paramount’s "Impossible": Securing the second spot, "Impossible" amassed $63 million so far. This film marks the potential conclusion of a long-running franchise starring Tom Cruise, spanning nearly three decades (04:10 - 04:55).

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now delivers a comprehensive overview of significant global and national events, from the intensifying conflict in Ukraine and pivotal U.S. legislative developments to poignant social reflections and cultural highlights. Notably, the program underscores the multifaceted challenges and enduring stories shaping our world today.

Transcript

[Jeanine Herbst]

This message comes from Leesa. Leesa meticulously designs their mattresses for exceptional comfort and support. Visit Lisa.com for 30% off mattresses and a free sleep bundle, plus get an extra $50 off with promo code. NPR Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. Russia launched more than 350 missiles and drones on Ukraine overnight, killing at least 12 people and injuring scores of others. Ukrainian authorities say it was the large Russian aerial attack since the start of Russia's war in 2022. NPR's Charles Maines has more.

[Charles Maynes]

The Russian attack struck cities and towns across Ukraine with images posted online showing several houses and apartment buildings reduced to rubble. Ukrainian officials accused Russia of deliberately targeting civilians. Yet in a statement, Russia's Defense Ministry said it had carried out precision strikes against a range of military targets. The ministry also accused Ukraine of sending waves of drones into Russian airspace for the third day in a row. All of this has unfold as Moscow and Kyiv made good on a pledge to free 1,000 prisoners from both sides. The lone substantive result from recent peace talks that saw Russia refuse to join Ukraine in agreeing to a U S backed ceasefire. Charles Maynes, NPR News, Moscow.

[Jeanine Herbst]

A group of senators has begun to meet to talk about the budget bill that President Trump helped push through the house last week. NPR's Amy Held reports. Now it's the Senate's turn to reckon with competing concerns from moderate and conservative Republicans.

[Amy Held]

The bill includes $3.8 trillion in tax cuts that skew to the wealthy and will add trillions to the deficit. That's a problem for fiscal hawks.

[Charles Maynes]

We have to reduce the deficit.

[Amy Held]

Senator Ron Johnson, Republican from Wisconsin, spoke to cnn.

[Charles Maynes]

We need to focus on spending, spending, spending.

[Amy Held]

The bill calls for about $1.5 trillion in spending cuts, largely on social safety net programs. House Speaker Mike Johnson tells CNN now is not the time for the Senate to meddle much with the bill because.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Remembering that we've got to pass it one more time to ratify their change and I have a very delicate balance here.

[Amy Held]

Senate Majority Leader John Thune says they will put their stamp on the legislation. Amy Held, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Today marks five years since a Minneapolis police officer killed George Floyd, sparking protests around the world. NPR's Meg Anderson reports. Community members are divided on what should happen to the street corner where he died.

[Meg Anderson]

This intersection is still partially blocked off, marked by murals and protest messages. For people like Marquise Bowie, it feels like an open wound.

[Jeanine Herbst]

If we're only going somewhere to kind of feel sad about a black man getting killed, I don't see that being a good thing.

[Meg Anderson]

He says nearby businesses have suffered since Floyd's murder. For people like Janelle Austin, the intersection is a sacred memorial site.

[Jeanine Herbst]

As we choose to never forget what happened, it helps us understand how to move forward.

[Meg Anderson]

She says returning to business as usual is not an option. The mayor has sided with the former, the city council with the latter. That means for the foreseeable future, this intersection will stay as it is. Meg Anderson, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Gary Sinise and Issai Morales will co host this year's National Memorial Day concert live from the U.S. capitol this evening. The show will be broadcast on PBS at 8pm Eastern. NPR's Elizabeth Blair has more.

[Elizabeth Blair]

This year's concert will include special tributes to World War II soldiers and to Vietnam War Air medevac units known as dustoff crews. Musical performers include gospel star Yolanda Adams and country singer and veteran Scotty Hastings.

[Charles Maynes]

I'm America.

[Elizabeth Blair]

Last year, longtime co host Gary Sinise's son died from cancer. Max Sinise was a composer. The National Symphony Orchestra will perform one of his patriotic pieces. In addition to PBS, the National Memorial Day concert will stream live on YouTube. Elizabeth Blair, NPR News, Washington.

[Jeanine Herbst]

At the weekend box office, Disney's Lilo and Stitch took the top spot this holiday weekend with an estimated $145 million in ticket sales, making it the second biggest opening of the year after a Minecraft movie. Lilo and Stitch is a faithful remake of the 2002 original story of a six legged Alie and a Hawaiian girl that's created a big cult following in the decades since. In second place, Paramount Pictures Impossible, the final reckoning with $63 million, could possibly be the last in the franchise to star Tom Cruise in a nearly three decade run. I'm Jeanine Herbst and you're listening to NPR News from Washington.

[Charles Maynes]

Listen to this podcast sponsor, free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR newsnow +@ +npr.org that's +npr.org.