NPR News: 05-26-2025 2AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Episode Summary — May 26, 2025

NPR’s “News Now” delivers the latest headlines in five minutes, updated hourly. In the May 26, 2025, 2 AM EDT episode, hosted by Dan Ronan, key stories spanned from education policy and international conflicts to significant anniversaries and local news across the United States.

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1. Trump Administration Targets Harvard University’s International Admissions

[00:18] Dan Ronan opens the episode with a report on President Donald Trump's renewed efforts to restrict Harvard University's enrollment of international students. The administration is scrutinizing the financial and political backgrounds of these students, aiming to uncover those whom they perceive as unfriendly to the United States.

[00:36] Joe Hernandez elaborates on President Trump's statements made before returning to Washington from New Jersey:

“We want a list of those foreign students and we'll find out whether or not they're okay. Many will be okay, I assume, and I assume with Harvard, many will be bad.” [00:50]

The administration alleges that some international students are not financially supported by their home countries and questions the transparency of Harvard's admissions. Harvard University has yet to respond to NPR’s request for comment. This move comes after a federal judge temporarily blocked the administration's attempt to revoke Harvard's ability to enroll international students. Harvard President Alan Garber hailed the ruling as:

“A critical step to protect the rights and opportunities of our international students and scholars.” [01:00]

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2. French Jewish Community Voices Dissent Amid Gaza Conflict

[01:23] As the conflict in Gaza escalates, NPR’s Eleanor Beardsley reports on the shifting sentiments within France’s Jewish community, the largest outside Israel and the U.S. Traditionally supportive of Israel, voices of dissent are emerging.

[01:42] Reform Rabbi Delphine Orvilleur authored an op-ed where she stated:

“No pain is eased and no death is avenged by starving innocents or condemning children.” [01:42]

Her stance sparked backlash from more conservative community members, but she was joined by several dozen Jewish intellectuals in condemning the Israeli government's policies that they believe undermine democracy and endanger hostages. The community witnessed large-scale demonstrations, with hundreds gathering in Paris to call for an end to the war. Peace activist Hannah Assolene highlighted the growing movement:

“The silent majority is beginning to speak up and wants this war to end.” [02:24]

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3. Fifth Anniversary of George Floyd’s Murder Marked Nationwide

[02:33] On the fifth anniversary of George Floyd’s murder, thousands across the United States commemorate his legacy and the enduring impact on national politics. In Houston, where Floyd is buried, Reverend Al Sharpton addressed a private graveside service.

[02:57] Sharpton reflected on the movement’s influence:

“Changed the election of 2020. I think that the backlash was bringing Trump back into office, but it was the movement that brought Biden in in 2020.” [02:57]

This poignant remembrance underscores the prolonged struggle for racial justice and the significant political shifts triggered by Floyd’s death.

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4. Reopening of California’s Pacific Coast Highway Post-Fire

[03:13] A significant update on California’s recovery from the devastating fire in January: the Pacific Coast Highway near Malibu has reopened to the public after being closed to all but residents, emergency crews, and construction workers.

Residents have praised the reopening, as it allows businesses to resume operations and rebuilding efforts to gain momentum. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers successfully cleared debris from over 60% of the affected lots, marking a crucial step in restoration:

“Residents are praising the move because it means businesses can reopen and start the process of rebuilding now.” [03:13]

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5. Wildlife Safety Measures at West Virginia International Yeager Airport

[03:13] NPR’s Eva Putkich reports on innovative wildlife management at West Virginia’s busiest airport. A dedicated dog patrol, featuring border collies Hercules and Ned, actively works to prevent wildlife collisions with aircraft, a significant safety concern.

[03:58] Chris Keeser, the airport’s wildlife specialist, emphasized the importance:

“This is crucial, with the Federal Aviation Administration reporting nearly 20,000 wildlife strikes with planes in 2023.” [03:58]

Beyond their patrol duties, Hercules and Ned also provide comfort to anxious travelers within the terminal, showcasing a unique blend of safety and emotional support:

“And when Hercules and Ned aren't making their regular rounds, they're in the airport terminal comforting anxious travelers before their flights.” [04:30]

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6. Shooting in Little River, South Carolina Leaves 11 Injured

[04:41] The episode concludes with a somber report from Dan Ronan on a tragic shooting in Little River, South Carolina. Police have confirmed that at least 11 individuals were injured during the incident. As of the reporting time, details regarding the suspects or motives remain undisclosed, leaving the community in shock and seeking answers.

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For more detailed updates and further information, listeners are encouraged to tune into NPR’s “News Now” as it continues to provide timely news coverage every five minutes.

Transcript

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[Dan Ronan]

News in Washington, I'm Dan Ronan. President Trump is again targeting Harvard University as the administration attempts to block the school from enrolling international students. NPR's Joe Hernandez reports Trump commented about the dispute before leaving New Jersey to return to Washington.

[Joe Hernandez]

Trump said that the home countries of some of Harvard's international students don't pay for their education and are, quote, not at all friendly to the United States. He added that the administration wants to know the identities of those students, but that Harvard hasn't been forthcoming.

[Donald Trump]

We want a list of those foreign students and we'll find out whether or not they're okay. Many will be okay, I assume, and I assume with Harvard, many will be bad.

[Joe Hernandez]

Harvard did not immediately reply to NPR's request for comment. On Friday, a federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from revoking Harvard's ability to enroll international students. Harvard President Alan Garber said the ruling was, quote, a critical step to protect the rights and opportunities of our international students and scholars. Joe Hernandez, NPR News.

[Dan Ronan]

As Israel intensifies the war in Gaza, many in France's Jewish community, the largest after Israel and the U.S. who's speaking out? NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports. The French diaspora, usually solid support for Israel, is beginning to crack with an op ed penned by a prominent rabbi.

[Delphine Orvilleur]

Reform Rabbi Delphine Orvilleur said, no pain is eased and no death is avenged by starving innocents or condemning children. She faced a torrent of abuse from more conservative members of the community. Several dozen prominent Jewish intellectuals also signed an op ed condemning the Israeli government for undermining democracy and the rule of law, endangering the hostages and expanding settlements. On Sunday, hundreds of Jews gathered in Paris to call for an end to the war. Hannah Assolene is a peace activist. There are some in the Jewish community who don't want to see or recognize the pain of the people of Gaza, she says, but adds Asulene, the silent majority is beginning to speak up and wants this war to end. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Paris.

[Dan Ronan]

In Minneapolis and around the country, thousands of people mark the fifth anniversary of the murder of George Floyd, the man who was killed by a police officer and later found guilty of murder. In Houston, where Floyd is buried, the Reverend Al Sharpton spoke at a private graveside service and spoke about the impact that Floyd's death made on the national political scene those demonstrations and momentum, it.

[Al Sharpton]

Changed the election of 2020. I think that the backlash was bringing Trump back into office, but it was the movement that brought Biden in in 2020.

[Dan Ronan]

This is NPR News. A portion of California's Pacific coast highway near Malibu that's been closed to all but residents, emergency crews and construction workers since the state's fire in January. It reopened this weekend. Residents are praising the move because it means businesses can reopen and start the process of rebuilding now that the U.S. army Corps of Engineers has cleared debris from more than 60% of the lots that sustained fire damage. At West Virginia's busiest airport, a pup patrol is working to keep the passengers safe. NPR's Eva Putkich reports. The dogs patrol the airfield to work to prevent collisions between wildlife and and the planes.

[Chris Keeser]

Hercules and Ned have a special job at the West Virginia International Yeager Airport. The two border collies patrol the airfield, scaring birds and wildlife away from planes. Chris Keeser, the airport's wildlife specialist, says this is crucial, with the Federal Aviation administration reporting nearly 20,000 wildlife strikes with planes in 2023, maybe throughout that day.

[Eva Pukach]

It might have been at one bird. Keeping people safe from hitting that aircraft can make a difference for someone's life.

[Chris Keeser]

And when Hercules and Ned aren't making their regular rounds, they're in the airport terminal comforting anxious travelers before their flights. Eva Pukach, NPR News.

[Dan Ronan]

Police in South Carolina say at least 11 people were injured Sunday night after a shooting in the town of Little River. Police have not released any information about the suspects or what might have caused the shooting. From Washington, this is NPR News.

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