Biden Cancer Diagnosis, Escalation In Gaza, Kentucky Storm Recovery

Summary

Up First from NPR: May 19, 2025

NPR's Up First delivers the three biggest stories of the day with in-depth reporting and analysis. This episode covers President Biden's cancer diagnosis, the escalation of the Gaza conflict, and the storm recovery efforts in Kentucky.

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1. President Biden’s Cancer Diagnosis

Biden’s Health Announcement

In a surprising development, President Joe Biden has announced his diagnosis of prostate cancer that has metastasized to his bones. This revelation has intensified ongoing discussions about his health and fitness to continue serving in office.

• Steve Inskeep introduces the topic:

  "President Biden once championed an effort to cut cancer deaths in half. Now his office says he received his own cancer diagnosis." [00:02]

• Layla Fadel adds context:

  "The news comes amid a widespread discussion of his fitness during his years in office." [00:06]

Details of the Diagnosis

NPR's Tamara Keith provides an in-depth look at the diagnosis:

• Tamara Keith explains:

  "According to a statement from Biden's personal office, the cancer was detected after he experienced increasing urinary symptoms, and it has metastasized to his bones and is a more aggressive form of prostate cancer. The statement says it appears to be hormone sensitive, which means there are options for effective management." [02:41]

  She further notes Biden's age and the historical context:

  "Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in elderly men. And Biden is 82 years old. He was the oldest president in U.S. history." [02:42]

Reactions to the Diagnosis

The announcement has elicited responses from various political figures:

• President Trump expressed sympathy despite their rivalry:

  "He and the first lady were saddened to hear about his diagnosis and wish Biden a fast and successful recovery." [03:37]

• Vice President Kamala Harris conveyed confidence in Biden’s resilience:

  "I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilient optimism that have always defined his life and leadership." [03:37]

Implications for Biden’s Presidency

The diagnosis arrives alongside a controversial book release that scrutinizes Biden’s cognitive and physical health during his presidency.

• Tamara Keith discusses the book "Original Sin" by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson:

  "It alleges that Biden experienced both a physical and cognitive decline while in office and that those closest to him cover it up." [04:16]

Biden has publicly refuted the claims:

"Biden on the View said the authors are wrong and there is nothing to sustain their claims." [04:55]

Political Ramifications

The implications of Biden’s health on the political landscape are significant:

• Tamara Keith highlights potential challenges for Democrats:

  "This is likely to be an extended and uncomfortable news cycle for Democrats who are trying to move on and restore trust with voters." [05:13]

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2. Escalation of Conflict in Gaza

Ground Offensive Initiated

Israel has intensified its military efforts in Gaza through an operation named "Gideon's Chariots," resulting in significant casualties and mass displacement of Palestinians.

• Steve Inskeep sets the stage:

  "Israel has expanded its ground offensive in Gaza in an operation called Gideon's Chariots, forcing Palestinians to flee again. Why now amid ceasefire talks?" [00:14]

Impact on Gaza’s Population

With over 100 people killed and widespread destruction, the humanitarian situation is dire.

• Daniel Estrin reports:

  "Israel had been threatening to expand the war if a deal with Hamas was not reached by the time President Trump left the region late last week. And now that officially has begun." [06:43]

• Anas Baba, reporting from Gaza City, describes the desperate conditions:

  "The people here... look desperate, pale, some of them. They cannot even walk... carrying pots and empty cans and roaming the streets." [07:12]

Ceasefire Negotiations

Amidst the escalation, ceasefire talks are underway, though their success remains uncertain.

• Daniel Estrin provides insights into the negotiations:

  "They are discussing the details of what would possibly be a two-month ceasefire and around 10 Israeli hostages freed." [08:14]

Blockade and Humanitarian Aid

After nearly three months of a total blockade, Israel has decided to allow limited food and medical supplies into Gaza to prevent starvation.

• Daniel Estrin explains the partial lifting:

  "Now Israeli officials say they are going to allow in a basic quantity of food to prevent starvation... Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been facing right-wing criticism in Israel about renewing this food." [08:54]

Netanyahu emphasizes the strategic necessity:

"We need to take control of Gaza in a way that they won't stop us." [09:38]

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3. Storm Recovery in Kentucky

Tornado Devastation

A powerful tornado with winds reaching approximately 150 mph swept through central Kentucky, Missouri, and Virginia over the weekend, resulting in over two dozen fatalities and widespread destruction.

• Justin Hicks recounts the storm’s impact:

  "A tornado... tore through central Kentucky... houses just turned over... some RVs were still wrapped around tree trunks." [10:18]

On the Ground in London, Kentucky

Reporting from London, Kentucky, Justin Hicks captures the resilience and plight of the affected communities.

• Justin Hicks describes the aftermath:

  "Matthew Belcher was still in shock... his house was mostly fine, but across the street at the mobile home park, other homes had just disappeared into the wind." [10:39]

Community Response and Emotional Recovery

Amid the devastation, personal stories highlight the community’s strength and the human spirit.

• Justin Hicks shares a poignant moment:

  "Jake Cutchens... sat on the rubble with feet dangling and watched a beautiful purple sunset. He started sharing stories as they recovered pictures." [12:55]

This moment underscores the importance of shared memories in healing:

"Every one of them stops and looks at a picture and smiles and laughs and they're telling stories." [12:56]

National Weather Service Staffing Cuts

Concerns arose about the impact of federal staffing cuts on weather forecasting and emergency warnings.

• Justin Hicks addresses the issue:

  "The local office was closing from about 1 to 7 am to conserve staff. But on nights with bad weather, they shift things around to be fully staffed and ensure they can warn people effectively." [11:54]

The lead meteorologist affirmed preparedness:

"They were fully staffed and prepared on Friday night... the failure to notify people just isn't an option for them." [12:18]

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Conclusion

This episode of Up First provides a comprehensive overview of critical current events affecting national and international landscapes. From the personal health challenges of the nation’s leader to intense geopolitical conflicts and severe weather-induced disasters, NPR delivers insightful coverage to keep listeners informed and engaged.

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Produced by Ziad Butch, Nia Dumas, and Christopher Thomas. Edited by Kevin Drew, Kerry Kahn, Anna Yukoninoff, Ali Schweitzer, and Alice Wobly. Engineering support by Arthur Laurent, Technical Director Zach Coleman.

Transcript

[Steve Inskeep]

President Biden once championed an effort to cut cancer deaths in half.

[Layla Fadel]

Now his office says he received his own cancer diagnosis. The news comes amid a widespread discussion of his fitness during his years in office.

[Steve Inskeep]

I'm Steve Inskeep with Layla Fadel, and this is up first from NPR News. Israel has expanded its ground offensive in Gaza in an operation called Gideon's Chariots, forcing Palestinians to flee again. Why now amid ceasefire talks?

[Layla Fadel]

And recovery is underway after storms killed more than two dozen people in three states over the weekend, Kentucky's governor says there's been an outpouring of help.

[Justin Hicks]

And to each of those individuals looking at what used to be their home that are wondering where they start, there's going to be a bunch of people that show up and say, start with me.

[Layla Fadel]

Stay with us. We'll give you the news you need to start your day.

[Tamara Keith]

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[Layla Fadel]

Former President Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and it has spread to his bones.

[Steve Inskeep]

The news from his office comes as new attention is focused on Biden's decline while in office.

[Layla Fadel]

We're joined now by NPR senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith to discuss. Good morning, Tam.

[Tamara Keith]

Good morning.

[Layla Fadel]

So, Tam, what do you know about the diagnosis?

[Daniel Estrin]

Yeah.

[Tamara Keith]

According to a statement from Biden's personal office, the cancer was detected after he experienced increasing urinary symptoms, and it has metastasized to his bones and is a more aggressive form of prostate cancer. The statement says it appears to be hormone sensitive, which means there are options for effective management. And the former president and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in elderly men. And Biden is 82 years old. He was the oldest president in U.S. history. And there has been this intense focus on his health for years now, but especially after the disastrous debate performance less than a year ago, that performance that ultimately led to him dropping out of the race for president.

[Layla Fadel]

And I want to talk more about that. But before we get to that, I mean, reactions have been pouring in to this diagnosis or the news of this diagnosis. Any of them stand out to you?

[Tamara Keith]

You know, President Trump, who spends a lot of time trashing Biden, was quite gracious writing on social media that he and the first lady were saddened to hear about his diagnosis and wish Biden a fast and successful recovery. Former Vice President Kamala Harris posted quote, I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resil optimism that have always defined his life and leadership.

[Layla Fadel]

Now, Tam, you talked about his decline while in office and the focus of that. And this is all happening in a week where there were already there was already going to be a focus on the former president because of the release of a book about his health while in office, right?

[Tamara Keith]

Yeah. The book is called Original sin, written by CNN's Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson from Axios. And it alleges that Biden experienced both a physical and cognitive decline while in office and that those closest to him cover it up. In an interview with NPR's Scott Detrow that will air on All Things Considered later today, Tapper said everyone loses their train of thought or forgets a name from time to time. But this was different.

[Layla Fadel]

We're talking about to the point of you are not able to have a conversation, you are not able to come up with data, information, knowledge, names that you should have at the ready, including.

[Tamara Keith]

Not recognizing George Clooney at a fundraiser. Biden on the View said the authors are wrong and there is nothing to sustain their claims.

[Layla Fadel]

Now, the claims in this book, are there broader implications here about Biden's fitness while in office.

[Tamara Keith]

This is likely to be an extended and uncomfortable news cycle for Democrats who are trying to move on and restore trust with voters, voters who made it clear they thought Biden was too old to run for reelection well before the Democratic establishment and acknowledged it. But the midterm Elections are more than 18 months away. The economy and President Trump's leadership are almost certainly going to be bigger issues than Joe Biden, who is already in the rearview mirror. And in a week where Republicans are trying to advance Trump's one big beautiful bill, which includes both tax cuts and spending cuts, Democratic politicians would much rather be talking about what's in that bill than rehashing the political tragedy of Joe Biden.

[Layla Fadel]

NPR's Tamara Keith. Thank you for joining us, Tammy.

[Tamara Keith]

You're welcome.

[Layla Fadel]

Israel has launched a new ground offensive.

[Steve Inskeep]

In Gaza and Palestinians are fleeing bombardment. They report more than 100 people were killed on Sunday, including women and children. The intensified war comes at the same time that Israel and Hamas are holding new ceasefire negotiations. And Israel says it will let some food and medicine back into Gaza. And after a blockade of Almost three months.

[Layla Fadel]

NPR's Daniel Estrin is covering the story, and he joins us now. Good morning, Daniel.

[Daniel Estrin]

Good morning, Layla.

[Layla Fadel]

So a lot of big developments this weekend. And so let's just break them down one at a time. And let's start with the ground offensive. What do we know there?

[Daniel Estrin]

Israel had been threatening to expand the war if a deal with Hamas was not reached by the time President Trump left the region late last week. And now that officially has begun. The operation is called Gideon's Chariots. It began Sunday. Just in the last few days, more than 100 people have been killed on average every day, according to Gaza health officials. NPR's Anas Baba is in Gaza City. He's been watching Palestinians flee this heavy bombardment from northern Gaza. They're fleeing by donkey, cart and by foot.

[Justin Hicks]

The people here, they look desperate, pale, some of them.

[Layla Fadel]

They cannot even walk.

[Justin Hicks]

You can see the children in front of me. At the meantime, they are carrying pots and empty, canned and roaming the streets.

[Daniel Estrin]

Anas spoke with one man who was fleeing Wael Al Kilani, and that man described intense bombing and shelling. He said he was fleeing planes who were striking, artillery fire, tanks, Israeli military dropping flyers, ordering evacuations from the area. The Israeli military spokesman says that unlike earlier in the war where troops were going in and out of areas in Gaza, he says that any territory captured by Israel this time is going to remain under its control. Israel is threatening to gradually expand this new offensive until they reach a deal with Hamas to release hostages.

[Layla Fadel]

So as you describe this intensifying of attacks, there's also news of ceasefire negotiations that began this weekend. Is there any hope these will be successful?

[Daniel Estrin]

There are positive signs I'm seeing, but it is still too soon to tell. I spoke to a person briefed on the negotiations who did not have authorization to speak publicly, but offered some details on condition of anonymity and said that the talks between Hamas and Israel are advancing. They discussing the details of what would possibly be a two month ceasefire and around 10 Israeli hostages freed. They're discussing what kind of Palestinian prisoners would be released in exchange and negotiating international guarantees that Hamas is demanding. They want to see that this temporary ceasefire would include talks about a permanent end of the war. And the US Says that it's actively engaged in these talks.

[Layla Fadel]

And let's get to that blockade now. About nearly three months. Israel's now saying it's decided to allow food and supplies back into Gaza. Is this a full lifting of that blockade?

[Daniel Estrin]

Well, there had been a total ban on food and all supplies into Gaza for nearly three months to pressure Hamas to release hostages. Now Israeli officials say they are going to allow in a basic quantity of food to prevent starvation. Experts have been warning of looming famine. And Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been facing right wing criticism in Israel about renewing this food. And he said, look, we would not be able to continue to have international support for our offensive in Gaza if there is mass starvation. He said we're going to take control of Gaza. We need to do it in a way that they won't stop us.

[Layla Fadel]

RPR's Daniel Estrin. Thank you, Daniel.

[Daniel Estrin]

You're welcome.

[Layla Fadel]

More than two dozen are dead across Kentucky, Missouri and Virginia after a storm sent tornadoes through these states over the weekend.

[Steve Inskeep]

Weekend the storm leaves behind a few questions, including these. How will states manage the aftermath? And how much warning did people get after staff cuts at an office of the National Weather Service.

[Layla Fadel]

Let's turn now to Justin Hicks, who's covering the story for Kentucky Public Radio. Justin, good morning.

[Justin Hicks]

Hey, good morning, Layla.

[Layla Fadel]

Can you give us a brief recap of what happened in Kentucky? Yeah.

[Justin Hicks]

So on Friday evening, just about all of Kentucky was bracing for this line of severe thunderstorms that were heading west to east. And we were all told to expect high winds, hail, maybe even tornadoes. Well, just about midnight, the National Weather Service now estimates there was a tornado with roughly 150 mile per hour winds that just tore through central Kentucky.

[Layla Fadel]

Now you're in London, Kentucky. What's the scene right now? How are people feeling?

[Justin Hicks]

Yeah. So while Main street looks pretty normal, just about a five minute drive away, there's houses that are just turned over. That's where I found Matthew Belcher. And he was still in shock yesterday after the tornado. He said he emerged to find that his house was mostly fine. But right across the street at this mobile home park, other homes had just disappeared into the wind. And yesterday, some RVs were still wrapped around tree trunks. It was wild. We had a bunch of power lines. People were rushing to get out and were driving through them. But we got very, very blessed considering that we are 15, 20ft away from mass destruction. And Belcher says his neighborhood was told they may not have running water or power again for weeks because you could see all the light poles are just leaning or snapped in two. And meanwhile, everyone with damages have been scrambling to patch holes in their houses or get keepsakes removed because the weather experts are telling us that another round of thunderstorms is coming tonight and Tuesday.

[Layla Fadel]

Speaking of weather events, there's been some reporting too, about the local National Weather Service office having staffing cuts thanks to these federal cost saving measures. What do we know about how that affected the office's ability to warn about the storm?

[Justin Hicks]

So our Kentucky Public Radio team found that on quiet nights, the local office was closing from about 1 to 7am to conserve staff. But then on nights with bad weather, they are able to shift things around to make sure they are fully staffed. And so the office's lead meteorologist says they were fully staffed and they were prepared on Friday night. They said that they knew a tornado was possible and that the failure to notify people just isn't an option for them.

[Layla Fadel]

Now, you're in the midst of the destruction there in London and you've been talking to survivors and volunteers and looking at the wreckage. Were there any moments that stuck out to you?

[Justin Hicks]

Yeah, so I spoke to this guy named Jake Cutchens. He was there helping his girlfriend's family, the Karnes family. And they were all digging through what was left of the house after the tornado just blew the entire second story and the roof off. And so we sort of sat on the rubble of that second story with our feet dangling off the edge, and we sort of watched this beautiful purple sunset over this totally decimated neighborhood. And sitting there, Cutchens just started unreeing his thoughts.

[Layla Fadel]

You know, the thing that they recovered.

[Justin Hicks]

The most out of here was pictures.

[Layla Fadel]

And somehow every one of them stops.

[Justin Hicks]

And looks at a picture and smiles and laughs and they're telling stories.

[Layla Fadel]

And it says Appalachian's Heart right here.

[Justin Hicks]

And it's the coolest thing to just see it. So I think it's just little moments like that that really help put things in perspective after such a big tragedy.

[Layla Fadel]

Absolutely. That's Justin Hicks with Kentucky Public Radio. Justin, thank you for your reporting.

[Justin Hicks]

Of course. Thanks.

[Layla Fadel]

And that's up first for Monday, May 19th. I'm Leila Falden.

[Steve Inskeep]

And I'm Steve Inskeep. Thanks for waking up with NPR News. Your NPR station is what makes up first possible. Each morning you support their work, and when you do that, you also support ours. Go to donate.NPR.org UpFirst Today's episode of.

[Layla Fadel]

UpFirst was edited by Kevin Drew, Kerry Kahn, Anna Yukoninoff, Ali Schweitzer and Alice Wobly. It was produced by Ziad Butch, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Arthur Laurent, and our technical director is Zach Coleman. Join us again tomorrow.

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