Up First from NPR: May 17, 2025

NPR’s Up First delivers the most important stories of the day in a concise, engaging format. In this episode, hosts Scott Simon and Ayesha Rascoe cover the devastating storms in Kentucky, a significant Supreme Court ruling on immigration, and pivotal presidential elections in Europe.

Severe Kentucky Storms Leave Over 20 Dead

Timestamp: 00:02 – 04:38

The episode opens with grim reports of deadly storms and tornadoes wreaking havoc across several states, with Kentucky bearing the brunt of the devastation. Over 20 fatalities have been confirmed, primarily in Laurel County.

Karen Zar, correspondent from member station WUKY in Lexington, provides a comprehensive update:

"We are in Lexington, which is the central part of Kentucky, and it seems like south of us sustained the most damage. Officials in several counties say that they're going to have a better assessment of the scope of the damage as the sun comes up." (01:21)

The city of London, Kentucky, is highlighted as one of the hardest-hit areas, with mayor Randall Weddell stating:

"I'm hopeful that in those cases that they've been taken to the shelter or they've just not made contact yet." (02:23)

Zar describes the extensive damage with vivid imagery:

"There are areas where there used to be a neighborhood and there's nothing left but sticks. It is completely flat. The damage is devastating and it looks similar to what we saw in western Kentucky several years ago." (03:10)

The ongoing efforts involve rescue crews searching for survivors amidst the collapsed homes and buildings. Additionally, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) continues its support, with recovery centers operational statewide to assist those affected by recent and past storms.

Supreme Court Halts Trump Administration’s Deportation of Venezuelans

Timestamp: 04:43 – 09:09

The next major story delves into a significant Supreme Court decision impacting the Trump administration’s immigration policies. The Court has ruled that the administration cannot deport a group of Venezuelan immigrants while their cases are under judicial review.

Ximena Bastillo, NPR’s immigration reporter, explains:

"The Supreme Court issued a preliminary injunction which extends the pause on deportations of Venezuelan immigrants in North Texas via the use of the Alien Enemies Act... The Supreme Court said in its Friday order that it meant to preserve its jurisdiction over the case while letting lower courts decide just how much notice should be given to people the government wants to quickly remove using this power." (05:13)

In response to the ruling, President Trump voiced strong opposition on his Truth Social platform:

"The Supreme Court will not allow us to get criminals out of our country." (06:21)

Trump criticized the Court, asserting that their decision impedes his administration’s efforts to enforce immigration laws swiftly. Bastillo highlights the administration's stance:

"He complained that the court is forcing his administration to go through what he called a long, protracted and expensive legal process to deport migrants in the country." (06:21)

Additionally, the Court's deliberations touched upon birthright citizenship, stemming from Trump’s executive order challenging the 14th Amendment. Justice Brett Kavanaugh notably questioned Department of Justice attorneys on the logistics of managing citizenship for children born in the U.S. to non-legal immigrants, revealing uncertainties within the administration:

"Conservative Brett Kavanaugh really questioned DOJ attorneys over exactly how the government was supposed to manage and oversee babies born without citizenship in the U.S. and government lawyers said they didn't know." (07:11)

The episode also covers ongoing tensions between the White House and federal judges, particularly regarding the treatment of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man deported to El Salvador by error. Judge Polazzini has expressed frustration with the administration’s lack of transparency and cooperation:

"She simply just hasn't been given enough information to determine whether the government's efforts to free Abrego Garcia from El Salvador should be covered by national security concerns." (08:06)

Pivotal Presidential Elections in Poland and Romania

Timestamp: 09:17 – 12:54

Shifting focus to European politics, the episode highlights crucial presidential elections scheduled for the following day in Poland and Romania. Both elections feature a contest between far-right candidates and pro-Western reformers, set against a backdrop of rising populist movements across the continent.

Rob Schmitz, NPR’s Central Europe correspondent based in Berlin, provides in-depth analysis:

Poland: Battle for Democratic Institutions

In Poland, the Law and Justice Party (PiS), known for its far-right stance and previous efforts to undermine democratic institutions, is poised for another showdown. Current President Andrzej Duda, an ally of PiS, is termed out, opening the field for new leadership.

"The Civic Coalition has a chance here to win the presidency because their candidate, Rafa Czkovsky, the mayor of Warsaw, has a commanding lead in the polls. Law and Justice's candidate, Carl Novrotsky is trailing by around 5%." (10:57)

However, with multiple candidates in the fray, a runoff election between the top contenders is anticipated in early June. Schmitz emphasizes the high stakes:

"This is one of the most important presidential elections in a generation... Poland's democracy could be in trouble if there isn't a president to check their power." (11:25)

Political analyst Andrzej Bobinski underscores the president's role as a guardian of the constitutional order:

"The president is super important as somebody who will be basically checking the next government." (11:29)

Romania: A Contested Race Amidst Foreign Influence

In Romania, the presidential race is equally contentious. The election follows a tumultuous previous cycle where a far-right pro-Kremlin candidate, Talim Gorgescu, was initially declared the winner before an annulment due to alleged Russian interference through social media manipulation.

This time, voters will choose between:

• George Simeon: A hard-right nationalist with affinities towards President Trump and Vladimir Putin.

• Nikoshor Dan: A pro-Western reformer and mayor of Bucharest, advocating for stronger ties with Western institutions.

"Given what happened last November, the outcome of this election could be unpredictable and full of controversy." (12:33)

Rob Schmitz notes the absence of a clear frontrunner in Romania, making the election particularly unpredictable and a focal point for European observers concerned about foreign influence and the balance between east and west.

"Many Europeans are nervously watching this one." (12:50)

Looking Ahead

As the episode concludes, listeners are invited to tune in to the Sunday Story, which will explore the theme "The US on the path to authoritarianism". This segment promises insights from scholars and individuals who have experienced repressive regimes, drawing parallels with current political dynamics in the United States.

Produced by Alaina Torrek with contributions from Danny Hensell, Martin Patience, and the NPR team.

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