NPR News Now - NPR News: 05-15-2025 7PM EDT

Episode Date: May 15, 2025

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Imagine, if you will, a show from NPR that's not like NPR, a show that focuses not on the important but the stupid, which features stories about people smuggling animals in their pants and competent criminals in ridiculous science studies, and call it Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me because the good names were taken. Listen to NPR's Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me. Yes, that is what it is called wherever you get your podcasts. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. Scaled down peace talks between Russia and Ukraine anticipated today in Turkey now appear on hold till at least Friday.

The delay comes amid dimming hopes for a diplomatic breakthrough to end Russia's war with Ukraine from Moscow NPR's Charles Maynes reports. If they occur, the negotiations would mark the first between Moscow and Kiev since the early months of the Russian invasion more than three years ago. The planned meeting was derailed by new Russian President Vladimir Putin would skip the event, instead dispatching mid-level technocrats to negotiate. The move clearly angered Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who had traveled to Turkey and challenged Putin to do the same. Instead, Zelensky said a lower-level Ukrainian

delegation would engage with the Russian team. Meanwhile, President Trump, who had indicated he might attend if it brought the two sides closer, now says diplomatic progress to end the war remains unlikely until he and Putin meet face-to-face. Charles Mainz in PR News, Moscow. A Wisconsin judge accused of helping a man evade immigration authorities has pleaded not guilty in federal court. Her case has sparked protest over President Trump's enforcement against illegal immigration. Myon Silver from Member Station WWM reports.

Supporters of Judge Hannah Dugan protested outside the courthouse in Milwaukee. Are we going to allow dedicated public servants to be smeared? And are we going to allow them to smear the reputation of the Honorable Hannah Dugan? No. Dugan pleaded not guilty to concealing an individual to prevent arrest and obstruction. The judge is accused of directing a defendant without legal status out of her courtroom as U.S. immigration and customs enforcement agents tried to arrest him. A federal grand jury indicted Dugan Tuesday.

She and her attorneys left the hearing without speaking to reporters. They're asking for a speedy trial. For NPR News, I'm Aya Anselver in Milwaukee. Shares in United Health Group plunged today after the massive health care and insurance conglomerate dismissed reports of a government investigation. The NPR's Maria Aspin reports the company's shares closed down nearly 11 percent. United Health Group is one of the largest and most powerful companies in the world. It controls how tens of millions of Americans access and pay for health care. But it's having a terrible year, which kept getting worse this week.

On Tuesday, United Health abruptly replaced its CEO and suspended its financial guidance for this year. Now, it's facing reports of a potentially criminal investigation by the Department of Justice into its Medicare business. The company says it has not been notified by the DOJ of such an investigation and that it stands by the integrity of its business. But investors are spooked. Shares in UnitedHealth have fallen more than 50% in the past month, shaving hundreds of billions of dollars off its market cap.

Maria Aspin, NPR News, New York. Stocks drifted to a mixed close again today. The Dow was up 271 points, the NASDAQ down 34. This is NPR. New Jersey Transit authorities are continuing to negotiate with the union representing train engineers. In an advisory put out this afternoon, the transit system advised all customers to complete their travel before 11.59 p.m. this evening. That's because of a threatened strike by train engineers that could affect some 350,000 commuters in New Jersey and New York who use the transit line.

Some bus service is also being affected. Engineers have threatened to strike just after midnight with wages the main sticking point in the negotiations. Tony award-winning Broadway songwriter Charles Strauss has died, the composer of the hit musicals Bye Bye Birdie, Applause and Annie was 96. Jeff London has this remembrance. The classically trained composer first hit Broadway

with the rock and roll parody Bye Bye Birdie in 1960. It became an enormous hit, winning the Tony Award. Since then, it's been one of the most performed shows in community theaters and high schools. It's a wonderful feeling, and I am modest, though not humble or any way, but I'm a very lucky man. And Strauss became a very rich man. While he penned his share of flops, he also had two more smash hits,

Applause, based on the film All About Eve, and Annie, based on the comic book character. Strauss kept working into his 80s on new projects. For NPR News, I'm Jeff London in New York.