NPR News Now - NPR News: 05-17-2025 12PM EDT

Episode Date: May 17, 2025

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Look, we get it. When it comes to new music, there is a lot of it. And it all comes really fast. But on All Songs Considered, NPR's music recommendation podcast, we'll handpick what we think is the greatest music happening right now and give you your next great listen. So kick back, settle in, get those eardrums wide open, and get your dose of new music from All Songs Considered, only from NPR. dose of new music from all songs considered, only from NPR. Live from NPR News in New York City, I'm Dwahle Saikautel. The death toll continues to climb in Kentucky after suspected tornadoes swept through the south and southeastern parts of the state.

We get more from Stan Engold with Member Station WEKU. Tornado reports came in overnight. Hundreds of homes and buildings have been damaged. The city of London and southeastern Kentucky took a serious hit. Kristin Mosley and her family live in London, and while their home was spared, she says she was able to get out and see the damage. Total devastation. I mean, trees ripped up, houses ripped apart.

I mean, you can't really put it in order to tell how tragic it is." While the tornado risk had passed by Saturday morning, a flood risk persisted in parts of the state. For NPR News, I'm Stan Engold in Richmond, Kentucky. A panel of appellate judges says President Trump's executive order ending union rights for most federal workers can go forward for now. As NPR's Andrea Hsu reports, the decision reverses a lower court decision. Back in late March, President Trump signed an executive order ending collective bargaining rights at agencies including the IRS, the Food and Drug Administration, the Environmental

Protection Agency, and many, many more. The White House argued Trump had the power to do so because these agencies have national security as a primary mission. The National Treasury Employees Union sued, arguing Trump's interpretation of national security was too broad. Last month, a lower court halted the order. Now, in a 2-to-1 ruling, a panel of judges at the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals says the lower court's pause harms the president by impeding his national security prerogatives. Andrea Hsu, NPR News. A new report finds that states across the country have made some progress in addressing the mental health needs of pregnant and postpartum women.

Maternal health conditions like postpartum depression affect about one in five U.S. mothers every year. And Piers Ritu Chatterjee reports about three quarters never get treatments. Researchers at the Policy Center on Maternal Mental Health put out a report card that graded states for their level of access to care for mental health problems in pregnant women and new moms. They found that while overall the country is still failing to adequately address maternal mental health needs, there were incremental improvements since the year before.

Five states, California, Colorado, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Washington, got the top grade of B for the very first time. Michigan had the biggest jump in grade from a D plus to a B minus by taking several steps to improve care, including screening for maternal mental health conditions. Two states, Alabama and Mississippi, received failing grades. Ritu Chatterjee, NPR News. President Trump plans to speak Monday to Russia's President Vladimir Putin. The subject Trump writes will be stopping the quote, bloodbath killing both Ukrainians and Russians. This is NPR News from New York.

That annual exercise in camp and strobe lighting the Eurovision Song Contest takes place in Basel, Switzerland today. And if this year is like past years, British hopes of victory will be resolutely dashed, Vicki Barker reports from London. The UK hasn't won Eurovision since 1997, and last year's entrant scored zero points in the public vote. Cue this year's entry. Hell just happened.

Country pop trio Remember Monday stripping off their poofy skirts to their single What the Hell Just Happened, which, the Telegraph reports, basically summed up the non-plussed reaction in the room during the semi-finals. The betting consolidator odds-checker has Britain the favorites to place last. But the UK does boast one distinction. It holds the record for taking second place more than any other nation. For NPR News, I'm Vicki Barker in London. Three Iranian men in Britain are accused of spying on behalf of Iran. The men are charged

with engaging in conduct likely to assist a foreign intelligence service. The Trier are believed to have lived in London and are among the eight people arrested in two separate investigations by British counter-terrorism police earlier this month. Seven are Iranian nationals. Brent's Interior Minister Yvette Cooper said Iran must be held accountable for its actions. A preliminary hearing for the men is scheduled for June 6. I'm Dua Halisi-Cao Tao, NPR News in New York.