NPR News Now - NPR News: 05-26-2025 10AM EDT

Episode Date: May 26, 2025

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Conductor Robert Fron says a good melody captures our attention. And then it moves you through time. Music is architecture in time. If you engage in the moment with what you're listening to, you do lose a sense of the time around you. How we experience time. That's on the TED Radio Hour from NPR. That's on the Ted Radio Hour from NPR. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. President Trump will mark this Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery. He'll take part in a wreath-laying ceremony and deliver remarks. NPR's Amy Held reports the origins of the federal holiday can be traced back to the

Civil War. The Memorial Day became a federal holiday in 1971. Long before that, Americans recognized what was known as Decoration Day, adorning the graves of those who died in service. Today, it's the turn of two Civil War veterans. John and Henry Weedon served in the 39th U.S. Colored Infantry Regiment based in Baltimore. Thought to be cousins, they are buried in a churchyard in Frederick, Maryland. Joe Wilson, also a veteran, says they have long been neglected. He worked with the VA to secure veteran headstones for the men.

The very least we could do is make sure that they have a proper headstone, especially for Memorial Day, that these men are recognized for their sacrifices. Tens of thousands of black service members in segregated units fought and died in the Civil War. Amy Held and PR News. Recovery efforts are continuing in London, Kentucky, where a powerful tornado touched down more than a week ago. Karen Czar of Member Station WUKY reports 19 people were killed.

Over the weekend, President Donald Trump signed off on Kentucky's request for disaster assistance for six counties impacted by the May 16th storms. Daniel Bernardi, public information officer for FEMA, said the approval paved the way for individual federal disaster assistance, including a one-time payment of $770 from the Serious Needs Assistance program. It's for serious needs like food, water, gasoline, baby formula, breastfeeding equipment, that kind of thing. As of this morning, FEMA disaster recovery centers are open in two of the six counties

approved for assistance. For NPR News, I'm Karen Zarr in London, Kentucky. Gas prices are holding steady with a national average of less than $3.20 per gallon. That's significantly cheaper than a year ago. And as NPR's Kamila Domenosky reports, it's cheap by historical standards as well. If you exclude 2020, when the pandemic sent gas prices plunging, and you adjust for inflation, gas hasn't been this cheap for Memorial Day weekend in 20 years. That's according to an analysis from the app GasBuddy. Normally gas gets more expensive every spring, but this year

prices just never went up. Analysts say that's driven by dropping crude oil prices, triggered by economic uncertainty and a boost in OPEX oil production. Meanwhile, EV charging rates are also holding steady, as they usually do. AAA reports a national average of 36 cents a kilowatt hour. NPR News from Washington. The Senate is expected to take up the multi-trillion-dollar government spending bill after Memorial Day. People with disabilities and rights groups fear proposed cuts to Medicaid and a larger state role in the program could have devastating consequences. NPR's Kristen Wright explains. Millions of children and adults

with disabilities rely on Medicaid for doctors visits, specialized care, and medications. Also long-term care. Katie Neese, CEO of the ARC, says billions in cuts would mean people would lose coverage. To assume that states can stand up these new administrative procedures swiftly and efficiently just isn't pragmatic. Advocates say new work requirements would also kick off many who should be exempt. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt insists those requirements target waste, fraud and abuse. It should be going to people who physically cannot work. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates 8.7 million people could lose Medicaid

coverage under the bill. Kristen Wright, NPR News. Boeing has reached a tentative agreement with the Justice Department to resolve criminal charges stemming from the two fatal crashes of 737 MAX jets. The deal requires the plane maker to pay more than $1.1 billion, including more than $440 million to a victims fund. The crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia killed 346 people in 2018 and 2019. I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News in Washington.