NPR News Now - NPR News: 05-26-2025 1PM EDT

Episode Date: May 26, 2025

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These days, there's a lot of news. It can be hard to keep up with what it means for you, your family, and your community. Consider this from NPR as a podcast that helps you make sense of the news. Six days a week, we bring you a deep dive on a story and provide the context, backstory, and analysis you need to understand our rapidly changing world. Listen to the Consider This podcast from NPR. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Noor Ahram. President Trump placed a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier at Arlington National

Cemetery this morning to honor those in uniform who have given their lives for their country. He said the U.S. owes them a great debt. President Trump These warriors, and that's what they are, as great, great warriors, picked up their mantle of duty and service. Knowing that to live for others meant always that they might die for others. They knew that. They asked nothing for it. They gave everything.

And we owe them everything and much, much more. Earlier today, he had another Memorial Day message. On social media, Trump called former President Joe Biden's scum and criticized the judges who have blocked his efforts to fast-track mass deportations. After it returns from the Memorial Day recess, the Senate is expected to take up the multi-trillion-dollar government spending bill.

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. Russia launched huge drone and missile strikes against Ukraine for the third day in a row,

killing more than a dozen people. President Trump criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for the attacks but did not offer new sanctions against the Kremlin. NPR's Joanna Kikissis reports. In Kiev, the Russian strike sounded like this. NPR's bureau recorded this overnight as Ukraine's air defenses shot down Russian drones flying over the neighborhood. Trump wrote on social media that Putin had quote, gone absolutely crazy in attacking civilians in cities. But Trump also criticized Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky saying that everything that comes out of Zelensky's mouth causes problems

Zelensky wrote on social media that only tougher Western sanctions on Russia will force the Kremlin to stop bombing Ukraine Joanna Kikissis NPR News Kiev. This is NPR News in Washington Britain's King Charles arrived in Canada today for a two-day visit. He's there at the invitation of Prime Minister Mark Carney, who's repeatedly rejected President Trump's desire to make Canada the 51st state. Charles is to open the parliament in Ottawa tomorrow, delivering what's called a speech from the throne, the first time a monarch has done so in decades. Carney says the king's visit clearly underscores the sovereignty of Canada.

In the U.S., the origins of the Memorial Day holiday can be traced back to the Civil War. NPR's Amy Held reports. 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, NPR News. This Memorial Day, AAA estimates 45 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home over the weekend. That would break a record set in 2004. GasBuddy says drivers are finding gas prices at the lowest level in four years. I'm Nora Rahm, NPR News. This is Fresh Air contributor Anne-Marie Baldonado. I'm Nora Rahm, NPR News.