NPR News: 05-12-2026 1PM EDT

The NPR News Now broadcast from May 12, 2026, rounds up key developments amid the ongoing U.S. war with Iran, including sharp economic fallout from disrupted energy supplies, diplomatic maneuvers involving President Trump, and related strains in Israeli politics. It also covers a contained hantavirus outbreak and fallout from the cancellation of Stephen Colbert's late-night show.

Inflation Hits Near-Three-Year High from War Disruptions

Consumer prices rose 3.8% in April from a year earlier, the largest annual increase since May 2023, driven largely by the U.S. war with Iran. Monthly prices jumped 0.6%, with higher energy costs—sparked by Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz—accounting for 40% of that gain. Gasoline prices have surged about $1.50 per gallon since the war began late February, while diesel prices have climbed even more, rippling into other sectors: airline tickets, for instance, are up over 20% year-over-year as jet fuel costs soar. These pressures highlight how the conflict is embedding itself into everyday U.S. living costs, with broader effects on goods and services still emerging.