NPR News: 06-08-2025 3PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: June 8, 2025, 3PM EDT

Host: Nora Ramm
Source: NPR
Description: The latest news in five minutes. Updated hourly.

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1. Federalization of National Guard in Los Angeles Amid Immigration Raids

[00:18]

President Trump has federalized the National Guard in Los Angeles to safeguard federal immigration agents following recent immigration raids and subsequent protests. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem commended the move, citing failures by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to adequately protect immigration officers during these operations.

• Noem stated at [00:47]:
  "When we ask for backup in a situation, LAPD has waited hours to respond and they've waited until we have an officer in a dangerous situation until they come in."

This contrasts with the LAPD's position, which claims they responded within 55 minutes and successfully dispersed hostile crowds. California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized Trump's decision, alleging it was an attempt to "manufacture a crisis." The National Guard's role is strictly to support and protect DHS and ICE agents, without engaging in active law enforcement.

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2. Salmonella Outbreak Linked to August Egg Co.

[01:23]

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported a salmonella outbreak affecting 79 individuals linked to eggs produced by August Egg Co. The affected products include organic and cage-free brown eggs sold under brands such as Clover, First Street, O Organics, and Marketside.

• Claire Marie Schneider reports at [01:34]:
  "The recalled eggs should be thrown away or returned."

The recalled eggs, distributed across California, Nevada, and seven other states, carry sell-by dates from March 4 to June 19. Retailers involved include Safeway, Ralph's, Smart & Final, and Walmart locations.

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3. Escalating Conflict in Ukraine: Russian Strikes on Kharkiv

[02:16]

Ukraine has reported a second consecutive night of Russian attacks targeting the northeastern region of Kharkiv, including residential areas, resulting in at least one civilian casualty. These strikes are perceived as retaliation for Ukraine's recent covert operations against Russian bombers.

• Joanna Kakisis explains at [02:27]:
  "Russia hit a village in the Kharkiv region with highly destructive glide bombs."

A German military assessment suggests that while Moscow retains 90% of its strategic capabilities, there is an emerging need to bolster security measures to protect its existing fleet. Additionally, Russian ground forces have reportedly captured a small border village in Sumy, according to the Ukrainian monitoring group Deep State.

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4. Civilian Casualties in Gaza Over Food Distribution Efforts

[03:12]

Health officials in Gaza have reported that six Palestinians were killed today while attempting to access food distribution sites supported by Israel and the U.S. The Israeli military claims that its troops fired warning shots as suspects approached the distribution areas.

• The situation has escalated over the past two weeks, with more than 100 people losing their lives while trying to secure food supplies.

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5. Aristo Sham Wins Prestigious Van Cleibler International Piano Competition

[03:12 - 04:19]

29-year-old pianist Aristo Sham, originally from China, has secured the gold medal at the Van Cleibler International Piano Competition, one of classical piano’s most esteemed contests.

• Judge Bill Ziebel highlighted at [03:55]:
  "Judges were impressed not only with challenging recitals of Beethoven and Ravel but also with three different concertos, including the weighty Brahms."

• Aristo Sham reflected at [04:08]:
  "What I try to do is just be the absolute best version of myself and present that. I could not control anything else. So I just focus on that."

The victory awards Sham $100,000 in cash, along with three years of management and international bookings. The competition also awarded similar opportunities to the silver and bronze medalists.

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6. Capture of Ed the Zebra After a Week on the Run

[04:32]

Ed the zebra, missing since May 31 from his residence in Christiana, Tennessee, was successfully captured after more than a week evading authorities. Despite occasional sightings that led to the temporary shutdown of Interstate 24, Ed was apprehended safely this morning in a nearby field.

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This comprehensive update covers significant national and international events, from political maneuvers and public health alerts to international conflicts and unique local news stories.

Transcript

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[Nora Ramm]

In Washington, I'm Nora Ramm. National Guard troops are in Los Angeles after President Trump federalized the force yesterday and ordered them to protect federal immigration agents. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem praised the move after days of protests against immigration raids. NPR's Luke Garrett reports.

[Kristi Noem]

DHS Secretary Noem tells CBS News that Los Angeles law enforcement failed to quickly protect immigration officers during raids and the ensuing protests from local residents.

When we ask for backup in a situation, LAPD has waited hours to respond and they've waited until we have an officer in a dangerous situation until they come in.

Noem says agents suffered injuries and that the National Guard is needed to protect them. But LAPD says they answered the federal agents calls for help within 55 minutes and dispersed a hostile crowd. Trump's order allows National Guard troops to support and protect DHS and ICE agents, but it does not allow for law enforcement activity by the troops. California Governor Gavin Newsom says Trump is trying to manufacture a crisis. Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington.

[Nora Ramm]

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say a salmonella outbreak linked to a California egg producer has sickened 79 people. NPR's Claire Marie Schneider has more.

[Claire Marie Schneider]

The recalled eggs, organic and cage free brown eggs from the producer August Egg Co. Were sold in California and Nevada with sell by dates from March 4 to June 4. The eggs were sold at Safeway, Ralph's, Smart and Final, as well as other grocery stores. They were also distributed to Walmart locations in Nevada and California, as well as seven other states. Those eggs have sell by dates ranging from March 4 to June 19. Some of the brands the recalled eggs were sold under include Clover, First Street, O Organics and Marketside. The CDC says that all recalled eggs should be thrown away or returned. Claire Marie Schneider, NPR News.

[Nora Ramm]

Ukraine says Russia attacked the northeastern Ukrainian section of Kharkiv for a second night, hitting residential areas and killing at least one civilian. NPR's Joanna Kakisis reports.

[Joanna Kakisis]

Russia hit a village in the Kharkiv region, which borders Russia, with highly destructive glide bombs. The night before, Russia pummeled the city of Kharkiv with drones, missiles and guided bombs. The attacks are seen as retaliation for Ukraine's covert operation that used cheap drones to hit dozens of Russian bombers deep in the Russian heartland last week A German military assessment estimates that Moscow retained 90% of its strategic, but that Russia will now have to amp up security to save its existing fleet. Meanwhile, in the northeastern region of Sumy, Russian ground forces captured a small border village, according to the Ukrainian monitoring group Deep State. Joanna Kakisis, NPR News, Kyiv.

[Nora Ramm]

This is NPR News. Health officials in Gaza say at least six Palestinians were killed today while trying to reach food distribution sites backed by Israel and the U.S. the Israeli military says its troops had fired warning shots as suspects were approaching the troops. Gaza health officials say more than 100 people have been killed trying to access food in the past two weeks. A Chinese born pianist has won one of classical piano's most prestigious contests. 29 year old aristo Sham took home the gold medal at the Van Kleiber International Piano Competition. Bill Siebel with member station KERA reports.

[Bill Ziebel]

Impressed judges not only with challenging recitals of Beethoven and Ravel, among others, but three different concertos, including the weighty Brahms. Second, he said surprise was the wrong word to use on winning because he couldn't control the judges.

[Aristo Sham]

What we can do, what I try to do is just be the absolute best version of myself and present that. And I could not control anything else. And so I just focus on that.

[Bill Ziebel]

Sham wins $100,000 cash, but more important, three years of management and international bookings. The silver and bronze medalists also win three years of management and bookings. I'm Bill Ziebel in Dallas.

[Nora Ramm]

Ed the zebra was captured today after more than a week on the run. He was reported missing May 31 from his home in Christiana, Tennessee. For the past week. The pet zebra was spotted occasionally once authorities shut down Interstate 24 after a sighting there. The sheriff's office says he was caught safely this morning and in a field not far from home. I'm Nora Ram, NPR News.

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