NPR News Now: Episode Summary – June 11, 2025, 11 AM EDT

NPR's "News Now" episode from June 11, 2025, delivered a comprehensive roundup of the day's most pressing issues. Hosted by Korva Coleman and featuring reports from Martin Costi and Quill Lawrence, the episode covered significant developments in federal immigration enforcement, military base name changes, economic updates, and the Broadway theater scene.

1. Federal Immigration Protests and Troop Deployment in Los Angeles

Overview: An overnight curfew in downtown Los Angeles, spanning one square mile, has been lifted following ongoing protests against federal immigration raids. The situation remains volatile with the presence of federal troops adding to the unpredictability.

Key Points:

• Troop Deployment: The Trump administration dispatched 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles in response to anti-ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) protests that have occasionally turned violent and resulted in looting.

• Local Authorities' Response: Louisiana Mayor Karen Bass expressed confusion and concern over the federal response.

  Karen Bass [00:49]: "We just don't know. And I think that's a problem with the administration because to come in in such a massive way and to make the announcements that all of this was going to happen and then not communicated with the local jurisdiction as to when, what, how, why is really problematic."

• Legal Challenges: California officials have initiated a lawsuit, arguing that President Trump overstepped his authority by deploying federal troops without proper justification.

• Wider Protests: Demonstrations against immigration raids are occurring in major cities nationwide, including New York, Dallas, Atlanta, Boston, San Francisco, Denver, Philadelphia, Seattle, and Chicago. In Chicago, a car reportedly drove into a crowd of protesters, though details about arrests or injuries remain unclear.

Insights: The deployment of federal troops in response to immigration protests has sparked significant debate regarding federal authority and local jurisdiction. The legal actions taken by California officials highlight growing tensions between state and federal approaches to immigration enforcement.

2. President Trump's Decision to Rename Military Bases

Overview: President Trump announced intentions to revert the names of seven military bases to honor Confederate war figures, reversing a bipartisan effort from the previous administration that had changed nine base names.

Key Points:

• Initial Announcement:

  Quill Lawrence [02:09]: "At the end of the first Trump administration, a bipartisan effort changed nine base names that honored Confederate generals over the objections of then President Trump in his second term."

• Specific Changes: Two bases, including Fort Bragg in North Carolina, were initially ordered to revert to their Confederate-associated names.

• Official Clarification:

  Quill Lawrence [02:36]: "Hours later, the official army announcement said something else. Fort Lee will officially be named after Private Fitz Lee, who earned a Medal of Honor in the Spanish American War. All nine bases will honor troops from the past 150 years who, who happen to share the names of Confederate figures."

Insights: The Trump administration's move to rename military bases has been met with mixed reactions, balancing historical recognition with contemporary values. The subsequent clarification by the Army suggests a nuanced approach, emphasizing the honoring of military personnel rather than endorsing Confederate legacies.

3. President Trump's Plans to Eliminate FEMA and Economic Updates

A. FEMA Restructuring

Overview: President Trump has declared intentions to dismantle the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), proposing to transfer disaster relief responsibilities to state governments. A panel has been appointed to develop a replacement plan by the end of the year.

Insights: This significant shift in disaster management strategy underscores the administration's preference for state-level control over federal oversight, potentially impacting the efficiency and coordination of disaster response efforts.

B. Wall Street and Economic Indicators

Overview:

• Stock Market Performance: The Dow Jones Industrial Average saw an increase of nearly 180 points, reflecting a positive market sentiment.

• US-China Trade Relations: Trump announced that China will supply the US with rare earth minerals, marking a pivotal step in ongoing trade negotiations held in London. He stated:

  "The deal is done... the relationship between the two nations is excellent." [02:53]

• Inflation Rates: Annual inflation experienced a slight uptick in May, with consumer prices rising by 2.4% compared to the previous year. Analysts suggest that tariffs imposed by the Trump administration may have contributed to the increased costs of certain goods.

Insights: Economic indicators present a mixed picture: while the stock market is performing well, rising inflation and trade dynamics with China present potential challenges. The commitment to securing rare earth minerals is a strategic move to bolster domestic industries reliant on these materials.

4. Broadway's Post-Tony Awards Closures

Overview: Following the excitement of the Tony Awards, Broadway is witnessing the closure of shows that did not secure awards or maintain strong box office performance.

Key Points:

• "Smash" Musical Closure:

  Jeff London [04:05]: "Despite a rave review in the New York Times, Smash only received a pair of Tony nominations and didn't win either. With below weekly grosses, its producers announced the show would close on June 22 after only 84 performances."

• Other Notable Closures:

  • Othello starring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal
  • Good Night and Good Luck featuring George Clooney, which despite closing, garnered impressive numbers with $4.3 million in the last week and over 7 million viewers.

Insights: The Broadway landscape remains competitive and unforgiving, where critical acclaim does not always translate to commercial success. High-profile shows with star power may still struggle if they fail to resonate with audiences consistently.

Conclusion: The June 11, 2025, episode of NPR News Now provided listeners with an in-depth look at critical national issues, including federal and local government interactions over immigration enforcement, shifts in military base nomenclature, significant economic updates, and trends in the cultural sector of Broadway. Through detailed reporting and direct quotes from key figures, the episode offered a nuanced perspective on the evolving political and economic landscape.