NPR News Now: June 11, 2025, 5PM EDT

NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on the latest national and international developments. Below is a detailed summary capturing all key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode released on June 11, 2025.

1. Public Media Funding Under Threat

The episode opened with a critical update on the potential rescissions package being considered by Congress. This package, originating from the White House, aims to reclaim over $1 billion in public media funding. Currently, federal support for public media stands at approximately $1.60 per person annually, funding essential services like NPR's news and podcasts.

• Unknown Speaker [00:00]: "Congress is considering a rescissions package from the White House that would claw back more than $1 billion of public media funding."

This move has sparked concern among public media advocates, emphasizing the importance of community support to sustain these vital services.

2. Federal Charges Filed Amid Immigration Enforcement Protests

Host Jack Spear introduced a significant legal development in Washington, where federal prosecutors in Los Angeles are preparing to charge individuals accused of violence during recent protests against immigration enforcement.

• Jack Spear [00:24]: "Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles are to roll out charges against people accused of violence during recent protests against immigration enforcement."

Reporter Martin Costi provided further details, highlighting that two men have been federally charged with possessing explosives during these protests. Notably, one of the individuals is in the country illegally.

• Martin Costi [00:39]: "Two men have been charged federally for possessing explosives during the protests, and prosecutors say one of them is in the country illegally."

U.S. Attorney Bill Assaile emphasized the breadth of the investigation, indicating that these charges are just the beginning.

• Bill Assaile [00:51]: "We are looking at hundreds of people. We have FBI collecting video. We are collecting body cam. We're collecting social media. We, we're collecting everything and we're going to take our time. We're going to identify people. They think the mask is saving them. It's not saving them."

Assaile also mentioned potential federal charges ranging from arson and looting to assaults on local law enforcement during times of civil unrest. Despite tensions between state and federal authorities, he affirmed the cooperative efforts between federal investigators and local police.

• Martin Costi [01:05]: "Assaile says possible federal charges include arson, looting and attacking local law enforcement in a time of civil unrest. Despite the war of words between state and federal political leaders, he says federal investigators are working well with local police."

3. President Trump's Legal Battle Over Criminal Conviction

The podcast delved into the ongoing legal struggles of former President Donald Trump, particularly his efforts to overturn a criminal conviction related to hush money payments made to an adult film star before the 2016 election. A federal appeals court in Manhattan recently heard arguments on whether Trump's case can be moved from state to federal court post-sentencing.

• Jack Spear [01:22]: "A federal appeals court in Manhattan heard arguments today in President Trump's ongoing fight to erase his criminal conviction. The case involved hush money payments to an adult film star ahead of the 2016 election."

Kat Lonsdorf reported from the courtroom, detailing the core arguments of both sides.

• Kat Lonsdorf [01:43]: "The president's legal team argued essentially that prosecutors relied on evidence in trial related to Trump's official acts as president and therefore this should be a federal case. Even though the crime itself was committed while Trump was still a candidate in 2016, the Manhattan District attorney's office maintains it should stay with the state."

The three-judge panel acknowledged the unprecedented nature of the case, noting that no U.S. President had ever been convicted of a crime before. The panel is set to deliver a ruling at a later date.

• Kat Lonsdorf [01:43]: "The panel will issue a ruling at a later date."

4. May Inflation Rates Fall Below Expectations

Economist Scott Horsley provided insights into the government's latest Cost of Living report, revealing that inflation in May was slightly lower than anticipated.

• Jack Spear [02:22]: "Inflation in May was a bit lower than forecasters had expected."

• Scott Horsley [02:30]: "Inflation remained relatively tame last month even as President Trump's worldwide tariffs took effect. Falling prices at the gas pump helped offset rising prices at the grocery store."

The overall cost of living increased by 0.1% in May, marginally underperforming forecasted figures. While Trump's tariffs may have contributed to higher prices for items like appliances and toys, the overall goods prices remained flat during the month. Additionally, the cost of clothing and both new and used cars saw declines. A notable positive was the continued decrease in egg prices due to the recovery of the nation's egg-laying chicken population from widespread avian flu.

• Scott Horsley [02:30]: "The overall cost of living rose just 1/10 of 1% in May, slightly less than forecasters had expected."

Over the past twelve months, consumer prices have risen by 2.4%.

5. Stock Markets Dip Despite Low Inflation

Despite the encouraging inflation data, stock markets experienced declines across major indices. Jack Spear reported that:

• Jack Spear [03:11]: "Despite the somewhat weaker than expected inflation numbers, stocks lost ground on Wall street today. The Dow was down a point. The NASDAQ fell 99 points. The S&P dropped 16 points."

This downturn highlights the complex relationship between inflation metrics and investor behavior, suggesting that other factors may be influencing market sentiments.

6. South Korea Ceases Loudspeaker Broadcasts to North Korea

In a move aimed at fostering peace and trust on the Korean Peninsula, South Korea's military has halted loudspeaker broadcasts into North Korea.

• Jack Spear [03:11]: "South Korea's military has halted loudspeaker broadcasts over the border into North Korea. NPR's Anthony Kuhn reports from Seoul."

Anthony Kuhn elaborated on this development, noting the cessation of a long-standing practice of psychological warfare through loudspeaker messages, which have historically included music, propaganda, and unsettling noises.

• Anthony Kuhn [03:37]: "The South's Joint Chiefs of Staff said they halted the broadcasts to restore trust and peace on the Korean Peninsula."

Residents near the border, particularly in Dangsanri, a mile across the Han River from North Korea, have reported suffering from stress and health issues due to persistent loudspeaker noise from the North. While South Korea has ceased its broadcasts, the North continues its auditory campaigns.

• Anthony Kuhn [03:37]: "Despite the South's halting its broadcasts, residents say that the North's loudspeakers are still blaring."

7. Passing of Beach Boys' Brian Wilson

The episode also commemorated the passing of Brian Wilson, the legendary musician and producer behind many of the Beach Boys' iconic hits.

• Jack Spear [04:18]: "The at times troubled visionary whose production work was behind many of the Beach Boys' biggest hits, has died. Brian Wilson's family confirming his death today without offering further details."

Brian Wilson, aged 82, was celebrated for his musical genius, contributing classics like "Good Vibrations," "California Girls," and "Surfin' USA." His groundbreaking album, "Pet Sounds," showcased his introspective artistry. Despite his immense talent, Wilson's life was marked by struggles with mental illness and substance abuse.

• Jack Spear [04:18]: "Songs he created like Good Vibrations, California Girls and Surfin USA played on the California ethos that rocketed the band to stardom, where some of his more introspective work, including the record Pet Sounds, showed his musical genius."

8. Crude Oil Prices Surge Amid Tensions

Concluding the news brief, Jack Spear highlighted a significant spike in crude oil futures, which surged by over $3 a barrel in response to midday tensions.

• Jack Spear [04:18]: "Crude oil futures prices moved sharply higher today amid some midday tensions. Oil rose more than $3 a barrel."

This episode of NPR News Now provided listeners with a succinct yet comprehensive overview of pressing issues ranging from governmental funding challenges and legal battles involving high-profile figures to economic indicators and international peace efforts. The inclusion of direct quotes and detailed reporting ensures that even those who did not tune in can stay informed on these critical topics.