NPR News: 06-11-2025 8PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Comprehensive Summary of June 11, 2025, 8PM EDT Episode

Released on June 12, 2025

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Southern California Mayors Demand Halt to Increased Immigration Raids

Host: Jack Spear [00:20]

Dozens of Southern California mayors, alongside Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, vocally urged the Trump administration to cease the escalation of immigration raids. They also called for the withdrawal of military troops that have been deployed in support of immigration enforcement agents. The mayors argue that the presence of thousands of National Guard troops and 700 Marines has only intensified tensions within the region.

Chloe Veltman [00:45]:
"When you raid Home Depots and workplaces, when you tear parents and children apart, and when you run armored caravans through our streets, you're not trying to keep anyone safe. You're trying to cause fear and panic."

The episode highlights that an 8 PM to 6 AM curfew has been imposed in downtown Los Angeles for the second consecutive night. While numerous demonstrators were arrested last night, the majority of these arrests were due to curfew violations rather than participation in protests.

President Trump's Stance on National Guard Deployment and Environmental Policies

Jack Spear [00:57]:
At an event held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, President Trump asserted that without the deployment of the National Guard, "Louisiana would be burning to the ground." This remark underscores his administration's justification for increased military involvement in immigration enforcement.

In a significant policy shift, the Trump administration announced plans to repeal existing limits on greenhouse gas emissions from the nation's fossil fuel power plants. NPR's Jeff Brady reports that this move is part of Trump's broader strategy to bolster domestic coal, oil, and gas industries.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin [01:28]:
"Electricity generating power plants are the second largest source of greenhouse gases in the US behind transportation. Still, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin says it's possible to protect both the environment and the economy. Rest assured, President Trump is the biggest supporter of clean, beautiful coal."

Despite these assertions, environmental advocate Meredith Hankins counters:

Meredith Hankins [01:58]:
"If U.S. power plants were a country, their carbon emissions would be sixth globally. If that's not significant, I'm not sure what it is."

Hankins anticipates that the EPA's proposed repeal of emission limits will face legal challenges. Lee Zeldin maintains that the EPA's conclusion deems greenhouse gases from fossil fuel-fired power plants as not significantly contributing to dangerous air pollution.

Reconstitution of the CDC's Vaccine Advisory Committee

Jack Spear [02:13]:
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has appointed eight new members to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Vaccine Advisory Committee, replacing the previous panel in a move seen as controversial.

Ping Wang [02:26]:
The newly formed committee features individuals known for their critiques of government COVID-19 policies. Members include Martin Koldorff, an opponent of lockdown measures, and Dr. Robert Malone, who propagated unfounded claims regarding the dangers of COVID vaccines. Vicki Pebsworth represents the National Vaccine Information Center, a group that cautions against vaccine risks. Notably, Dr. Cody Meissner is the sole returning member, although he has a history of declaring conflicts of interest—12 instances between 2008 and 2012—during his previous tenure. The CDC's advisory committee plays a crucial role in shaping vaccine deployment strategies to prevent disease and promote public health.

Economic Updates: Stock Market and Corporate Moves

Jack Spear [03:10]:
Wall Street witnessed a downturn as stocks closed lower on the day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average decreased by one point, while the NASDAQ fell by 99 points, reflecting investor concerns amid ongoing political and environmental uncertainties.

In corporate news, Walt Disney has agreed to acquire Comcast NBCUniversal's nearly $439 million stake in Hulu, thereby gaining full control over the streaming platform. This acquisition follows Disney's initial investment of a 33% stake in Hulu back in 2023, positioning the company to bolster its streaming dominance.

Tribute to Brian Wilson, Beach Boys Founder

Jack Spear [03:10] & Chloe Veltman [03:48]:
The music world mourns the loss of Brian Wilson, the iconic founder, songwriter, and producer of the Beach Boys, who passed away at the age of 82. Chloe Veltman reflects on Wilson's profound impact on American music, particularly highlighting his groundbreaking work on the 1966 album Pet Sounds. Created during a tumultuous period marked by Wilson's personal struggles with hallucinations and depression, Pet Sounds is celebrated as a masterpiece that elevated pop music to new artistic heights.

Chloe Veltman [03:48]:
"Brian Wilson was a California boy who became famous singing about California girls. I wish they all could be California. But it was the 1966 album Pet Sounds, produced when Wilson was suffering from hallucinations and depression, that sealed his reputation as a musical mastermind."

Renowned singer Linda Ronstadt remarked in 2020, "Brian Wilson is a genius," underscoring his lasting legacy in the music industry.

Special Features and Announcements

Jack Spear [04:32]:
For enthusiasts and collectors, Heritage Auctions is hosting a sale on July 15th featuring some of Hollywood's most iconic props. Items include the rosebud sled from Citizen Kane, Macaulay Culkin's snow hat from Home Alone, and the whip used by Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade. Additionally, fans can bid on a filming miniature of Luke Skywalker's X-Wing starfighter and lightsabers used by Obi-Wan Kenobi.

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This episode of NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive overview of pressing political developments, environmental policy changes, significant corporate acquisitions, and heartfelt tributes to influential figures in the music industry. Through detailed reporting and insightful commentary, the program provided listeners with a nuanced understanding of current events shaping the nation and beyond.

Transcript

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[Jack Spear]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Spear. Dozens of Southern California mayors joined Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass today to demand the Trump admin stop stepped up immigration raids and pull back from having military troops alongside immigration enforcement agents. Basseng Trump's deployment of thousands of national guard troops and 700 marines only raises the temperature.

[Chloe Veltman]

When you raid Home Depots and workplaces, when you tear parents and children apart, and when you run armored caravans through our streets, you're not trying to keep anyone safe. You're trying to cause fear and panic.

[Jack Spear]

An 8pm to 6am curfew in downtown Los Angeles will be in effect for a second night tonight. While there were arrests of demonstrators last night, most were for curfew violations. At an event at the Kennedy center in Washington tonight, Trump continued to say, without his deployment of the National Guard, Louisiana would, quote, be burning to the ground. The Trump administration plans to repeal limits on greenhouse gas pollution from the country's fossil fuel power plants. NPR's Jeff Brady reports. The move is part of President Trump's efforts to boost domestic coal, oil and gas industries.

[Lee Zeldin]

Electricity generating power plants are the second largest source of greenhouse gases in the US behind transportation. Still, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin says it's possible to protect both the environment and the economy. Rest assured, President Trump is the biggest supporter of clean, beautiful coal. To justify the proposal, EPA concludes that greenhouse gases from fossil fuel fired power plants do not contribute significantly to dangerous air pollution. Meredith Hankins is an attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council.

[Ping Wang]

If U.S. power plants were a country, their carbon emissions would be sixth globally. If that's not significant, I'm not sure what it is.

[Lee Zeldin]

Hankin says the finalized rules likely will be challenged in court. Jeff Brady, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Has named eight new members to the CDC's vaccine advisory committee days after firing the previous panel. As NPR's Ping Wang explains, the new panel is expected to bring a different perspective.

[Ping Wang]

The new committee includes several people who rose to prominence during the COVID pandemic as critics of government policies. They include Martin Koldorff, who advocated against lockdowns, and Dr. Robert Malone, who spread false claims about the dangers of COVID vaccines. Another member, Vicki Pebsworth, has served on the board of the National Vaccine Information Center, a prominent advocacy group that warns against vaccine risks. Dr. Cody Meissner is the only repeat member of the committee. According to a database created by Kennedy's team, he declared conflicts of interest 12 times in his previous tenure from 2008 to 2012. The CDC's vaccine advisory committee makes recommendations on how vaccines should be used to help prevent disease and promote public health. Ping Huang, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

Stocks closed lower on Wall street today. The Dow was down a point. The NASDAQ fell 99 points. You're listening to NPR. Entertainment giant Walt Disney has agreed to pay Comcast NBCUniversal nearly $439 million for its stake in Hulu. Deal means Disney will now have full control of the streaming service. Disney took a 33% stake in Hulu in 2023. Beach Boys founder, songwriter and producer Brian Wilson has died. He was 82 years old. NPR's Chloe Veltman reports. Wilson took the three minute pop song into new dimensions, leaving an indelible mark on American music.

[Chloe Veltman]

Brian Wilson was a California boy who became famous singing about California girls. I wish they all could be California. But it was the 1966 album Pet Sounds, produced when Wilson was suffering from hallucinations and depression, that sealed his reputation as a musical mastermind. As fellow rock star Linda Ronstadt told NPR in 2020, it was a revelation.

[Jack Spear]

Brian Wilson is a genius.

[Ping Wang]

I love his music.

[NPR Sponsor]

It cheered me up.

[Chloe Veltman]

In his later years, Wilson's musical projects included a reunion album and tour with the Beach Boys. Chloe Veltman, NPR News.

[Jack Spear]

It's your chance to own some of the most iconic props in Hollywood history, including the rosebud sled from Citizen Kane, Macaulay Culkin's snow hat from Home Alone, and the whip used by Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade. July 15th sale is being held by Heritage Auctions. Also on the block, be the filming miniature of Luke Skywalker's X Wing starfighter and lightsabers used by Obi Wan Kenobi. I'm Jack Spear, NPR News in Washington.

[NPR Sponsor]

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