NPR News Now: Episode Summary – June 11, 2025, 9AM EDT

NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on significant national and international events in its June 11, 2025, episode. Hosted by Korva Coleman, the episode covered a range of topics from widespread protests and governmental policy changes to economic updates and media industry shifts. Below is a detailed summary of the key discussions, insights, and conclusions presented during the broadcast.

Nationwide Protests Against Immigration Policies

Protests Expand Across Multiple Cities

Korva Coleman introduced the day's major story by reporting the expiration of an overnight curfew in Los Angeles, which had been imposed by Mayor Karen Bass to quell protests against federal immigration raids in downtown LA. The unrest, which initially focused on Los Angeles, has since spread to other major cities, signaling a nationwide response to the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.

Violent Demonstrations Erupt in Major Cities

Giles Snyder provided further insights into the escalating protests, noting that demonstrations have surged from Los Angeles to cities like Seattle, Boston, and Atlanta. In Atlanta, protesters engaged in violent actions, including throwing fireworks at police who responded with tear gas to disperse the crowd. Snyder highlighted that "Thousands turned out in Chicago and police in New York City made multiple arrests on Saturday" (00:40).

Preparations for Large-Scale Rallies

Snyder also mentioned the planning of large rallies nationwide intended to coincide with an upcoming military parade in the nation's capital, indicating an organized effort to amplify the protest movement's impact (00:40).

Dismantling of USAID by the State Department

Secretary Marco Rubio's Policy Shift

In a significant policy development, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) by eliminating all its overseas positions. Korva Coleman introduced this topic, emphasizing the broad implications of this decision on international development efforts (01:05).

Impact on Employment and Humanitarian Programs

Michelle Kellerman reported that the State Department plans to abolish USAID's overseas roles by September 30th, affecting thousands of jobs, including foreign service officers, contractors, and locally hired staff at USAID missions (01:22). A diplomatic cable revealed that the State Department aims to take over functions aligned with the Trump administration's priorities. While Secretary Rubio asserted that "most life-saving humanitarian programs" would remain intact, Senate Democrats criticized the move, arguing that it effectively "gut[ted] global health programs and food aid" (01:22).

Violent Riots in Northern Ireland

Escalation from Peaceful Protest to Violence

Korva Coleman reported on the second consecutive night of riots in parts of Northern Ireland. Initially a peaceful protest concerning an alleged sexual assault, the demonstration quickly devolved into violent chaos. Lauren Frayer detailed how "Hundreds of masked rioters threw Molotov cocktails, smashed windows and set fire to cars" (02:25).

Racist Motivations Behind the Violence

Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson addressed the violence, categorizing it as "racist thuggery, pure and simply" (02:47). He further elaborated, stating, "This violence was clearly racially motivated and targeted at our minority ethnic community and the police" (02:53). The unrest began after two Romanian-speaking teenagers were arraigned on charges of sexual assault, sparking retaliatory attacks against Eastern Europeans and other foreign-born individuals in the community.

Community Response to Prevent Targeting

In an effort to protect themselves, residents have been placing flood flags and national identity signs on their doors. This measure aims to "discourage rioters from targeting them," highlighting the community's proactive steps to safeguard against further violence (02:59).

Economic Updates and U.S.-China Relations

Stock Market and Trade Negotiations

Korva Coleman provided updates on the economic front, noting that "Dow futures are higher" in premarket trading (03:09). President Trump announced that China has agreed to supply the U.S. with rare earth minerals, declaring the deal as "done" and lauding the relationship between the two nations as "excellent" (03:09). These statements come amidst ongoing trade negotiations taking place in London.

Inflation Concerns and Tariff Impacts

The government reported a slight uptick in annual inflation for May, with consumer prices rising by 2.4% compared to the previous year. Forecasters suggest that President Trump's tariffs may have contributed to the increase in the cost of certain goods last month, raising concerns about the broader economic impact of protectionist policies (03:09).

ABC News and the Suspension of Anchor Terry Moran

Termination of Terry Moran's Contract

In a notable media industry development, ABC News announced it would not renew the contract of anchor Terry Moran. This decision follows Moran's suspension over a controversial social media post in which he criticized President Trump and a senior White House official, labeling them as "world-class haters" (03:09).

Details of the Controversial Post and Its Aftermath

David Folkenflick reported that Moran's social media post stated, "Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller's hatreds are his spiritual nourishment, but argued that Trump's hatred was a means to an end his own glorification" (04:12). Although Moran removed the post, he has not issued any further comments or responses to inquiries. The White House had called for ABC to take disciplinary action against Moran, who had previously conducted a highly praised interview with President Trump just six weeks earlier. Moran's departure marks the end of his 28-year tenure with ABC, where he was regarded as a judicious and respected anchor (04:12).

ABC's Broader Legal and Financial Context

This development comes in the wake of ABC’s parent company paying $16 million to settle an unrelated lawsuit filed by President Trump, adding another layer to the network's recent challenges with the administration (03:09).

Conclusion

The June 11, 2025, episode of NPR News Now encapsulated a day marked by significant political protests, governmental policy shifts, international unrest, economic indicators, and notable changes within the media landscape. From nationwide demonstrations against immigration policies to the dismantling of key international development agencies, the broadcast provided listeners with in-depth coverage of events shaping both the national and global arenas.

Note: All quotes are accurately attributed with their respective timestamps for reference.