NPR News Now: Episode Summary — June 12, 2025, 1 AM EDT

In the June 12, 2025, episode of NPR News Now, hosts cover a range of pressing national and international issues, from local unrest in Los Angeles to high-stakes legal battles involving former President Donald Trump. This detailed summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and developments presented during the episode.

1. Los Angeles Imposes Overnight Curfew Amid Immigration Raids

Time Stamps: 00:18 – 00:59

Overview: Downtown Los Angeles entered its second night under an overnight curfew from 8 PM to 6 AM, a response to several days of unrest triggered by federal immigration raids. The city's leadership aims to restore peace and order amidst the ongoing tensions.

Key Points:

• Mayor Karen Bass confirmed the continuation of the curfew: "The 8pm to 6am curfew that went into effect Tuesday is still in place." (00:35)
• The initial night saw over 100 arrests, not for looting or vandalism, but for failure to disperse and curfew violations.
• Police authorities stress the seriousness of the situation, with Steve Futterman reporting: "So what I'm hoping is, is that people, people got the message that we're serious." (00:45)
• Four individuals faced charges, including assaults on federal officers and the use of a Molotov cocktail. These charges underscore the specific nature of the unrest.

Implications: The continued enforcement of the curfew reflects Los Angeles officials' commitment to maintaining order. The focus on arrests for specific violations rather than general looting indicates a targeted approach to managing the situation.

2. Former President Trump's Legal Battle Over Criminal Conviction

Time Stamps: 01:14 – 02:10

Overview: A pivotal moment unfolded in a federal appeals court in New York, where arguments were presented regarding President Donald Trump's attempt to overturn his criminal conviction related to hush money payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign.

Key Points:

• The central issue is whether Trump's case, initially prosecuted in state court, can be moved to federal court post-sentencing.
• Kat Lansdale Dorf reports: "The president's legal team argued ... that prosecutors relied on evidence related to Trump's official access, and therefore, this should be a federal case." (01:30)
• The Manhattan District Attorney's office contends that the case should remain under state jurisdiction, despite the crime's occurrence during the 2016 campaign.
• A three-judge panel acknowledged the case's unprecedented nature, noting, "no US President had ever been convicted of a crime before." Decisions on the case's jurisdiction are pending future rulings.

Implications: This legal maneuvering highlights the complexities of prosecuting high-profile political figures and could set significant precedents for future cases involving presidential conduct.

3. U.S. Trade Policies and Treasury Secretary Scott Besant’s Testimony

Time Stamps: 02:10 – 02:49

Overview: U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant appeared before the House Ways and Means Committee to defend the Trump administration's trade and economic strategies, particularly regarding tariffs and negotiations with key trading partners.

Key Points:

• Besant announced potential extensions to the administration's 90-day pause on increasing tariffs for major U.S. trading partners: "We are working toward deals on those. And it is highly likely that those countries ... we will roll the date forward to continue the good faith negotiations." (02:28)
• The administration is in advanced talks with eighteen significant trading partners, including the European Union and China, aiming to finalize trade agreements with approximately half a dozen nations.
• The speaker emphasized the administration's commitment to "good faith negotiations," suggesting a strategic pause to facilitate these discussions.

Market Impact: Following the testimony, U.S. futures experienced a downturn in after-hours trading, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipping by one point, the NASDAQ falling by 99 points, and the S&P 500 decreasing by 16 points.

Implications: The extension of tariff pauses indicates ongoing efforts to stabilize international trade relations and could have substantive effects on global markets and U.S. economic policies.

4. Harvey Weinstein’s Retrial: Split Verdict Reached

Time Stamp: 02:49 – 03:56

Overview: In a high-profile case that continues to captivate public attention, jurors in New York have delivered a split verdict in the retrial of former movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.

Key Points:

• Weinstein was convicted of committing a criminal sex act but was acquitted on a second alleged assault.
• Jurors could not reach a unanimous decision on a third count, prompting the judge to order a resumption of deliberations slated for the following day.
• This retrial follows Weinstein's initial 2020 conviction, which was overturned due to a technicality, and his subsequent conviction on sex offenses in Los Angeles.
• Weinstein maintains his innocence against all criminal allegations.

Implications: The fragmented verdict underscores the challenges in prosecuting sexual misconduct cases, especially those involving powerful individuals. The upcoming deliberations will determine the final outcome of Weinstein's legal battles.

5. Texas Legislation Funds Ibogaine Clinical Trials

Time Stamp: 03:56 – 04:29

Overview: Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed a landmark bill allocating $50 million over two years to fund FDA-approved clinical trials for ibogaine, a potent psychoactive substance with promising therapeutic potential.

Key Points:

• Jonathan Levinson reports on the legislation: "The legislation allocates $50 million over the next two years for FDA approved clinical trials of the drug, a psychedelic that has shown extraordinary promise in treating substance abuse, PTSD and traumatic brain injury." (03:56)
• Ibogaine is currently illegal in the United States, presenting significant hurdles for research. The newly funded trials aim to overcome these barriers and explore the drug's efficacy.
• A coalition of military veterans and Republican politicians were instrumental in lobbying for the bill, reflecting a bipartisan effort to address trauma and addiction.
• Advocates claim that Texas is at the forefront of a "revolution in the treatment of trauma and addiction," signaling potential shifts in national approaches to these issues.

Implications: This legislative move could pioneer new treatments for debilitating conditions, positioning Texas as a leader in innovative medical research and challenging existing drug regulations.

6. Heritage Auctions to Sell Iconic Hollywood Props

Time Stamp: 04:29 – 04:56

Overview: Heritage Auctions, based in Texas, is set to auction a collection of legendary props from some of Hollywood's most beloved films. The sale, scheduled to begin next month, will feature items that hold significant cinematic and cultural value.

Key Points:

• Highlighted items include the famous "rosebud" sled from the 1941 classic Citizen Kane and the iconic whip used by Harrison Ford's character in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
• These artifacts represent not only their respective films but also pivotal moments in cinema history, likely attracting collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.

Implications: The auction underscores the enduring legacy of classic films and the memorabilia associated with them. It also presents an opportunity for collectors to own pieces of cinematic history, potentially setting high market values for these artifacts.

Conclusion

The June 12, 2025, episode of NPR News Now provided listeners with comprehensive updates on significant events ranging from local governance challenges in Los Angeles to national legal battles and groundbreaking legislative efforts in Texas. The coverage highlighted the complexities and interconnectedness of political, legal, and economic issues shaping the current landscape.

Note: Timestamps correspond to the episode's transcript seconds, providing precise reference points for each discussed topic.