NPR News Now - Episode Summary: June 12, 2025, 2PM EDT

NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on significant global and national events in its June 12, 2025 episode. The following sections encapsulate the key stories, enriched with notable quotes and insights from various contributors.

Plane Crash in Ahmedabad, India

The episode opened with breaking news about a tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, India. According to Police Commissioner statements reported by Lakshmi Singh at [00:01], one passenger has been found alive amid the disaster.

Survivor Account: NPR's Lauren Frayer provided detailed coverage from London, sharing the harrowing experience of the sole survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh. At [00:31], Frayer described footage showing Ramesh stumbling toward an ambulance in a torn T-shirt. From his hospital bed, Ramesh recounted:

"30 seconds after takeoff, there was a loud noise and the plane crashed. There were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood, stood up and ran." ([00:31])

Ramesh identified himself as a 40-year-old British citizen visiting relatives in India. Air India confirmed that 53 British nationals were aboard the flight. The British government has since mobilized crisis teams in both the UK and India, with the British monarchy extending their condolences.

President Trump's Immigration Policy Adjustments

Shifting focus to U.S. domestic policy, Lakshmi Singh reported at [01:12] that President Donald Trump signaled potential modifications to his stringent measures against illegal immigration. The intent is to protect farm and other essential workers from deportation.

President Trump's Statement: In his address at [01:22], Trump emphasized the longstanding presence and contributions of these workers:

"They've been there for 20, 25 years and they've worked great and the owner of the farm loves them and everything else. And then you're supposed to throw them out. And you know what happens? They end up hiring the people, the criminals that have come in, the murderers from prisons and everything else. So we're, we're going to have an order on that pretty soon. I think we can't do that to our farmers and leisure, too." ([01:22])

This declaration follows a social media post where Trump acknowledged the adverse effects his immigration policies have had on critical sectors of the U.S. economy.

Legal Developments in Mahmoud Khalil's Case

Lakshmi Singh introduced a significant legal update concerning Mahmoud Khalil at [01:41]. Khalil, a former Columbia University graduate student, has been detained since March due to his pro-Palestinian activism. The State Department is pushing for his deportation.

Court Ruling and Potential Release: Adrian Florido elaborated at [02:14] on Khalil's legal battle:

"Khalil's lawyers have been arguing that Secretary of State Marco Rubio's decision to deport Khalil because of his activism was an unconstitutional violation of his right to free speech. Last month, Judge Michael Farbiar has ruled that Khalil is likely to prevail in court on that argument. And because of that, the judge has now ruled that the government cannot keep Khalil detained, but he gave the government until Friday to appeal. So it's not clear when Khalil might be released; it's nonetheless a huge victory for Khalil." ([02:14])

This ruling marks a pivotal moment in Khalil's case, highlighting tensions between national security measures and constitutional rights.

Stock Market Update

In financial news, Lakshmi Singh briefly reported at [02:54] that the Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced an uptick, rising by 62 points. This positive movement reflects investor sentiment and market dynamics as of the episode's release.

Supreme Court Ruling on Wrongful Home Raids

A unanimous decision by the Supreme Court was highlighted by Lakshmi Singh at [02:54], granting families the right to sue law enforcement agencies for wrongful home raids.

Case Details: The case revolves around Trina Martin and her family, whose Atlanta residence was mistakenly raided by FBI and SWAT teams operating on an erroneous arrest warrant for a neighbor accused of gang activity. Singh detailed:

"A unanimous Supreme Court ruling said a family whose house was wrongly raided by law enforcement can sue. At issue is what law enforcement refer to as wrong house raids, local, state or as in the case before the court, federal officers smash into a private home to find a suspect. But it's the wrong house. That's what happened to Trina Martin, her seven-year-old son, Gabe and Trina's partner in their Atlanta home when their house was wrongly raided by FBI and SWAT agents who were serving an arrest warrant for a neighbor who was accused of gang activity." ([02:54])

This landmark judgment underscores the accountability of law enforcement agencies in upholding citizens' rights.

Challenges Facing LGBTQ Youth Mental Health Services

The episode also shed light on the precarious state of mental health services for LGBTQ youth. Lakshmi Singh introduced the topic at [02:54], with further analysis provided by Ritu Chatterjee.

Impact of Policy Changes: Chatterjee reported at [03:51] that LGBTQ youth are disproportionately susceptible to suicidal thoughts and behaviors, necessitating specialized support through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. However, recent policy shifts pose threats to these services:

"Data from the CDC show that LGBTQ youth are at a higher risk of suicidal thoughts and attempts than their peers. That's why 988 offers specialized mental health services for such youth. The new analysis by KFF, a health policy research group, finds that since 988 launched these services in July 2023, demand for them has grown by 46%. The researchers note that the Trump administration has removed promotional material for LGBTQ services from a federal website for 988. And in its budget request for 2026, the administration has eliminated the $33 million previously appropriated for the service by Congress." ([03:51])

This development highlights the ongoing challenges in ensuring adequate mental health support for marginalized communities amid shifting political landscapes.

Closing Remarks

Lakshmi Singh concluded the episode at [04:36], wrapping up the day's top stories and their implications both domestically and internationally.

This episode of NPR News Now provided listeners with a concise yet thorough overview of pressing issues, from international tragedies and legal battles to policy changes affecting immigration and mental health services. The inclusion of direct quotes and specific timestamps enhances the depth and reliability of the reporting, offering valuable insights for those seeking to stay informed without tuning into the live broadcast.