NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of June 12, 2025, Episode

Host Introduction Shea Stevens opens the episode from Washington, providing listeners with the latest updates across various national and international issues.

1. Los Angeles Protests and Immigration Enforcement

Curfew and National Guard Deployment

• Shea Stevens reports that downtown Los Angeles is under a curfew for the second consecutive night due to ongoing protests against immigration sweeps. The administration's stance remains firm on enforcing mass deportations.

• Press Secretary Caroline Levitt emphasizes the administration's commitment:

  "President Trump promised to carry out the largest mass deportation campaign in American history, and left-wing riots will not deter him in that effort. Sanctuary cities and states will no longer be allowed to shield illegal criminals from deportation." [00:42]

Allegations of Provoked Protests

• Levitt further accuses protesters of being supplied with riot gear:

  "Boxes of masks and rioting equipment have been dropped off at demonstrations, suggesting without proof that the protesters are being paid." [00:56]

Law Enforcement Actions

• Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hockman addresses the situation, stating:

  "99.99% of people who live in Los Angeles City or live in Los Angeles County have not committed any illegal acts in connection with this protest whatsoever. So let's put that as a context when we look at these images over and over again that the media wants to put out there to try and scare us all." [01:24]

• Hockman updates that over a dozen individuals have been charged with crimes such as assaulting police officers and vandalism, with more cases under consideration.

Broader Impact

• The curfew in Los Angeles extends from 8 PM to 6 AM, mirroring similar restrictions in Spokane, Washington, where clashes between protesters and immigration officers have also escalated.

2. Changes to the CDC's Vaccine Advisory Committee

New Appointments by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

• Shea Stevens transitions to health news, highlighting that Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has appointed eight new members to the CDC's Vaccine Advisory Committee shortly after dismissing the previous panel.

• Ping Huang reports:

  "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." [02:13]

• Additional members include Vicki Pebsworth from the National Vaccine Information Center, known for advocating against vaccine risks, and Dr. Cody Meissner, the sole repeat member who previously declared conflicts of interest multiple times between 2008 and 2012.

Implications

• The revamped committee is expected to introduce divergent perspectives on vaccine use and public health strategies, potentially impacting future CDC recommendations.

3. State Department Reductions Amid Middle East Tensions

Embassy Staff Decreases

• Shea Stevens reports that the State Department is reducing its personnel at several U.S. embassies in the Middle East, specifically in Baghdad, Bahrain, and Kuwait. This decision is driven by the anticipation of potential unrest in these regions.

• Non-essential staff and family members have been ordered to evacuate these embassies to ensure safety amid escalating tensions.

4. Fulbright Scholarship Board Resignations

Protest Against Political Interference

• Members of the Fulbright Scholarship Board have resigned, citing political interference by the Trump administration in the selection process of awardees.

• The board members accuse the administration of:

  "Usurping their authority by denying awards to people who were already chosen to study and teach in the US and abroad."

• Fulbright Scholars are typically recent graduates engaged in further studies or teaching assignments overseas, chosen based on non-partisan evaluations by State Department and foreign embassy staff.

5. Seattle's Housing vs. Tree Preservation Debate

Balancing Urban Development and Environmental Sustainability

• Shea Stevens introduces a report from Bellamy Palethorpe of KNKX, focusing on Seattle's struggle to balance the need for increased housing with environmental conservation efforts.

• Key Issues:

  • Urban Canopy Loss: Seattle has been losing trees, which are vital for providing shade and reducing carbon emissions.
  • Policy Changes: An updated tree protection ordinance now allows developers to remove trees more easily but mandates the planting of more replacements.

• Developer Perspective:

  "Trees make better communities. We all want to save the trees, right? But we also need to be able to get to our max density as well." – Caroline Levitt [04:28]

• Criticism:

  • Critics argue that despite the ordinance, the rate of tree loss remains high, and replacing mature trees with younger ones will take decades to restore the lost ecosystem services.

• Conclusion by Bellamy Palethorpe:

  The policy's effectiveness is under scrutiny as the community grapples with maintaining environmental integrity amidst rapid urban expansion. [04:33]

6. Financial Markets Update

US Futures Decline in After-Hours Trading

• Shea Stevens concludes the news segment by informing listeners that U.S. Futures are trading lower in after-hours markets, reflecting investor concerns. [04:48]

Note: Advertisements and non-content segments were excluded from this summary to maintain focus on the core news topics.