NPR News Now: Episode Summary – June 14, 2025

Released on June 15, 2025

1. Tragic Shooting in Minnesota Targets Lawmakers

[00:21]
Host Douahalisai Kowtow opened the episode with a grim report from Minnesota, where a violent attack has left the state’s political landscape shaken.

Meg Anderson reported:

"Officials have named a suspect in the shooting that targeted two lawmakers at their homes in Minnesota, killing one state representative and her husband and wounding a state senator and his wife. The suspect is still at large."

The suspected shooter, 57-year-old Vance Bolter, is deemed armed and dangerous. Authorities have yet to determine his motive but discovered a list of individuals in his car, including targeted lawmakers such as State Senator John Hoffman and State Representative Melissa Hortman. Interestingly, no "King's flyers" related to anti-Trump protests were found, prompting Minnesota officials to caution residents against attending nationwide protests linked to these incidents.

2. U.S. Army Celebrates 250th Anniversary with Grand Parade

[01:28]
The United States Army marked its 250th anniversary with a spectacular parade in Washington, D.C., as covered by Frank Langford.

Frank Langford described the scene:

"People wearing American flag shirts are pressed up against the fence here as tanks roll by. They're cheering them on. Tanks are sometimes revving their engines. And the parade really has the feel of almost like a military festival. There are a lot of MAGA hats, but there are even more American flags here."

The event saw participation from more than 6,000 troops, with President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance making brief appearances at the parade’s conclusion.

3. Nationwide Protests Against Trump’s Immigration Policies

[02:11]
Tensions rise across the United States as cities host rallies opposing President Trump’s stringent immigration measures. Liz Baker provided an in-depth report from Los Angeles.

Liz Baker reported:

"Thousands of people have taken to the streets of downtown LA in what city officials expect will be the largest of all the protests this week. In a park across from City Hall, a huge baby Trump balloon slowly inflates."

One protester, Monica Mendez, shared her motivations:

"She had to come out after seeing footage of California Senator Alex Padilla being handcuffed at a Department of Homeland Security press conference."

Another participant, Melissa Wellman, emphasized the personal stakes:

"People like her grandmother who came here from Indonesia, just wanted to make sure to represent our family and people that don't have a voice. She says she hopes the message of resistance will make its way from the streets of LA to the White House."

These demonstrations aim to counteract President Trump’s portrayal of the protests as violent uprisings, underscoring a significant pushback against his administration’s immigration stance.

4. Escalating Tensions Between Israel and Iran

[03:17]
In international news, Douahalisai Kowtow highlighted escalating hostilities in the Middle East.

Kowtow reported:

"It is early morning in the Middle East and Israel and Iran are again launching missiles at each other. The Israeli military says more air defense systems were fired to shoot down missiles from Iran. And there are reports of fresh fires and flames visible in the sky over Tehran."

The conflict has serious implications:

• Israel’s military confirmed the elimination of nine of Iran's top nuclear scientists in previous strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities.
• Iran's UN ambassador announced significant casualties in Dubai, stating, "At least 78 people were killed and more than 320 people were injured."

These developments have derailed the planned nuclear talks between Iran and the U.S., which were scheduled for Sunday in Oman, now canceled amidst the rising tensions.

5. Sean Combs’ Assistant Testifies in Racketeering Case

[03:17]
Shifting to domestic legal matters, Isabella Gomez Sarmiento reported on a significant development in the high-profile trial against music mogul Sean Combs.

Sarmiento detailed:

"Jonathan Perez worked for Sean Combs from 2021 until September 2024. On the witness stand, Perez said part of his job included obtaining drugs for Combs and setting up hotel rooms for, quote, 'king nights.'"

Testimonies revealed disturbing practices:

• Perez described the "king nights" as "drug-fueled sexual performances" where Combs allegedly coerced women to engage with male prostitutes.
• He added, "I did not know the details of what happened in these rooms and considered it Combs' private life."
• A witness, referred to as Jane, testified that she "did not seem hesitant about participating in these nights."

The trial is intensifying, with another former assistant slated to testify next week, potentially providing more insight into the alleged racketeering activities.

6. Ongoing Conflicts and Domestic Unrest

Throughout the episode, Kowtow provided updates on various conflicts, underscoring a week marked by political violence, military displays, and civil unrest. From the Midwest tragedy to the clashing international powers and high-stakes legal battles, the episode encapsulated a tumultuous period in both national and global arenas.

Notable Quotes:

• Vance Bolter Description:
  "Officials have named a suspect in the shooting that targeted two lawmakers at their homes…" — Meg Anderson [00:21]

• Parade Atmosphere:
  "The parade really has the feel of almost like a military festival." — Frank Langford [01:52]

• Protester Motivation:
  "I had to come out after seeing footage of California Senator Alex Padilla being handcuffed…" — Monica Mendez [02:54]

• Legal Testimony:
  "Part of my job included obtaining drugs for Combs and setting up hotel rooms for, quote, 'king nights.'" — Jonathan Perez [04:17]

This episode of NPR News Now delivers a comprehensive overview of pressing events, offering listeners detailed insights into the complexities shaping the current socio-political landscape.