NPR News: 06-16-2025 3AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Summary of Episode Released on June 16, 2025

1. Tragic Shooting in Minnesota The episode opens with breaking news from Minnesota, where a tragic shooting has claimed the lives of state representative Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark, and wounded State Senator John Hoffman along with his wife Yvette. Dale Willman reports:

"The man suspected of killing a Minnesota state lawmaker and wounding another has been captured." ([00:17])

Governor Tim Walsh expressed gratitude towards law enforcement for apprehending 57-year-old Vance Belter after a two-day manhunt. An unnamed law enforcement official highlighted the dedication involved:

"That's 48 hours that law enforcement involved in a complex and dangerous manhunt spent Father's Day away from their families to deliver justice for Melissa and Mark Hortman and their children who spent this Father's Day alone." ([00:36])

2. Escalating Conflict Between Iran and Israel Tensions continue to rise between Iran and Israel. NPR's Hadil Al Shalchi, reporting from Tel Aviv, provided updates on the latest military exchanges:

"Iran's oil ministry said that a fuel and gasoline depot in north Tehran was hit. So was one of the country's largest oil refineries in Tehran's north... the Israeli military said that it hit the Mashhad airport in eastern Iran. They said it was the deepest strike in the country that they've done." ([01:15])

Despite President Trump's calls for a ceasefire, urging both nations to negotiate, neither Iran nor Israel has responded to these overtures:

"President Trump called on Israel and Iran to make a deal. And he said that, quote, many calls and meetings now taking place. But neither Iran nor Israel have said anything about those calls or meetings." ([01:15])

Iran retaliated by launching more missiles toward Israel on Monday morning. The Iranian Health Minister reported a devastating toll:

"At least 245 people have been killed there since Friday." ([01:51])

3. Shift in U.S. Immigration Enforcement Policies In a significant policy reversal, the Department of Homeland Security announced a pause on deportation efforts targeting immigrants without legal status working in hotels, restaurants, and on farms. Mara Liasson explains:

"President Trump's decision to change course on immigration raids came after he posted that he'd been hearing from farmers and hotel owners that, quote, our aggressive policies on immigration are taking good long term workers away that are impossible to replace." ([02:12])

Initially, Trump's focus was on deporting undocumented individuals who had committed crimes, a stance that enjoyed substantial public support. However, expanding raids to include sectors like construction and agriculture proved unpopular.

4. Emergency in West Virginia Due to Flash Flooding West Virginia faces a dire situation as Governor Patrick Morrissey declared a state of emergency in the northern region following severe flash flooding caused by torrential rains. Dale Willman reports:

"At least five people were killed and three others still remain missing. Officials say cars were washed away and some people had to climb trees to escape the rising waters." ([02:49])

The heavy rainfall, amounting to approximately four inches in half an hour, led to rapid and destructive flooding, severely impacting local communities.

5. Community Struggles with Peacock Overpopulation in Tutbury, England Vicki Barker covers a unique local issue in Tutbury, England, where an increasing population of peacocks has become a nuisance for residents. The birds, originally from Tutbury Castle, now roam freely, causing disturbances:

"Locals complained they screech day and night and as one told a reporter, they could poo." ([03:31])

Despite efforts to manage the population, the birds continue to ravage gardens and private properties. The Duchy of Lancaster, which manages Tutbury Castle, has yet to implement effective control measures.

6. Historic Appointment in British Intelligence In a landmark moment for gender representation, the British Prime Minister announced the appointment of Blaise Metruelli as the head of MI6, the UK's foreign intelligence service. Dale Willman highlights:

"For the first time, the British foreign intelligence agency known as MI6 will be led by a woman. The country's prime minister announced the appointment of Blaise Metruelli to the post on Sunday and called the event historic." ([04:17])

Metruelli, previously the director of MI6's Department of Technology and Innovation, brings a wealth of experience to her new role.

7. LPGA Golf Classic Victory The sports segment celebrates Carlotta Segonda's triumph at the LPGA Golf Classic in Belmont, Michigan. Segonda secured her victory by birdieing the final two holes, narrowly avoiding a playoff with Hye Jin Choi:

"She made a four foot putt on the 18th to avoid a playoff with her playing partner, Hye Jin Choi." ([04:17])

This win marks Segonda's first on the tour since her victory at the Llorena Ochoa Invitational in 2016.

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This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the NPR News Now episode released on June 16, 2025, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't tuned in.

Transcript

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[Dale Willman]

Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. The man suspected of killing a Minnesota state lawmaker and wounding another has been captured. State representative and former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were both killed in the shootings after the arrest. Governor Tim Walsh thanks those who worked to arrest 57 year old Vance Belter.

[Unnamed Law Enforcement Official]

After a two day manhunt. Two sleepless nights, law enforcement have apprehended vance bolter. That's 48 hours that law enforcement involved in a complex and dangerous manhunt spent Father's Day away from their families to deliver justice for Melissa and Mark Hortman and their children who spent this Father's Day alone.

[Dale Willman]

State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were both injured in the shootings. Fighting continued between Iran and Israel on Sunday. NPR's Hadil Al Shalchi is in Tel Aviv. She says Israel targeted Iran's energy infrastructure.

[Hadil Al Shalchi]

Iran's oil ministry said that a fuel and gasoline depot in north Tehran was hit. So was one of the country's largest oil refineries in Tehran's north. Also, two main Iranian energy sites offshore in the south of Iran were also targeted. And then the Israeli military said that it hit the Mashhad airport in eastern Iran. They said it was the deepest strike in the country that they've done. And you know, President Trump called on Israel and Iran to make a deal. And he said that, quote, many calls and meetings now taking place. But neither Iran nor Israel have said anything about those calls or meetings. And so for now, they're both committed to exchanging fire.

[Dale Willman]

Iran, meanwhile, launched more missiles toward Israel Monday morning. And Iran's health minister says at least 245 people have been killed there since Friday. The Department of Homeland Security will reportedly pause its efforts to deport immigrants in the country without legal status who are working in hotels, restaurants and on farms. That's according to the New York Times. NPR's Mara Liasson has more.

[Mara Liasson]

President Trump's decision to change course on immigration raids came after he posted that he'd been hearing from farmers and hotel owners that, quote, our aggressive policies on immigration are taking good long term workers away that are impossible to replace. About 40% of agriculture workers lack legal status to work in the U.S. trump had originally said he would focus on deporting people in the country illegally who have committed crimes, and polls showed that effort was very popular. But expanding the raids to sweep up construction workers, farm workers and garment workers is very unpopular. Mara Liasson, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrissey has declared a state of emergency in the northern part of that state. It comes after torrential rain Saturday night led to flash flooding there. At least five people were killed and three others still remain missing. Officials say cars were washed away and some people had to climb trees to escape the rising waters. As much as 4 inches of rain fell in about a half an hour. You're listening to NPR News. Peacocks are treasured for their majestic displays, but in little Tutbury, England, residents have had quite enough of an expanding population of the birds ravaging gardens and private property. Vicki Barker has more from London.

[Vicki Barker]

For the past quarter century, a relentlessly growing population of peacocks has prowled the village of Tutbury. Locals complained they screech day and night and as one told a reporter, they could poo. For England, officials say the birds are the responsibility of whoever owns them. Local lore says they once lived at nearby Tutbury Castle until neglect forced them to scavenge for food in the village. Now Tutbury Castle is part of the Duchy of Lancaster. One of King Charles many titles is Duke of Lancaster. The duchy's website says His Majesty takes a keen interest in the estate and his tenants, apparently not that key. For NPR News, I'm Vicki Parker in Lond.

[Dale Willman]

For the first time, the British foreign intelligence agency known as MI6 will be led by a woman. The country's prime minister announced the appointment of Blaise Metruelli to the post on Sunday and called the event historic. Metruelli is currently the director of the spy agency's Department of Technology and Innovation. Carlotta Segonda birdied the final two holes Sunday to win the LPGA Golf Classic in Belmont, Michigan. She made a four foot putt on the 18th to avoid a playoff with her playing partner, Hye Jin Choi, in It's Siganda's first win on the tour since the Llorena ochoa Invitational in 2016. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.

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