NPR News: 06-16-2025 6AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now – June 16, 2025, 6AM EDT

Host: Korva Coleman
Source: NPR
Description: The latest news in five minutes. Updated hourly.

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1. Arrest in Fatal Shootings of Minnesota Lawmaker

Reporter: Matt Sepik
Timestamp: [00:00 - 00:51]

Minnesota authorities have apprehended a suspect in the tragic murders of a prominent Democratic state lawmaker, former House Speaker Melissa Hortman, and her husband, Mark Hortman. The 57-year-old suspect, V. Belter, was taken into custody after a nearly two-day manhunt. Belter allegedly carried out the killings by posing as a police officer and driving to the couple’s residence. In addition to the Hortmans, Belter is suspected of shooting and wounding Democratic State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman.

Investigators discovered a disturbing list of names and addresses belonging to public officials from at least five other states in Belter’s vehicle, raising concerns about potential motives and possible further threats. Matt Sepik of Minnesota Public Radio emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, “Investigators say they found a list of names and addresses of public officials from at least five other states in Belter's vehicle” (00:30).

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2. Escalating Conflict Between Israel and Iran

Reporters: Korva Coleman & Greg Myhre
Timestamps: [00:51 - 02:12]

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran has intensified, marking the fourth consecutive day of exchanges that show no signs of abating. According to Iran's health ministry, Israeli strikes have resulted in the deaths of over 200 Iranians, including numerous women and children, and have injured approximately 1,000 more. Conversely, Israeli officials report that Iranian strikes have claimed more than 20 lives in Israel.

Amidst the escalating violence, President Trump expressed optimism about a potential resolution. Speaking on Truth Social, he remarked, “We can easily get a deal done between Iran and Israel and end this bloody conflict” (01:31). However, the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, remains resolute in his commitment to an extended military operation aimed at dismantling Iran's nuclear capabilities and ballistic missile arsenal. Greg Myhre of NPR elaborated, highlighting the administration's delicate balance: “Trump has tried to strike a middle ground. He's supportive of Israel and the US Military is helping Israel defend against Iranian attacks” (02:00). Despite Trump's efforts to prevent U.S. involvement in direct airstrikes against Iran, the situation remains tense as both nations continue their military actions.

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3. Harvard University Challenges Executive Order Blocking International Students

Reporter: Alyssa Nadworny
Timestamp: [02:12 - 03:07]

Harvard University is set to return to federal court today as its legal team contests the Trump administration's prohibition on enrolling international students. The executive order, issued on June 4, was framed under national security concerns and has unprecedented implications for the Ivy League institution, where international students constitute roughly 25% of the student body.

Harvard has condemned the proclamation as an “illegal retaliatory step,” arguing that it infringes upon the university's First Amendment rights. Federal Judge Allison D. Burroughs, appointed during the Obama administration, has already imposed a temporary block on the order and is slated to decide on an indefinite block pending the trial's outcome. Alyssa Nadworny reported, “The presidential order at question in Monday's hearing is the first time Trump has used his executive powers to limit Harvard” (02:24). This legal battle underscores the broader tensions between federal policies and academic institutions striving to maintain diverse and inclusive environments.

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4. Severe Flooding Hits San Antonio and West Virginia

Reporter: Chris Schultz
Timestamp: [03:07 - 04:29]

San Antonio, Texas, is grappling with the aftermath of a devastating flooding event that struck last week. Authorities report 13 fatalities resulting from the heavy rains, with at least six inches falling within a mere three-hour span. The downpour caused numerous vehicles to be swept into local creeks, complicating rescue efforts as search teams work tirelessly to remove debris from the waterways.

Concurrently, West Virginia has been hit by intense flash flooding over the weekend, claiming the lives of at least five individuals. Governor Patrick Morrissey declared a state of emergency in Ohio County after the region experienced over three inches of rain within 30 minutes. By Sunday evening, another state of emergency was declared for Marion County following the partial collapse of an apartment building due to rising floodwaters. Governor Morrissey emphasized the immediate focus on rescue operations, stating, “The focus was on search and rescue before assessing the full damage” (03:46). The National Guard has been mobilized to support ongoing search and rescue missions as several residents remain missing.

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5. Widespread Cable Outages in Los Angeles Due to Vandalism

Reporter: Korva Coleman
Timestamp: [04:29 - 04:54]

Residents in the Los Angeles area are experiencing significant disruptions in cable, landline, and Internet services. Spectrum, a major cable provider, attributes the outages to criminal vandalism that began early yesterday morning. The company has yet to provide an estimated time for the restoration of full connectivity across Southern California. As of now, the cause and resolution of these widespread outages remain uncertain, leaving many residents and businesses grappling with communication challenges.

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Note: This summary excludes advertisement segments and focuses solely on the news content delivered during the episode.

Transcript

[Korva Coleman]

This message comes from Capital One Access comprehensive solutions from a top commercial bank that prioritizes your needs today and goals for tomorrow. Learn [e-mail] commercial member FDIC. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Minnesota authorities have arrested a suspect wanted in the fatal shootings of a top Democratic state lawmaker and her husband. Minnesota Public Radio's Matt Sepik says officers spent nearly two days looking for the suspect.

[Matt Sepik]

57 year old V. Belter allegedly killed former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, after driving to their home dressed as a police officer. He's also suspected of shooting and wounding Democratic State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. Investigators say they found a list of names and addresses of public officials from at least five other states in Belter's vehicle.

[Korva Coleman]

Matt Sepik reporting. Israel and Iran have continued to exchange fire overnight. The conflict is now in its fourth day and it shows no sign of slowing down. Iran's health ministry says Israeli strike have killed more than 200 people, including women and children. Another 1,000 Iranians are injured. Israeli officials say that Iranian strikes have killed more than 20 people. In Israel, President Trump says he believes Iran and Israel could work out a truce to end the days of intense airstrikes. But as NPR's Greg Myri reports, Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu appears committed to an extended operation.

[Greg Myhre]

President Trump said on Truth Social that we can easily get a deal done between Iran and Israel and end this bloody conflict, but he didn't offer details. Israel's Netanyahu, in an interview with Fox News, vowed to press ahead with attacks intended to knock out Iran's nuclear program and its stockpile of ballistic missiles. So far, Trump has tried to strike a middle ground. He's supportive of Israel and the US Military is helping Israel defend against Iranian attacks. But the president says the US Is not involved in airstrikes against Iran and he doesn't want the US Dragged into another Middle east war. Greg Myhre, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

Lawyers for Harvard University will return to federal court today. NPR's Alyssa Nadwarney reports they're challenging the Trump administration's move to block the university from enrolling international students.

[Alyssa Nadworny]

On June 4, President Trump issued a proclamation preventing Harvard's international students from entering the country, citing national security concerns. The Ivy League school sued, calling the order another illegal retaliatory step and claiming it is in violation of the school's First Amendment rights. Federal Judge Allison D. Burroughs, an Obama appointee, issued a temporary block and on Monday will decide whether or not to issue an indefinite block until the suit goes to trial. The administration has attempted to limit international students at Harvard, which make up about a quarter of the student body, through policies at the U.S. state Department and the Department of Homeland Security. But the presidential order at question in Monday's hearing is the first time Trump has used his executive powers to limit Harvard. Alyssa Nadworny, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

On Wall street and premarket trading, Dow futures are up 150 points. This is NPR. Officials in San Antonio, Texas, say that 13 people have now died from a major flooding event that hit the city last week. San Antonio got at least 6 inches of rain in just three hours. Several vehicles were swept into a creek where many victims perish. It has taken days for searchers to clear the wreckage out of the Texas creek. Meanwhile, flash flooding in West Virginia over the weekend has killed at least five people there. From West Virginia Public Broadcasting, Chris Schultz reports several people are still missing.

[Chris Schultz]

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrissey declared a state of emergency Sunday for Ohio county after the region received 3 inches of rain or more in just 30 minutes. By evening, he declared another state of emergency for Marion county after flash flooding caused the partial collapse of an apartment building. Rushing floodwaters picked up vehicles and washed out roads, bridges and highways. Morrissey mobilized the National Guard Sunday morning. We know that the National Guard aviation assets remain on standby to conduct search and rescue missions for individuals. Morrissey said the focus was on search and rescue before assessing the full damage. For NPR News, I'm Chris Schultz in Morgantown, West Virginia.

[Korva Coleman]

A Los Angeles area cable provider says that its service is down in some areas. Spectrum is blaming criminal vandalism for the cable, landline and Internet outages in the LA area. The outages started early yesterday morning, and it is not clear when full connectivity will be restored to the Southern California region. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News, in Washington.

[Matt Sepik]

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