NPR News Now — June 17, 2025 | Episode Released at 6PM EDT

Hosted by Jack Speier

1. Senate Republicans Tweak Landmark Legislation

[00:17]
Jack Speier opens the episode by discussing the latest moves from Senate Republicans regarding a pivotal bill central to President Trump’s agenda. The bill, which serves as the cornerstone of extending the 2017 tax cuts, is undergoing significant adjustments that may lead to friction within the House.

[00:37]
Barbara Schmont of NPR elaborates on the situation, stating, “The Senate Finance Committee released the highly anticipated legislative text, which addresses programs like Medicaid, clean energy tax credits and other hotly disputed items.” This release follows the House's narrow passage of their version of the bill in May. However, internal divisions persist as some House members express that the Senate’s revisions “crosses their red lines,” particularly concerning deductions for state and local taxes. Additionally, Senate Republicans are pushing to finalize the bill by July 4th despite worries that the Senate’s language makes excessive adjustments to Medicaid.

2. Escalating Tensions Between Israel and Iran

[01:13]
The podcast shifts focus to international affairs, highlighting the intensifying conflict between Israel and Iran. Israel claims to have killed a top Iranian general, exacerbating the ongoing exchange of strikes between the two nations.

[01:53]
NPR’s Michelle Keleman provides an update on the humanitarian response efforts, noting, “We continue to monitor the complex and rapidly evolving situation on the ground as we continue to assess and address the needs of U.S. citizens.” State Department spokesperson, Tammy Bruce, adds, “The Middle East task force is working around the clock,” emphasizing the administration's commitment to assisting Americans caught in the conflict.

Despite these efforts, concrete evacuation plans remain undisclosed. The main international airport in Israel remains closed, leaving hundreds of thousands of Americans in a precarious situation. The State Department has issued travel warnings and authorized the departure of family members and non-essential embassy staff, but specifics on evacuation routes are still pending.

[02:36]
Jack Speier reports on the grave humanitarian situation in Gaza, with at least 51 Palestinians killed and over 200 wounded. The Gaza Health Ministry and local hospitals confirm these casualties amid the blockade of UN and commercial trucks carrying essential food supplies. Palestinian eyewitnesses inform the Associated Press that Israeli forces have fired upon civilians awaiting aid, further deepening the crisis. The escalating conflict has also rattled global markets, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping by 299 points and the NASDAQ falling by 180 points.

3. Economic Impacts Amid Geopolitical Strife

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran has not only resulted in loss of life but also triggered significant economic repercussions. Investor confidence has waned due to the uncertainty, leading to declines in major stock indices. Additionally, a weaker-than-expected retail sales report has compounded economic concerns, signaling potential challenges ahead for the U.S. economy.

4. Burlington Renames Main Street to Strengthen US-Canada Ties

[03:34]
Shifting to local news, Burlington, Vermont, has seen its city council vote to rename its main commercial street from Church Street to Canada Street for the summer tourism season. Mikayla LeFrak of Vermont Public reports, “The brick-lined road of shops and restaurants formerly known as Church Street is now Canada Street, at least for the summer tourism season.”

[03:47]
Kathy Davis, head of the Lake Champlain Chamber, explains the rationale behind the change: “We really want to do our part to make sure that Canadians who do choose to come down to Vermont feel welcome. When you're ready, we'll be here.” This initiative aims to mend strained relations caused by President Trump’s trade policies and rhetoric about making Canada the “51st state.” The impact is evident, with U.S. Customs and Border Protection reporting a decline in cross-border traffic from 147,000 last April to 98,000 this April. Additionally, hotel occupancy in the Burlington area has dropped by 12% this year.

5. Bruce Springsteen to Release 'Lost Albums'

[04:24]
In cultural news, Bruce Springsteen is set to release seven "lost albums," showcasing a variety of musical styles that reveal different facets of the iconic musician. Jack Speier highlights, “The Boss says he intends to release some of those songs in the form of seven so-called lost albums.” These collections will feature Springsteen experimenting with genres such as country, crooner styles, and even mariachi bands, offering fans a fresh perspective on his extensive body of work.

6. Market Update: Oil Prices Surge

[04:24]
The episode concludes with a brief market update, noting that crude oil prices have risen by more than 4%, reaching $74.97 per barrel. This increase is likely influenced by the geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, affecting global energy markets.

Note: This summary excludes advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections to focus solely on the informative segments of the podcast.