NPR News: 06-18-2025 8AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: June 18, 2025, 8AM EDT

NPR's Korva Coleman and correspondents bring you the latest updates from around the world, covering critical developments and poignant stories shaping our times.

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Escalation in the Middle East: US Embassy in Israel Remains Closed

Korva Coleman opens the episode with the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, now in its sixth day. The US Embassy in Israel continues to remain closed for security reasons, with Israeli officials anticipating possible US military involvement.

Daniel Estrin reports from Tel Aviv:

"Israel thinks the US will join the military offensive in Iran and is waiting for a US decision" (00:16). President Trump's stance has intensified speculation about active US participation, as he has expressed a desire for "unconditional surrender" (00:16).

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has warned that any US attack would lead to "dire and irreparable consequences" (00:16). Meanwhile, travel from Israel has been severely restricted, with no departing passenger flights and many US visitors evacuating to Jordan and Egypt.

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Political Tensions in New York: Mayoral Candidate Arrested

In New York City, Brad Lander, the Comptroller and a mayoral candidate, was arrested outside an immigration court. Charles Lane from WNYC details the incident:

"Video shows Lander being led away in handcuffs by two men who appear to be masked law enforcement officials" (01:17).

Lander claims he was merely escorting a migrant and requested to see the arrest warrant, which was not provided:

"And they would not show me the warrant. And I said I'd let go of his arm as soon as they showed it to me, and they did not show it to me. And you saw what happened." (01:34)

The Department of Homeland Security spokesperson stated that Lander was arrested for "assaulting law enforcement and impeding a federal court officer" (01:43).

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Legal Battle Over National Guard Deployment in Los Angeles

A federal appeals court panel reviewed arguments regarding President Trump's deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles for immigration enforcement. California officials contend that Trump did not consult Governor Gavin Newsom, prompting legal action.

Trump defended his decision, asserting the need to "stop violence in LA" (01:54). The court's decision could have significant implications for federal and state cooperation on immigration issues.

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Tragic Violence in Minnesota: Vigil Held for Shooting Victims

Minnesota is mourning the loss of four individuals in a recent shooting, including former State House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were also critically injured.

A vigil took place at the Minnesota State Capitol, where Natalie Cherng, a collaborator of Hortman, expressed her sorrow:

"We lost somebody really good. We lost somebody who actually cared about Minnesotans not just somebody who cared about the sound bite. We lost somebody who loved this state." (02:33)

Authorities have apprehended the suspect, who reportedly carried a list targeting predominantly Democratic lawmakers. He now faces both state and federal murder charges.

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Heartbreaking Story from Georgia: Premature Delivery Amid Legal Constraints

In Georgia, a mother shared her devastating experience with WXIA. Her daughter, who was brain dead and six months pregnant, was kept on life support due to the state's stringent abortion laws. The baby, delivered prematurely via C-section last Friday at approximately eight weeks of gestation, is currently in intensive care. The mother revealed that life support was terminated yesterday, highlighting the profound personal tragedies resulting from legislative restrictions.

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Virginia's Primary Election: Gubernatorial Candidates Make Their Cases

Results from Virginia's primary elections reveal key contenders for the governorship:

• Abigail Spanberger, former Congresswoman, positions herself as a bulwark against President Trump:

  "We haven't come this far. To only go this far and forward is the only way I know." (04:05)

• Winsome Earl Sears, Republican nominee and Lieutenant Governor under Governor Glenn Youngkin, emphasizes her experience and stability:

  "Over the last couple of weeks, one thing has been made clear. The role of governor has never been more important." (03:57)

Economists note that Virginia's economy, which has seen significant growth, may face challenges due to federal workforce cuts. The candidates' platforms will be pivotal as voters head to the polls.

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Sports Highlight: Florida Panthers Win Stanley Cup

In a celebratory sports update, the Florida Panthers have clinched the NHL Stanley Cup, defeating the Edmonton Oilers 5-1 in the final game. The series concluded with Florida winning four games to two, marking their successful defense of the championship title. Fans are jubilant as the Panthers secure their place at the pinnacle of hockey excellence.

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Stay informed with NPR News Now for comprehensive coverage of the stories that matter most.

Transcript

[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. The US Embassy in Israel remains closed as the Israel Iran war continues into its sixth day. Israeli officials believe the U.S. will join the military attack on Iran. NPR's General Estrin has more from Tel Aviv.

[Daniel Estrin]

A person briefed on the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, tells NPR that Israel thinks the US Will join the military offensive in Iran and is waiting for a US Decision. President Trump has said he seeks, quote, unconditional surrender and other statements that are fueling speculation over whether he seeks active U.S. involvement. Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says any U.S. attack will have dire and irreparable consequences. The U.S. embassy in Israel has been closed since Tuesday and says it will stay closed for the next several days for security reasons. Some US Visitors have been leaving Israel by land to Jordan and Egypt. There are no departing passenger flights from Israel. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Korva Coleman]

New York City Comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander was arrested yesterday outside an immigration court. From member station wnyc, Charles Lane reports Lander was detained as immigration officers were trying to take a migrant into custody.

[Charles Lane]

Video shows Lander being led away in handcuffs by two men who appear to be masked law enforcement officials, typical of recent practices by the U.S. immigration and Customs Enforcement. Lander, who's running for mayor, said he was escorting a migrant from court and asked to see the person's arrest warrant.

[Brad Lander]

And they would not show me the warrant. And I said I'd let go of his arm as soon as they showed it to me, and they did not show it to me. And you saw what happened.

[Charles Lane]

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said Lander was arrested for assaulting law enforcement and impeding a federal court officer. For NPR News, I'm Charles Lane in New York City.

[Korva Coleman]

A federal appeals court panel heard arguments yesterday about whether President Trump acted within the law when he deployed National Guard troops to Los Angeles for immigration enforcement. California officials say Trump did not consult the governor and so they sued. Trump said they were needed to stop violence in la. There is a vigil planned for tonight at the Minnesota State Capitol. It's for the four people shot over the weekend. Former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed. Fellow Democrat and state Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were seriously wounded. Many people are grieving. Natalie Cherng worked with Melissa Hortman.

[Natalie Cherng]

We lost somebody really good. We lost somebody who actually cared about Minnesotans not just somebody who cared about the sound bite. We lost somebody who loved this state.

[Korva Coleman]

Authorities in Minnesota say the suspect in the shooting had carried a list of dozens of lawmakers, and most of them were Democrats. He's facing both state and federal murder charges. You're listening to npr. In Georgia, the mother of a brain dead and pregnant woman who was kept on life support tells Atlanta TV station WXIA the woman's baby was delivered prematurely by C section last Friday. She was about six months pregnant. The baby is now in intensive care. WXIA is reporting the woman was about eight weeks pregnant when she was first declared brain dead. But her family says Georgia's near total ban on abortion required them to keep her on life support for months. Her mother says she was taken off life support yesterday. Results are in from yesterday's primary election in Virginia. From member station vpm, jad Khalil reports on the major party gubernatorial candidates for the Democrats.

[Jad Khalil]

Former Congresswoman Abigail Spamberger made herself out to be a defense against President Donald Trump.

[Winsome Earl Sears]

Over the last couple of weeks, one thing has been made clear. The role of governor has never been more important.

[Jad Khalil]

And Republican nominee winsome Earl Sears offered her own type of stability. She told voters to look at her time as lieutenant governor under Governor Glenn Youngkin.

[Abigail Spanberger]

We haven't come this far. To only go this far and forward is the only way I know.

[Jad Khalil]

Virginia's economy has grown significantly in that time, but economists say job growth due to federal workforce cuts put that in jeopardy. For NPR News, I'm Jad Khalil in Richmond.

[Korva Coleman]

The Florida Panthers have successfully defended their title as NHL champs. They won the Stanley cup last night, defeating the Edmonton Oilers 51 at home. Florida clinched the best of seven series, beating Edmonton four games to two. This is NPR.