NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of Episode Released on June 21, 2025
Host: Jeanine Herbst
Release Date: June 21, 2025
Duration: Approximately 5 minutes
1. U.S. Foreign Policy: Israel-Iran Conflict
Speaker: Deepa Shivaram
Timestamp: [00:36]
President Donald Trump addressed the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, which erupted a week prior with a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting Iran. Trump acknowledged the complexities of the situation, stating, "it's hard right now to make the request to Israel to stop their attacks" ([00:36]). However, he expressed a potential openness to a ceasefire contingent upon successful negotiations. Additionally, Trump revealed that he would decide within two weeks whether the United States would intervene directly, quoting, "to see whether people come to their senses" ([00:36]).
2. National Guard Control in California
Speaker: Jeanine Herbst
Timestamp: [01:09]
A federal judge has temporarily halted further rulings on the deployment of the National Guard in California, maintaining President Trump's authority over the state's guard forces. This decision follows a procedural victory for Trump at the appeals court level, which allows him to retain control amid California's legal challenges. However, U.S. District Court Judge Charles Fryer has requested both parties to submit additional briefs for consideration ([01:09]).
3. Louisiana’s Ten Commandments Display Law
Speaker: Aubrey Yuhas
Timestamp: [01:44]
A Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals panel in New Orleans unanimously declared a Louisiana law mandating public colleges and schools to display the Ten Commandments as unconstitutional ([01:44]). This ruling supports a lower court's decision that prevented the law from taking effect in January. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Merrill contended that the law should apply only to the five parishes involved in the lawsuit and advocated for its broader implementation. In response, Merrill stated, "I strongly disagree with the Fifth Circuit's ruling and plans to appeal, if necessary, all the way to the US Supreme Court" ([01:44]).
4. Health Study: Breast Cancer Treatment and Alzheimer's Risk
Speaker: Jon Hamilton
Timestamp: [02:29]
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network analyzed over 70,000 breast cancer survivors in Korea to assess the long-term risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Contrary to concerns, the findings indicated that cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and radiation do not increase, and may even slightly decrease, the likelihood of Alzheimer's. Specifically, patients were 8% less likely to receive an Alzheimer's diagnosis compared to cancer-free individuals. Notably, while chemotherapy and hormone therapy showed no significant impact, radiation therapy was associated with a reduced risk, potentially due to its role in protecting certain brain cells ([02:29]).
5. Business Update: Kroger Supermarkets Closure
Speaker: Alina Selyuk
Timestamp: [03:36]
Kroger Supermarkets announced the closure of 60 locations nationwide following the collapse of its proposed merger with Albertsons, which was thwarted by the Biden administration in December ([03:36]). The merger's failure led to reduced opportunities for Kroger to reorganize and streamline its operations, particularly concerning underperforming stores. Despite these closures, Kroger reported a 3.2% growth in sales (excluding fuel) in the latest quarter, attributing this to increased home dining trends. Additionally, Kroger anticipates minimal impacts from tariffs, as it has limited affected items and is actively managing costs by engaging suppliers and discontinuing select products ([03:36]).
6. Natural Events and Economic Indicators
A. Kilauea Volcano Eruption in Hawaii
Speaker: Jeanine Herbst
Timestamp: [04:19]
The Kilauea volcano on Hawaii's Big Island is actively erupting, with lava fountains reaching heights of up to 1,000 feet. The eruption follows a period of sporadic lava overflows and minor activity. Kilauea remains one of the world's most active volcanoes, having erupted dozens of times since December 2024 ([04:19]).
B. Crude Oil Prices
Speaker: Jeanine Herbst
Timestamp: [04:19]
Crude oil prices saw a slight decline, closing the day 0.2% lower at $75 per barrel. This minor decrease reflects ongoing market adjustments amid global economic and geopolitical factors ([04:19]).
This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the NPR News Now episode, providing listeners with a clear and detailed overview of the day's most significant news stories.