NPR News: 06-21-2025 1AM EDT

Summary

NPR News: June 21, 2025

US Evacuation Efforts in the Middle East

Host Dale Willman opens the episode by highlighting the surge in inquiries from Americans seeking information on evacuating Israel, the West Bank, and Iran. Thousands have reached out to the State Department amid escalating tensions in the region.

Michelle Kellerman reports that the State Department has already provided information to over 25,000 Americans and is urging others to complete a form on travel.state.gov for potential evacuation updates. She notes, “The US embassy in Israel is working on possible evacuation flights and ships, but that’s not the case in Iran, where the US doesn’t have an embassy” (00:37).

Tammy Bruce, State Department spokesperson, emphasizes, “We do not anticipate offering direct US Government assisted departure from Iran. Americans seeking departure should take advantage of existing means to leave.” (00:57).

Further escalating the situation, Michelle Kellerman adds that President Trump is expected to make a critical decision within the next two weeks regarding whether to join Israel in striking Iranian nuclear sites (01:08).

Violent Crime in Minnesota

Switching to domestic news, Dale Willman reports on a tragic incident in Minnesota where a Democratic state lawmaker and her husband were killed. Matt Sepik from Minnesota Public Radio details the evidence found at the accused man's residence:

“Police say they found dozens of firearms and $18,000 in cash in Belter's home, along with five body bags in a storage locker he rented” (01:33). The suspect, Vance Belter, 57, is also alleged to have created a handwritten list targeting Democratic officials and abortion rights supporters, indicating a potential motive rooted in political extremism.

Federal Disaster Relief Approved for Tennessee Storms

Dale Willman transitions to weather-related news, stating that severe storms in Tennessee have now qualified for federal disaster relief. Tony Gonzalez of WPLN provides further insights:

“Tornadoes killed 10 people across Tennessee in April. Hardest hit was McNary County at the Alabama border. Five people died and winds damaged more than 300 structures” (02:13). While FEMA has approved aid for most counties, some were excluded without specific reasons. Affected individuals in Nashville and other areas can apply for cash assistance and low-interest loans to aid in recovery.

International and Domestic Updates: Panama and LA Dodgers

In international news, Dale Willman reports that Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil has been released from a federal immigration detention center in Louisiana after 104 days. A federal judge ruled his detention unusual since he was not accused of any violence, although the government cited potential harm to American foreign policy.

Additionally, Panama has suspended certain constitutional protections in its Northwestern Province for five days following two months of protests triggered by Chiquita Brands’ mass layoffs. The government deployed 1,500 police officers to dismantle protest roadblocks, responding to what President O declared an illegal strike.

Turning to domestic corporate responses, the Los Angeles Dodgers have finally addressed ongoing ICE raids affecting the community. Steve Futterman reports:

“In a written statement, the Dodgers did not specifically condemn the ICE raids. However, the team announced it is committing $1 million to help families of immigrants impacted by what it referred to only as the recent events” (03:48). Dodger President Stan Kasten stated, “what’s happening in Los Angeles has reverberated among thousands and thousands of people. By committing resources, the Dodgers will support and uplift the LA area.” This move comes after significant pressure from the Dodgers' Latino fan base and protests outside Dodger Stadium. Additional support initiatives are expected to be announced in the coming days.

Sports News: Sammy Sosa to be Inducted into Cubs Hall of Fame

In the sports segment, Dale Willman covers the visit of legendary Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa to Chicago’s Wrigley Field. Greeted warmly by team owner Tom Ricketts, Sosa is slated for induction into the Cubs Hall of Fame this year. Despite his celebrated career, Sosa’s legacy remains controversial due to past associations with performance-enhancing drugs during his playing days.

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now provided a comprehensive overview of significant international and domestic events, from urgent evacuation efforts in the Middle East and tragic political violence in Minnesota to disaster relief in Tennessee and impactful corporate responses in Los Angeles. Additionally, the sports community celebrates Sammy Sosa’s induction into the Cubs Hall of Fame, highlighting the enduring complexities of athlete legacies.

For more detailed updates, listeners are encouraged to visit NPR’s website or follow their latest broadcasts.

Transcript

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[Dale Willman]

Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. Thousands of Americans have reached out to the State Department for information about leaving Israel, the West bank and Iran. The US Government, meanwhile, is urging Americans to sign up online to learn about any potential evacuation information. And Pierre's Michelle Kellerman reports.

[Michelle Kellerman]

The State Department says it has given information to more than 25,000Americans and is encouraging others to reach out by filling out a form on travel state.gov the US embassy in Israel is working on possible evacuation flights and ships, but that's not the case in Iran, where the US doesn't have an embassy. Here's State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce.

[NPR Sponsor]

We do not anticipate offering direct US Government assisted departure from Iran. Americans seeking departure should take advantage of existing means to leave.

[Michelle Kellerman]

President Trump is expected to decide within the next two weeks whether to join Israel in striking Iranian nuclear sites. Michelle Keleman, NPR News, the State Department.

[Dale Willman]

A set of body bags and four dozen guns were among the items investigators found among the belongings of the man accused of killing a Democratic state lawmaker in Minnesota and her husband last weekend. Matt Sepik of Minnesota Public Radio has this reports.

[Matt Sepik]

Vance Belter is charged with the murder of Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, in search warrants. Police say they found dozens of firearms and $18,000 in cash in Beler's home, along with five body bags in a storage locker he rented. The 57 year old allegedly created a handwritten list with the names and addresses of Democratic officials and abortion rights supporters.

[Dale Willman]

That's Matt Sepik of Minnesota Public Radio reporting. Deadly and damaging storms across Tennessee in early April have now qualified for federal disaster relief. As Tony Gonzales of member station WPLN reports, President Trump approved aid for most, but not all storm damaged counties.

[Tony Gonzalez]

Tornadoes killed 10 people across Tennessee in April. Hardest hit was McNary county at the Alabama border. Five people died and winds damaged more than 300 structures. Flooding also prompted voluntary evacuations and impacted wastewater treat. The new FEMA 8 is open to most of the places included in Governor Bill Lee's request for help. The agency did not specify why some counties did not qualify. Localities and nonprofits in 19 counties can get reimbursements for recovery work. And affected individuals and business owners in nine counties, including Nashville, can apply for cash assistance and low interest loans For NPR News, I'm Tony Gonzalez in Nashville.

[Dale Willman]

Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil has been released from a federal immigration detention center in Louisiana. The former former Columbia University graduate student was released after spending 104 days in custody. The release came after a federal judge ruled that it would be highly unusual for the government to detain a legal US Resident who had not been accused of any violence. The government says that his presence in the US could harm American foreign policy. You're listening to NPR News. Panama has suspended some constitutional protections for five days in its Northwestern Province. The move follows two months of protest that began when Chiquita Brands fired thousands of of striking workers there last month. At the time of the firings, the country's president said the strike was illegal. Last week, 1500 police were sent to the province to clear protest roadblocks. In Los Angeles, the LA Dodgers have been under pressure to issue a statement about the ongoing ICE raids there. Now, for the first time, they've commented. Steve Futterman reports.

[Steve Futterman]

In a written statement, the Dodgers did not specifically condemn the ICE raids. The team announced it is committing $1 million to help families of immigrants impacted by what it referred to only as the recent events. Dodger President Stan Kasten said what's happening in Los Angeles has reverberated among thousands and thousands of people. By committing resources, he said, the Dodgers will support and uplift the LA area. Until now, the Dodgers have been silent, evoking anger from many members of their huge Latino fan base. There have even been protests outside of Dodger Stadium. In addition to the million dollar contribution, the Dodgers say they will have additional announcements of involvement in the coming days. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Los Angeles.

[Dale Willman]

Legendary Cub slugger Sammy Sosa paid a visit to Chicago's Wrigley Field on Friday. He was greeted with a hug from team owner Tom Ricketts as he arrived for the Cubs Mariners game. Sosa is set to be inducted into the Cubs hall of Fame this year. He was one of several players linked to the use of performance enhancing drugs during the time that he was playing. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.

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