NPR News: 06-25-2026 5PM EDT

Summary

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NPR News Now: 06-25-2026 5PM EDT

Host: Ryland Barton
Date: June 25, 2026
Duration: 5 minutes

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Episode Overview

In this concise NPR News Now update, listeners receive the latest major headlines from around the globe. This episode covers urgent developments in the Strait of Hormuz, the devastating aftermath of Venezuelan earthquakes, a landmark Supreme Court decision affecting US immigration policy, a contested election bill, the closure of a controversial immigration detention center in Florida, the passing of a music icon, and a fascinating discovery in astronomy.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Tensions and Incident in the Strait of Hormuz

[00:00] Ryland Barton

• The evacuation of sailors in the Strait of Hormuz has been paused following an attack on a cargo ship.
• The strike occurred hours after Iran warned vessels against passing through the strait without its approval.
• Quote:
  • “The evacuation of thousands of stranded sailors in the Strait of Hormuz has been paused. It comes after the British military says a cargo ship was hit by a projectile.” (00:04, Ryland Barton)

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2. Venezuela Earthquakes: The Immediate Aftermath

[00:16] Ryland Barton, Manuel Rueda, Unidentified NPR Reporter

• At least 188 people were killed in back-to-back earthquakes.
• Rescue efforts are underway; countries like Mexico, Chile, and the US are sending assistance.
• The coastal city of La Guayra suffered catastrophic damage.
• Main airport closed; dozens of buildings collapsed.
• Quote:
  • “Major earthquakes are relatively rare in Venezuela. Latin American countries that have more experience with big quakes, including Mexico and Chile, have said they're sending rescue teams and medical equipment there.” (00:33, Manuel Rueda)
  • “That's their most immediate need right now is search and rescue efforts. And then we're also helping them with some overhead imagery...” (00:51, Unidentified NPR Reporter)

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3. Supreme Court Greenlights Mass Deportations

[01:14] Ryland Barton, Jimena Bustillo

• The Supreme Court allows the Trump administration to proceed with mass deportations of people holding Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
• The ruling grants the president broad authority to terminate TPS.
• Those affected now face choices: try to adjust their status, or return to their countries of origin.
• Quote:
  • “The Supreme Court today gave the Trump administration the green light to begin mass deportations of people who've been living and working legally in the US for years, in some cases even decades.” (01:14, Ryland Barton)
  • “That essentially means people have to figure out if they are going to immediately return, if there is a way that they might be able to adjust their status... or if they return and have to go back to wherever it is that they originated from.” (01:37, Jimena Bustillo)

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4. Presidential Push for Election Law Overhaul

[02:00] Ryland Barton, Ashley Lopez

• President Trump refuses to sign any legislation until Congress passes his “Save America Act.”
• The act aims to overhaul election law, including stricter ID and proof of citizenship requirements.
• Experts say noncitizen voting is already extremely rare and citizenship proof is already required.
• The bill lacks enough Senate support to advance.
• Quote:
  • “Trump has said he believes the Save America Act would ensure Republicans never lose another election as his party faces a potentially bruising election cycle this fall.” (02:14, Ashley Lopez)

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5. Closure of Controversial Florida Detention Center

[02:55] Ryland Barton

• Governor Ron DeSantis announces the closure of the Alligator Alcatraz Immigration Detention Center due to safety and humane concerns voiced by advocates.
• Federal officials state the extra capacity is no longer necessary.

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6. Remembering David Clayton Thomas

[03:30] Felix Contreras

• The passing of David Clayton Thomas, iconic vocalist of Blood, Sweat & Tears, at age 84.
• Rose from troubled youth in Toronto to international stardom.
• Notable for self-taught musical beginnings and eventual advocacy for youth justice.
• Quote:
  • “What goes up must come down.” (03:30, David Clayton Thomas singing)
  • “You made me so very happy.” (03:54, David Clayton Thomas singing)
  • “A controversial trip to eastern Europe in 1970, sponsored by the US State Department, put them in the crosshairs of a political cultural war that that pretty much caused the demise of the band.” (03:59, Felix Contreras)

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7. Discovery of “Superpuff” Planets

[04:23] Ryland Barton

• Astronomers discover two “superpuff” planets, as large as Jupiter but with extremely low density (“less density than cotton candy”).
• The planets were detailed in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
• They orbit a star about 1,100 light years away.
• Quote:
  • “Astronomers have uncovered a pair of superpuff planets. They're about the size of Jupiter, but have less density than cotton candy.” (04:23, Ryland Barton)

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Notable Quotes

• “The evacuation of thousands of stranded sailors in the Strait of Hormuz has been paused. It comes after the British military says a cargo ship was hit by a projectile.”
  — Ryland Barton (00:04)

• “Major earthquakes are relatively rare in Venezuela. Latin American countries that have more experience with big quakes, including Mexico and Chile, have said they're sending rescue teams and medical equipment there.”
  — Manuel Rueda (00:33)

• “That essentially means people have to figure out if they are going to immediately return, if there is a way that they might be able to adjust their status...”
  — Jimena Bustillo (01:37)

• “Trump has said he believes the Save America Act would ensure Republicans never lose another election as his party faces a potentially bruising election cycle this fall.”
  — Ashley Lopez (02:14)

• “You made me so very happy.”
  — David Clayton Thomas (03:54, quoted)

• “Astronomers have uncovered a pair of superpuff planets. They're about the size of Jupiter, but have less density than cotton candy.”
  — Ryland Barton (04:23)

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Timestamps

• 00:00: Strait of Hormuz incident and evacuation pause
• 00:16: Venezuela earthquake casualties and international rescue effort
• 01:14: Supreme Court decision on TPS deportations
• 02:00: Trump's stance on election legislation
• 02:55: Closure of Alligator Alcatraz Detention Center
• 03:30: Tribute to David Clayton Thomas
• 04:23: Discovery of superpuff planets

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This five-minute episode delivers crisp, authoritative coverage of international crises, US political and judicial developments, human rights concerns, a musically historic passing, and cutting-edge astronomy—with a tone that is factual, sober, and accessible.

Transcript

[Ryland Barton]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. The evacuation of thousands of stranded sailors in the Strait of Hormuz has been paused. It comes after the British military says a cargo ship was hit by a projectile. The report of a strike came hours after Tehran threatened against vessels using the strait without Iran's permission. Venezuela's president says that at least 188 people have been killed in back to back earthquakes that hit the country yesterday. Now rescue workers are searching through buildings for survivors as help begins to arrive from nearby countries. Manuel Ruedo reports.

[Manuel Rueda]

Major earthquakes are relatively rare in Venezuela. Latin American countries that have more experience with big quakes, including Mexico and Chile, have said they're sending rescue teams and medical equipment there. And U.S. secretary of State Marco Rubio said rescue teams from Virginia and California are also on the way.

[Unidentified NPR Reporter]

That's their most immediate need right now is search and rescue efforts. And then we're also helping them with some overhead imagery, especially in coastal areas where they don't have full visibility over what the damage has been and what the impact has been.

[Manuel Rueda]

Venezuela is acting President Elsie Rodriguez said dozens of buildings collapsed in the coastal city of La Guayra and the nation's main airport has been closed. For NPR News, I'm Manuel Rueda in Bogota.

[Ryland Barton]

The Supreme Court today gave the Trump administration the green light to begin mass deportations of people who've been living and working legally in the US for years, in some cases even decades. The conservative majority ruled the president has virtually unrestrained power to end the Temporary Protected Status program known as TPS. NPR's Jimena Bustillo has more on what it means for displaced people with the

[Jimena Bustillo]

cancellation or termination of TPS designation. That essentially means people have to figure out if they are going to immediately return, if there is a way that they might be able to adjust their status if they haven't already through, you know, some sort of a green card process, or if they return and have to go back to wherever it is that they originated from.

[Ryland Barton]

NPR's Ximena Bustillo reporting. President Trump says he's refusing to sign any legislation unless Congress passes an election overhaul. But the bill Trump calls the Save America act is all but doomed in The Senate, as NPR's Ashley Lopez reports,

[Ashley Lopez]

Trump has said he believes the Save America act would ensure Republicans never lose another election as his party faces a potentially bruising election cycle this fall. If passed, the law would prohibit states from registering voters who don't provide proof of citizenship. That includes birth certificates, passports and some state and tribal IDs. Citizenship is already required to register to vote. And according to experts, noncitizen voting is extremely rare. The law would also require voter ID for ballots cast both in person and by mail. The bill would also force states to hand over sensitive voter data to the Trump administration. It does not currently have the 60 votes needed in the Senate to overcome a filibuster. Ashley Lopez, NPR News.

[Ryland Barton]

And from Washington, you're listening to NPR news. Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has announced the closure of the Alligator Alcatraz Immigration Detention Center. It was built in the Florida swamps last year. Immigration advocates criticized it for unsafe and inhumane conditions. Federal officials say they no longer need the extra capacity to handle detention and deportation because they have more permanent facilities. Vocalist David Clayton Thomas has died at the age of 84. He led the 1960s rock band Blood, Sweat in Tears. NPR's Felix Contreras reports.

[David Clayton Thomas (quoted)]

What goes up must come down.

[Felix Contreras]

David Clayton Thomas had a rough start in music, having taught himself guitar while in a reformatory and as a teen in Toronto. After eventually making his way from Canada to New York, he was heard by the leader of the then fledgling band Blood, Sweat and Tears. And before too long, they were selling millions of records.

[David Clayton Thomas (quoted)]

You made me so very happy.

[Felix Contreras]

A controversial trip to eastern Europe in 1970, sponsored by the US State Department, put them in the crosshairs of a political cultural war that that pretty much caused the demise of the band. David Clayton Thomas continued as a solo act, performing and recording with smaller jazz bands while advocating for restorative youth justice programs in Canada. Felix Contreras, NPR News.

[Ryland Barton]

Astronomers have uncovered a pair of superpuff planets. They're about the size of Jupiter, but have less density than cotton candy. The findings were published in Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. The featherweight pair orbit a star about 1100 miles away. It's NPR.

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