NPR News Now: Episode Summary – June 26, 2025

Host: Windsor Johnston | Release Date: June 26, 2025

Supreme Court Rules on Planned Parenthood Funding

Supreme Court Decision In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court has issued a landmark ruling affecting Planned Parenthood's federal Medicaid funding. The Court has permitted South Carolina to withhold Medicaid funds from Planned Parenthood, even for services unrelated to abortions.

Expert Analysis Mary Ziegler, a professor at the University of California, Davis School of Law, elaborated on the implications of the ruling:

"The argument that South Carolina and other red states have made essentially is that money is fungible and that if Planned Parenthood is receiving support for the other services it provides, that allows Planned Parenthood to use fundraising and other money that it gains to offset abortion expenses."
(00:39)

This decision underscores the ongoing debate over the use of federal funds and the broader impact on reproductive health services.

President Trump's White House Event Advocates for Tax Cuts and Spending Bill

White House Push for Legislation President Trump is orchestrating a high-profile event in the White House's East Room aimed at rallying Senate Republicans to pass his comprehensive tax cut and spending legislation. The administration has labeled the gathering as "one big, beautiful event."

Details from NPR’s Tamara Keith Tamara Keith provided insight into the strategy and objectives behind the event:

"President Trump has set a July 4 deadline for Congress to get the bill on his desk, working the phones to apply pressure as he flew home from Europe yesterday. And today, an event from the East Room features Americans the White House says will benefit from the bill's tax cuts and other provisions, truck drivers, firefighters, tipped workers and others."
(01:25)

The administration faces scrutiny from Democrats, who argue that the legislation disproportionately favors the wealthy and jeopardizes health benefits for the poor. The outcome of this legislative effort holds substantial significance for both President Trump and the Republican Party.

Iran Suspends Cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

Iran’s Suspension Decision Amid escalating tensions, Iran has decided to suspend its cooperation with the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This move follows recent attacks by the US and Israel targeting Iranian nuclear facilities.

Reporting by Jane Araf Jane Araf detailed the context and ramifications of Iran’s decision:

"Iran's parliament recommended the move, and on Thursday, state media said the country's influential Guardian Council approved it. Iranian officials had said they were considering the suspension after unprovoked attacks by Israel and the US on Iranian facilities."
(02:18)

Iran asserts that its uranium enrichment program remains within the bounds of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and emphasizes its peaceful intentions. Conversely, the US and Israel maintain that the attacks aim to disrupt Iran’s potential nuclear weapons development. Iran also criticized the IAEA, claiming it enabled these attacks by declaring the nation non-compliant with monitoring requirements.

High-Profile Trials and Policy Changes

Sean "Diddy" Combs’ Trial In legal news, closing arguments are underway in New York City's trial involving hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs, who faces charges related to sex trafficking and racketeering. The jury is expected to deliberate and reach a verdict by Friday.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Targets Vaccine Agency Funding Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced that the Trump administration will discontinue financial support to the international Vaccine Agency, Gavi, unless it implements significant changes. Kennedy, a known vaccine skeptic, criticized Gavi for allegedly neglecting vaccine safety:

"He called on the organization to, quote, re-earn the public trust before the US would reconsider its decision to cut funds to the group."
(03:46)

Gavi, responsible for vaccinating over a billion children globally, has vehemently denied these allegations, reaffirming its commitment to vaccine safety and child health.

Economic Updates: Wall Street and Corporate Developments

Stock Market Performance Wall Street saw a positive uptick with the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbing by 356 points and the NASDAQ Composite increasing by 154 points as of the latest trading session.

Kroger’s Store Closures In corporate news, Kroger, the nation’s largest grocery chain, has announced plans to shut down approximately 60 stores across the United States over the next eighteen months. The company stated that these closures are strategic efforts to reduce costs, and affected employees will be offered positions at other locations.

"Kroger says affected employees will be offered jobs at other locations."
(04:29)

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now provided comprehensive coverage of pivotal national and international issues, ranging from landmark Supreme Court decisions and high-stakes political maneuvers to significant developments in international relations, public health policy, and economic trends. The detailed reporting and expert analyses offered listeners a nuanced understanding of the current events shaping the world.