NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of the June 26, 2025, Episode

Released on June 26, 2025, at 6 PM EDT

1. Supreme Court Ruling on Medicaid Funding for Planned Parenthood (00:18 - 01:13)

Host: Jack Speier

NPR News Now opened with a significant legal development affecting healthcare services in South Carolina. The Supreme Court ruled that states have the authority to eliminate Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood, a decision advanced by South Carolina State.

Report by Mayan Schechter:

• Impact on Healthcare Access: The ruling compels low-income patients to rely on a limited number of providers within the state that accept Medicaid.

• Scope of Medicaid Benefits: While Medicaid does not cover abortion procedures, it continues to fund essential services such as birth control, cancer screenings, and other medical tests.

Key Insights:

• Heather Bauer's Concerns: South Carolina House Democratic lawmaker Heather Bauer expressed apprehension about the ruling's implications. She stated at [00:57], "They're continuing to find ways to chip away at affordable and accessible healthcare." Bauer emphasized that the court's decision, coupled with proposed Medicaid cuts, would exacerbate health disparities for lower-income residents in a state already grappling with poor health outcomes.

• Future Outlook: Bauer further noted at [01:03], "And they're going to continue to do that," indicating ongoing legislative efforts to mitigate the adverse effects of the ruling.

2. Senate Republicans' Roadblock on Tax and Spending Package (01:13 - 02:05)

Host: Jack Speier
Reporter: Elena Moore

As the July 4th deadline approached, Senate Republicans encountered a significant hurdle in their attempts to pass a comprehensive tax and spending package.

Key Points:

• Parliamentarian's Ruling: The Senate parliamentarian, a nonpartisan adviser, determined that several proposed changes to Medicaid did not comply with the budget process rules necessitating a simple majority for passage.

• Proposed Medicaid Changes: Among the contentious modifications was a requirement for states to reduce taxes on Medicaid providers. These changes faced division among Republican lawmakers, primarily over the need to secure fiscal savings.

Notable Quote: Elena Moore reported, "The Senate office has determined many of the proposed changes to Medicaid cannot pass with a simple majority of Republicans," highlighting the procedural challenges faced by the party.

Political Pressure: The Republican party is under increasing pressure from President Trump to broker a deal, emphasizing the high stakes involved in the legislative process.

3. Pew Research Study on the 2024 Presidential Election and Voter Turnout (02:05 - 03:01)

Host: Jack Speier
Reporter: Domenico Montanaro

A new study by the Pew Research Center provides intriguing insights into the 2024 presidential election, particularly focusing on the potential impact of voter turnout.

Study Findings:

• Trump's Strength Among Non-Voters: The study revealed that among the thousands surveyed who did not vote in the 2024 election, 44% preferred President Trump, while 40% favored Democrat Kamala Harris.

• Voter Turnout Implications: Historically, higher turnout has favored Democrats due to their support base among younger and non-white voters, who typically vote at lower rates. However, the study suggests a potential shift. If all eligible voters had participated, Trump's narrow victory in the popular vote could have widened from a 1.5 percentage point margin to a 3 percentage point advantage.

Heather Bauer's Analysis: At [02:18], Heather Bauer provided context, stating, "Historically, higher turnout was thought to be better for Democrats because younger voters and non-white voters lean left and they traditionally vote at lower rates." She further explained the reversal observed in the current study results.

Contextual Background: This finding deviates from the patterns seen in the previous two presidential elections, where non-voters typically leaned towards Democratic candidates.

4. Stock Market Update and Obituaries (03:01 - 04:06)

Host: Jack Speier

Market Overview:

• Record Highs: Wall Street approached new record highs with the Dow Jones Industrial Average surging by 404 points, the Nasdaq increasing by 194 points, and the S&P 500 rising by 48 points.

• Investor Sentiment: The market rally occurred despite investors' cautious outlook amid challenging economic indicators.

Obituary: Bill Moyers (03:30 - 04:06)

• Legacy: Former White House press secretary Bill Moyers passed away after battling cancer. Moyers was renowned for his extensive journalism career, including roles as a newspaper publisher, senior news analyst for CBS, and a prominent figure in public television.

• Contributions: His notable work encompassed "Bill Moyers' Journal," which featured hundreds of stories, and his book "Listening to America: A Traveler Rediscovers His Country." Moyers, who described himself as a "citizen journalist," was 91 years old. His passing was confirmed by his son, with his wife of over 70 years, Judith Davidson, by his side.

5. Anna Wintour to Step Down as Editor-in-Chief of American Vogue (04:06 - 04:51)

Host: Jack Speier
Reporter: Elizabeth Blair

In a major shift in the fashion industry, Anna Wintour announced her decision to relinquish her long-held position as Editor-in-Chief of American Vogue after 37 years. She will, however, continue her influential roles as Chief Content Officer for Conde Nast and Global Editorial Director for Vogue.

Key Details:

• Legacy and Influence: Wintour's tenure at Vogue began in 1988, during which she launched successful editions such as Teen Vogue and Men's Vogue. She has been a pivotal figure in shaping fashion journalism and the broader media landscape.

• Cultural Impact: Anna Wintour is widely believed to be the inspiration for Miranda Priestley, the formidable editor character in "The Devil Wears Prada," a novel turned blockbuster movie, penned by one of her former assistants.

Future of Vogue: Elizabeth Blair highlighted that the next Editor-in-Chief of Vogue will inherit a legacy of elegance and sophistication, as stated by Vogue, "The shoes the next Vogue editor in chief will need to fill will certainly be elegant and expensive."

Current Responsibilities:
In addition to her editorial duties at Vogue, Wintour oversees Conde Nast's other prominent brands, including Wired, Vanity Fair, and GQ, demonstrating her expansive influence within the publishing house.

Conclusion

The June 26, 2025, episode of NPR News Now provided listeners with comprehensive coverage of pivotal national issues, ranging from healthcare policy changes and legislative challenges to electoral dynamics and significant cultural shifts. The episode underscored the interconnectedness of political decisions, economic indicators, and societal trends, offering insightful analysis backed by expert reporting and authoritative quotes.