NPR News: 06-28-2025 1PM EDT

Summary

NPR News: June 28, 2025 – Comprehensive Summary

1. Tragic Loss in Minnesota: Funeral for Melissa and Mark Hortman

Nora Ramm opens the episode with a poignant report from Minneapolis, where a funeral is being held for Minnesota state lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman. The couple was tragically shot to death two weeks prior by an individual who, according to prosecutors, had impersonated a police officer.

Father Daniel Griffith, the pastor and rector of the Basilica of St. Mary, delivered a moving message during the service. At 00:58, he stated, “Minnesotans, this can be a zero, ground zero place for restoration and justice and healing, but we must work together, and there is much more work to be done. Your presence here is a sign that we can do that work.” Griffith emphasized the community's resilience and the role of the church in fostering hope amidst such tragedies.

2. Legislative and Judicial Developments: Senate and Supreme Court Updates

The episode delves into significant political developments. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, former President Joe Biden, and former Vice President Kamala Harris are highlighted as key figures present as the Senate convenes to review President Donald Trump's comprehensive tax cut and spending bill. This legislation proposes increased defense spending while cutting funding for Medicaid and other programs that support lower-income Americans.

In a related judicial update, Anna Isaacs reports on a pivotal Supreme Court decision that restricts the Trump administration's use of nationwide injunctions by federal courts. However, the fate of President Trump's executive order to terminate birthright citizenship remains unresolved. At 01:55, Isaacs explains, “The justices did not rule on the merits of the order, which declares that children born in the US to parents without legal status or on a temporary visa are not entitled to automatic citizenship. That order is still blocked for at least the next 30 days. After that, the order could go into effect in the states that have not challenged it.” This could lead to varying citizenship rules across states, potentially causing significant confusion and legal challenges. Isaacs notes that the Supreme Court may address the constitutionality of denying birthright citizenship in the upcoming term.

3. Economic Insights: Stock Market Reaches New Highs

Scott Horsley provides an economic update, highlighting a week of robust stock market performance. Despite a decline in oil prices and a tentative ceasefire between Israel and Iran, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq indices achieved record highs. At 02:43, Horsley reports, “Crude oil prices tumbled this week as a tentative ceasefire took effect between Israel and Iran. Retail gasoline prices remained slightly higher than they were a month ago, but gas is still cheaper than it was this time last year.” He attributes the market rally to investor optimism ahead of the Fourth of July travel season and a reduced impact from the president's trade war, which had previously unsettled markets. The S&P rose by 3.4%, the Dow by 3.8%, and the Nasdaq surged 4.25% for the week.

4. International Affairs: Security and Political Tensions Abroad

The global news segment covers two significant international events. In Pakistan, a suicide bomber targeted a military convoy in the northwest region near the Afghan border, resulting in the deaths of at least eight soldiers. This area is known for the presence of several Islamist militant groups, raising concerns about ongoing security challenges.

Meanwhile, in Thailand, Michael Sullivan reports from Bangkok about large-scale protests demanding the resignation of the prime minister. Thousands gathered at Victory Monument in a demonstration described as the largest since the incumbent’s party assumed power two years ago. The protests are driven by dissatisfaction over a contentious border dispute with Cambodia. Petong Thanh Shinawatra, the prime minister, acknowledged the right to protest but indicated that her hold on power is precarious. With her coalition's slim majority in Parliament and a recent withdrawal of support from the second-largest party, Shinawatra faces a potential no-confidence vote when Parliament reconvenes next week.

5. Consumer Safety Alert: Stellantis Vehicle Recall

In automotive news, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announces a significant recall by Stellantis affecting over 250,000 vehicles manufactured between 2022 and 2025. The issue involves improperly sealed side curtain airbags, which heighten the risk of injury or failure during a crash. Consumers owning affected models are advised to contact their dealerships for repairs to ensure safety compliance.

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the critical discussions and insights presented in the June 28, 2025, episode of NPR News Now, offering listeners a detailed overview of national and international events, economic trends, and consumer safety news.

Transcript

[NPR Network Host]

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[Lauren Schmies]

I'm Lauren Schmies.

[NPR Network Host]

A living, breathing record of your neighborhood, the country, the world, told by thousands of local journalists who live in the places where stories unfold, backed by a national newsroom that puts it all in perspective. Hear the whole country's story. Hear ways of thinking that challenge your own.

[Nora Ramm]

Hear the bigger picture with npr, live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Nora Ramm. A funeral is underway in Minneapolis for Melissa and Mark Hortman. The Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband were shot to death two weeks ago by a man who prosecutors say had posed as a police officer. Father Daniel Griffith, the pastor and rector of the Basilica of St Mary, said it appears they're living in a dystopian reality, but hope is there in the church.

[Daniel Griffith]

Minnesotans, this can be a zero, ground zero place for restoration and justice and healing, but we must work together, and there is much more work to be done. Your presence here is a sign that we can do that work.

[Nora Ramm]

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris are among the guests. The Senate will be in session today to consider President Trump's sweeping tax cut and spending bill. The legislation would spend more money on defense and less on Medicaid and other programs that benefit lower Americans. The Supreme Court handed the Trump administration a major win yesterday, limiting the use of nationwide injunctions by federal courts. But as NPR's Anna Isaacs reports, the fate of the policy at the heart of that case, President Trump's executive order to end birthright citizenship, remains uncertain.

[Anna Isaacs]

The justices did not rule on the merits of the order, which declares that children born in the US to parents without legal status or on a temporary visa are not entitled to automatic citizenship. That order is still blocked for at least the next 30 days. After that, the order could go into effect in the states that have not challenged it. That means the rules for citizenship could differ state by state, which critics warn will lead to chaos and confusion. The Supreme Court has asked the lower courts to reconsider their broad rulings. In the meantime, there are also class action lawsuits in the works. The case's central question, whether denying birthright citizenship is constitutional, may come before the high court as soon as next term. Anna Isaacs, NPR News, Washington.

[Nora Ramm]

Stocks rallied this week as oil prices fell. Both the S and P and the Nasdaq ended the week at record highs. NPR's Scott Horsley reports.

[Scott Horsley]

Crude oil prices tumbled this week as a tentative ceasefire took effect between Israel and Iran retail gasoline prices remained slightly higher than they were a month ago, but gas is still cheaper than it was this time last year. As we approach the busy Fourth of July travel season, investors also shrugged off worries about the president's trade war, which sent stocks reeling less than three months ago. Since then, both the S&P 500 index and the Nasdaq have regained all of that lost ground, hitting new highs on Friday. For the week, the S and P rose 3.4%, the Dow climbed 3.8%, and the Nasdaq jumped 4.25%. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[Nora Ramm]

This is NPR News. Officials in Pakistan say a suicide bomber attacked a military convoy in the northwest part of the country today, killing at least eight soldiers. The bombers struck near the Afghan border, where several Islamist militant groups operate. Police say thousands of protesters gathered in the Thai capital Bangkok today, demanding the prime minister resign. The government is facing growing pressure over a border dispute with Cambodia. Michael Sullivan reports from Bangkok.

[Michael Sullivan]

The rally at Victory Monument in the capital is the largest since the prime minister's party came to power two years ago, a rally orchestrated by some of the same groups who helped oppose both her father in 2006 and her aunt in 2014. Petong Thanh Shinawatra said she was not overly concerned by the protest, saying it's within people's rights to hold one. But her grip on power is tenuous. Her coalition government retains a slim majority in Parliament after the second largest party withdrew its support last week following a leaked conversation between the prime minister and Cambodia's former prime minister, Hun Sen, concerning the border row. She's facing a possible no confidence vote in Parliament when it reconvenes next week. For NPR News, I'm Michael Sullivan in Bangkok.

[Nora Ramm]

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says Stellantis is recalling more than 250,000. The problem involved is an improperly sealed side curtain airbag that increased the risk of rejection and injury during a crash. The recall applies to vehicles built between 2022 and 2025. This is NPR.

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