NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of June 28, 2025, 5 PM EDT Episode

Release Date: June 28, 2025
Host: Jeanine Hurst
Produced by: NPR

1. Political Developments: GOP's Revised Tax and Spending Bill

In a significant move within the U.S. Senate, Republican senators are poised to vote on opening debates for a substantial 940-page revised tax and spending bill, which incorporates much of President Trump's legislative agenda. This development marks a rare Saturday session, highlighting the urgency and importance of the bill.

• Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasizes the gravity of the situation, stating, "If Republican senators are not happy with this bill because they know how badly it hurts their constituency, they should vote no." (00:35)

• Senate Majority Leader John Thune advocates for the bill, describing it as a "once in a generation opportunity to deliver legislation to create a safer, stronger and more prosperous America." (01:04)

Despite internal GOP dissatisfaction—where several Republican senators express concerns about potential negative impacts on healthcare and other areas—the party only requires three dissenting votes for the bill to pass. The deadline set by President Trump for passing this legislation is July 4th, intensifying the legislative push.

2. Tragic Political Violence in Minnesota

A somber event unfolded in Minnesota as hundreds gathered at a local church in Minneapolis to honor the lives of Melissa and Mark Hortman, a former state Democratic lawmaker and her husband. Both were tragically shot and killed in a politically motivated act of violence two weeks prior.

• Minnesota Governor Tim Walls lauds Melissa Hortman, calling her "the most consequential House speaker in state history." (01:34)

• Senator Echole Veltman reflects on the Hortmans' legacy, noting, "Melissa and Mark Hortman were eulogized as caring people who were the same at the Minnesota Capitol as they were at home." (01:34)

The assailant, Vance Belter, now faces both state and federal murder charges for the killings, as well as additional charges related to the shooting of another state senator and his wife. This incident underscores the growing concerns over political violence in the United States. For more on this story, listen to Katherine Richard's detailed report.

3. Surge in ICE Detentions Under the Trump Administration

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has seen a rapid increase in the number of detainees, surpassing previous records set during President Trump's first term in 2020. The Trump administration's policies have shifted priorities, leading to a significant rise in detentions unrelated to criminal activities beyond civil immigration violations.

• Meg Anderson reports, "On average, more than 55,000 people are now held in ICE custody every day, according to data from the administration." (02:20)

This surge exceeds ICE's current funding capacity by nearly 15,000 individuals, highlighting the strain on resources and raising questions about the sustainability and humanitarian implications of such policies.

4. Authors' Petition Against Generative AI in Publishing

A growing concern among authors has led to a notable petition signed by over 1,200 writers, including prominent names like Jodi Picoult and Paul Trembly. The petition calls on publishing houses to adopt stricter measures to protect authors from the adverse effects of generative AI technologies.

• Chloe Veltman reports, "Until now, writers have mostly fought back against AI through lawsuits targeting AI companies." (03:11)

The petition, which gained momentum following an open letter from around 70 writers, urges publishers to:

• Refrain from using AI tools that generate books based on copyrighted content without author consent or compensation.
• Ensure that audiobook narrations are performed by human narrators rather than AI.

This movement comes in the wake of federal court decisions favoring tech giants like Anthropic AI and Meta in copyright infringement cases initiated by authors. NPR reached out to major publishing houses for their stance, with Simon and Schuster's spokesperson Susanna Lawrence affirming, "her company is taking the authors' concerns seriously." (03:38)

5. Severe Weather Disruptions Affecting Air Travel

Residents near Hartsville Jackson International Airport faced significant travel disruptions as nearly 500 flights were canceled. This was due to a slow-moving cluster of storms that brought heavy rain, hail, and strong winds overnight, leading to flash flooding and ongoing thunderstorms expected throughout the weekend.

• Jeanine Herbst reports, "Nearly 500 flights have been canceled in and out of Hartsville Jackson International Airport... causing flash flooding and thunderstorms are expected to continue over the weekend." (04:21)

Nationwide, the impact is profound, with over 1,400 cancellations and more than 23,000 delayed flights reported by FlightAware. Travelers are advised to stay updated on weather developments and airline notifications to manage their travel plans accordingly.

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now encapsulates a range of critical issues, from legislative battles and political tragedies to immigration policy challenges, the intersection of technology and publishing, and the immediate impacts of severe weather on daily life. Notable quotes and detailed reporting provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of these pressing topics.

Timestamps:

• 00:35 - Chuck Schumer's statement on the tax and spending bill
• 01:04 - John Thune on the legislative opportunity
• 01:34 - Eulogies for Melissa and Mark Hortman
• 02:20 - Meg Anderson on ICE detentions
• 03:11 - Chloe Veltman on authors' petition
• 03:38 - Susanna Lawrence's response
• 04:21 - Jeanine Herbst on flight cancellations

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