NPR News Now: June 28, 2025, 6 PM EDT – Detailed Summary

On the evening of June 28, 2025, NPR News Now delivered a comprehensive update on the latest national and international developments. Covering a range of topics from legislative actions and Supreme Court decisions to immigration policies, public health studies, and significant criminal cases, the episode provided listeners with in-depth insights into current events.

Senate’s Rare Saturday Session on Tax and Spending Bill

The episode opened with a significant development in Washington, where the Senate held an uncommon Saturday session to deliberate on a revised tax and spending bill aligning closely with President Trump's domestic agenda.

NPR News Anchor reported that the new 940-page bill was unveiled overnight. However, the proposal faced opposition within the Republican ranks. Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the bill, stating at [00:40]:

"Republicans are about to move forward with a radical thousand page bill... without knowing how many trillions it will cost. They don't even want to know a CBO score. They're afraid to show how badly this will increase the deficit."

In response, Republican Senator John Cornyn defended the legislation, asserting at [01:03]:

"This bill is anything but a reverse Robin Hood scheme. But I'm not surprised... they are misrepresenting this bill in an attempt to scare the American people and maybe try to energize their political base."

Senate Republican leaders aimed to commence the voting process on the bill that day. President Trump expressed his intention to sign the bill into law by his self-imposed deadline of July 4th, emphasizing the administration's commitment to advancing its legislative priorities.

Supreme Court Ruling on Birthright Citizenship

A pivotal Supreme Court decision on President Trump's attempt to limit birthright citizenship was another focal point of the broadcast. Jeanine Herbst reported that the court ruled against the president's initiative, a victory for Trump which will have lasting implications.

NPR's Nina Totenberg elaborated at [01:39]:

"Bowing to the arguments put forth by the administration, the court for the first time barred the practice of a single district court judge applying his or her rulings to the whole country. And that's going to make challenging all of president's executive orders and any future president's executive orders exponentially more difficult."

This ruling ensures that single district court decisions cannot be nationwide mandates, thereby strengthening the legal standing of executive actions and limiting the mechanisms through which they can be contested.

Dispute Over U.S.-Guatemala Immigration Agreement

The episode also touched on contentious immigration discussions between the United States and Guatemala. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced at [02:10]:

"Guatemala has agreed to take deported non-Guatemalan citizens and offer them a path toward asylum."

However, Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo vehemently denied this claim at [02:25]:

"We didn't sign a thing."

Arevalo clarified that Guatemala continues to operate under the existing agreement reached with Secretary of State Marco Rubio in February, which involves returning its citizens and other Central Americans en route to their home countries. The Trump administration's broader objective remains the capability to send migrants from any location who cannot safely return home, highlighting ongoing tensions in U.S. immigration policy.

Tragic Political Violence in Minnesota

A somber note was struck as the news of a politically motivated shooting unfolded in Minnesota. Jeanine Herbst reported at [02:55] that former Democratic State House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were laid to rest after being shot and killed at their home two weeks prior. Another state lawmaker and his wife sustained injuries in the same attack.

NPR News Anchor highlighted the gravity of the situation by noting that Former President Biden attended the funeral, underscoring the national significance of the tragedy and its implications for political discourse and safety.

Study Reveals Long-Term PTSD in World Trade Center Responders

Addressing public health and veteran affairs, the episode featured a study on the mental health of World Trade Center responders. Ritu Chatterjee reported at [03:30] that researchers from Stony Brook University examined nearly 13,000 responders, revealing that while many experienced improvement in PTSD symptoms over two decades, a notable minority continued to struggle.

Key findings include:

• 50% of responders with PTSD saw symptom improvement by the 10-year mark.
• 82% experienced a decrease in symptoms by year 20.
• Approximately 10% reported worsening symptoms even after two decades, often encountering daily functioning challenges and increased reliance on mental health services.
• Non-professional responders, such as construction workers and volunteer citizens, were at higher risk of chronic PTSD.

The study, published in Nature Mental Health, emphasizes the enduring impact of traumatic events on first responders and the need for sustained mental health support.

Capture of Final Escapee in New Orleans Jailbreak

The episode concluded with updates on a major criminal case in New Orleans. Jeanine Herbst reported at [04:14] the capture of Antoine Massey, the last escapee from the city's large-scale jailbreak initiated last month.

NPR News Anchor provided details:

"He and nine other inmates broke out of the Orleans Parish jail through a hole behind a cell toilet in May. With help from jail staff, he evaded capture for a month and a half, during which he posted multiple viral videos claiming to be innocent."

Massey's arrest followed an anonymous tip, leading authorities to his location at a New Orleans residence. The FBI is now offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the apprehension of the final escapee, heightening efforts to fully resolve the case.

Conclusion

NPR News Now's June 28, 2025, episode provided listeners with a thorough overview of pressing issues, from legislative battles and judicial decisions to immigration disputes, personal tragedies in the political sphere, mental health studies, and significant law enforcement successes. Through detailed reporting and expert commentary, the broadcast ensured that audiences remained well-informed on the multifaceted developments shaping the nation's landscape.