NPR News Now: June 29, 2025

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Release Date: June 29, 2025
Duration: Approximately 5 minutes
Description: The latest news in five minutes. Updated hourly.

1. Senate Votes on President Trump’s Tax Cut and Spending Bill

[00:20] Jeanine Herbst:
The U.S. Senate is currently engaged in a crucial vote to decide whether to proceed with debating President Trump’s comprehensive tax cut and spending bill. Senate Republican leaders, including Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, are ardently working to secure enough votes to pass the legislation before the President’s self-imposed deadline of July 4th. This urgency follows recent revisions made to the bill in an attempt to satisfy Republican holdouts who have expressed concerns about specific provisions.

• Key Details:
  • The GOP faces the possibility of losing up to three votes.
  • Opposition comes from both Democrats and a faction of Republicans who are not in favor of the bill.

Quote:
Jeanine Herbst stated, “The Senate tonight is still voting on whether to proceed with debating President Trump's sweeping tax cut and spending bill.”

2. U.S.-Canada Trade Relations and Digital Services Tax

[01:06] Nina Totenberg:
In a significant development, the Supreme Court has ruled against the practice of allowing a single district court’s decisions to set nationwide precedent. This landmark decision complicates efforts to challenge President Trump’s executive orders, including recent trade policies affecting Canada.

[01:30] Jeanine Herbst:
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced that his government will continue to engage in trade negotiations with the United States, striving to protect Canadian interests despite President Trump’s termination of trade talks over Ottawa's digital services tax.

[01:47] Dan Karpenschuk:
President Trump criticized the digital services tax as “a blatant attack on the US and its tech companies” during a post on his Truth Social platform. Prime Minister Carney mentioned that he has not had a personal conversation with Trump but did have a private meeting with his advisors to discuss U.S.-Canada relations. The Canadian Finance Minister, François Philippe Champagne, confirmed that the digital services tax, set to take effect on June 30th, will impose a 3% levy on revenues from Canadian users, targeting giants like Amazon, Google, and Meta. Despite significant pressure from both American and Canadian business groups to repeal the tax, the Canadian government remains firm in its stance, aiming to generate approximately $2 billion.

Quote:
Dan Karpenschuk reported, “Prime Minister Carney says he hasn't talked to Trump personally.”

3. Supreme Court Ruling on Birthright Citizenship Limitation

[00:20] Jeanine Herbst:
The Supreme Court has delivered a pivotal ruling concerning President Trump’s attempt to limit birthright citizenship. The court decided that a decision made by a single district court cannot be extended to the entire nation, effectively blocking the administration’s efforts to alter this long-standing principle.

[01:06] Nina Totenberg:
“Nina Totenberg reports that this ruling will make challenging any future president’s executive orders on similar grounds exponentially more difficult.”

Quote:
Nina Totenberg noted, “That's going to make challenging all of President Trump's executive orders and any future president's executive orders exponentially more difficult.”

4. Tragic Loss in Minnesota: Former Speaker Melissa Hortman and Husband

[02:27] Jeanine Herbst:
In Minnesota, former President Joe Biden, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and Governor Tim Walz attended the funeral of the late Melissa Hortman, the former Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, and her husband Mark. The couple was tragically killed in a politically motivated shooting two weeks ago at their home. Another state lawmaker and his wife were also targeted in the attack but survived.

[02:50] Tim Walz:
Governor Walz paid heartfelt tribute to Hortman, describing her as “the best House speaker the state ever had” and praising her dedication to public service.

Quote:
Tim Walz said, “I know millions of Minnesotans get to live their lives better because she and Mark chose public service and politics.”

5. Federal Trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs: Defense’s Closing Arguments

[03:09] Jeanine Herbst:
The federal criminal trial of hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs is reaching a critical juncture as the defense delivered their closing arguments yesterday. Combs faces serious charges, including racketeering and sex trafficking, related to his alleged coercion of former girlfriends.

[03:39] Anastasia Siulkas:
Defense attorney Mark Agnifolo acknowledged that Combs had physically abused his ex-girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura, but attempted to portray their relationship as “a great modern love story.” Prosecutors have presented evidence alleging that Combs forced Ventura and another former girlfriend, who testified under the pseudonym Jane, to engage in sexual acts with male escorts and threatened to expose them through compromising videos.

Quote:
Anastasia Siulkas reported, “In his closing argument, defense attorney Mark Agnifolo acknowledged Combs physically abused his ex girlfriend... but Agnifolo also tried to recast their relationship as, quote, a great modern love story.”

Outcome:
If convicted, Combs faces the possibility of spending the rest of his life in prison. Jury deliberations are set to begin on Monday.

6. Smucker’s Move to Remove Artificial Colors from Products

[04:23] Jeanine Herbst:
In the realm of consumer goods, Smucker’s has announced its intention to eliminate artificial colors from all its products by the end of 2027. While the majority of Smucker’s offerings are already free from synthetic dyes, certain items like sugar-free jam and ice cream toppings still contain them. Additionally, Hostess products, acquired by Smucker’s two years ago—including favorites like Twinkies and snowballs—will also undergo this transition. This initiative aligns with similar commitments from industry giants such as Nestle, Kraft, Heinz, General Mills, and Conagra. Heightened federal scrutiny of artificial colors has been a driving force behind these changes.

Quote:
Jeanine Herbst explained, “Smucker says the majority of its products are already free of synthetic dyes, but that some still have them, including sugar free jam and ice cream toppings.”

Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now provided comprehensive coverage of significant political developments in the U.S. Senate, U.S.-Canada trade relations, a landmark Supreme Court decision, a tragic event in Minnesota, the high-profile trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs, and corporate moves towards healthier consumer products. Each segment offered in-depth analysis and perspectives from key reporters, ensuring listeners are well-informed on pressing national and international issues.