NPR News: June 29, 2025

Host: Dale Willman
Release Date: June 29, 2025
Duration: Approximately 5 minutes

Senate Advances Spending Bill Amidst Divisive Votes

Dale Willman opens the episode with a report on the U.S. Senate's recent actions regarding the advancement of a spending bill. Elena Moore provides detailed coverage of the legislative process:

“Senate Republicans voted to advance their spending bill late Saturday evening after hours of delays and negotiations.”
— Elena Moore [00:14]

The vote saw a significant split among Republicans, with the initial vote tally standing at 15% to 49%. Notably, Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Rand Paul (R-KY) opposed the motion to start the debate. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) initially voted against the motion but later changed his vote after discussions with Senate leaders.

“It's not clear what deal was made to get these holdouts on board, but a lot of time remains for these senators and others with outstanding reservations to try to amend the current bill before a final vote.”
— Elena Moore [00:31]

This advancement marks the first step in what is anticipated to be a prolonged debate process, potentially extending into early next week.

Elon Musk Criticizes Senate Spending Bill

Following the legislative update, Willman highlights a significant reaction from the business community:

“Elon Musk criticized the spending bill in a social media post Saturday. He said the measure would kill jobs and injure some industries.”
— Dale Willman [01:10]

Musk further warned that the passage of the bill could be "political suicide" for Republicans, indicating deep-seated concerns about the bill's impact on both the economy and the party's future.

Tributes at Democratic Couple’s Funeral Amid Political Violence

The episode also covers the somber event of a funeral held for Melissa and Mark Hortman, who were victims of political violence:

“Former President Joe Biden, former Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz were among the hundreds of people paying their respects Saturday at the funeral of a Democratic state lawmaker and her husband.”
— Dale Willman [01:10]

Catherine Richard from Minnesota Public Radio shares insights into the community's loss and the ongoing legal proceedings:

“Melissa Hortman was the most consequential House speaker in state history.”
— Catherine Richard [01:44]

Additionally, Richard reports on Vance Belter's legal troubles:

“Vance Belter is facing state and federal murder charges for the killing and additional charges for the shooting of another state senator and his wife.”
— Catherine Richard [02:18]

Supreme Court Ruling on Religious Objections in Maryland Schools

Dale Willman transitions to a significant Supreme Court decision affecting education:

“The Supreme Court Friday ruled that parents in Maryland who have religious objections can pull their children from classes where LGBTQ books are used.”
— Dale Willman [02:30]

Nina Totenberg elaborates on the ruling's implications and the court's stance:

“Lawyers had argued that letting parents to opt out on those classes amounts to a book ban.”
— Nina Totenberg [02:30]

Steve Futterman provides additional context on the court's opinion:

“The court, in its 6:3 opinion along ideological lines, disagreed and required opt outs for religious parents, but gave little guidance as to how to implement the rules, causing school boards to 'freak out.'”
— Steve Futterman [02:50]

Protests in Serbia Against Corruption

International news features significant protests in Belgrade, Serbia:

“Thousands of demonstrators rallied in Belgrade, Serbia, on Saturday to protest that country's president. The demonstration was led by college students and marks almost eight months of protests over accusations of corruption and negligence.”
— Dale Willman [03:05]

These protests, driven by demands for an early parliamentary election, saw a strong police presence with riot officers detaining dozens of participants.

Settlement in Alec Baldwin's Rust Shooting Lawsuits

The episode updates listeners on the long-running legal saga following the tragic shooting on the set of the film Rust:

“Some of the final lawsuits emanating from the fatal accident during the filming of the Alec Baldwin film Rust have been settled.”
— Dale Willman [03:05]

Steve Futterman details the developments:

“Three crew members have now reached a settlement in a negligence lawsuit against the producers, including Baldwin. Terms of the settlement have not been released.”
— Steve Futterman [03:42]

While Baldwin faced criminal charges that were dismissed, he is currently suing prosecutors for malicious prosecution, and other civil suits remain pending.

PGA Golf Classic Highlights Rookie Aldrich Potgator

Concluding the news segment, Willman brings sports news focusing on the PGA Golf Classic in Detroit:

“Aldrich Potgator had five straight birdies on Saturday to push his way into the third round lead at the PGA Golf Classic underway in Detroit this weekend.”
— Dale Willman [04:28]

Potgator, a 20-year-old rookie, finished the day with a seven-under 65, securing a two-stroke advantage and eyeing his first tour win on Sunday.

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the June 29, 2025 episode of NPR News Now, providing listeners with a clear and thorough overview of the day's most pressing news stories.