NPR News: 06-29-2025 2PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of Episode Released on June 29, 2025, at 2 PM EDT

Nora Ramm hosts the latest updates from NPR News, delivering a comprehensive overview of significant national and international events.

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1. Senate Advances President Trump's Tax Cut and Domestic Policy Bill

Time Stamp: 00:17 - 01:17

The U.S. Senate has made significant progress in passing President Donald Trump's comprehensive tax cut and domestic policy legislation. Mara Liasson reports that the bill successfully cleared a crucial procedural hurdle with a narrow 51-49 vote. Notably, two Republicans and all Democrats opposed the move.

Utilizing the reconciliation process, the bill requires only a simple majority to pass, bypassing the need for a supermajority and eliminating the possibility of a filibuster. President Trump has personally invested in the bill's success, stating, "Failure to pass this bill would be the ultimate betrayal."

However, the legislation faces criticism from independent analysts, including the Congressional Budget Office, which argue that the tax benefits disproportionately favor the wealthy and are offset by Medicaid cuts affecting lower-income individuals. If passed, the bill is expected to become a pivotal issue in the upcoming midterm elections.

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2. Political Developments: Thom Tillis Announces Retirement and California's Health Care Budget Deal

Time Stamp: 01:17 - 02:17

In a notable political shift, North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis has declared that he will not seek reelection in the upcoming year. Tillis, one of the two Republicans voting against the Senate bill advancement, cited the lack of bipartisanship in Washington as a key reason for his decision.

Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom has conditionally approved a new budget agreement addressing the state's $12 billion deficit. Dana Cronin reports that the deal includes reducing health care coverage for immigrants residing illegally in the U.S. Previously, Newsom had expanded health care access to all low-income individuals regardless of their immigration status.

Scott Wiener, Chair of the State Senate Budget Committee, commented, "It could have been enormously worse, and we were able to protect health care access for all undocumented people who are currently receiving benefits." Nonetheless, the budget introduces new restrictions, such as monthly premiums for adults already enrolled, set to take effect next year.

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3. France Implements National Smoking Ban Amid Criticism

Time Stamp: 02:27 - 03:10

In public health strides, France has enacted a nationwide ban on smoking in public spaces, including beaches. Paul Moss from the BBC highlights that while approximately a third of French citizens smoke less than before, the rate remains above the global average.

Despite the new regulations, the ban exempts e-cigarettes, allowing individuals to continue smoking on bar and café terraces. This omission has drawn ire from health promoters who argue that it undermines the law’s intent to foster a smoke-free generation, especially where children are present.

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4. Tragic Crowd Surge at Hindu Festival in Eastern India

Time Stamp: 03:10 - 03:53

A tragic incident occurred in eastern India during the Chariot Festival, one of the world's oldest and largest religious processions. A sudden crowd surge led to the deaths of at least three individuals, with six others hospitalized. The event attracted tens of thousands of attendees, reflecting the festival's immense popularity.

India Today notes that this incident is part of a troubling trend, with hundreds of fatalities reported from stampedes at Hindu gatherings throughout the year, raising concerns about crowd management and safety measures at large-scale religious events.

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5. Authors Petition Against AI Use in Publishing

Time Stamp: 03:53 - 04:34

In the literary world, more than 1,200 authors have signed a petition urging publishing houses to reassess their use of generative artificial intelligence (AI). Reported by Chloe Veltman, the petition stems from an open letter by approximately 70 writers. It demands that publishers avoid releasing AI-generated books based on copyrighted material without author consent or compensation and to continue hiring human audiobook narrators.

This movement gains momentum following federal court decisions favoring tech giants Anthropic AI and Meta in copyright infringement lawsuits initiated by authors. Major publishers, including Simon and Schuster, have responded affirmatively to the concerns. Simon and Schuster spokesperson Susanna Lawrence stated, "We are taking the authors' concerns seriously," indicating a potential shift in publishing practices.

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6. Remembering Dave Parker, Legendary Pittsburgh Pirates Outfielder

Time Stamp: 04:34 - 04:56

In the realm of sports, Dave Parker, celebrated as "The COBRA" and a legendary outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates, has passed away at the age of 74. Parker's illustrious career spanned 19 major league seasons, with 11 dedicated to the Pirates. Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, Parker's contributions to baseball are fondly remembered as he was slated for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame the following month.

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NPR News Now continues to provide timely and in-depth coverage of the most pressing issues around the globe, ensuring listeners stay informed with accurate and engaging journalism.

Transcript

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[Nora Ramm]

From NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Ramm. The Senate has advanced President Trump's tax cut and domestic policy bill. As NPR's Mara Liasson reports, it's on track to be put to a final vote in the Senate tomorrow.

[Mara Liasson]

The Senate version of the bill, which includes almost everything in Trump's legislative agenda, passed a key procedural hurdle by a vote of 51 to 49. Two Republicans and all the Democrats voted no. Under the fast track procedure known as reconciliation, the bill only needs a simple majority to pass, no filibusters allowed. Trump has made passage of the bill personal. He issued a statement saying failure to pass this bill would be the ultimate betrayal. Independent analysts, including the Congressional Budget Office, say the bill's tax benefits are skewed to the wealthy, paid for by Medicaid cuts that will affect lower income people. Assuming it passes, the bill is bound to become a top issue in next year's midterm elections. Mara Liasson, NPR News.

[Nora Ramm]

Thom Tillis of North Carolina was one of the two Republicans who voted last night against moving the bill forward for debate. Today he announced he will not seek reelection next year. Tillis criticized the lack of bipartisanship in Washington. California Governor Gavin Newsom has conditionally approved a budget deal that includes scaling back health care coverage for immigrants in the state who are in the US Illegally. Dana Cronin of member station KQED reports.

[Dana Cronin]

Last year, Governor Newsom expanded health care to all low income people in California, regardless of immigration status. But now with the state facing a $12 billion budget deficit, Newsom's budget deal walks that back for people over 18. State Senate budget Committee Chair Scott Wiener says tough decisions had to be made.

[Scott Wiener]

It could have been enormously worse, and we were able to protect health care access for all undocumented people who are currently receiving benefits.

[Dana Cronin]

The new restrictions, including a new monthly premium for adults already enrolled in the system, take effect next year. For NPR News, I'm Dana Cronin in San Francisco.

[Nora Ramm]

In France, it's now illegal to smoke on French beaches or other public spaces. But anti smoking campaigners say that's not enough. The BBC's Paul Moss reports.

[Paul Moss]

About a third of French people smoke cigarettes less than used to, but way more than the global average. And in order to reduce this, some local councils had already forbidden smoking in public places. Now the ban has become national. However, it doesn't cover e cigarettes and people can still indulge in that most French of customs, enjoying a cigarette on the outside terrace of a bar or cafe. That's annoyed health promoters who say children are often present there and the whole point of the new law is supposed to be about creating a smoke free generation.

[Nora Ramm]

The BBC's Paul Moss. This is NPR News in Washington. In eastern India, at least three people died today when a crowd suddenly surged at a popular Hindu festival. At least six others were hospitalized. Tens of thousands of people were gathered in eastern India, prisoners for the Chariot Festival, one of the world's oldest and largest religious processions. India Today reports that hundreds of people have died in stampedes at Hindu gatherings this year. More than 1200 authors have signed a petition asking publishing houses to do more to protect them against the effects of generative artificial intelligence. NPR's Chloe Feltman reports.

[Chloe Veltman]

The petition circulated after a group of around 70 writers released an open letter on Friday morning. It asked publishers to refrain from publishing publishing books created using AI tools built on copyrighted content without author's consent or compensation, and to only hire human audiobook narrators, among other requests. The appeal to publishers comes after federal judges ruled in favor of tech companies Anthropic AI and Meta in two copyright infringement cases launched by authors. NPR reached out to all five of the major American publishing houses for comment. In a statement, Simon and Schuster spokesperson Susanna Lawrence said said her company is taking the author's concerns seriously. Chloe Veltman, NPR News.

[Nora Ramm]

Legendary Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Dave Parker has died. He had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Nicknamed the COBRA, he played 11 of his 19 major league seasons for the Pirates. Dave Parker was 74. He was supposed to be inducted into the Baseball hall of Fame next month. I'm Nora Ramm, NPR News, in Washington.

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