NPR News Now: Detailed Summary of June 30, 2025, 11AM EDT Episode

Release Date: June 30, 2025

1. Senate Debates Amendments to Trump-Backed Tax Cut and Spending Bill

In Washington, the Senate is actively considering amendments to a multi-trillion-dollar tax cut and spending bill championed by President Trump. The bill has sparked division among Republicans, particularly concerning proposed changes to Medicaid.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune defended the bill, emphasizing its intent to reform Medicaid:

[00:36] John Thune: "The whole issue of what we're doing with the Medicaid program is to get rid of the waste, fraud and abuse, make it work in the way in which it was intended, to cover the people for whom it was intended and to make sure that we have work requirements included there."

However, not all Republicans are in agreement. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina expressed opposition, highlighting the financial repercussions for his state:

[00:48] Korva Coleman: "But North Carolina Republican Senator Thom Tillis said this weekend he could not back the GOP bill. He said it would mean billions of dollars in cuts to North Carolina and throw eligible people off Medicaid."

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer lauded Tillis for his candid stance:

[01:05] Chuck Schumer: "Senator Tillis spoke candidly. He was one of the few truth tellers on the other side. The bill devastates his state, but make no mistake about it, it will devastate the states of most every Republican here."

Additionally, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office reported that the Senate version of the bill would increase the deficit more than the House version.

2. US-UK Trade Agreement Faces Challenges Amid Tariff Disputes

The recently enacted trade agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom is encountering hurdles. While Britain has implemented the agreement, President Trump's tariffs on steel and aluminum imports remain a point of contention.

NPR's Fatima Al Kassab reports from London:

[01:41] Fatima Al Kassab: "The tax on British car imports to the US will now go from President Trump's initial 27.5% down to 10%. In exchange, UK leaders are getting rid of tariffs on beef and ethanol from the U.S. but tariffs remain at 25% for UK steel and aluminum imports and could even double to 50% if the UK and US do not reach a deal by next week when President Trump's 90 day pause on global tariffs expires, which the president has said he will not extend."

The reduction in car import tariffs aims to facilitate smoother trade, yet the persistent high tariffs on steel and aluminum pose significant economic challenges for the UK.

3. California Approves Budget Deal Reducing Healthcare for Undocumented Immigrants

Governor Gavin Newsom of California has sanctioned a budget agreement that entails cutting back on healthcare coverage for undocumented immigrants, a reversal from his previous expansion efforts.

Dana Cronin of KQED highlights the developments:

[02:30] 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 acknowledged the necessity of difficult choices:

[02:49] Scott Wiener: "It could have been enormously worse. And we were able to protect healthcare access for all undocumented people who are currently receiving benefits."

The new restrictions, including a monthly premium for adults already enrolled, are set to take effect next year, aiming to address California's significant budget shortfall.

4. Wall Street Sees Uptick as Dow Gains Over 90 Points

The stock market experienced a positive session, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising by more than 90 points. This uptick reflects investor optimism amidst ongoing economic discussions and legislative developments.

5. Tragic Shooting of Firefighters in Northern Idaho

A harrowing incident unfolded in northern Idaho, where two firefighters were fatally shot by a gunman while responding to a brush fire. A third firefighter sustained injuries during the attack.

Authorities believe the gunman orchestrated the fire and subsequently targeted the firefighters. Investigators discovered a deceased man near the scene, alongside the firearm used in the shootings.

6. "F1" Movie Tops North American Box Office

The Brad Pitt-starring racing film, "F1," secured the number one spot at the North American box office over the weekend, outperforming other releases.

Bob Mondello of NPR provides insight:

[03:45] Bob Mondello: "It was never going to be much of a contest. F1 had the weekend more or less to itself, just M3GAN 2.0, a horror sequel, opening against it. Still, the track record for movies that are not part of an established animated or superhero franchise has been spotty lately. And that's also true for racing movies and for movies from Apple, which has had a few critical hits, its best picture Oscar winner Coda, for instance, but has never had a box office hit before this. F1 raced to $55 million in its first three days in North America and collected another 88 million overseas. It still has a few laps to go before it turns a profit, as it cost $200 million to make. But with excellent word of mouth, it's expected to go the distance."

"F1" has demonstrated strong performance despite a high production budget, buoyed by positive audience reception.

7. China's AI-Powered Robot Soccer Tournament Highlights Technological Advances

China recently hosted a soccer tournament in Beijing featuring humanoid robot players. The event showcased the latest in artificial intelligence and robotics, with four teams competing in a 3-on-3 format.

The robots operated autonomously, powered by advanced AI systems. Tsinghua University emerged victorious, defeating China Agricultural University with a score of five to three.

This competition underscores China's commitment to advancing robotics and AI technologies, positioning the country as a leader in innovative applications of these fields.

This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the key topics covered in the June 30, 2025, episode of NPR News Now. For those unable to listen to the full podcast, this detailed account offers insights into critical legislative developments, economic updates, local and international news, and advancements in technology.