NPR News Now - NPR News: 06-03-2025 2AM EDT

Episode Date: June 3, 2025

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This is Ira Glass with This American Life. Each week on our show, we choose a theme, tell different stories on that theme. All right, I'm just going to stop right there. You're listening to an NPR podcast. Chances are you know our show. So instead, I'm going to tell you, we've just been on a run of really good shows lately. Some big epic emotional stories, some weird funny stuff too. Download us.

This American Life. J.L. Snyder Live from NPR News, I'm Giles Snyder. Federal and state authorities say they will work together to prosecute the man accused of throwing Molotov cocktails into a peaceful gathering of demonstrators in Boulder over the weekend. Colorado Public Radio's Allison Sherry has more. Officials say the 45 year old man is an Egyptian national who was not on their radar before he allegedly threw homemade explosive devices into a group of people raising

awareness for hostages being held in Gaza. So far, 12 victims have been identified. Police say the man tried to buy a gun but was turned away due to the fact that he does not have legal status. And that as far as they know he acted alone. He faces both state and federal charges so far, including a federal hate crime charge. Convictions could result in hundreds of years in sentences. For NPR News, I'm Allison Sherry in Boulder. The suspect made his first court appearance on Monday through video link from the Boulder

County Jail. Prosecutors say he's being held on a $10 million cash-only bond. Thousands of low-income students nationwide facing uncertainty over their careers and their housing after the Labor Department announced plans to suspend the Job Corps program. Catherine Davis Young of Member Station KJZZ reports. Job Corps provides free training in construction, medical assisting, security, and other skilled trades to low-income students ages 16 to 24. Many students work formerly homeless or in foster care, and many live on Job Corps campuses for free. Students on the Phoenix campus, like 18-year-old Yesenia Tapia, were given just a few days' notice

that they'd have to move out. I've been here for almost a year. I worked so hard. I don't even really have anywhere to go. And they just don't care. They really don't care. The Trump administration says it's pausing Job Corps over serious financial deficits and reports of violence and other safety issues on campuses. For NPR News, I'm Katherine Davis-Young in Phoenix. To South Korea now where voters are electing a new president to replace the one who was

impeached for declaring martial law. NPR's Anthony Kuhn is in Seoul where the outcome could result in significant policy shifts. The vote comes exactly six months after former President Yoon Sung-yol declared martial law, triggering a political crisis and huge street protests, Yun was removed from office in April. The frontrunner is opposition leader Lee Jae-myeong, a 61-year-old former human rights lawyer. He enjoys a double-digit lead in the polls over conservative ruling party candidate Kim Moon-soo. He has moderated his liberal positions to capture centrist voters. He promises

a continued strong alliance with the U.S. He's also willing to engage with North Korea, and help facilitate any move by President Trump to resume negotiations with the North's leader Kim Jong-un. Anthony Kuhn, NPR News, Seoul. This is NPR News. The former head of New Hampshire's largest addiction treatment network is out of jail on a million dollar bond. Eric Spofford was charged with orchestrating attacks on journalists. Ali Jermanningam, Member Station WBUR reports. Prosecutors say the 40-year-old Spofford orchestrated the vandalism at the homes of New Hampshire public radio journalists in 2022. He's accused of paying a close friend $20,000

to organize the attacks. Bricks were thrown through windows and threats were tagged with spray paint, including the phrase, just the beginning. The vandalism came after New Hampshire Public Radio published an investigation alleging Spofford sexually harassed and abused women. Four men have already been convicted on charges related to the vandalism and are each serving prison time ranging from 21 to 46 months. Spofford funded and ran Granite Recovery Centers until 2021 when he says he sold the company for $115 million.

For NPR News, I'm Ali-Jar Manning in Boston. The voice actor Jonathan Joss is dead. Authorities say he was fatally shot near his home in San Antonio, Texas Sunday evening. Joss was best known for his work on the animated television series King of the Hill. Police have charged the suspect with murder. To Sicily now, where Mount Etna is putting on a show, Etna is Europe's most active volcano. It's been pushing smoke and ash miles into the air, and Italian media report that tremors from the eruption have been widely felt in nearby towns

and villages. However, officials say the activity poses no danger. I'm Jai Hill Snider, NPR News. These days there is a lot of news. It can be hard to keep up with what it means for you, no danger. I'm Jial Snyder, NPR News.