NPR News Now - NPR News: 06-15-2025 3AM EDT

Episode Date: June 15, 2025

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Decades ago, Brazilian women made a discovery. They could have an abortion without a doctor, thanks to a tiny pill. That pill spawned a global movement, helping millions of women have safe abortions, regardless of the law. Hear that story on the network from NPR's Embedded and Futuro Media, wherever you get your podcasts. Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. Police in Minnesota are asking the public to help with their search for 57-year-old

Vance Bolter. He's a suspect in the shootings Saturday of two Minnesota lawmakers. At this time, we would ask the public if you do locate him to see him to call 911. Do not approach him. Former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed in one shooting while state Senator John Hoffman and his wife were injured in a separate incident.

Police found Bolter's car at the scene of the second shooting. Police in Salt Lake City say they have one person in custody following a shooting in that city's downtown area. The shots were heard during a no-kings protest there. Police don't know if the shooting was connected with the demonstration. Some 10,000 people were marching to a federal

office building when the shots were fired. One person was critically injured. No Kings protests in North Texas Saturday attracted thousands of people who opposed President Donald Trump's policies. KERA's Priscilla Rice reports. In Dallas, a multi-generational crowd of what police estimate to be about 10,000 people packed into Dallas City Hall's Plaza. They held hand-made signs in English and Spanish and chanted. Linda Evans, who is Mexican-American, says she was there to represent her roots because her dad is a Mexican immigrant. She carried both a Mexican and American flag with her.

I'm here to be a voice to the people that can't be here, that are suffering from all this. No arrests were reported in what was described as a peaceful event. For NPR News, I'm Priscilla Rice in Dallas. This weekend, the Army celebrated its 250th year of existence. And President Trump had his own cause for celebration. It was his 79th birthday. NPR's Alana Wise reports on the controversial parade that marked the dates.

The Army had been planning for at least a year to hold a public celebration in honor of its 250-year anniversary. The date of the Army commemoration coincided with the president's birthday, leading critics to wonder if the parade was still purely about celebrating the armed forces. Thousands of protests across the country accused Trump of politicizing the military. But the Washington, D.C. event went off without any major interruptions. More than 6,000 service members marched in the National Mall, highlighting the Army's growth over the years. Towards the end of the event, Trump was gifted a folded American flag, which is a tradition usually reserved for the family of fallen soldiers.

Fireworks lit up D.C.'s night sky, marking an end to the contentious celebration. Alana Wise, NPR News, Washington. President Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday. Russian officials say the two talked for about 50 minutes about the escalating situation in the Middle East, as well as possible Ukraine peace deals. A priest talks, rather. During the conversation, Putin also briefed Trump on his decisions and discussions with leaders of Iran and Israel. This is NPR News.

At least 100 people were killed early Saturday in a gun attack on a village in the north-central part of Nigeria. Amnesty International says dozens of people remain missing after the attack. Hundreds of others are injured and have limited access to medical care there. Pope Leo offered his first words directed at Americans on Saturday telling young people how to find hope and meaning in their lives through God and service to others. The video message was delivered on the Jumbotron with the Chicago White Sox game. Chicago is the Pope's hometown and he roots for the White Sox. A woman who has accused Gateway Church's founding pastor of child sexual abuse is now suing

that megachurch. As KERA's Penelope Rivera reports, the civil suit comes as Robert Morris's criminal case plays out in Oklahoma. The lawsuit filed by Cindy Klemishire and her father claims Morris, his wife, Gateway and its elders all benefited financially from hiding the sexual abuse claims. Klemishire accuses them of defamation, civil conspiracy, intentional infliction of emotional distress and other claims. The suit is seeking civil damages in excess of $1 million.

Robert Morris also faces a criminal case in Osage County, Oklahoma. The megachurch pastor is charged with five counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child. His next court date is scheduled for September. For NPR News, I'm Penelope Rivera in Fort Worth. Sam Burns is in the lead going into Sunday's final round of the U.S. Open Golf Tournament in Pennsylvania. He shot a third round 69 to take a one-stroke lead over J.J. Spahn. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News. With a major shift in our politics underway in this country, 1A is drilling down on what's I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.