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Key Developments Today
In a significant legislative move, the Senate has approved a $70 billion funding bill aimed at supporting immigration enforcement for the next three years. The decision came after 18 hours of deliberation, with a vote largely split along party lines, save for one dissenting Republican. The delay stemmed from disputes regarding the $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund under the Trump administration. Despite bipartisan concerns, GOP lawmakers blocked multiple amendments that could have opposed the President’s interests. Read more about the Senate’s decision here.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., discusses the SAVE America Act and related topics at the U.S. Capitol.
Credit: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
- 🎧 NPR’s Barbara Sprunt reports that three Republicans joined Democrats in an attempt to prevent the fund’s establishment, but the proposal narrowly missed approval. Another amendment aimed at reallocating the fund to combat fraud received some Republican backing but also failed. The ongoing friction between Congress and the White House shows no signs of easing.
- ➡️ The Senate rejected the SAVE America Act, an election reform bill strongly supported by President Trump. Learn more about the bill’s background.
John Bolton, former national security adviser under Trump, faces legal challenges after agreeing to plead guilty to mishandling classified information. Charged with 18 counts related to national defense data, Bolton is accused of sharing sensitive details with family through digital communication. This plea awaits a federal judge’s approval. Bolton has expressed beliefs of political targeting due to his vocal criticisms of Trump, while legal experts affirm the validity of the case. Read more about the case’s complexities.
- 🎧 NPR’s Ryan Lucas highlights the case’s lengthy 26-page indictment and its potential impact on the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) reputation amid concerns of political motivations.
A recent NPR/Ipsos poll indicates a significant impact of AI in education, with nearly 75% of K-12 teachers surveyed acknowledging AI’s greater influence compared to previous technologies. The poll, which included 545 educators, revealed that while AI aids in time-saving and resource enhancement, most teachers worry about its effect on students’ critical thinking. Despite these concerns, 60% of teachers report using AI for work tasks, though the time saved is often limited. Explore the survey’s findings.
Brady, a gun control advocacy group, has filed a lawsuit against the ATF and DOJ to access documents identifying major crime gun sellers in the U.S. The lawsuit, lodged in the U.S. District Court for D.C., seeks information about Demand Letter 2s, issued to sellers linked to crime scene firearms. The ATF has withheld these documents, citing privacy and confidentiality concerns. Brady argues that similar data has been published previously on their platforms. Learn more about the legal action.
Spotlight: Jill Biden’s NPR Interview
Jill Biden discusses key moments from her time as First Lady and insights into her husband’s presidency during an NPR Newsmakers interview.
Credit: Nickolai Hammar/NPR
In a candid conversation on NPR’s Newsmakers podcast, former First Lady Jill Biden revealed how Trump’s rhetoric during the election period influenced President Biden’s decision to pardon their son, Hunter, convicted on federal charges in 2024. Initially against the idea, President Biden’s stance shifted in the final weeks of his term. Jill also touched upon her White House experiences and President Biden’s decision to seek re-election. Watch or listen to the full interview or read more about their discussion.
Weekend Recommendations
André De Shields as ‘Old Deuteronomy’ in CATS: The Jellicle Ball. The revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical based on T.S. Eliot poems is set in the LGBTQ+ Black and Latino ballroom culture.
Credit: Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman/MurphyMade
Here’s what NPR is enjoying this weekend:
🍿 Movies: Power Ballad features a wedding singer who discovers a former boy band member trying to claim his song.
📺 TV: Spider-Noir sees Nicolas Cage return to superhero duties in a noir-inspired world.
📚 Books: Explore new literary adventures from Los Angeles to Ireland with these recent releases.
🎵 Music: Catch the latest tracks from artists like Vince Staples and Evanescence on this week’s New Music Friday playlist.
🎭 Theater: Celebrated actor André De Shields, nominated for a Tony, shares insights with Morning Edition about his role in CATS: The Jellicle Ball. Read the full interview here.
❓Quiz: Test your knowledge with NPR’s quiz on Trump’s political landscape and more. Try it out.
3 Things to Know Before You Go
The scoreboard displays the results of the Wimbledon women’s singles final between Iga Swiatek and Amanda Anisimova.
Credit: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP
- Delve into the origins of the term “love” in tennis with NPR’s Word of the Week.
- The USS Gerald R. Ford returns for crucial repairs, including an upgrade to its plumbing system. Find out more about its journey.
- Renowned author and advocate Marjane Satrapi has passed away at 56. Read about her impactful life.
Edited by Suzanne Nuyen.
