House Votes to Reallocate NPR Funding: What It Means for Your Local Station — Plus, Trump Maintains Command of the California National Guard!

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Today’s Top Stories

House Vote on Public Media Funding
Yesterday, the House voted 214 to 212 to cut $1.1 billion from public media funding. The measure passed mostly along party lines, with two Republicans changing their votes. Former President Trump backed this legislation, claiming NPR and PBS lean left. The bill also proposes $9.4 billion in cuts, primarily targeting foreign aid for health, disaster relief, and hunger. The Senate still needs to confirm the measure.

David Folkenflik from NPR noted that while $1.1 billion may seem small, its loss could severely impact public radio and television. NPR’s CEO, Katherine Maher, warned that many stations might have to shut down, leaving some communities without reliable news sources. Representative Mark Amodei, a rare Republican dissenting from the bill, stressed the importance of maintaining access to information for rural constituents.

California National Guard and Trump
In California, a federal judge ordered Trump to hand over control of the National Guard troops deployed in Los Angeles. However, an appeals court has put that order on hold for now. Governor Gavin Newsom aimed to return about 4,000 troops to their usual tasks, including border protection and wildfire prevention.

Israel’s Strikes in Iran
Israeli airstrikes have targeted multiple sites in Iran, reportedly killing three top military commanders, including Brig. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri. The Israeli military claims it was aiming at Iran’s nuclear capabilities, alleging that Tehran is secretly developing nuclear weapons. The U.S. State Department stated Israel acted independently.

Iranian leaders warned of retaliation. Meanwhile, the Biden administration has been negotiating with Iran about its nuclear program.

Climate Solutions Week

This week, NPR is focusing on climate solutions and the growing deconstruction industry, which aims to recycle building materials to reduce waste and carbon footprints. This trend is especially rising in cities like Portland and Boulder, where older buildings are being replaced. The movement allows for sustainable construction practices while addressing climate change.

Weekend Picks

Movies: Wes Anderson’s new film, The Phoenician Scheme, features Benicio del Toro as an unscrupulous industrialist.
TV: Dept. Q stars Matthew Goode as a detective navigating a complex disappearance case.
Books: This week’s titles explore dark themes like murder and addiction.
Music: Anne Akiko Meyers continues her stellar run with three new albums in rapid succession.
Food: Perpetual stew trends on social media—a dish that simmered for weeks or even years.