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The man accused of killing a Democratic Minnesota lawmaker has been arrested and charged with murder. Investigators have identified 57-year-old Vance Boelter as the suspect who allegedly posed as a police officer and fatally shot former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, in their residence on Saturday. Boelter is also implicated in the shooting of Democratic State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, who sustained serious injuries.
Authorities discovered a list of names and addresses belonging to other public officials in a vehicle abandoned by Boelter in the Hortmans' driveway. According to Minnesota Public Radio's Matt Sepic, officials have not disclosed any new information regarding Boelter's motive. The list reportedly included several Democratic officials from Minnesota and other states, such as Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and Iowa.
In a positive update, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz mentioned that Hoffman is making progress toward recovery following his final surgery. Yvette Hoffman communicated with U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar through text messages, expressing their relief by stating, "We are both incredibly lucky to be alive."
World leaders, including those from the U.N., are urging for de-escalation as the conflict between Israel and Iran continues to intensify, marking its fourth consecutive day of violence. Reports from Iran's Health Ministry indicate that over 200 individuals, including numerous women and children, have lost their lives, with more than 1,000 injured. Israeli authorities have confirmed over 20 casualties.
NPR's Hadeel Al-Shalchi notes that while Israelis have sometimes appeared indifferent to missile attacks, the current situation is markedly different. The Israeli air defense system, known as the Iron Dome, has struggled to intercept all incoming missiles, resulting in unprecedented destruction in central Israel. In Bat Yam, one of the most severely affected areas, residents conveyed their sense of inevitability regarding this war, which they feel has loomed over them for decades.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his commitment to continuing the military offensive during an interview with Fox News last night, while Iran has yet to show any signs of engaging in ceasefire discussions.
Former President Donald Trump is currently attending the annual G7 summit alongside leaders from some of the world's largest economies in the breathtaking Canadian Rockies. This summit convenes during a period of heightened tension due to the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, the enduring Ukraine-Russia war, and Trump's controversial tariffs imposed on other G7 nations.
According to NPR White House correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben, Trump and fellow G7 leaders have previously found themselves at odds over differing priorities. Trump's administration preferred narrowly focused agendas, primarily centered around economics, while other leaders sought discussions on broader issues such as climate change and gender equality. Notably, the leaders have opted to forgo a traditional joint statement, known as a communique, this year—an approach that Kelly Ann Shaw, Trump's lead negotiator in 2019, described as an improvement over what she deemed "empty promises."
The U.S. Army marked its 250th birthday on Saturday with a grand military parade in Washington, D.C. This celebratory event coincidentally fell on Trump's 79th birthday. However, critics have denounced the parade as a politicization of the armed forces. Nationwide protests under the banner "No Kings" were organized, with demonstrators participating in various states and even abroad.
View striking images capturing the essence of the protests from locations like Texas to France, and check out three key takeaways from the parade.
As the university graduation season winds down, NPR's Morning Edition reflects on some of the most memorable celebrity commencement speakers from 2025. This year’s speakers delivered valuable life lessons to graduates, using humor, heartfelt messages, and hard truths. From Kermit the Frog to LeVar Burton, you can listen to highlights from these inspiring commencement speeches here.
Tomorrow marks the 10-year anniversary of the tragic shooting at the Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, where a white supremacist killed nine Black worshippers during a Bible study. A new book commemorates this tragedy by exploring the church's historical significance as the oldest Black congregation in the South.
In other news, the death toll from the devastating Air India plane crash has risen to at least 270. The sole survivor, Viswashkumar Ramesh, shares his harrowing story.
Additionally, the small town of Long Lake, N.Y., will be the exclusive beneficiary of proceeds from the sale of the $125 million Whitney Estate. The Whitney family, known as one of the wealthiest families from the Gilded Age, has a long-standing history of philanthropy in Long Lake.
