NPR News: 06-02-2026 4PM EDT
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What are the key highlights from California's primary day elections?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Libby Casey. It's primary day in six states, including California, and at the top of the ballot, a lively and unsettled race to replace termed-out Governor Gavin Newsom. From member station KQED in San Francisco, Scott Schaefer reports.
California hasn't had a governor's race like this one in decades, an unpredictable horse race with several lead changes, the implosion of a leading candidate after sexual assault allegations, and a slew of relatively unknown options. Once discounted, Javier Becerra, former HHS secretary and California attorney general, has jumped to the front of the pack after Congressman Eric Swalwell dropped out. Not far behind, Republican Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host, he's neck and neck with billionaire investor and political activist Tom Steyer, who's dropped more than $200 million and counting. A few months ago, panicked Democrats feared they could be locked out of a November runoff by this top-two primary system, but now polls show it's at least possible the top-two finishers will both be Democrats.
For NPR News, I'm Scott Schaefer in San Francisco.
President Trump has named a reliable attack dog to serve as acting director of national intelligence.
Who is Bill Pulte and what are his qualifications for acting director of national intelligence?
The job is supposed to ensure that timely and objective intelligence is provided to the president, but even some Republicans are questioning Bill Pulte's qualifications. NPR's Eric McDaniel has more.
After the intelligence failures before the September 11th attacks and Iraq war, the office of the director of national intelligence was created to be the expert voice, presenting clear, factual information to decision makers, including the president. Pulte currently serves as the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and has used the post to go after the president's perceived enemies. Senator John Corden, a member of the intelligence community and a Texas Republican recently defeated by a trumped back primary challenger, has questions. I don't see any evidence of any qualifications for that job. Trump cited Pulte's qualifications for the role as someone with, quote, deep experience managing the most sensitive matters in America.
Eric McDaniel, NPR News, the Capitol.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the Trump administration's Iran war and the efforts it's making to extend a current ceasefire. He told Connecticut Democratic Senator Chris Murphy in a hearing today that sanctions on Iran would not be lifted if it opens the Strait of Hormuz.
What are the current sanctions imposed on Iran and why?
Iran is being sanctioned because they enrich uranium. Iran is being sanctioned because they've highly enriched uranium. Iran is being sanctioned because of their nuclear activities. If they agree to give up those things, there will be sanctions relief associated with their commitment and compliance with those agreements. You will not give the sanctions relief just in exchange for reopening the strait? No, that's not been discussed. That's not been offered.
Iran stopped communicating with mediators about extending a ceasefire amid Israel's latest attacks on Lebanon, according to two semi-official Iranian news agencies. But President Trump is disputing that and says talks are continuing.
How are scientists advancing gene therapies for brain disorders?
This is NPR News live in Washington. Scientists have launched an ambitious new effort to develop gene therapies for brain disorders. NPR's John Hamilton reports that the disorders include Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, and ALS.
The Allen Institute in Seattle is running the collaborative effort, known as the Brain Health Accelerator. It's an outgrowth of the federally funded Brain Initiative, which was launched by President Obama in 2013. Ed Lean of the Allen Institute says scientists now know how to tweak a particular gene in certain brain cells.
And that opens up the possibility for very specific, precision genetic therapies for brain disorders.
Lean says one of the first targets will be Huntington's disease, a fatal inherited disorder. It's caused by a genetic mutation that tells nerve cells to make too much of one type of protein.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
What are the key highlights from California's primary day elections?
0:00–1:12
2
Who is Bill Pulte and what are his qualifications for acting director of national intelligence?
1:12–2:18
3
What are the current sanctions imposed on Iran and why?
2:18–2:54
4
How are scientists advancing gene therapies for brain disorders?
2:54–3:52
5
What discoveries have archaeologists made beneath Notre Dame Cathedral?
3:52–4:42
6
What is the significance of the Bleak Week film festival?
4:42–4:57