Good morning. Here are the main stories you need to start the day.
Sen. Bill Cassidy defeated in Louisiana primary
Sen. Bill Cassidy, a two-term Republican from Louisiana, lost his bid to advance in the GOP primary, finishing last in a three-way race. Cassidy was one of seven Republican senators who voted to convict former President Trump after the Jan. 6 insurrection, and his defeat is being read as further evidence of Trump’s strong influence over the party. Cassidy campaigned on looking forward rather than back and tried to repair ties with Trump supporters while keeping an independent record, but many voters viewed his impeachment vote as a betrayal. Political analysts say his loss could discourage other Republican senators from breaking with Trump. Tomorrow’s primaries in Georgia will feature competitive Republican contests for governor and U.S. Senate and are being watched for signs of how voters are responding to similar intra-party dynamics.
WHO declares new Ebola outbreak an international emergency
The World Health Organization has declared a recent Ebola outbreak in Central Africa an international public health emergency. The outbreak began in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has spread to Uganda; more than 80 deaths have been reported. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the declaration is not a pandemic-level emergency and advised against closing borders. Health experts note Ebola transmits less easily than airborne viruses like COVID, but this outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain, which standard rapid field tests can miss. At least two cases, including one death, have been reported in Kampala. Public-health officials warn that if the virus reaches more urban, highly connected areas, the potential for faster spread increases.
Jury deliberates in Musk v. OpenAI case
A California jury has begun deliberations in a lawsuit brought by Elon Musk against OpenAI and co-founder Sam Altman. Musk, who helped found OpenAI in 2015 before leaving amid disagreements, accuses the organization’s leaders of turning a nonprofit mission into a for-profit enterprise and of unjust enrichment. The suit seeks to unwind the for-profit arm, direct roughly $150 billion in alleged gains to the nonprofit foundation, and remove Altman and another co-founder from leadership. A central issue for jurors is whether Musk filed the claim within the three-year statute of limitations for breach of charitable trust, which depends on when he became aware of the alleged wrongdoing.
Four Navy pilots survive midair collision
Four Navy pilots were reported found safe and in stable condition after a midair collision during an air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. Bystander video showed two jets collide and multiple parachutes over the crash site. The base canceled the remainder of the two-day Gunfighter Skies Air Show and has opened an investigation.
Climate Solutions Week: tribes leading local action
NPR is devoting a week to coverage of climate solutions as local governments, tribes, cities and regions pursue resilience and emissions reductions amid stalled federal action. In Montana, the state shelved a climate plan and passed laws limiting state action on emissions, but Native American tribes can act independently. The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have launched a climate plan emphasizing wind energy, water conservation, ecosystem restoration, and wildfire risk reduction. Their current priorities include creating safe clean-air havens on the reservation for roughly 33,000 residents and restoring ecosystem health. Tribal leaders emphasize long-standing stewardship practices and share approaches to increase community resilience.
Watch this: Dana White on Newsmakers
Dana White, president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, sat for NPR’s Newsmakers interview after announcing a cage-match event planned for the White House South Lawn on June 14. White described the fight card as internationally diverse and framed it as reflecting America’s immigrant roots. The conversation covers the UFC’s cultural place, fighter health, and the White House event.
Three things to know
1) After an 11-year run, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will air its final episode on Thursday; critics reflect on his influence as a TV host. 2) New York magazine is reviewing work by writer Ross Barkan amid plagiarism allegations tied to several stories. 3) Amnesty International reports that global executions reached a 44-year high in 2025, with state executions nearly doubling in the U.S. over a single year.
This newsletter was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.
