Apple News Today: Detailed Summary of "Why the Texas Floods Were So Deadly" – July 10, 2025

Host: Shemitah Basu

Introduction

In the July 10, 2025 episode of Apple News Today, host Shemitah Basu navigates through a series of compelling stories, beginning with the tragic Texas floods. The episode also delves into legal battles over former President Trump's executive orders, cyber threats from the hacking group Scattered Spider, and other noteworthy news items. This summary captures the essence of each segment, highlighting key discussions, insights, and notable quotes.

1. The Deadly Texas Floods

a. Overview of the Disaster

Nearly a week after the catastrophic Texas floods, over 100 individuals remain unaccounted for. The floods have prompted intense scrutiny over the region's preparedness and response mechanisms.

b. Historical and Geographical Factors

• Prone to Flash Flooding: Emily Foxhall, climate reporter for the Texas Tribune, emphasizes the area's long history of flash floods. She states, "There has been a long, long history of deadly flash flooding in this region" (01:06).

• Topographical Challenges: Describing the region, Foxhall explains, "You may have heard this term flash flood alley. That's how some people refer to this area. It's very hilly. There's not like a deep layer of so to absorb the water. It's a very rocky area." (01:22). The thin topsoil and non-absorbent limestone bed in the Guadalupe River basin exacerbate the rapid runoff of water, making it one of the most perilous areas for flash floods in the U.S.

c. Climate Change Implications

• Increasing Extreme Rainfall: Shemitah Basu discusses the role of climate change, noting that "global warming does pose specific risks for flooding events, and extreme rain in the US is increasing." (02:16). Emily Foxhall adds, "We know climate change is warming temperatures and in warmer air that can hold more moisture, so it makes heavy rainfall more likely." (02:16).

d. Preparedness and Warning Systems

• Lack of Effective Warnings: Kerr County, unlike some neighboring regions, lacks a siren system or river gauges to trigger flood warnings. A former county commissioner attributes this to budget constraints and insufficient FEMA disaster relief funding.

• Official Responses: Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick mentions ongoing discussions with Governor Greg Abbott to allocate state funds for enhancing warning systems. Sheriff Tom Halls of Kerr County remarks, "Had we had sirens along this area up and down, it's possible that that would have saved some of these lives, and the state needs to step up and pay for these." (03:44).

• National Weather Service's Role: Although the National Weather Service issued a flood watch and later a flash flood warning at 1:14 am on Friday, the alerts were not uniformly received. Basu highlights issues like spotty service in rural areas and children at camps lacking phones. Emily Foxhall asserts, "Many of these experts in the weather world really say the National Weather Service did everything they could." (04:52).

e. Future Considerations

With global warming trends indicating more frequent extreme weather events, Foxhall suggests that the Texas floods might catalyze broader debates on improving warning systems and public education regarding disaster responses. She muses, "Like, should there have been additional sirens? Should there be more education about how to respond to a weather watch or a weather warning?" (05:18).

2. Legal Battles Over President Trump's Executive Orders

a. Supreme Court's Ruling and Its Impact

Following a Supreme Court decision to limit federal judges' authority to issue nationwide injunctions against Trump's executive orders, lower courts have found alternative avenues to block these policies.

b. Lower Courts' Strategies

• Class Action Lawsuits: Tom Halls, a correspondent with Reuters, explains that plaintiffs are now seeking to certify classes in lawsuits to block Trump's policies on a nationwide scale. "The reason the ACLU and other groups representing the plaintiffs in this case are trying this strategy is because the court's ruling left an exception for class action lawsuits," (07:10).

• Challenges with Rule 23: The administration argues that proposed class members, such as individuals on student visas and asylum seekers, do not share similar harms, making it difficult to meet the requirements of Rule 23 for class certification. Halls notes, "The administration is already saying, you include these people in the same class, they should be separate classes." (07:59).

• Potential Delays: Class action certifications are often protracted, potentially extending legal battles for years without immediate nationwide injunctions. (08:25).

c. Current and Future Cases

• Asylum Ban and Other Policies: Lower courts have previously blocked Trump's asylum ban at the southern border and other directives, such as those ending temporary protected status for Haitian immigrants and targeting transgender-related web pages.

• Birthright Citizenship Order: A significant test awaits as a New Hampshire judge considers arguments against Trump's order to end birthright citizenship, which is set to take effect on July 27th unless barred by a court ruling.

3. Cybercriminal Group Scattered Spider

a. Overview of Scattered Spider

Lily Hay Newman, a senior writer for Wired magazine, details how Scattered Spider, a group predominantly composed of teenagers and young men, has been conducting widespread cyberattacks across multiple sectors in the U.S., U.K., and Canada. The FBI has recently warned of their targeting of the airline industry. (08:52).

b. Methods of Operation

• Social Engineering Tactics: Scattered Spider relies heavily on social engineering, tricking employees into granting them system access. For instance, they impersonate company staff members to bypass security protocols. (09:26).

• Phishing Schemes: The group creates convincing phishing websites with URLs mimicking legitimate company portals, enticing workers to enter sensitive information. (09:26).

c. Notable Attacks and Impact

• Financial Losses: High-profile targets include MGM Resorts, which lost $100 million, and British retailer Marks and Spencer, which had to halt online orders for several months due to potential Scattered Spider involvement. (10:09).

• Operational Disruptions: Their attacks have led to significant outages and delays, causing chaos across affected businesses. (09:10).

d. Structure and Mitigation Challenges

• Decentralized Leadership: The group's leadership remains opaque and tight-knit, making it difficult for authorities to dismantle their operations. (11:40).

• Rapid Recruitment: Utilizing platforms like Discord and Telegram, Scattered Spider easily recruits new members, ensuring the group's continuity even if certain individuals are taken offline. (11:40).

e. Future Risks and Prevention Strategies

Cybersecurity experts emphasize the need for robust defense mechanisms and employee training to counteract social engineering tactics. The adaptability and youth-driven nature of Scattered Spider pose ongoing challenges for traditional cybersecurity measures.

4. Other Significant News Stories

a. CEO Departure at X (Formerly Twitter)

Linda Yaccarino announced her resignation as CEO of X, following a tumultuous two-year tenure. Her departure coincided with controversies surrounding Elon Musk's AI chatbot, Grok, which made antisemitic remarks. Yaccarino did not specify her reasons for stepping down.

b. Surge in Measles Cases in the U.S.

The United States is witnessing the highest number of confirmed measles cases in a single year in 25 years, surpassing 1,200 cases primarily in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and New Mexico. Tragically, this includes the first measles-related deaths in a decade. Experts warn that declining vaccination rates and a slow federal response could exacerbate the outbreak. The CDC reports that most cases are among individuals who are unvaccinated or have unclear vaccination statuses.

c. Rise and Fall of AI-Generated Band Velvet Sundown

Velvet Sundown, an AI-generated band, briefly topped Spotify charts with their hit "Dust on the Wind," amassing over 1 million listens in the first month. However, internet detectives uncovered the truth due to several telltale signs:

• Artificial Nature: Fake band photos and generic 70s-style lyrics indicated the band's AI origin.

• Rapid Production: The band released two albums in June with a third slated for July, a pace unmanageable by human bands.

• Critical Reception: While popular among listeners, critics like The Atlantic described the music as "soulless" and "lackluster," questioning the ethical implications of undisclosed AI-generated content on streaming platforms.

Conclusion

The July 10, 2025 episode of Apple News Today provides a comprehensive exploration of pressing issues ranging from natural disasters and their underlying causes to complex legal battles, emerging cyber threats, public health concerns, and the ethical dimensions of AI in the music industry. Shemitah Basu adeptly guides listeners through these multifaceted stories, offering insightful analysis and highlighting the interconnectedness of these modern challenges.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Emily Foxhall (02:16): "We know climate change is warming temperatures and in warmer air that can hold more moisture, so it makes heavy rainfall more likely."

• Tom Halls (02:53): "Had we had sirens along this area up and down, it's possible that that would have saved some of these lives, and the state needs to step up and pay for these."

• Lily Hay Newman (09:26): "They use sort of hacking techniques or they gain initial access in complex digital ways. But really their bread and butter is social engineering where they trick someone into granting them access on purpose."

• The Atlantic's Critique: "No human artist could tolerate producing such soulless, lackluster music."

This summary encapsulates the key elements of the podcast episode, ensuring clarity and engagement for readers who have not listened to the original content.