NPR News: 07-04-2025 1PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now – July 4, 2025

Hosted by Jeanine Herbst, NPR News Now delivers the latest headlines and in-depth coverage of current events. In today’s episode, released on July 4, 2025, NPR covers significant developments in international relations, environmental conservation, economic trends, and cultural milestones.

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US and Ukraine Strengthen Ties Amid Russian Drone Assaults

At 00:19, Jeanine Herbst reports on a critical phone conversation between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following Russia's extensive drone attack. Over 500 drones were deployed overnight, resulting in more than 20 injuries and widespread infrastructural damage in Ukraine. President Zelensky highlighted the urgency of bolstering defenses, stating, “both countries will work together to increase protection in the sky.” This dialogue took place just hours after Trump’s conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which Trump asserted, “I don't think Putin wanted to end the war that Russia started.” The exchange underscores the heightened tensions and the collaborative efforts between the US and Ukraine to counter ongoing Russian aggression.

Dutch and German Authorities Accuse Russia of Deploying Banned Chemical Weapons

At 01:01, Terry Schultz reports alarming claims from Dutch and German intelligence agencies regarding Russia's intensified use of chemical weapons in the Ukraine conflict. Specifically, the authorities assert that Russia is employing chloropicrin—a substance banned under the Chemical Weapons Convention—alongside tear gas to target Ukrainian military positions. Dutch Defense Minister Reuben Breckelmann elaborated, “Russia drops chloropicrin from drones to force Ukrainian soldiers out of trenches so they can be more easily killed” (01:13). This confirmation comes after previous, uncorroborated accusations from various international bodies, including the United States. Breckelmann emphasized the global threat posed by such actions, advocating for increased sanctions against Russia and enhanced support for Ukraine to counteract these illicit tactics.

Potential Increase in Entrance Fees for Foreign Visitors to US National Parks

Jeanine Herbst introduces a segment at 01:45 where Matt Bloom discusses President Trump's executive order aimed at raising entrance fees for non-US tourists visiting national parks. Bloom explains, “The extra money would go to infrastructure and other maintenance needs,” highlighting the administration’s response to prior budget cuts and significant staff layoffs within the Park Service earlier in the year. Although the executive order does not specify the exact fee increases or the implementation timeline, it comes at a time when national parks like Yellowstone, Glacier, and Zion are experiencing record visitation numbers, as reported by the National Parks Conservation Association. The proposed hikes could generate substantial revenue to address the burgeoning maintenance and infrastructural demands of these popular destinations.

Economic Forecasts Warn of Increased Emigration from the US

At 02:39, Jeanine Herbst presents an analysis by Scott Horsley on shifting immigration patterns in the United States. According to economic forecasters, 2025 may witness more migrants leaving the US than entering, a trend not seen in decades. Scott Horsley emphasizes, “Immigration has been helping prop up the US economy. We would not have enjoyed the strong job gains in recent years had it not been for the big influx of foreign-born workers” (02:50). The potential exodus of immigrants could have detrimental effects, including a reduced labor force, decreased consumer spending, and overall economic contraction. This development poses challenges for sustaining job growth and maintaining economic vitality, which has historically benefited from the contributions of immigrant populations.

Colorado Hosts Invasive Smallmouth Bass Competition to Protect Native Species

In rural western Colorado, a unique initiative is underway to combat the invasive smallmouth bass threatening native aquatic ecosystems. Jeanine Herbst introduces this segment at 03:13, with Colorado Public Radio’s Stina Sigg reporting on the Ridgeway Reservoir Smallmouth Bass Classic, a competition running through August 10th. Dina Sieg explains, “The Ridgeway Reservoir Smallmouth Bass Classic is both a mouthful and a highly effective way to remove harmful fish.” Eric Garduno from Colorado Parks and Wildlife adds, “Smallmouth bass can decimate endangered species. They can eat a fish that's up to at least a third of their body length” (03:53), illustrating the severity of the ecological impact. The competition incentivizes anglers with a $10,000 prize for the highest catch, aiming to significantly reduce the population of smallmouth bass and protect vulnerable native species from potential extinction.

Paris Revives Seine River for Public Swimming After Major Cleanup

At 04:17, Jeanine Herbst shares exciting news about Paris reopening the Seine River for public swimming—a tradition not seen in over a century. Following an extensive and costly cleanup project that rendered the river safe for Olympic competitions last year, three new swimming sites will be inaugurated. These sites are strategically located near iconic landmarks such as Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, and in eastern Paris. The city’s deputy mayor assured, “The water is tested on a daily basis to make sure it's safe,” (04:25) and explained that swimmers will be guided by green or red flags indicating water conditions. This initiative not only promotes public health and recreation but also revitalizes the Seine as a cultural and social hub for both residents and tourists alike.

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Transcript

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[Jeanine Herbst]

In Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky spoke by phone this morning after Russia's latest attack overnight with more than 500 drones that left more than 20 people wounded and widespread damage. Zelensky says the two leaders talked about air defenses and that both countries will work together to increase protection in the sky. The attack happened hours after Trump and Russian President Putin talked by phone, with Trump later saying he doesn't think Putin wanted to end the war that Russia started. Meanwhile, the Dutch government says it has proof Russia is increasing its use of banned chemical weapons in its war against Ukraine. Terry Schultz has more.

[Terry Schultz]

Dutch and German intelligence authorities say they have evidence Russia is intensifying the use of banned chemical weapons against Ukraine, using not just tear gas, but the banned chemical agent chloropicrin. Use of chloropicrin is prohibited by the Chemical Weapons Convention. Dutch Defense Minister Reuben Breckelmann says Russia drops chloropicrin from drones to force Ukrainian soldiers out of trenches so they can be more easily killed. There have been such accusations before, including from the U.S. but Breckelmann says the Netherlands can now corroborate this based on its investigation conducted with Germany. Breckermann says lowering the threshold for the use of this type of weapon poses a danger to the entire world, and he's calling for more sanctions on Russia and support for Ukraine. For NPR News, I'm Terry Schultz in Brussels.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Entrance fees may get hiked for foreign visitors to some U.S. national parks. NPR's Matt Bloom reports. President Trump signed an executive order that aims to boost revenue for the Park Service.

[Matt Bloom]

The order directs the secretary of the interior to look at ways to raise entrance fees for non US Tourists. The extra money would go to infrastructure and other maintenance needs. Trump's directive comes after the administration slashed funding for parks earlier this year and laid off nearly a quarter of all staff. The new order doesn't specify how much prices for foreigners could go up or when the hikes could be implemented and at which parks visitation is already on track for another record year. The nonprofit National Parks Conservation association reports it's already at or above record levels at the most popular, like Yellowstone, Glacier and Zion. Matt Bloom, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

Economic forecasters say for the first time in decades more migrants are likely to leave the US Than come here this year. NPR Scott Horsley says that could have a negative effect on the economy.

[Scott Horsley]

Immigration has been helping prop up the US Economy. We would not have enjoyed the strong job gains in recent years had it not been for the big influx of foreign born workers. Some of those prominent companies in the US have been started by immigrants. And Edelberg says if that pipeline is choked off and more immigrants head for the exits, the US Will be left with fewer workers, fewer people spending money and a smaller economy overall.

[Jeanine Herbst]

And Pierre Scott Horsley, you're listening to NPR News. In rural western Colorado, people are vying to see who can catch the biggest number of invasive fish to win prize money and save native species. Colorado Public Radio Stina Sigg says the smallmouth bass harvesting competition runs through August 10th.

[Dina Sieg]

The Ridgeway Reservoir Smallmouth Bass Classic is both a mouthful and a highly effective way to remove harmful fish. Eric Garduno with Colorado Parks and Wildlife says smallmouth bass can decimate endangered species.

[Eric Garduno]

And they can eat a fish that's up to at least a third of their body length. And yeah, they just open that mouth up, suck the fish in and swallow it whole.

[Dina Sieg]

A single angler can catch thousands of smallmouth bass over the course of the competition. The one with the most wins $10,000. For NPR News, I'm Dina Sieg in Grand Junction, Colorado.

[Jeanine Herbst]

In France, for the first time in more than a century, people in Paris are getting ready to take a dip in the seine. The long polluted river will be a summertime swim spot again, following a massive, expensive cleanup project that made it suitable for Olympic competitions last year. Three new swimming site on the Paris riverbank are set to open tomorrow, including one close to Notre Dame, another near the Eiffel Tower and a third in eastern Paris. Paris's deputy mayor says the water is tested on a daily basis to make sure it's safe and that green or red flags will inform swimmers of the conditions. I'm Jeanine Herbst, NPR News, in Washington.

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