NPR News: 07-05-2025 2AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: July 5, 2025

Release Date: July 5, 2025
Host: Giles Snyder
Duration: Approximately 5 minutes

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Texas Floods and Ongoing Rescue Operations

Giles Snyder opens the episode with breaking news on the severe flooding in Texas. Governor Greg Abbott has committed unlimited resources to locate and rescue those missing in the state's hill country.

Greg Abbott [00:29]: "We will stop at nothing to ensure that every asset and person and plane and whatever is needed is going to be involved in the process of rescuing every last person and ensure everybody involved in this is going to be fully accounted for."

The focus remains on rescuing approximately two dozen missing girls from a summer camp along the flooded Guadalupe River. The death toll from the floods has tragically risen to at least 24.

David Martin Davies from Texas Public Radio provides a detailed account of the weather conditions:

David Martin Davies [01:10]: "A stalled weather system dumped over 10 inches of rain on parts of Central Texas. This region is known as Flash Flood Alley. And there are reports of a wall of water hitting residential areas in Kerrville, not far from San Antonio, as well as campgrounds and RV parks that were full for the holiday."

Kerrville has activated its emergency management plan, urging residents near creeks, streams, and the Guadalupe River to seek higher ground.

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President Trump Endorses New Tax and Spending Plan

In national news, President Donald Trump announced the signing of his signature tax cut and spending bill during the White House's 4th of July picnic. The measure extends the 2017 tax cuts and introduces significant increases in immigration enforcement. However, it deviates from Trump's campaign promise by cutting Medicaid, potentially leaving nearly 12 million people without health insurance, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

Donald Trump [01:46]: "You're going to see like a rocket ship. You know, we're setting all sorts of economic records right now, and that's before this kicks in. After this kicks in, our country is going to be a rocket ship."

The legislation has sparked controversy due to its impact on healthcare and heightened immigration measures.

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"Alligator Alcatraz": Florida's New Detention Facility

A new immigration detention center in Florida's Everglades, nicknamed "Alligator Alcatraz," has begun receiving detainees. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeyer announced the arrival of hundreds of immigrants at the 3,000-bed facility.

James Uthmeyer [02:33]: "Hundreds of people had arrived at the facility. Next stop, back to where they came from."

Constructed in just over a week near Everglades National Park, the facility has faced opposition from immigrant advocates, environmental groups, and indigenous communities, some of whom are pursuing legal action. President Trump praised the detention center during his visit, highlighting the use of alligators as "bodyguards and cops" that require no pay.

Trump [02:50]: "Alligators who live in the freshwater marsh will act as bodyguards and cops and don't require pay."

The administration aims for Florida to serve as a model for other states in managing the deportation of immigrants without legal status.

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France Demands Release of Its Citizens from Iran

Eleanor Beardsley reports on France's diplomatic efforts to secure the release of two French citizens detained in Iran for over three years. French President Emmanuel Macron has condemned the arrests, labeling them as espionage charges unfairly imposed on Cecil Koller and Jacques Paris.

Emmanuel Macron [03:25]: "It would be a joke if it weren't so criminal."

The detainees are accused of spying for Israel's Mossad and are being held in the notorious Evin Prison under harsh conditions. Macron has threatened retaliatory measures, including sanctions, urging Iran to release the couple immediately.

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Strikes Impacting Air Travel and Public Events

Giles Snyder highlights ongoing labor strikes affecting both France and Philadelphia:

• France: French air traffic controllers are on strike, disrupting flights from major cities like Paris, Marseille, and Nice. Ryanair, a major budget airline, has canceled approximately 400 flights. The strike, now intensifying on its fifth day, centers on demands for better working conditions.

• Philadelphia: A strike by nearly 10,000 city workers has led to the cancellation of public events, including performances by rapper LL Cool J and R&B singer Jasmine Sullivan at the city's Fourth of July celebration.

LL Cool J [04:40]: "I would not cross a picket line."

The labor disputes reflect broader tensions over workers' rights and conditions in both cities, significantly impacting transportation and cultural events.

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now delivered comprehensive coverage of critical events ranging from natural disasters and political developments to international relations and labor strikes. Through detailed reporting and direct quotes from key figures, listeners are kept informed on the latest national and global issues shaping the world today.

Transcript

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[Giles Snyder]

Live from NPR News, I'm Giles Snyder. Texas Governor Greg Abbott is pledging to devote limitless resources to find those who remain missing in floodwaters in the state's hill country.

[Greg Abbott]

We will stop at nothing to ensure that every asset and person and plane and whatever is needed is going to be involved in the process of rescuing every last person and ensure everybody involved in this is going to be fully accounted for.

[Giles Snyder]

Abbott says a search and rescue operation will continue through the weekend. The focus is on some two dozen missing girls at a summer camp along the flooded Guadalupe River. Authorities say the number of those confirmed dead in the flooding has increased, increased to at least 24. Texas Public Radio's David Martin Davies has more on the torrential rain that triggered the flash floods.

[David Martin Davies]

A stalled weather system dumped over 10 inches of rain on parts of Central Texas. This region is known as Flash Flood Alley. And there are reports of a wall of water hitting residential areas in Kerrville, not far from San Antonio, as well as campgrounds and RV parks that were full for the holiday. The city of Kerrville has activated its emergency management Plan A officials advise those near creeks, streams and the Guadalupe river to immediately move to higher ground. For NPR News, I'm David Martin Davies in San Antonio.

[Giles Snyder]

President Trump says the tax cut and spending plan Congress sent to his desk will move the country forward.

[Donald Trump]

You're going to see like a rocket ship. You know, we're setting all sorts of economic records right now, and that's before this kicks in. After this kicks in, our country is going to be a rocket ship.

[Giles Snyder]

Trump signed his signature bill at the 4th of July picnic at the White House. The Measure extends his 2017 tax cuts and provides for a massive increase in immigration enforcement. But it also breaks a promise Trump made during the campaign not to cut Medicaid. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office projects that nearly 12 million people could lose health insurance under the plan. Immigration detainees have arrived at a new detention facility in Florida's Everglades. Officials have dubbed it Alligator Alcatraz. Their arrival comes just days after President Trump toured the facility. As NPR's Kat Lansdorf reports.

[Kat Lansdorf]

Florida's Attorney General James Uthmeyer, who has championed the project, said on X that, quote, hundreds of people had arrived at the facility. Next stop, back to where they came from, he wrote. The 3,000 bed facility was built in just over a week at a training airport near Everglades National Park. Immigrant advocates, environmental groups and indigenous people have protested against it, with some filing lawsuits. In a visit earlier this week, Trump praised the facility, saying that alligators who live in the freshwater marsh will act as, quote, bodyguards and cops and don't require pay. The president says Florida can be a model for other states that want to help the federal government deport immigrants without legal status. Kat Lansdorf, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

This is NPR News. France is demanding the immediate release of two of its citizens who've been imprisoned in Iran for more than three years. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

Just this week, Iran Iranian authorities reportedly charged Cecil Koller and Jacques Paris with spying for Israel's intelligence service, the Mossad. French President Emmanuel Macron said it would be a joke if it weren't so criminal. Paris accuses Tehran of arbitrarily arresting the couple and holding them in conditions akin to torture in the notorious Evin prison. Macron threatened retaliatory measures, including sanctions. Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps has detained dozens of foreign and dual nationals in recent years, often on espionage related charges. The west accuses Tehran of using foreign detainees as bargaining chips. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Paris.

[Giles Snyder]

The strike by French air traffic controllers intensified on Friday. Disruptions hit airports across the country after the National Civil Aviation Authority asked airlines to cut back on their flights from major cities, including Paris, Marseille and Nice. Budget airline the budget airline, Ryanair, says it canceled some 400 flights. The controllers are seeking better working conditions. That ongoing strike by city workers in Philadelphia led rapper LL Cool J and R B singer Jasmine Sullivan to cancel their appearances at the city's Fourth of July celebration. LL Cool J said in a social media post that he would not cross a picket line. The strike by nearly 10,000 workers now on its fifth day. This is NPR News.

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