NPR News: 07-05-2025 3AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now – July 5, 2025, 3AM EDT

NPR's Giles Snyder provides a comprehensive update on the latest national and international news, covering severe weather disasters, significant legislative actions, high-profile deportations, ongoing conflicts, and remarkable sports achievements.

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Severe Flooding Devastates Texas Hill Country

Timestamp: [00:18]

Texas is grappling with catastrophic flooding in the Hill Country, an area notoriously vulnerable and often referred to as "Flash Flood Alley." Governor Greg Abbott announced that search and rescue operations are intensifying, with crews working tirelessly through the night to locate individuals still missing amidst the severe conditions.

Governor Greg Abbott stated:

"They will continue in the darkness of night. They will be taking place when the sun rises in the morning. They will be non-stop seeking to find everybody who is unaccounted for."
[00:31]

The flooding has tragically resulted in over two dozen fatalities and left more than 20 girls missing from a summer camp along the Guadalupe River. As of now, authorities have rescued over 230 people, including more than 160 individuals saved by helicopter. In response to the escalating disaster, Governor Abbott has signed a disaster declaration to expedite the flow of emergency assistance to the affected regions.

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President Trump Signs Major Tax and Spending Legislation on Independence Day

Timestamp: [00:44]

In a significant display of legislative action coinciding with Independence Day celebrations, President Donald Trump officially signed a comprehensive tax cut and spending bill into law at the White House. The ceremony was marked by fireworks over Washington, D.C.’s National Mall, symbolizing both patriotism and political achievement.

Tamara Keith reports:

"President Trump got the Independence Day signing ceremony he had demanded. It makes permanent tax cuts passed during the president's first term and includes promises he made on the campaign trail like no tax on tips, though that part is temporary. Trump predicted big economic growth ahead."
[01:40]

The legislation encompasses billions of dollars in new funding directed towards defense and immigration enforcement while simultaneously reducing funding for Medicaid and food assistance programs. President Trump expressed optimism about the bill’s impact on the economy.

President Donald Trump declared:

"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."
[01:57]

However, Democrats have voiced concerns, citing independent analyses that suggest the majority of the tax benefits will favor high-income individuals. Additionally, they warn that nearly 12 million people may lose Medicaid coverage as a result of the bill's provisions.

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Boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Faces Deportation to Mexico

Timestamp: [02:20]

In a high-profile legal development, Mexico anticipates the deportation of renowned boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Backed by an investigation initiated in 2019, Chavez Jr. is accused of collaborating with the Sinaloa cartel to traffic drugs and firearms.

Eder Peralta reports:

"The president of Mexico, Claudio Sheinbaum, says Mexico began investigating Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Back in 2019. He is suspected of collaborating with the Sinaloa cartel to traffic drugs and guns. In 2023, a federal judge in Mexico issued an arrest warrant. We expect a deportation, Sheinbaum said, and that he serves his sentence here in Mexico."
[02:34]

Chavez Jr., son of the legendary Mexican boxer Julio Cesar Chavez, has been residing in the United States for several years and recently gained additional attention by participating in a high-profile boxing match against social media influencer turned boxer Jake Paul last month. His impending deportation underscores the broader issues of crime and legal accountability among high-profile athletes.

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Hamas Responds to President Trump’s Gaza Ceasefire Proposal

Timestamp: [03:16]

The Palestinian militant group Hamas has issued a response to President Donald Trump's proposal for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza. The group has indicated a willingness to engage in further negotiations to solidify a peace agreement.

Giles Snyder reports:

"Hamas says it delivered a positive response to mediators and that the group is ready to resume talks to reach a deal."
[03:16]

This development comes ahead of a scheduled meeting between President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington on Monday, where they are expected to discuss the feasibility and terms of the proposed ceasefire. The international community watches closely, hoping for de-escalation in the region amidst longstanding tensions.

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Renewed Peace Talks in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Timestamp: [03:55]

Peace prospects in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have received a glimmer of hope as the government and the rebel group M23 announce the resumption of peace talks. These negotiations will take place in Qatar, continuing efforts to end decades-long conflict in the eastern part of the country.

Michael Kaloki reports:

"Fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo between the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels and Congolese forces has been going on for decades now. Both sides have announced they will send delegations to a new round of peace talks in Qatar."
[03:55]

The move follows a recent peace accord signed in Washington between the DRC and Rwanda, which demands that Rwanda adhere to a previous agreement to withdraw its troops from eastern Congo. Despite these efforts, the United Nations reports that thousands have been killed and many more injured since the beginning of the year due to the ongoing conflict. The new negotiations aim to address the root causes and implement sustainable peace solutions.

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Chicago Cubs Make History with Record-Breaking Performance

Timestamp: [04:36]

In a stunning display of athletic prowess, the Chicago Cubs set a new club record by hitting eight home runs in a single game. Celebrating Independence Day, the Cubs triumphed over the St. Louis Cardinals with a remarkable 11-3 victory.

Giles Snyder highlights:

"On the Fourth of July holiday, the team hit eight home runs on their way to an 11-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. Three of them came off the bat of Cubs infielder Michael Bush. Pete Crowe Armstrong hit two homers."
[04:36]

Cubs infielder Michael Bush was a standout performer, contributing three home runs to the team's historic night. Additionally, Pete Crowe Armstrong added two more home runs, showcasing the team's offensive strength and setting a high bar for future performances.

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NPR News Now continues to provide timely and in-depth coverage of critical events shaping our world. Stay informed with the latest updates as they unfold.

Transcript

[DataIQ Representative]

This message comes from DataIQ. Take control of AI's raw power with DataIQ, the universal AI platform built for trust and designed to scale. @Dataiku.com NPR D A T A I K U.com NPR.

[Giles Snyder]

Live from NPR News, I'm Giles Snyder. Texas Governor Greb Abbott says search crews are working through the night to find those who remain missing following severe flooding in the Texas Hill Country.

[Texas Governor]

They will continue in the darkness of night. They will be taking place when the sun rises in the morning. They will be non stop seeking to find everybody who is unaccounted for.

[Giles Snyder]

Among the missing are more than 20 girls from a summer camp along the Guadalupe River. The area is known as Flash Flood Alley. Authorities say more than 230 people have been rescued so far, including more than 160 by helicopter. Some two dozen are reported dead. Governor Abbott has signed a disaster declaration to get emergency assistance flowing into the region. In the nation's capital, fireworks lit up the sky over Washington, D.C. s National Mall to mark Independence Day. President Trump used the holiday to sign his massive tax cut and spending bill into law. The legislation includes billions of dollars in new funding for defense and immigration enforcement. It also slashes Medicaid and food assistance programs. NPR's Tamara Keith reports that Trump signed the measure at that Fourth of July celebration at the White House.

[Tamara Keith]

President Trump got the Independence Day signing ceremony he had demanded. It makes permanent tax cuts passed during the president's first term and includes promises he made on the campaign trail like no tax on tips, though that part is temporary. Trump predicted big economic growth ahead.

[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.

[Tamara Keith]

Democrats point to independent analyses that find the bulk of the benefits will go to high income Americans and nearly 12 million people could lose Medicaid coverage. Tamara Keith, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

Mexico says it expects a boxer, Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. To be deported to Mexico, where he will face charges. NPR's Eder Peralta reports on Chavez's arrest by ICE agents in Los Angeles.

[Eder Peralta]

The president of Mexico, Claudio Sheinbaum, says Mexico began investigating Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Back in 2019. He is suspected of collaborating with the Sinaloa cartel to traffic drugs and guns. In 2023, a federal judge in Mexico issued an arrest warrant. We expect a deportation, chainbaum said, and that he serves his sentence here in Mexico. Chavez is the son of the legendary Mexican box. Julio Cesar Chavez, Mexican Authorities say Chavez, the son, has been living in the US For a while now. Indeed, just last month, he participated in a high profile boxing match against the social media influencer turned boxer Jake Paul Aderalta, NPR News, Mexico City.

[Giles Snyder]

And this is NPR News. The Palestinian militant group Hamas has responded to President Trump's proposal for a 60 day ceasefire in Gaza. In a statement, Hamas says it delivered a positive response to mediators and that the group is ready to resume talks to reach a deal. President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are expected to meet on Monday in Washington to discuss the proposal. The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and one of the rebel groups in the country have announced that they will resume peace talks. NPR's Michael Koloki has more.

[Michael Kaloki]

Fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo between The Rwandan backed M23 rebels and Congolese forces has been going on for decades now. Both sides have announced they will send delegations to a new round of peace talks in Qatar. The Qatari government has previously hosted a series of talks aimed at bringing an end to the fighting. The announcement of the new talks comes in the wake of the recent signing of a peace accord in Washington between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. That accord calls on Rwanda to implement a previous agreement to withdraw its troops from eastern Congo. According to the United Nations. Since the start of this year, the thousands have been killed in the conflict in eastern Congo and several others have been injured. For NPR News, I'm Michael Kaloki in Nairobi.

[Giles Snyder]

In Major League Baseball, the Chicago Cubs have set a club record. On the Fourth of July holiday, the team hit eight home runs on their way to an 113 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. Three of them came off the bat of Cubs infielder Michael Bush. Pete Crowe Armstrong hit two homers. I'm Giles Snyder. This is NPR News.

[DataIQ Representative]

This message comes from Mint Mobile. Mint Mobile took what's wrong with wireless and made it right. They offer premium wireless plans for less and all plans include high speed data, unlimited talk and text and nationwide coverage. See for [e-mail] Switch.