NPR News: 07-06-2025 2PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: July 6, 2025, 2PM EDT

Hosted by NPR

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1. Devastating Texas Floods

Timestamp: 00:19

In the early hours of July 4th, Texas was struck by catastrophic floods that have left at least 67 people dead in Kerr County and 11 girls still missing after a Christian summer camp was swept away by the Guadalupe River. Nora Ramm reports that rescue crews are tirelessly working to aid those affected.

Congressman Joaquin Castro, representing the area, expressed concern over the rapid onset of the disaster: “It all happened very fast,” he told CNN, suggesting that job cutbacks at the National Weather Service and local forecasting offices may have hindered timely warnings.

Timestamp: 00:57

Scott Bessen, a key official, highlighted the potential consequences of reduced personnel in critical agencies: “There is a risk that you won't have the personnel to make that, do that analysis, do the predictions in the best way, and it could lead to tragedy.” While cautious, Bessen emphasized the need for an investigation into the matter.

Timestamp: 01:17

In response to the floods, President Trump announced via social media that he has signed a major disaster declaration for Kerr County to mobilize necessary resources.

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2. Trade and Tariff Deal Deadlines

Timestamp: 01:39

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessen provided an update on President Trump's ultimatum regarding trade and tariff agreements. He stated that “Trading partners that make deals with the US before August 1st can escape stiff tariff hikes”. Originally set for July 9th, the deadline has been extended, with Bessen noting, “If you don't move things along, then on August 1st, you will boomerang back to your April 2nd tariff level.”

Timestamp: 02:01

Bessen elaborated on the impact of the tariffs, explaining that the reciprocal tariff rates have previously reached up to 50%, which initially caused the stock market to crash. Despite recovery, he characterizes Trump's approach as one of “maximum pressure”.

Timestamp: 02:16

Luke Garrett from NPR reports optimism for imminent trade announcements: “Bessen says he expects several big trade announcements in the coming days.”

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3. Deportation of Migrants to South Sudan

Timestamp: 02:23

The U.S. has deported eight migrants to South Sudan who were previously held in U.S. custody in East Africa. Michael Kaloki reports that these individuals, from countries including Cuba, Laos, Mexico, Burma, Vietnam, and South Sudan, were deported on July 4th after a Supreme Court order overruled a federal judge’s block on their deportation due to due process concerns.

Kaloki adds that the State Department has advised U.S. citizens against traveling to South Sudan, citing ongoing violent crime and armed conflict.

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4. Anti-Semitic Arson Incident in Australia

Timestamp: 03:14

A suspect appeared in court in Melbourne, Australia, facing arson charges for allegedly setting fire to a synagogue on Friday night. Fortunately, the fire was extinguished without any injuries. This incident marks a troubling rise in anti-Semitic attacks in Australia since the commencement of the Israel-Gaza war in 2023.

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5. Broadway's Record-Breaking Season

Timestamp: 03:55

Jeff London reports on Broadway's impressive financial performance last season, driven primarily by plays rather than musicals. The Broadway box office achieved a historic $1.9 billion, the highest ever recorded.

Notable successes include "The Picture of Dorian Gray," a one-person play that successfully recouped its $8.75 million investment, and other profitable productions like "Good Night and Good Luck" starring George Clooney, "Glengarry Glen Ross" with Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal, among others. London notes, “It remains to be seen whether any of the musicals which opened this past season will turn a profit.”

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6. U.S. vs. Mexico in Gold Cup Final

Timestamp: 04:31

In international soccer, the Gold Cup final is set to take place tonight in Houston, featuring a showdown between the U.S. and Mexico. This matchup marks the eighth time these national teams have faced each other in the tournament's final, promising an intense and highly anticipated game.

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Summary Prepared by NPR News Now

Transcript

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[Nora Ramm]

In Washington, I'm Nora Ramm. Texas authorities say rescue crews are working around the clock to help those affected by devastating floods in the pre dawn hours in the Fourth of July. They say at least 67 people have died in Kerr County. A Christian summer camp along the Guadalupe river was washed away. 11 girls are still missing. Democratic Congressman Joaquin Castro represents that part of the state. He told CNN it all happened very fast and wonders if job cutbacks at the National Weather Service and and local offices that provide forecasting and warnings may have been a factor.

[Scott Bessen]

There is a risk that you won't have the personnel to make that, do that analysis, do the predictions in the best way, and it could lead to tragedy. So I don't want to sit here and say conclusively that that was the case, but I do think that it should be investigated. And having, you know, not having enough personnel is never helpful.

[Nora Ramm]

President Trump posted on social media that he signed a major disaster declaration for Kerr county to to provide the resources it needs. President Trump has said his deadline for trade and tariff deals is this Wednesday, but now Treasury Secretary Scott Bessen says some countries may have more time. NPR's Luke Garrett reports.

[Luke Garrett]

Trading partners that make deals with the US before August 1st can escape stiff tariff hikes, Bessen tells CNN. Originally July 9th was the deadline. Bessen says President Trump is sending letters to these countries with a trade deal ultimatum.

[Scott Bessen]

If you don't move things along, then on August 1st, you will boomerang back to your April 2nd tariff level.

[Luke Garrett]

Those so called reciprocal tariff rates reached as high as 50% and when first implemented, crashed the stock market. Though it has since recovered, Bessen says Trump's strategy is maximum pressure.

[Scott Bessen]

If you want to speed things up, have at it. If you want to go back to the old rate, that's your choice.

[Luke Garrett]

Bessen says he expects several big trade announcements in the coming days. The Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington.

[Nora Ramm]

The U.S. has deported eight migrants to South Sudan that had been held in U.S. custody in East Africa while their cases were being litigated. Michael Koloki reports.

[Michael Kaloki]

The men are from Cuba, Laos, Mexico, Burma, Vietnam and South Sudan. According to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security, the migrants were deported to south Sudan on July 4. They had been held for more than a month at a US Military base in Djibouti after a US Federal judge blocked their deportation to South Sudan over due process concerns. However, a Supreme Court order last week cleared the way for the men's deportation. Lawyers for the men had argued that their deportations would violate the U.S. constitution. The State Department has advised U.S. citizens not to travel to South Sudan due to violent crime and armed conflict in the country. For NPR News, I'm Michael Kaloki in Nairobi.

[Nora Ramm]

This is NPR News. A suspect appeared in court in Melbourne, Australia, today to face arson charges. He's accused of setting a synagogue on fire Friday night. The fire was extinguished and no one was injured. Australia has seen an increase in anti Semitic attacks since the Israel Gaza war began in 2023. When the picture of Dorian Gray starring succession Sarah SNU, closed on June 29, and after a limited run on Broadway, its producers announced the production had recouped its $8.75 million investment. Jeff London says plays were the big money makers last season on Broadway.

[Jeff London]

To be fair, musicals cost a lot more money and take a longer time to turn a profit. But this past season, plays helped make the Broadway box office tally at $1.9 billion, the highest in Broadway history. The Picture of Dorian Gray, a one person play with a lot of video, was to make its investment back. Other profit makers were George Clooney's Good Night and Good Luck, Kieran Culkin and Bob Odenkirk and Glengarry Glen Ross, Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal in Othello, and finally, Cole Escola's farce o'.

[Nora Ramm]

Mary.

[Jeff London]

It remains to be seen whether any of the musicals which opened this past season will turn a profit. For NPR News, I'm Jeff London in New York.

[Nora Ramm]

In international soccer, the U.S. and Mexico play for the Gold cup trophy. In Houston tonight, it's the regional championship for national teams. This is the eighth time the two teams have faced off in the final match. I'm Nora Ramm, NPR News, in Washington.

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