NPR News: 07-07-2025 2AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now – Episode Summary: July 7, 2025

Release Date: July 7, 2025

---

Texas Floods Devastation

Timestamp: [00:01]

NPR's Dale Willman opens the episode with a harrowing update on the severe flash floods that struck central Texas. Weather officials anticipate additional rainfall overnight, which threatens to exacerbate the already dire flooding situation. The death toll from Friday's floods has tragically risen to at least 80 individuals, with numerous others still unaccounted for.

Timestamp: [00:20] - [00:42]

Reporter Sergio Martinez Beltran provides a ground-level perspective from the Texas Hill Country, highlighting the widespread devastation. He describes how RV parks in Kerrville, Texas, are nearly deserted, as many RVs and cabins have been washed away by the Guadalupe River's powerful currents. Melvin Harris shares his personal loss, stating:

Melvin Harris: "We had friends that were camped up the road here and they didn't make it. This has been very devastating."
[00:36]

Governor Greg Abbott emphasizes the relentless nature of the rescue efforts:

Governor Greg Abbott: "Search and rescue efforts are happening 24/7."
[00:42]

U.S. Trade Tensions and Tariffs

Timestamp: [00:51]

Shifting focus to international trade, Dale Willman reports on President Donald Trump's impending deadline to lift the suspension on tariffs imposed on numerous U.S. trading partners. Initially, Trump had predicted that this pause would result in dozens of tariff actions, but only two have been enacted thus far.

Timestamp: [01:08]

In a press briefing, President Trump outlines his strategy to enhance compliance with his trade policies:

Donald Trump: "It could be maybe as many as 15 or so, and they'll be going out on Monday and some will go out on Tuesday and Wednesday. And it'll and we've we've made deals also, so we're going to have a combination of letters and some deals have been made."
[01:08]

Trade officials indicate that the forthcoming letters serve as warnings of increased tariffs slated to commence in August.

BRICS Bloc Criticism

Timestamp: [01:22]

Further complicating the global trade landscape, the BRICS bloc—comprising developing nations—has voiced strong opposition to the escalation of U.S. tariffs and recent attacks on Iran. Leaders from the bloc convened in Rio de Janeiro, where their summit declaration also condemned NATO's heightened military expenditures. They expressed significant concern over the potential disruptions to global trade engendered by these tariff measures.

OPEC's Production Increase to Lower Gas Prices

Timestamp: [02:15]

In the energy sector, eight members of the OPEC alliance have announced plans to boost oil production by over half a million barrels per day starting in August. This strategic move aims to stabilize or potentially reduce gas prices amid fluctuating market demands. The decision was finalized during a recent weekend meeting of OPEC representatives.

Impact of Heat and Wildfire Smoke on Pregnancy

Timestamp: [02:15] - [02:47]

NPR's Alejandra Barunda introduces a concerning study published in the Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, which explores the effects of heat and wildfire smoke exposure on unborn babies. The research indicates that pregnant individuals subjected to extreme heat and smoke—especially during the preconception period and the first trimester—are more likely to give birth to smaller infants.

Roxanna Khalili, the study's lead author from the University of Southern California, emphasizes the critical periods of vulnerability:

Roxanna Khalili: "Preconception and first trimester were important time periods for heat stress exposure and linked to having an infant that was smaller in size."
[02:38]

Medical professionals advise expectant mothers to take precautions such as staying hydrated and wearing masks during smoky conditions to mitigate these risks.

Broadway's Record-Breaking Season

Timestamp: [02:56]

Dale Willman shifts to the cultural sector, highlighting significant achievements on Broadway. "The Picture of Dorian Gray," featuring Sarah Snook from Succession, concluded its limited run on June 29, successfully recouping its $8.75 million investment.

Timestamp: [03:20]

Jeff London elaborates on Broadway's financial success, noting that the season saw plays outperform musicals in terms of profitability:

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."
[03:20]

Other notable productions that contributed to this financial triumph include "Good Night and Good Luck" starring George Clooney, "Glengarry Glen Ross" with Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal, and Cole Escola's farce "Omer." The potential profitability of new musicals remains to be seen.

Red Sea Ship Attack and Regional Tensions

Timestamp: [04:07]

Concluding the episode, Dale Willman reports on a troubling incident in the Red Sea where a commercial vessel was set ablaze. While no group has officially claimed responsibility, suspicions fall on the Houthi militants from Yemen. A security firm analyzing the attack suggests the use of drone boats laden with bombs, alongside small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades.

In retaliation, Israeli forces launched strikes targeting sites in Yemen on Monday morning. Israeli officials have stated that these actions are a direct response to the Houthi's attack on the ship, indicating escalating tensions in the region.

---

End of Summary

Transcript

[Dale Willman]

Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. In central Texas, weather officials say more rain is expected overnight, and that could lead to even more flooding. Meanwhile, the Death toll from Friday's flash floods has now risen to at least 80 people, with dozens more still missing. NPR's Sergio Martinez Beltran has more on the devastation to the Texas Hill Country.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

The magnitude of this weather event is evident when you go to one of the RV parks in Kerrville, Texas. It's almost empty. Most of the RVs and cabins were swept away by the waters of the Guadalupe River. Melvin Harris was in his RV with his wife when neighbors banked on his store telling him to leave.

[Melvin Harris]

We had friends that were camped up the road here and they didn't make it. This has been very devastating.

[Sergio Martinez Beltran]

Search and rescue efforts are happening 24 7, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said. Sergio Martinez Beltran, NPR News, Kerrville, Texas.

[Dale Willman]

President Trump's deadline to end a pause on tariffs for many U.S. trading partners is Wednesday. When he implemented the pause, Trump said it would lead to dozens of, but so far there have been just two. Speaking with reporters on Sunday, Trump says he has a plan to boost compliance with his trade demands by sending letters to some trading partners.

[Donald Trump]

It could be maybe as many as 15 or so, and they'll be going out on Monday and some will go out on Tuesday and Wednesday. And it'll and we've we've made deals also, so we're going to have a combination of letters and some deals have been made.

[Dale Willman]

Trade officials say the letters will warn of higher tariffs that would kick in in August. The BRICS bloc of developing nations criticized Sunday the rising tariffs and the attacks on Iran. Bloc leaders have been meeting in Rio de Janeiro. In his summit declaration, the group also condemned NATO's increased military spending, and they expressed concern about global trade disruptions caused by tariffs. Eight members of the OPEC alliance of oil exporting countries say they'll boost production by more than half a million barrels a day starting in August. That could reduce gas prices. The decision was made during a meeting that took place over this weekend. Exposure to heat and wildfire smoke can have big effects on a baby that's growing in a pregnant person's womb. NPR's Alejandra Barunda reports on a new study that was published recently in the journal Environmental Science and Technology.

[Alejandra Barunda]

During a pregnancy, people's bodies go through huge changes to those changes can make them and by extension, their babies more at risk from heat. The study found that babies born to mothers who dealt with heat and wildfire smoke during their pregnancies and even in the month before were more likely to be small in the womb. Roxanna Khalili is a lead author and researcher at the University of Southern California.

[Roxanna Khalili]

Preconception and first trimester were important time periods for heat stress exposure and linked to having an infant that was smaller in size.

[Alejandra Barunda]

Doctors say to take precautions like drinking plenty of water and wearing a mask when it's smoky can also help. Alejandra Varuna, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

And you're listening to NPR News. When the Picture of Dorian gray, which stars Succession's Sarah Snook, closed on June 29 after a limited run on Broadway, its producers announced the production had recouped its $8.75 million investment. Jeff London says it's just one example of a number of plays that 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 the latest 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 and Othello. And finally, Cole Escola's farce Omer. It remains to be seen whether any of the musicals which open this past season will turn a profit. For NPR News, I'm Jeff London in New York.

[Dale Willman]

A commercial ship sailing in the Red Sea was set on fire Sunday. No group has claimed responsibility for that assault, but the the Houthi militants of Yemen are suspected of carrying the attack out. A security firm says it appears the ship was hit by drone boats that were carrying bombs. It was also targeted by small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades. On Monday morning, Israeli forces hit sites in Yemen. Israeli officials say the attack was in response to that Houthi attack on the ship. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.