NPR News: 07-07-2025 4AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: July 7, 2025, 4AM EDT

Hosted by Dale Willman

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1. Central Texas Flooding Crisis

Dale Willman opens the episode with a dire update on the ongoing flooding in Central Texas. Overnight rains have exacerbated the situation, leading to heightened fears of further devastation. As of the latest reports, at least 80 people have been confirmed dead due to Friday's flash flooding, with authorities anticipating that this number might rise. Additionally, over 40 individuals remain missing, intensifying the urgency of rescue operations.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott emphasized the critical need for swift action and communication:

“We know that parents and families, they want information, they want closure, and we want them to know that we are working as swiftly as possible to get them accurate information that will provide that closure.”
[00:38]

In Kerr County alone, the sheriff's office has reported the discovery of 68 bodies, including the tragic loss of 28 children. The ongoing efforts to locate the missing continue as authorities grapple with the scale of the disaster.

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2. Elon Musk Announces Formation of New Political Party

Transitioning to the political arena, Elon Musk has declared the formation of a new political entity, the America Party. This announcement marks a significant shift in Musk's political involvement, especially after his close association with former President Donald Trump.

Joe Hernandez reports that Musk's new party aims to secure two or three Senate seats and eight to ten House districts. This strategy is designed to wield influence over major legislative votes without seeking widespread electoral dominance.

Musk's relationship with Trump has soured following the passage of the Republican mega bill. Initially a top Republican donor who supported Trump's initiatives, Musk has since criticized the bill, labeling it a:

“disgusting abomination.”
[01:09]

This public dissent underscores the deepening rift between Musk and Trump, transforming former allies into political adversaries.

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3. Republican Push to Alter Census Counts

In legislative developments, approximately 80 Republican lawmakers are advocating for controversial amendments to the U.S. census methodology. These proposals seek to exclude millions of non-citizens residing in the states from the census counts, a move that has significant implications for political representation and federal funding.

Hansi Le Wang explains:

“How many U.S. house seats and Electoral College votes each state gets for a decade is determined using a key set of census results.”
[01:58]

The 14th Amendment mandates that the census include the entire population of each state. However, the current proposals aim to reinterpret this requirement by focusing solely on U.S. citizens, a stance supported by former President Trump, who previously attempted to exclude individuals without legal status during the 2020 census.

If enacted, these bills would likely face legal challenges. Additionally, there is a related joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment to redefine census requirements, necessitating support from 38 states to pass.

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4. Escalating Drone Conflict Between Russia and Ukraine

International tensions continue to escalate as Russia and Ukraine engage in persistent drone attacks, disrupting air travel and heightening global security concerns. Flights in major Russian airports, including those in Moscow and St. Petersburg, have experienced significant delays and cancellations over the weekend.

In response to the ongoing conflict, Ukraine's President has taken decisive steps to bolster the nation's defense capabilities:

“I signed deals with several Western nations to boost drone production for use in the war.”
[02:42]

Furthermore, discussions have been held with President Trump regarding the possibility of joint drone production between the U.S. and Ukraine, aiming to enhance Ukraine's resistance against Russian aggression.

Simultaneously, the Trump administration is intensifying diplomatic efforts, urging trading partners to finalize new agreements before the impending Wednesday tariff deadline. This move has negatively impacted global markets, with Asian shares declining on Monday. Notable market performances include:

• Japan's Nikkei: Dropped 0.6%
• Jurassic World Rebirth: Earned $91.5 million globally in its first week
• F1 (Brad Pitt's racing film): Secured $26.1 million
• How to Train Your Dragon: Reached $11 million

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5. Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the London Bombings

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the tragic July 7, 2005, London bombings. In remembrance, Vicki Barker shares a poignant tribute capturing the heroism and resilience of that day.

A short film released by the London Ambulance Service features paramedic Crai Cassidy, who recollects the harrowing moments following the explosions:

“I'm looking at six people that have died. I couldn't do anything more for them.”
[03:39]

The coordinated attacks involved four bombs detonated across three underground trains and a bus, resulting in 52 fatalities and over 700 injuries. The community's strength and the unwavering dedication of first responders were pivotal in the immediate response to the attacks.

A commemorative service is scheduled to take place at St Paul's Cathedral, with additional observances planned across the Capitol, honoring the lives lost and the bravery displayed.

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6. Washington Nationals' Management Shake-Up and Sports Updates

In sports news, the Washington Nationals have undergone significant management changes following a disappointing performance this season. After being swept in a series by the Boston Red Sox on Sunday, both the team's manager and general manager were dismissed. The Nationals currently hold a 37-53 record, marking their sixth consecutive losing season since their 2019 World Series victory. They trail only the Colorado Rockies in terms of performance this season.

On the entertainment front, the latest installment in the Jurassic Park franchise, Jurassic World Rebirth, has achieved impressive box office success, grossing $91.5 million in North America and $318 million globally during its first week. Following closely is F1, a racing film starring Brad Pitt, which garnered $26.1 million, and How to Train Your Dragon, bringing in $11 million.

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Summary compiled based on the transcript from the NPR News Now episode released on July 7, 2025.

Transcript

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[Dale Willman]

Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. More rain hit Central Texas overnight, bringing new fears of flooding there. So far, at least 80 people are confirmed dead following Friday's flash flooding, and officials say it's likely that number will still go higher. More than 40 other people are missing. Texas Governor Greg Abbott says it's important to find them and quickly.

[Greg Abbott]

We know that parents and families, they want information, they want closure, and we want them to know that we are working as swiftly as possible to get them accurate information that will provide that closure.

[Dale Willman]

In Kerr county, the sheriff says they found 68 bodies. Those dead include 28 children. Elon Musk says he's forming a new political party after President Trump signed the Republican mega bill into law last week. NPR's Joe Hernandez reports on a deepening divide between the one time political allies.

[Joe Hernandez]

Musk announced the formation of the America Party in a series of posts on X. Musk was the top Republican donor in last year's presidential election and helped Trump launch doge, the federal initiative focused on governmental efficiency at the start of Trump's second term. But early last month, Musk began to publicly criticize Trump over the Republican legislative proposal. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO called a version of the bill a, quote, disgusting abomination. Musk says his new political party may focus on two or three seats in the Senate and eight to 10 House districts, just enough to influence votes on major legislation. Joe Hernandez, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

More Republicans in Congress are backing controversial proposals to alter a special set of census numbers. As NPR's Hansi Le Wang reports, those figures influence elections for presidents and the House of representatives.

[Hansi Le Wang]

How many U.S. house seats and Electoral College votes each each state gets for a decade is determined using a key set of census results. The 14th Amendment says those results must include the whole number of persons in each state. But around 80 Republican lawmakers are backing bills that call for excluding the millions of people living in the states without U.S. citizenship. The push also has support from President Trump, who during the 2020 census tried and failed to exclude a narrower group, people living in the US without legal status. If any of the current bills in Congress pass, they would likely be challenged in court. There is a related joint resolution to change the Constitution's CENS requirements so that House seats are redistributed. Among the states based on account of only people with US citizenship. Such an amendment would need support from 38 states. Han Zi Lo Wang, NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

Flights at airports in Moscow and St. Petersburg were delayed or canceled this weekend as Russia and Ukraine continued trading drone attacks. Ukraine's president, meanwhile, announced he signed deals with several Western nations to boost drone production for use in the war. And he said he also discussed the possibility of joint drone production with the US when he spoke to President Trump in a recent phone call. Asian shares fell Monday as the Trump administration stepped up pressure on trading partners to quickly make new deals before a Wednesday tariff deadline. Japan's Nikkei shed six tenths of a percent. You're listening to NPR News. The UK will observe the 20th anniversary of the July 7 suicide bombings in London today. Vicki Barker has our reports.

[Vicki Barker]

In a short film released by the London Ambulance Service ahead of Monday's anniversary, paramedic Crai Cassidy recalls responding to those first reports of an explosion at the Aldgate Underground station.

[Greg Abbott]

I'm looking at six people that have died. I couldn't do anything more for them.

[Vicki Barker]

The four bombs detonated on three underground trains and a bus killed 52 people and injured more than 700 others. First responders and the survivors they saved will attend a commemorative service at St Paul's Cathedral, with other observances taking place across the Capitol. For NPR News, I'm Vicki Barker in London.

[Dale Willman]

Hours after the Washington Nationals were swept in a series by the Boston Red Sox Sunday, the team fired both its manager and its general manager. The nats are currently 37 and 53 in the season. It's their sixth consecutive losing season since the team won the World Series in 2019. The only other national baseball team with a worse record this season is the Colorado Rockies. The latest movie in the Jurassic park series roared into movie theaters this weekend. Jurassic World Rebirth placed first, earning $91.5 million from North American movie screens globally. It pulled in $318 million in its first week of distribution. F1, which is Brad Pitt's racing film, landed in second with $26.1 million in ticket sales. And how to Train youn Dragon fell to third, bringing in $11 million. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.

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