NPR News: 07-07-2025 5PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: July 7, 2025

1. Catastrophic Flooding in Central Texas

The latest updates from Central Texas reveal ongoing search and rescue operations following devastating floods that have resulted in nearly 90 fatalities. Windsor Johnston reports from Washington:

"Search and rescue operations continue in Central Texas following catastrophic flooding that has left close to 90 people dead." [00:25]

Dalton Rice, the city manager of Kerrville, one of the hardest-hit areas, highlighted the significant challenges faced by first responders:

"Volunteers stay out of the way because if we start getting weather reports and all, you know, in all the other complications that are out there, we then have to pull off of those search and rescue missions to be able to communicate to those volunteers to get off to make sure that they don't become victims themselves." [00:49]

With more rain anticipated, officials warn that rescue efforts could be further impeded, potentially increasing the death toll. In response to the disaster, President Trump has declared a disaster area for Kerr County and is scheduled to visit the region on Friday.

2. Diplomatic Efforts for a Ceasefire in Gaza

In international news, President Trump is set to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. NPR's Daniel Estrin provides insights into the anticipated discussions:

"Netanyahu is expected to remain in Washington until Thursday. He said talks with Trump could help with a deal in Gaza." [01:40]

Negotiations between Israeli and Hamas representatives commenced on Sunday in Doha, Qatar. Mediators are facilitating discussions to establish a 60-day ceasefire, which includes:

• Hamas agreeing to release half of the hostages held in Gaza.
• Israel planning to release Palestinian prisoners.
• Initiating talks aimed at a final resolution to the conflict in Gaza.

This ceasefire could pave the way for increased diplomatic relations between Israel and other Arab and Muslim-majority countries.

3. Elon Musk’s Ambitious Political Venture

Tech mogul Elon Musk is charting a new path in American politics by announcing the formation of a new political party, the America Party. NPR's Bobby Allen details Musk's platform and the potential implications for the U.S. political landscape:

"Musk says he's starting the America Party. He says it'll appeal to voters in the Middle." [02:38]

Key pillars of the America Party include:

• Gun Rights
• Bitcoin Adoption
• Reducing the National Debt
• Protecting Free Speech

Political scientist Lee Drummond emphasizes Musk's capacity to influence politics:

"Because our two parties are so tightly balanced for control of Washington, it doesn't take a ton of money to disrupt the two-party system right now." [02:56]

However, not everyone is supportive of Musk's political foray. President Trump criticized the move:

"Musk's push for a new political party shows he's off the rails." [03:07]

4. Economic Snapshot: Stock Market Declines

In financial news, Wall Street experienced a downturn today. Windsor Johnston reports:

"Stocks traded lower on Wall Street today. The Dow was down 422 points. The Nasdaq fell 188." [03:13]

This decline reflects investor concerns amid ongoing economic and geopolitical uncertainties.

5. Resurgence of Measles in the United States

Public health officials are raising alarms as measles cases in the U.S. reach their highest levels in 25 years, after the virus was previously declared eliminated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed over 1,200 cases this year, with significant outbreaks in Kentucky and several other states.

6. Mental Health Crisis and the 988 Helpline

A recent study highlighted barriers to accessing the newly launched 988 Suicide in Crisis Lifeline. NPR's Ritu Chatterjee explains:

"In 2023, a year after the launch of the 988 Suicide in Crisis Lifeline, researchers at NYU surveyed 5,000 people across the country." [04:00]

Findings indicate that:

• 23% are open to seeking help through any avenue, including 988.
• 13% prefer reaching out to friends and family but avoid using 988.

Study author Jonathan Purdle emphasized the importance of this issue:

"People who experienced a crisis in the past 30 days were more likely to be in this group, which is important because people who are not doing so well in the past 30 days, this is probably a population we would love to reach out to, 988 for help because there's a lot of potential for 988 to benefit this group." [04:29]

The study, published in Health Affairs, underscores the need for increased outreach and education to encourage those in crisis to utilize the 988 helpline.

7. Weather Alert: Tropical Depression Chantal

Residents in the southeastern United States should brace for more adverse weather as Tropical Depression Chantal progresses across southern and eastern Virginia. Windsor Johnston alerts:

"Heavy rain is expected there and in parts of Delaware and southern New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The National Weather Service says there's a threat of flash flooding." [04:44]

Authorities urge preparedness and caution in these regions to mitigate the impacts of potential flash floods.

---

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the July 7, 2025, episode of NPR News Now, providing listeners with a detailed overview of the day's most pressing news topics.

Transcript

[Unknown Speaker]

The House of Representatives has approved a White House request to claw back two years of previously approved funding for public media. The rescissions package now moves on to the Senate. This move poses a serious threat to local stations and public media as we know it. Please take a stand for public media [e-mail] thank you.

[Windsor Johnston]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Search and rescue operations continue in Central Texas following catastrophic flooding that has left close to 90 people dead. Dalton Rice is the city manager of Kerrville, one of the hardest hit areas. He says first responders are facing a number of technical challenges, terrain with water.

[Dalton Rice]

Even potentially, you know, with weather, you know, in the rising fields. We've talked about this before. Volunteers stay out of the way because if we start getting weather reports and all, you know, in all the, the other complications that are out there, we then have to pull off of those search and rescue missions to be able to communicate to those volunteers to get off to make sure that they don't become victims themselves.

[Windsor Johnston]

With more rain in the forecast, officials warn that search and recovery efforts could be hampered and the death toll may climb even higher. President Trump has declared a disaster declaration for Kerr county and is expected to visit the region on Friday. The president is preparing to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House tonight. NPR's Daniel Estrin reports. The two leaders are expected to discuss a potential ceasefire in Gaza this week.

[Daniel Estrin]

Netanyahu is expected to remain in Washington until Thursday. He said talks with Trump could help with a deal in Gaza. Israeli and Hamas negotiators began talks Sunday in Doha, Qatar. Mediators tell NPR they're shuttling between the Israeli and Hamas delegations on different floors of the same hotel. They're working out the details of a 60 day ceasefire. Hamas would agree to release half of the living hostages it still holds in Gaza. Israel would release Palestinian prisoners, and the sides would start discussing a final end to the war in Gaza. Trump and Netanyahu are expected to discuss the terms of ending the war, which could lead to more Arab and Muslim countries opening diplomatic relations with Israel. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Windsor Johnston]

Tech billionaire Elon Musk is starting to define the platform of a new political party he's pledging to start. NPR's Bobby Allen reports. The push comes amid a growing rift between Musk and President Trump.

[Bobby Allen]

Musk says he's starting the America Party. He says it'll appeal to voters in the Middle. Musk wrote on X that the party will embrace gun rights, bitcoin, cutting the national debt and free speech. Political scientist Lee Drummond with the New America think tank says Musk's net worth is nearly $400 billion and he could make that a political war chest, could.

[Lee Drummond]

Be a force of major disruption. Because our two parties are so tightly balanced for control of Washington, it doesn't take a ton of money to disrupt the two party system. Right now.

[Bobby Allen]

President Trump says Musk's push for a new political party shows he's off the rails. Bobby Allen, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

Stocks traded lower on Wall street today. The dow was down 422 points. The Nasdaq fell 188. This is NPR News from Washington. The number of measles cases in the US has hit its highest level since the virus was declared eliminated 25 years ago. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports more than 1200 confirmed cases of the virus this year. There's a measles outbreak in Kentucky and in several other states right now. A new study finds that some people are not inclined to call the 988 helpline during a mental health crisis. N NPR's Ritu Chatterjee reports. Those people are often the ones who can benefit the most from help.

[Ritu Chatterjee]

In 2023, a year after the launch of the 988 Suicide in Crisis Lifeline, researchers at NYU surveyed 5,000 people across the country. Nearly 23% said they're open to seeking help anywhere, including 988amental health care provider or a friend. And 13% was willing to reach out to friends and family but did definitely not. 988. Study author Jonathan Purdle says people who experienced a crisis in the past 30 days were more likely to be in.

[Jonathan Purdle]

This group, which is important because people who are not doing so well in the past 30 days, this is probably a population we would love to reach out to, 988 for help because there's a lot of potential for 988 to benefit this group.

[Ritu Chatterjee]

The findings are published in Health Affairs. Ritu Chatterjee, NPR News.

[Windsor Johnston]

Tropical Depression Chantal is moving across parts of southern and eastern Virginia. Heavy rain is expected there and in parts of Delaw and southern New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The National Weather Service says there's a threat of flash flooding. I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News, in Washington.

[Unknown Speaker]

Listen to this podcast sponsor free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app, by subscribing to NPR news [e-mail] that's plus.NPR.org.