NPR News Now: July 8, 2025, 2PM EDT
Hosted by NPR, this episode of NPR News Now delivers the latest headlines in five minutes. Here is a comprehensive summary of the key topics discussed.
1. Texas Flash Floods and Legislative Response
[00:15] Lakshmi Singh opens the episode with a report on the devastating flash floods in Central Texas, bringing the death toll to over 100. In response, Texas lawmakers are convening in Austin for a special session focused on disaster response.
[00:36] Andrew Schneider from Houston Public Media delves into the legislative efforts, highlighting a previously failed bill during the regular session. This bill aimed to allocate half a billion dollars for a grant program to help local governments build new emergency communications infrastructure.
[00:55] Christopher Wolff, a political science professor at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, expresses optimism about the bill's prospects in the special session. He states, “I do think that this would have us a good chance of passing, in part because the other things in the special session are not as controversial as special sessions have been in the past” [00:55].
[01:06] Schneider notes that Governor Greg Abbott controls the special session agenda, ensuring that disaster response remains the focal point. However, Abbott has not committed to reintroducing the previously stalled bill, leaving some uncertainty about its fate.
2. Lawsuit Against Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Over Vaccine Policies
[01:22] Lakshmi Singh introduces a significant legal development involving six medical groups suing Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. This lawsuit contests Kennedy's recent decisions and statements regarding vaccine policies amid the emergence of a new COVID variant in the United States.
[01:38] Will Stone from NPR provides detailed coverage of the lawsuit, describing it as a "42 page complaint" that outlines Kennedy's actions since assuming leadership of the Department of Health and Human Services. The complaint alleges that Kennedy has exhibited "a clear pattern of hostility toward the established scientific process and installed people with anti-vaccine views in positions of authority" [01:38].
Stone further explains that the core of the lawsuit revolves around Kennedy's decision-making concerning the COVID vaccine schedule, challenging the validity and safety protocols of the vaccines under his administration.
3. Escalation in the Israel-Hamas Conflict
[02:06] Lakshmi Singh shifts focus to the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas, reporting casualties on both sides.
[02:26] Hadil Al Shal of NPR News provides a harrowing account of a recent Hamas attack in Gaza that resulted in the deaths of five Israeli soldiers and injuries to 14 others. She reports, “The Israeli military said that Hamas had booby trapped a combat zone in the Beit Hanoun area in northern Gaza. It said Israeli soldiers were walking through the area on foot when the explosive devices detonated, killing five soldiers and wounding 14 others” [02:26].
The attack involved the detonation of explosive devices and active firing by militants during the evacuation of wounded soldiers. The region of Beit Hanoun has been a significant target for Israeli military operations since the war began in 2023. According to Al Shal, over 800 Israeli soldiers and more than 57,000 Palestinians have been killed in the ongoing conflict [02:26].
4. Diplomatic Efforts Towards a Ceasefire Between the U.S. and Israel
[03:10] Lakshmi Singh continues with updates on diplomatic engagements aimed at de-escalating the Israel-Hamas conflict. President Donald Trump is set to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss strategies focused primarily on Gaza.
[03:22] Steve Witkoff, Special East Envoy, reports on the progress of these discussions. He mentions that after two days of negotiations, four issues were initially on the table, now streamlined to a single critical point. Witkoff expresses optimism, stating, “they're hopeful that by the end of this week there will be an agreement that'll lead to a 60 day ceasefire” [03:22].
The proposed deal includes provisions for the release of ten live hostages and the recovery of nine deceased hostages, aiming to reduce tensions and pave the way for longer-term peace efforts.
5. U.S.-EU Tariffs and Their Impact on French Winemakers
[04:04] Eleanor Beardsley from NPR reports on the escalating trade tensions between the United States and the European Union, specifically focusing on the potential imposition of tariffs that could adversely affect French winemakers.
[04:09] Christopher Wolff comments on the situation, noting the historical context of tariffs on wine. “It's been zero percent tariffs for decades, maybe for centuries. And I don't think that that's what killed the US Economy” [04:09].
[04:17] Pierre Vincent Girardin, a winemaker and exporter from Meursault, Burgundy, expresses concern over the proposed tariffs. He argues that a 20% tariff would severely harm his business and jeopardize the tens of thousands of U.S. jobs linked to the French wine market. Girardin points out that despite booming business in the U.S., such tariffs could negate these gains [04:17].
[04:26] Wolff further elaborates, stating, “By being protectionist and nationalist, you won't really put the US Wines higher” [04:26]. This sentiment echoes among French winemakers who fear that the tariffs will not drive American consumers towards U.S. wines but instead lead to a decline in overall wine trade health.
6. U.S. Stock Market Brief
[04:45] Concluding the episode, Lakshmi Singh provides a brief update on the U.S. stock market, noting that the Dow Jones Industrial Average has fallen by 129 points [04:45]. This downturn reflects broader economic uncertainties and the impact of ongoing global tensions.
Stay informed with NPR News Now for timely updates and in-depth reporting on the day's most pressing issues.