NPR News: 07-08-2025 5AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: July 8, 2025, 5 AM EDT

Hosted by NPR

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Catastrophic Flooding Devastates Central Texas

Timestamp: [00:19]

NPR's Giles Snyder opens the episode with a heartbreaking update on the catastrophic flooding that has ravaged Central Texas. The disaster has claimed over 100 lives, with dozens still missing, including 10 individuals from Camp Mystic, a Christian retreat for girls. The situation remains dire as emergency services continue their relentless search and rescue operations.

Timestamp: [00:43]
Reporter: Greg Allen

Greg Allen reports from Kerrville, one of the hardest-hit areas, describing the extensive efforts underway:

"Hundreds of emergency workers and volunteers are combing through downed trees, mud, and debris along the Guadalupe River. Some victims have been recovered from vehicles they became trapped in during the flood." [00:43]

Timestamp: [01:00]
Volunteer: Tricia Boswell

Tricia Boswell, a volunteer with Texas Equisearch, emphasizes the collective mission of the rescue teams:

"We all have the same goal, just find that person. We don't care who it is. We want to find a person that's missing and reunite them with their family." [01:00]

Despite the massive scale of the search, local officials note that over 60 miles of river remain to be searched, a monumental task given that each mile can take several hours to thoroughly inspect.

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Immigration Raid Sparks Tensions in Los Angeles

Timestamp: [01:20]

Giles Snyder transitions to Los Angeles, where a recent federal immigration raid at MacArthur Park has ignited controversy and condemnation from local authorities.

Timestamp: [01:51]
Reporter: Steve Futterman

Steve Futterman details the incident:

"Dozens of federal immigration agents, some of them heavily armed, some in armored vehicles, others on horseback, suddenly swept into MacArthur Park in the heart of LA's immigration population." [01:51]

Timestamp: [02:12]
Mayor: Karen Bass

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass sharply criticized the operation:

"It's to say to immigrants that they need to stay home, they shouldn't go to work, they shouldn't go to school, because we're coming after you." [02:12]

The raid drew particular ire as Mayor Bass highlighted that children were present in the park during the operation, intensifying the backlash against federal authorities. In contrast, Customs and Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino appeared on Fox News to downplay the incident:

"Louisiana should get used to this because it's going to be normal very soon." [02:20]

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Philadelphia Faces Municipal Strike Amid Garbage Accumulation

Timestamp: [02:38]

In Philadelphia, a municipal strike involving nearly 9,000 city workers has left residents grappling with piled-up garbage and disrupted services.

Timestamp: [02:49]
Resident: Rich Kirchner

Local resident Rich Kirchner expresses his frustration:

"I just wish that the city and the union could get together and get this solved. This is the worst time of the year. Got trash sitting out on the curb rotting." [02:49]

The strike has not only halted trash pickup but has also impacted essential services, including 911 dispatch. Both city officials and union leaders are slated to resume negotiations later in the day in hopes of resolving the impasse.

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International Relations: Netanyahu Nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

In an unexpected development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has nominated former U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. The announcement was made during a dinner meeting at the White House, where Netanyahu and Trump engaged in lengthy discussions amid ongoing indirect talks between Israel and Hamas in Qatar regarding a potential 60-day ceasefire in Gaza.

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Alarming Decline in Children's Health in the United States

Timestamp: [03:50]

A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reveals a significant decline in the health of U.S. children over the past decade.

Reporter: Maria Godoy

Maria Godoy reports on the findings:

"The percentage of U.S. kids and teens with one or more chronic diseases rose by about 20% between 2011 and 2020. In particular, the prevalence of depression, anxiety, sleep apnea, and obesity all increased. So did symptoms like poor sleep, limited activity, and loneliness." [03:50]

The study further highlights that from 2007 to 2022, U.S. infants and teens were approximately 80% more likely to die compared to their peers in other high-income nations. Key factors include:

• Infants: Sudden, unexpected infant death and prematurity.
• Older Kids and Adolescents: Firearm injuries and motor vehicle crashes.

These statistics underscore a growing public health crisis affecting the younger population in the United States.

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Economic Update: Stock Markets Rise Amid New Tariffs

Timestamp: [04:35]

In economic news, Asian stock markets generally closed higher today. This uptick occurred despite President Donald Trump announcing a new 25% tariff on products imported from Japan and South Korea, along with goods from a dozen other countries. The tariffs, which Trump disclosed via social media, are slated to take effect on August 1st. Market reactions remain cautiously optimistic as investors digest the potential long-term impacts of these trade policies.

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Closing Notes

Timestamp: [04:53]

In closing segments, Jael Snyder transitions listeners, followed by an advertisement from Saatva promoting their mattresses designed to improve sleep quality.

This summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and developments presented in the July 8, 2025, episode of NPR News Now. For comprehensive coverage and real-time updates, listeners are encouraged to tune into NPR.

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For more information, visit NPR's official website or access the episode through your preferred podcast platform.

Transcript

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[Giles Snyder]

In Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. The catastrophic flooding across Central Texas has claimed more lives. A number of dead has topped 100, and dozens remain missing, including 10 and a counselor from Camp mystic, the Christian retreat for girls. NPR's Greg Allen is in Kerrville, one of the hardest hit areas. He reports on the ongoing search and rescue operation.

[Greg Allen]

Hundreds of emergency workers and volunteers are combing through downed trees, mud and debris along the Guadalupe River. Some victims have been recovered from vehicles they became trapped in during the flood. Tricia Boswell, a volunteer with Texas Equisearch, has been scanning debris piles on the river from an airboat.

[Tricia Boswell]

We all have the same goal, just find that person. We don't care who it is. We want to find a person that's missing and reunite them with their family.

[Greg Allen]

Local officials say there are more than 60 miles of river to search, and even with large crews, checking a single mile can take several hours. Greg Allen, NPR News, Kerrville, Texas.

[Giles Snyder]

Questions about the local response to the floods are intensifying. Some state officials are suggesting they did not get adequate warning. Texas Lt. Govern says sirens may have made the difference and that the state will step up and pay for installing a flash flood warning system in Kerrville by next summer if local governments cannot afford it. Los Angeles officials are condemning federal authorities over an immigration raid Monday at a downtown park. Steve Futterman has details.

[Steve Futterman]

It happened in the late morning. Dozens of federal immigration agents, some of them heavily armed, some in armored vehicles, others on horseback, suddenly swept into MacArthur park in the heart of LA's immigration population. Mayor Karen Bass immediately showed up. After around an hour, the agents left. Bass blasted what she called an act of intimidation.

[Karen Bass]

It's to say to immigrants that they need to stay home, they shouldn't go to work, they shouldn't go to school, because we're coming after you.

[Steve Futterman]

Among those in the park, according to the mayor, was a group of children attending summer camp. On Fox News, a Customs and Border Patrol chief, Gregory Bovino, said, Louisiana should get used to this because it's going to be normal very soon. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Los Angeles.

[Giles Snyder]

To Philadelphia now, where residents like Rich Kirchner want to see a quick resolution to the municipal strike that has left garbage on the streets.

[Rich Kirchner]

I just wish that the city and the union could get together and get this solved. This is the worst time of the year. Got trash sitting out on the curb rotting.

[Giles Snyder]

Nearly 9,000 city workers have been on strike for just over a week, not only affecting trash pickup, but other city services, including 911 dispatch. City officials and union leaders are expected to resume talks today. This is npr. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he is nominating President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. He made the announcement during their dinner meeting at the White House House last night. Trump and Netanyahu met for several hours as Israel and Hamas engaged in indirect talks in Qatar on a potential 60 day ceasefire in Gaza. A new study in the journal JAMA finds the health of the nation's children has significantly worsened across several key indicators since 2007. As NPR's Maria Godoy reports, researchers found.

[Maria Godoy]

That the percentage of U.S. kids and teens with one or more chronic diseases rose by about 20% between 2011 and 2020. In particular, the prevalence of depression, anxiety, sleep apnea and obesity all increased. So did symptoms like poor sleep, limited activity and loneliness. The study also found that between 2007 and 2022, US infants and teens were around 80% more likely to die compared to their peers in other high income nations. Among infants, these disparities were driven largely by sudden, unexpected infant death and prematurity. In older kids and adolescents, the gap was fueled by firearm injuries and motor vehicle crashes. Maria Godoy, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

Stocks mostly higher in Asia today. Shares rose even as President Trump set a new 25% tariff on products imported from Japan and South Korea, as well as on goods on a dozen other countries. Trump posted notice of the new levy rates on social media. They are to go into effect on August 1st.

[Karen Bass]

Jael.

[Giles Snyder]

I'm Jael Snyder. This is NPR News.

[Jael Snyder]

This message comes from Saatva. Getting quality sleep can improve athletic abilities, increase energy and boost memory and learning. Saatva mattresses are designed to promote that kind of sleep. Save $200 on $1,000 or [e-mail] NPR.