NPR News: 07-08-2025 6AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: July 8, 2025, 6AM EDT

Hosted by Kristen Wright

---

1. Catastrophic Flash Flooding in Texas

Overview: Five days have passed since severe flash flooding devastated Texas, leading to a tragic loss of over 100 lives. The city of Kerrville has been particularly hard-hit, bearing the brunt of the disaster.

Key Developments:

• Mayor's Statement: Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring expressed profound gratitude for the global assistance received. He emphasized the importance of organized volunteer efforts, urging those willing to help to register with the Salvation Army to ensure coordinated search and rescue operations.

  "We need focused and coordinated volunteers, not random people just showing up and doing what they do." – Dan Katz, Texas Public Radio Reporter [00:46]

• State Response: In response to criticisms about the initial handling of weather alerts and the absence of an early warning siren system, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick assured that the state would fund the installation of a siren system in Kerrville by next summer if the city lacks the resources.

• Ongoing Rescue Efforts: The search and rescue operations remain intensive, with thousands involved in locating the missing and assisting affected families.

---

2. International Relations and Diplomatic Initiatives

Nobel Peace Prize Nomination: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made headlines by nominating U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, recognizing his efforts towards peace in the Middle East.

"I want to present to you, Mr. President, the letter I sent to the Nobel Prize Committee. It's nominating you for the Peace Prize, which is well deserved." – Benjamin Netanyahu [01:28]

Ceasefire Efforts Between Israel and Hamas: Netanyahu is currently in Washington to collaborate with U.S. officials aiming to broker a 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, striving to end the prolonged conflict in Gaza.

Discussions on Iran: Amidst the peace talks, both leaders are also addressing the situation with Iran, following its recent 12-day conflict with Israel. Notably, the U.S. coordinated an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities last month. President Trump announced plans to engage with Iranian officials in the upcoming weeks to navigate this complex geopolitical landscape.

U.S. Tariffs on Trade Partners: President Trump declared a 25% tariff on goods imported from major trading partners, including Japan and South Korea. He has sent letters to these countries outlining the new rates and expressing willingness to enter negotiations. The deadline for the new tariffs to take effect is set for August 1st.

---

3. Jeffrey Epstein Investigation

The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released findings indicating no evidence that the deceased Jeffrey Epstein maintained a client list or engaged in blackmailing influential individuals.

Details from the Investigation:

• Dan Katz's Report: An unsigned two-page memo outlines the exhaustive review conducted by the DOJ, concluding that Epstein died by suicide in his federal lockup in New York City in August 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.

  "Those are some of the conclusions contained in an unsigned two page memo outlining the quote, unquote exhaustive review the department conducted of the Epstein files in its possession." – Dan Katz [02:27]

• Public Skepticism: Despite the official findings, conspiracy theories persist due to Epstein's connections with the wealthy and powerful. Attorney General Pam Bondi acknowledged ongoing reviews, maintaining that certain documents, such as the alleged client list, are still under examination.

  "It's sitting on my desk right now to review." – Attorney General Pam Bondi [02:27]

---

4. Surge in Measles Cases Across the United States

The United States has reported its highest number of measles cases since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000, with over 1,200 confirmed cases this year alone.

Epidemiological Insights:

• Regional Impact: The outbreak spans more than three dozen states, including the District of Columbia. Texas records the highest number of cases at 753, although the rate of new infections is decreasing in the state.

• Health Implications: Nationwide, 155 individuals have been hospitalized, and three have died as a result of measles. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) attributes the majority of cases to unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination statuses.

  "Measles is highly contagious, but it is vaccine preventable. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the vast majority of measles cases have been in unvaccinated people or those whose vaccination status is unknown." – Maria Godoy, NPR Reporter [03:30]

---

5. Legal Action Against Health Secretary Over COVID-19 Vaccination Policies

The American Academy of Pediatrics, along with several other public health organizations, has initiated a lawsuit against Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. This legal action challenges his decision to discontinue recommendations for COVID-19 vaccinations for healthy children and pregnant women.

Arguments Presented:

• Grounds for Lawsuit: The plaintiffs argue that the policy is baseless and lacks scientific backing, thereby endangering the health of pregnant women and children alike.

  "The suit calls the policy baseless and uninformed and one that leaves pregnant women and all children at grave risk." – Kristen Wright [04:09]

---

6. Philadelphia's Municipal Workers Strike and Waste Management Crisis

Philadelphia is grappling with a mounting trash problem as municipal workers have been on strike for a week. The strike, involving approximately 9,000 city workers, centers around demands for better pay.

City's Response:

• Temporary Solutions: In an attempt to manage the situation, the city has established temporary drop-off sites for trash. However, these measures have proven insufficient, leading to widespread dumping of various types of waste.

• Negotiations: Efforts to resume negotiations between the city and the workers' union are scheduled for the day, aiming to resolve the strike and restore regular waste management services.

---

Advertisements Skipped

• Progressive Insurance: Information about the "Name Your Price" tool for finding budget-friendly car insurance.

• Mint Mobile: Promotion of premium wireless plans offering high-speed data, unlimited talk and text, and nationwide coverage.

---

For those seeking comprehensive updates on these stories and more, tuning into NPR News Now provides timely and detailed reporting to keep you informed.

Transcript

[Progressive Insurance]

This message comes from Progressive Insurance and the name your price tool. It helps you find car insurance options in your budget. Try it [e-mail], progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Price and coverage match, limited by state law, not available in all states.

[Kristen Wright]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Kristen Wright. Today is the fifth day since catastrophic flash flooding swept through Texas. The number of lives lost has surpassed 100. Dan Katz from Texas Public Radio reports most of the victims were in the city of Kerrville.

[Joe Herring]

Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring says he's grateful for the help that's been offered from around the world since the catastrophic July 4th flood. He encourages people who want to volunteer for search and rescue efforts to first register with the Salvation Army.

[Dan Katz]

We need focused and coordinated volunteers, not random people just showing up and doing what they do.

[Benjamin Netanyahu]

We need to work together.

[Joe Herring]

The massive search and rescue effort for the missing continues to. For NPR News, I'm Dan Katz.

[Kristen Wright]

Questions are intensifying over how officials reacted to weather alerts forecasting the possibility of flash flooding and the lack of an early warning siren system. Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick told Fox News Monday the state would pay for a system in Kerrville by next summer if the city can't afford it. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he's nominating President Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize. He shared this with the president at the White House yesterday.

[Benjamin Netanyahu]

I want to present to you, Mr. President, the letter I sent to the Nobel Prize Committee. It's nominating you for the Peace Prize, which is well deserved.

[Kristen Wright]

Netanyahu is in Washington as the US tries to advance a 60 day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to bring an end to the war in Gaza. The two leaders are also discussing Iran in the wake of its 12 day war with Israel. Israel and Washington coordinated a US attack on Iranian nuclear facilities last month. Trump says he plans to meet with Iranian officials in the next week or so. President Trump set a 25% tariff on goods from major trading partners, Japan and South Korea, and shared letters he sent to several countries setting new rates and offering negotiations. The new tariff deadline is August 1st. The Justice Department and the FBI say they found no evidence that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who died in prison, kept a client list or blackmailed prominent associates. NPR's Ryan Lucas reports.

[Dan Katz]

Those are some of the conclusions contained in an unsigned two page memo outlining the quote, unquote exhaustive review the department conducted of the Epstein files in its possession. The memo also states that Epstein died by suicide, which aligns with previous department findings. Epstein died at a federal lockup in New York City in August 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. His death fueled conspiracy theories, in large part because of his ties to the rich and powerful. It's unclear whether the DOJ review and its conclusions will tamp down those theories, particularly since Attorney General Pam Bondi said when asked in February about an alleged Epstein client list that, quote, it's sitting on my desk right now to review. Ryan Lucas, NPR News, Washington.

[Kristen Wright]

You're listening to NPR News from Washington. The US has now reported the highest number of measles cases since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000. NPR's Maria Godori reports. DIS data from a study at Johns Hopkins shows more than 1200 cases this year.

[Maria Godoy]

The previous high was reached in 2019, and this year is only halfway over. Measles cases have been confirmed by more than three dozen states, plus the District of Columbia. The largest outbreak by far is in Texas. The State has reported 753 measles cases this year, though the outbreak there has slowed. Across the US 155 people have been hospitalized and three people have died. Measles is highly contagious, but it is vaccine preventable. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the vast majority of measles cases have been in unvaccinated people or those whose vaccination status is unknown. Maria Godoy, NPR News.

[Kristen Wright]

The American Academy of Pediatrics and several other public health organizations are suing Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Over his decision to stop recommending COVID 19 vaccinations for healthy children and pregnant women. The suit calls the policy baseless and uninformed and one that leaves pregnant women and all children at grave risk. Mounds of trash are piling up in Philadelphia. Municipal workers have been on strike for a week now. The union represents about 9,000 city workers. They want better pay. Negotiations are supposed to resume today. The city has set up temporary drop off trash sites, but it's having trouble with people dumping all kinds of things. I'm Kristen Wright, and this is NPR News in Washington.

[Progressive Insurance]

This message comes from Mint Mobile. Mint Mobile took what's wrong with wireless and made it right. They offer premium wireless plans for less. And all plans include high speed data, unlimited talk and text and nationwide coverage. See for [e-mail] Switch.