NPR News Now – July 9, 2025, 12 PM EDT

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Description: The latest news in five minutes. Updated hourly.

Texas Floods: Ongoing Search for Victims

Overview:
Flags are flying at half staff across Texas following devastating floods over the Fourth of July weekend. Governor Greg Abbott has ordered the lowering of flags to honor the victims, with the death toll rising to 110, predominantly in Kerr County. Over 160 individuals remain unaccounted for as search efforts continue.

Key Details:

• The Guadalupe River has caused significant destruction, burying victims under debris, making recovery efforts challenging.
• Volunteers from Texas Equisearch are actively engaged in the search operations.

Notable Quotes:

• Mark Edwards, Texas Equisearch Field Operation Manager [01:06]:
  "And so we begin to remove that tree pile. And some of those tree piles were 30 and 40 foot tall, wrapped in RVs and cars up against the trees."

Conclusion:
Frank Morris of NPR reported from Kerrville, Texas, highlighting the arduous and ongoing efforts needed to locate all victims, which may take several weeks due to the extensive debris.

Supreme Court Ruling Enables Trump Administration to Proceed with Federal Layoffs

Overview:
A landmark Supreme Court decision has permitted the Trump administration to initiate layoffs affecting hundreds of thousands of federal workers across nearly 20 agencies. This move impacts major departments, including Health and Human Services, Agriculture, and the Treasury.

Key Details:

• Approximately 10,000 employees at the Department of Health and Human Services have already received layoff notices.
• Due to a prior lower court order, many affected employees remain on the payroll temporarily.
• The exact timeline for formal separations remains uncertain.

Notable Quotes:

• Andrea Hsu, NPR [01:38]:
  "For now, anyway, we don't know how soon people might be formally separated."

Conclusion:
Andrea Hsu of NPR emphasized the widespread impact of the ruling, noting the significant uncertainty faced by federal employees awaiting formal notices of separation.

Progress in Israeli-Palestinian Truce Negotiations

Overview:
Following discussions with President Trump regarding a ceasefire in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is slated to meet with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon. The administration remains hopeful for an agreement this week that would establish a truce between Israel and Hamas and facilitate the release of hostages.

Key Details:

• The talks aim to secure both a cessation of hostilities and the safe return of living and deceased hostages.
• Diplomatic efforts are intensifying to achieve a peaceful resolution.

Conclusion:
Lakshmi Singh reported optimism surrounding the potential truce, highlighting the critical meetings scheduled to advance the peace process.

Kurdish Leader Hamdela Ocalan Speaks from Prison

Overview:
In a historic first, Hamdela Ocalan, the imprisoned founder of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), has communicated publicly after decades. Ocalan has called on his militant group to disarm, marking a significant development in Kurdish-Turkish relations.

Key Details:

• Ocalan has been incarcerated since 1999 and is a revered figure among many Kurds.
• Despite the PKK being designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey and the U.S., Ocalan's message may influence future Kurdish actions.

Notable Quotes:

• Hamdela Ocalan [02:33]:
  (While the exact words from the video are not provided in the transcript, the summary indicates his call for disarmament.)

Conclusion:
Jayna Raf reported from NPR, underscoring the importance of Ocalan's address and its potential implications for peace and stability in the region.

Stock Market Updates

Nvidia Surpasses $4 Trillion Valuation

Overview:
Nvidia made history by becoming the first public company to exceed a $4 trillion market value, driven by the booming artificial intelligence sector.

Key Details:

• Shares increased by 2.5%, reaching over $164 each in early trading.

Leadership Changes at X (Elon Musk's Company)

Overview:
Linda Yaccarino, a seasoned advertising executive, has stepped down as CEO of X, Elon Musk's social media platform.

Key Details:

• Yaccarino announced her departure via a message on X.
• The transition heralds a new chapter for the company, potentially integrating more with Musk's AI ventures.

Notable Quotes:

• Linda Yaccarino [03:xx]:
  "The best is yet to come as X enters a new chapter with Musk's AI company Xai."
  (Timestamp not specified; approximate based on transcript flow.)

Sean Combs Set for Sentencing on Sex Trafficking Charges

Overview:
Hip-hop mogul Sean Combs awaits sentencing following a split verdict in his sex trafficking trial. He faces two counts of transportation for prostitution, with a potential sentence of up to 20 years for each.

Key Details:

• Sean Combs was acquitted of the more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.
• An official sentencing date is scheduled for October 3rd.
• Combs has been in custody for over a year, which will be credited towards his final sentence.

Notable Quotes:

• Isabella Sarmiento, NPR [04:06]:
  "Judge Arun Subramanian will announce his sentence on October 3rd. At that point, the rapper and entrepreneur will have been in custody for more than a year."

Conclusion:
Isabella Sarmiento highlighted the legal proceedings and the implications of the upcoming sentencing for Sean Combs.

Market Performance Summary

Overview:
U.S. stock markets are experiencing gains this hour.

Key Details:

• Dow Jones Industrial Average: Up 88 points to 44,329.
• S&P 500: Increased by 19 points.
• Nasdaq Composite: Rose 115 points to 20,533.

Conclusion:
Lakshmi Singh provided a brief update on the positive movement in major stock indices, reflecting investor optimism.

Note: Advertisements and non-content sections have been excluded from this summary to focus on the core news segments.