NPR News Now: July 10, 2025, 7AM EDT

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Flood Risks in Central Texas Exceed Previous Estimates

[00:19] Jeanine Herbst opens the episode with alarming news from Central Texas, where recent floodwaters have been devastating the region. NPR and data scientists have uncovered that at least 17 buildings and cabins at campsites are at greater risk than initially reported. The floods have tragically resulted in over 120 deaths and left more than 160 individuals missing.

Laura Sullivan delves deeper into the issue, explaining that an analysis by climate modeling company First Street revealed significant shortcomings in FEMA's flood risk assessments. "FEMA failed to properly account for the threat from rainfall when developing its maps," Sullivan reports [00:43]. This oversight isn't confined to just Camp Mystic; FEMA's maps undercount the number of homes in danger throughout the country, primarily because the agency has historically focused on tidal surges and river data.

Sullivan highlights that special interest groups, such as Home Builders Associations, have often lobbied against increased funding for FEMA, exacerbating the problem. At Camp Mystic specifically, at least eight buildings, including cabins for younger campers, are situated within a floodway, a high-velocity water zone. "The area was swamped with floodwaters, blamed for at least 120 deaths," Sullivan emphasizes, underscoring the urgent need for more comprehensive flood mapping and preparedness measures.

U.S. Response to Russian Assault on Ukraine

Transitioning to international affairs, Jeanine Herbst reports on another night of Russian bombardment in Ukraine, which has resulted in at least two fatalities. In response, President Trump has announced a 50% tariff on imports from Brazil, marking a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy. However, this move is distinct from recent actions Trump has taken.

Tom Bowman provides further insight [01:27], explaining that Trump’s decision to send additional weapons to Ukraine comes after he overruled Pentagon leaders who had previously announced a pause. "We are going to send more weapons. We have to. They have to be able to defend themselves," Trump asserted [01:47]. Although the specifics remain unclear, it is expected that Patriot missiles will be among the supplies, with approximately 30 missiles currently held in Poland. These missiles have been instrumental in intercepting incoming Russian threats, according to a U.S. official.

Trump Imposes New Tariffs on Brazil Amid Political Tensions

Back to economic policies, Jeanine Herbst relays that President Trump has imposed a 50% tariff on imports from Brazil, a move that stands out from his other recent tariffs. Daniel Kurtzleben reports [02:23] that unlike Trump's previous letters, which focused solely on trade imbalances, the letter to Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva took on a more political tone.

Trump continued his rhetoric by referencing what he claims is a "witch hunt against former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro", who is currently facing trial for an alleged attempted coup against Lula. Bolsonaro, whom Trump has long supported, lost his bid for re-election in 2022 to Lula. The aftermath saw Bolsonaro's supporters storming the Capitol in Brasilia, drawing parallels to similar events in the United States.

Legal Challenges to Trump's Birthright Citizenship Restrictions

In domestic legal news, Jeanine Herbst highlights that a class-action lawsuit challenging President Trump's restrictions on birthright citizenship will be heard in federal court in New Hampshire today. The ACLU has filed the suit, aiming to block Trump's January order that denies citizenship to babies born to undocumented or temporary residents. The ACLU contends that the 14th Amendment of the Constitution unequivocally guarantees citizenship to individuals born on U.S. soil.

Several federal judges have previously issued injunctions against this order, but the Supreme Court recently limited those rulings, allowing the legal battle to continue across multiple states. This case underscores the ongoing tensions and debates surrounding immigration policies and constitutional rights.

Environmental Concerns: Over 16,000 Chemicals in Plastics Identified

Shifting focus to environmental issues, Will Stone reports on a groundbreaking study that has identified more than 16,000 chemicals present in plastics. This comprehensive review, conducted by scientists from Norway and Switzerland, revealed that a significant portion of these chemicals are considered chemicals of concern due to their potential risks to human health.

Among the identified substances are bisphenols, phthalates, and PFAS (forever chemicals), which are ubiquitous in products ranging from toys and food packaging to tires. Stone notes, "The sheer number of chemicals is far beyond what governments and manufacturers can study to ensure their safety," highlighting the staggering reality that nearly 11,000 out of the 16,000 chemicals lack official hazard classifications. The study, published in the journal Nature, suggests that many of these harmful chemicals could be replaced with safer alternatives, presenting both a challenge and an opportunity for environmental and public health.

Market Update

Concluding the episode, Jeanine Herbst provides a brief update on the financial markets, mentioning that U.S. futures contracts are trading lower at that hour.

This summary is intended to provide an overview of the key topics discussed in the NPR News Now episode released on July 10, 2025. For more detailed information, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full episode.