NPR News Now: July 10, 2025, 8 PM EDT

Released on July 11, 2025

Federal Judge Blocks Trump's Birthright Citizenship Order

00:20

In a significant legal setback for President Trump's administration, a federal judge in Concord, New Hampshire, has halted the enforcement of the controversial executive order aimed at revoking birthright citizenship for individuals born in the United States to parents without legal status. The order specifically targeted babies born to immigrants lacking legal authorization and those with temporary visas.

Kate Dario of New Hampshire Public Radio reported that the decision arises from a class action lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other organizations on behalf of three non-citizen parents and their infants. This ruling comes on the heels of a Supreme Court decision last month that curtailed the reach of injunctions from lower courts, potentially allowing Trump's citizenship order to prevail in certain states by late July.

Kody Wofc, the lead attorney for the ACLU in this case, stated emphatically, "This is going to protect every single child around the country from this lawless, unconstitutional and cruel executive order" (00:43). The judge has issued a seven-day stay on the ruling to facilitate an appeal, maintaining the current status quo until the higher court reviews the decision.

Central Texas Flooding: Death Toll Rises, Legislative Action Planned

01:29

Central Texas continues to grapple with devastating flooding nearly a week after catastrophic rains inundated the region. State officials have confirmed at least 120 fatalities, with more than 170 individuals still unaccounted for. The scale of the disaster has prompted lawmakers to convene a special session next week at the Capitol to address critical issues such as flood warning systems, emergency communications, and funding for disaster relief.

Sergeant Jonathan Lam of the Kerrville Police Department expressed gratitude towards state leadership, saying, "The governor, lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the House are strongly committed to helping our community, and we're grateful that they're making our recovery a priority in the upcoming special legislative session" (01:59). Additionally, President Trump is scheduled to visit the affected region tomorrow to assess the situation and lend support.

State Department Announces 15% Staff Reduction

02:12

In a major administrative overhaul, the U.S. State Department is reducing its Washington-based workforce by approximately 15%. NPR's Michelle Kellerman reports that this restructuring, labeled the largest in decades, includes offering early retirement packages to some employees and resulting in hundreds of job losses.

Michael Rigas, Deputy Secretary of State for Management, described the changes as part of an effort to "cut 132 offices from what he calls a bloated bureaucracy at the State Department." Rigas noted, "We've informed the staff that the department will be communicating to individuals affected by the reduction in force" (02:29). The initiative has faced criticism from former diplomats associated with the American Academy of Diplomacy, who accuse Secretary of State Marco Rubio of "gutting the department's institutional knowledge" and liken his actions to "an act of vandalism."

Wall Street Gathers Momentum

03:10

The financial markets saw a positive close on Wall Street today, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbing by 192 points. This uptick reflects investor optimism amid ongoing economic adjustments.

Los Angeles Tunnel Collapse: Safe Evacuation Reported

03:10

A partial collapse of an industrial tunnel in Los Angeles has raised concerns, but fortunately, all 31 construction workers were safely evacuated. The Los Angeles Fire Department responded swiftly to the incident, where crews were operating approximately 3,400 feet below ground and about six miles from the tunnel's sole access point when a section gave way. No injuries have been reported, and investigations into the cause of the collapse are underway.

FDA Grants Full Approval for Moderna's COVID-19 Vaccine for Young Children

03:49

In a landmark decision, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted full approval to Moderna's Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine for children aged six months to 11 years. Previously authorized under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) during the pandemic, this full approval marks a significant step in the ongoing public health response to COVID-19.

NPR's Rob Stein explains that the FDA's approval specifies the vaccine's use for children "who are at increased risk from COVID" (03:49). This move comes amid the Trump administration's efforts to restrict access to COVID vaccines, including the withdrawal of recommendations for healthy children and pregnant women to receive the shots. The approval aims to provide a more robust regulatory backing for vaccine safety and efficacy in the younger population.

Record-Breaking Auction: Birkin Bag Sells for Over $10 Million

04:30

In a remarkable event in the fashion world, the iconic Birkin bag made history by being auctioned at Sotheby's in Paris for over $10 million. Designed by legendary fashion icon Jane Birkin in 1984, the original sketch was inspired by an airplane sick bag. Crafted by the high-end retailer Hermès, the Birkin bag became a symbol of luxury and exclusivity, used by Birkin herself between 1985 and 1994.

This auction not only underscores the enduring allure of the Birkin brand but also highlights the growing trend of high-value sales in the luxury goods market. The $10 million sale sets a new benchmark for collectible handbags, reflecting their status as both fashion statements and investment pieces.

This summary excludes advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections to provide a focused overview of the key news stories covered in the NPR News Now episode from July 10, 2025.