NPR News Now: July 11, 2025, 12PM EDT

Host: Windsor Johnston
Producer: NPR
Duration: Approximately 5 minutes

1. Catastrophic Flooding in Texas

[00:16]
Windsor Johnston opens the episode by reporting on President Donald Trump's visit to Texas to assess the aftermath of the devastating floods that struck the state a week prior. The disaster has resulted in a tragic death toll, with at least 120 fatalities and over 170 individuals still missing. Rescue operations are ongoing as teams work tirelessly to find survivors amidst the widespread destruction.

2. President Trump's Response and Future Flood Mitigation

[00:45]
Tamara Keith provides an in-depth look at the ongoing search efforts, highlighting the severe impact on communities, including the tragic loss of lives at Camp Mystic. President Trump is scheduled to meet with affected families, local leaders, and first responders. In an interview with NBC's Kristen Welker, Trump emphasized the importance of future safety measures:

“Installing an alarm system of some kind to alert people of future flood events would make sense”
—President Donald Trump, [00:52]

He also conveyed a message of compassion:

“I love those people... I feel so terribly for them.”
—President Donald Trump, [01:10]

3. Reversal of FEMA Phase-Out Plan

[01:28]
The White House has reversed a proposed plan to phase out the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Deanne Criswell, FEMA Administrator under the Biden administration, addressed the necessity of federal support:

“Texas is probably the most capable state that's out there, lots of resources... If this were to happen in another state that doesn't have that much capability, it would just make it that much harder for response.”
—Deanne Criswell, [01:44]

Criswell stressed the importance of streamlining the recovery process to facilitate faster rebuilding for affected communities.

4. Escalating Violence in the West Bank

[02:05]
Windsor Johnston shifts focus to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, reporting that over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank since the commencement of the Gaza war. The violence has escalated, with 23 Israelis also losing their lives. Hadil Al Shalchi of NPR details recent incidents:

• Setters attack near Taiba: Fire set near an ancient church and cemetery.
• Kafr Malik incident: Last month, settlers attacked and set fire to the village, resulting in the deaths of three Palestinians.

Al Shalchi notes the lack of accountability:

“Israeli officials rarely prosecute offenders, and when they do a very small percentage end in conviction.”
—Hadil Al Shalchi, [02:28]

Additionally, the demolition of Palestinian homes has led to the largest displacement in the West Bank since 1967. The Israeli military maintains that these actions are part of efforts to root out militants.

5. State Department Layoffs and Legal Action Against the Trump Administration

[03:12]
The episode highlights significant changes within the federal workforce:

• Hundreds of State Department employees are being laid off, amounting to a 15% reduction.
• The reorganization plan is now moving into the implementation phase following a favorable ruling by the Supreme Court.

In related news, a Columbia University graduate student, Mahmoud Khalil, is suing the Trump administration for $20 million, alleging long-term harm from his arrest and detention during the administration's crackdown on pro-Palestinian activists. Juliana Kim reports:

“Khalil accused immigration agents of arresting him without probable cause and under false pretenses.”
—Juliana Kim, [03:30]

Khalil claims he lost 15 pounds due to stress and inadequate food and missed the birth of his first child. The Department of Homeland Security has denied these allegations, with Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin calling them "absurd."

6. Immigration Policy Changes and Economic Update

[04:30]
The Trump administration announced a policy to restrict illegal immigrants' access to the Head Start program, a federally funded preschool initiative. This move is part of a broader strategy to limit federal benefits for individuals lacking legal status in the United States.

In the economic sphere, Wall Street showed mixed results at the time of reporting:

• Dow Jones Industrial Average: Down by 267 points.
• NASDAQ: Increased by 11 points.

Notable Quotes:

• President Donald Trump: “Installing an alarm system of some kind to alert people of future flood events would make sense.” ([00:52])
• Deanne Criswell: “If this were to happen in another state that doesn't have that much capability, it would just make it that much harder for response.” ([01:44])
• Hadil Al Shalchi: “Israeli officials rarely prosecute offenders, and when they do a very small percentage end in conviction.” ([02:28])
• Mahmoud Khalil: “I lost 15 pounds due to stress and inadequate food, as well as that I was forced to miss the birth of my first child.” ([03:30])

This summary captures the key discussions and insights presented in the July 11, 2025, episode of NPR News Now, providing a comprehensive overview for those who did not listen to the original broadcast.