NPR News: 07-12-2025 1PM EDT

Summary

House Approves Funding Rescission for Public Media

The House of Representatives has taken a significant step by approving a White House request to reclaim two years of previously allocated funding for public media. This rescission package is now poised to advance to the Senate. The move has sparked concerns about the future of local public media stations across the nation. An unnamed speaker emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating at [00:00]: “This move poses a serious threat to local stations and public media as we know it.” Supporters are being urged to advocate for public media by visiting goacpr.org.

Texas Floods: Search and Vigil for Missing

In Kerrville, Texas, the community continues to grapple with the aftermath of severe flooding along the Guadalupe River. As of the second week of search operations, more than 170 individuals remain unaccounted for, with fatalities totaling at least 120. The somber atmosphere was palpable during a vigil held last night, where hundreds gathered in front of a makeshift memorial adorned with flowers, photographs, and personal notes.

Steve Futterman reported from Kerrville, highlighting the resilience of survivors. Michelle McGuire, a flood survivor, shared her harrowing experience: “Thank God I'm a decent swimmer. I got to a tree. I got to a wall. I held on for a couple hours in a tree.” [01:04] Although the chances of finding survivors are slim, the community is preparing to hold several funerals this weekend.

EU vs. US: Tariffs and Trade Tensions

President Donald Trump has escalated trade tensions by announcing a 30% tariff on European Union (EU) imports, citing the significant trade deficit the U.S. faces with Europe. In response, EU officials are preparing to implement countermeasures. Ursula von der Leyen, the EU Commission chief, conveyed the bloc’s stance at [01:41]: “The threatened measures would disrupt essential transatlantic supply chains to the detriment of businesses, consumers and patients on both sides of the Atlantic.” Despite the tensions, EU officials remain hopeful of reaching a deal before the new tariffs take effect on August 1st. The EU has already identified U.S. goods that would be subject to these tariffs, signaling potential economic repercussions.

State Department Layoffs amid Administration Cutbacks

In a move that has sparked significant concern, the State Department has initiated layoffs affecting over 1,300 employees. This action comes at a critical time when diplomatic efforts are essential. Robert Blake, the former U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia, expressed his dismay during a rally outside the State Department: “I just think it's a sad time for our institution at a time when, if anything, the State Department is needed more than ever to advance our interests around the world and to compete with China and other countries to stop wars and support President Trump's agenda.” [02:54] These layoffs mark the beginning of a series of cutbacks that could undermine the United States' ability to maintain its global diplomatic presence.

Plane Crash in India: Preliminary Report

A tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, India, has resulted in the loss of at least 260 lives. Authorities have released a preliminary report indicating that the crash was caused by the fuel control switches being moved to the cutoff position, thereby depriving the engines of fuel. Analysis of the cockpit voice recorder revealed a critical moment when one pilot questioned the other: “Why did you cut off the fuel?” to which the response was, “I hadn't.” [03:13] Investigators are continuing to delve into the specifics of the incident to determine the exact cause and prevent future tragedies.

Virginia's AI-Powered Regulatory Reduction Effort

The state of Virginia is pioneering an innovative approach to regulatory reform by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI). Governor Glenn Youngkin announced plans to reduce 25% of the state's regulations, utilizing AI to generate comprehensive reports on all existing regulations. Jack Khalil from VPM reported at [04:09]: “Earlier this week, Youngkin was touting reducing 25% of Virginia's regulations. He also pointed out that artificial intelligence played a role in helping.” The AI-generated reports will assist state employees in conducting legal reviews and comparing regulations with those of neighboring states to enhance competitiveness. Furthermore, the initiative aims to streamline regulatory language and guidelines, with executive agencies given eight weeks to implement the recommended changes. Governor Youngkin aims to reduce regulations by more than a third before his term concludes in January.

Sports Highlight: Iga Świątek Wins Wimbledon

In a thrilling conclusion to the Wimbledon championships, Polish tennis star Iga Świątek triumphed over American Amanda Anisimova in the women’s singles final. The match, which lasted just 57 minutes, marked Świątek’s sixth Grand Slam title, solidifying her position as one of the top players in the sport. Nora Ramm announced the victory at [04:47], celebrating Świątek's impressive performance and her swift ascent in the world of tennis.

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This summary encapsulates the key moments and discussions from the July 12, 2025, episode of NPR News Now, providing a comprehensive overview for listeners and readers alike.

Transcript

[Unnamed Speaker]

The House of Representatives has approved a White House request to claw back two years of previously approved funding for public media. The rescissions package now moves on to the Senate. This move poses a serious threat to local stations and public media as we know it. Please take a stand for public media [e-mail] thank you.

[Nora Ramm]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Ramm. In Kerrville, Texas, the search for people still missing after the Guadalupe river flooded is now in its second week. There are more than 170 people who still have not been accounted for. The fatalities include at least 120 people. Last night, several hundred people came together for a vigil. Steve Futterman reports.

[Steve Futterman]

The vigil took place here in front of the makeshift memorial that has been put up on a stretch of chain link fence, a mixture of flowers, pictures of those who died, and heartfelt notes. One of those Speaking was Michelle McGuire, a survivor who was swept away when the flood came through her home.

[Michelle McGuire]

Thank God I'm a decent swimmer. I got to a tree. I got to a wall. I held on for a couple hours in a tree.

[Steve Futterman]

The search for the missing goes on. Although there is little hope of finding anyone alive, a number of funerals are taking place this weekend. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Kerrville, Texas.

[Nora Ramm]

The European Union warns President Trump the bloc is ready to hit back against his plan to impose tariffs on EU imports. From Brussels, Terry Schultz reports EU officials still hope to make a deal with the White House before the new taxes are due to take effect August 1st.

[Ursula von der Leyen]

EU and US officials have been negotiating for months, but have not come up with a solution to Trump's deep dissatisfaction with the trade imbalance in Europe's favor. EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen says she's still ready to continue working toward an agreement by August 1st because, she says in a statement, the threatened measures would disrupt essential transatlantic supply chains to the detriment of businesses, consumers and patients on both sides of the Atlantic. But she emphasizes that Brussels will take all necessary steps to safeguard EU interests, including the adoption of proportionate countermeasures if required. The EU has drawn up lists of US Goods that will be hit with tariffs once the US Imposes them on Europe. For NPR News, I'm Terry Schultz in Brussels.

[Nora Ramm]

President Trump today released the letter he sent to the EU saying he's imposing a 30% tariff because the trade deficit with the EU is too high. He sent a similar letter to the president of Mexico saying that country hasn't done enough to stem the flow of illegal drugs into the U.S. a rally was held outside the State Department yesterday to show support for recently fired employees. Robert Blake, the former US Ambassador to Indonesia, says the cutbacks come at a challenging time.

[Robert Blake]

I just think it's a sad time for our institution at a time when, if anything, the State Department is needed more than ever to advance our interests around the world and to compete with China and other countries to stop wars and support President Trump's agenda.

[Nora Ramm]

The layoffs began yesterday, affecting more than 1300 people. You're listening to NPR News in Washington. Authorities in India released a preliminary report today on last month's plane crash in the northwestern city of Ahmedabad. The Air India flight went down shortly after takeoff, killing at least 260 people. Investigators say the fuel control switches had moved to the cutoff position, depriving the engines of fuel. The cockpit voice recorder revealed one pilot had asked the other why he cut off the fuel, and he replied that he hadn't. The state of Virginia is looking to artificial intelligence for help in reducing regulations. As Jack Khalil from member station VPM reports, Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin says it's the first type of program of its kind in the country.

[Jack Khalil]

Earlier this week, Youngkin was touting reducing 25% of Virginia's regulations. He also pointed out that artificial intelligence played a role in helping. Now he's ordered Virginia's regulatory office to issue AI generated reports on all of Virginia's regulations. State employees are supposed to use AI to do a legal review and look at nearby states in an effort to compete for new business. Just reducing the number of words and guidance is a goal, too. Executive agencies will have eight weeks from receiving the report to start implementing recommendations. This is Youngkin's last year in office, and he wants to reduce regulations by more than a third by the time he leaves in January. For NPR News, I'm Jad Khalil in Richmond.

[Nora Ramm]

In women's tennis, IGA Svitek of Poland won the Wimbledon championship today. She beat American Amanda Anisimova. Her victory took just 57 minutes and is the sixth Grand Slam title of her career. I'm Nora Ramm, NPR News, in Washington.

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