NPR News: 07-12-2025 2PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now – Episode Summary: July 12, 2025, 2 PM EDT

Released on July 12, 2025

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1. Threat to Public Media Funding

[00:00] The episode opens with a concerning update on public media funding in the United States. An unknown speaker announces that the House of Representatives has approved the White House’s request to rescind two years of previously approved funding for public media. This rescission package is now advancing to the Senate, posing a significant threat to local stations and the sustainability of public media.

“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.”
— Unknown Speaker [00:00]

2. President Trump's Tariff Threats on Mexico and the European Union

[00:24] Nora Ramm introduces a segment on President Donald Trump's latest economic maneuvers. Trump has dispatched new letters to U.S. trading partners, specifically targeting Mexico and the European Union with potential tariffs.

[00:40] Tamara Keith reports that Trump intends to impose a 30% tariff on imports from Mexico and the EU starting August 1st. The rationale behind these tariffs includes Mexico’s inability to stop fentanyl from entering the U.S. and long-standing trade deficits with the EU caused by their trade policies and barriers.

“Trump says he intends to hit both Mexico and the European Union with a 30% tariff rate starting August 1st.”
— Tamara Keith [00:40]

Keith further explains that these actions are part of a broader strategy, with around two dozen letters sent this month threatening even higher tariffs if retaliatory measures are taken by the affected countries. Initially presented as efforts to negotiate better trade deals, Trump now positions these letters themselves as the new deals.

“Initially, Trump said he was trying to secure new, more favorable trade deals. Now he says these letters are the deals.”
— Tamara Keith [00:40]

3. Central Texas Flooding and Ongoing Search Efforts

[01:22] The focus shifts to the devastating floods in Central Texas following the 4th of July. More than 170 individuals remain missing, and authorities have confirmed at least 120 fatalities. Greg Froehlich, a member of the search team, provides a poignant glimpse into the dire situation.

[01:41] During his search, Froehlich encounters remnants of families, such as children’s clothing scattered amidst the devastation.

“A lot of kids clothing. So you know, you're walking by it and it's like, you know, you try to think about, like try to backtrack where that piece of clothing came from and you know where it came from. The kids can't.”
— Greg Froehlich [01:41]

Additional challenges loom as the National Weather Service has issued a flood watch through the following evening, indicating that more rain is expected to exacerbate the situation.

4. U.S. Deportation Policies and West African Responses

[01:53] The episode covers the United States' ongoing efforts to deport individuals to third countries, focusing on recent developments in Africa. South Sudan has agreed to accept eight deportees from the U.S., with Rwanda in discussions for a similar arrangement. Nigeria has publicly resisted these efforts, expressing that it does not want to become a “dumping ground” for migrants.

[02:22] Emmanuel Akinwotu reports that during a White House meeting with five West African leaders, the U.S. has been pressuring these nations to accept more deportees, including Venezuelan individuals, some directly from U.S. prisons. Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tugar emphasized Nigeria’s refusal to comply, noting the country's existing challenges.

“Nigeria would not become a, quote, unquote, dumping ground for migrants deported from the U.S.”
— Yusuf Tugar [02:22]

The U.S. has yet to comment officially on these intensified deportation demands.

5. Tragic Incident in the Occupied West Bank

[02:57] A tragic event unfolded in the occupied West Bank as local officials reported that Israeli settlers killed a 21-year-old American citizen. The victim, born in Florida, was visiting family in the region when the confrontation between Palestinians and Israelis escalated into violence. The U.S. Embassy has confirmed the death, highlighting ongoing tensions in the area.

“According to the Israeli military, a confrontation had broken out in the village between Palestinians and Israelis.”
— Nora Ramm [02:57]

6. Escalation of Russian Attacks on Ukraine

Shortly after, the report turns to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Russia has launched another significant assault overnight, employing hundreds of drones and missiles targeting Ukrainian cities. Ukrainian authorities have confirmed at least two fatalities in the western part of the country. This latest wave marks an intensification of Russia's long-range attacks, contributing to the escalating humanitarian and geopolitical crisis.

7. Alaskan Subsistence Fishing Tradition: Dip Netting on the Kenai River

[03:58] Shifting to a lighter yet culturally significant topic, the episode explores the traditional practice of dip netting for salmon in Alaska’s Kenai River. Hunter Morrison from KDLL and Zane Giles share insights into this enduring subsistence activity vital for local communities.

[04:01] Zane Giles demonstrates the process, highlighting the use of long-handled nets as opposed to conventional fishing methods.

“I'm not playing. I'm just I'm just gutting it.”
— Hunter Morrison [03:58]

[04:17] Giles emphasizes the social aspect of dip netting, noting the camaraderie among fellow netters who share a common goal of feeding their families and enjoying the natural environment.

“The fishery is an important subsistence resource. Alaskans are allowed 25 salmon per permit holder. For dip netters like Giles, that amount should last until next summer.”
— Zane Giles [04:17]

This tradition not only sustains families through the winter but also preserves a vital connection to nature and community.

8. Manhattanhenge: A Unique Solar Phenomenon in New York City

[04:41] Concluding the episode, Nora Ramm introduces listeners to a captivating natural event known as Manhattanhenge. This phenomenon occurs when the setting sun aligns perfectly with the east-west streets of Manhattan, creating stunning visual effects as the sun appears to set between towering buildings.

“It's a solar phenomenon when the sun aligns with the city grid and appears to fall between the buildings at certain intersections. Astrophysicist Neil Degrasse Tyson has named the occurrence Manhattanhenge.”
— Nora Ramm [04:41]

Residents and visitors have the opportunity to witness this breathtaking alignment tonight around 8 PM, offering a rare and picturesque experience amidst the urban landscape.

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Note: This summary captures all key discussions, insights, and conclusions presented in the NPR News Now episode from July 12, 2025. Advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections have been excluded to focus solely on the informative segments.

Transcript

[Unknown 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. President Trump has sent a new round of letters imposing tariffs on U.S. trading partners. As NPR's Tamara Keith reports, this time it's Mexico and the European Union getting tariff threats.

[Tamara Keith]

Trump says he intends to hit both Mexico and the European Union with a 30% tariff rate starting August 1st. In the case of Mexico, he cites the country's inability to halt the flow of fentanyl into the U.S. in the EU letter, Trump blames long term, large and persistent trade deficits engendered by tariff and non tariff policies and trade barriers. As with all the two dozen or so letters Trump has sent this month, he threatened Mexico and the EU with even higher tariffs if they respond with higher import levies of their own. Initially, Trump said he was trying to secure new, more favorable trade deals. Now he says these letters are the deals. Tamara Keith, NPR News.

[Nora Ramm]

The search for people missing since the 4th of July flood in Central Texas is now in its second week. Officials estimate more than 170 people are still unaccounted for. They say at least one hundred and twenty people are confirmed dead. Greg Froehlich is on a search team there and describes what he sees.

[Greg Froehlich]

A lot of kids clothing. So you know, you're walking by it and it's like, you know, you try to think about, like try to backtrack where that piece of clothing came from and you know where it came from. You know, the kids can't.

[Nora Ramm]

And more rain is expected in the region. The National Weather Service issued a flood watch through tomorrow evening. South Sudan has accepted eight third country deportees from the U.S. rwanda says it's in talks on a similar deal. Nigeria says the U.S. is pressuring other African countries to do the same. This follows a meeting this week at the White House between President Trump and five West African leaders. NPR's Emmanuel Akinwotu reports.

[Emmanuel Akinwotu]

Nigeria's Foreign Minister Yusuf Tugar told local media that Nigeria would not become a, quote, unquote, dumping ground for migrants deported from the U.S. he said Nigeria and other African countries have been subjected to pressure from U.S. officials to take Venezuelan deportees, some directly from U.S. prisons, which he rebuffed, saying, we have enough problems of our own. President Trump hosted leaders from African countries this week. It was followed by reports of US Demands as part of a crackdown on illegal immigration, which the US has not commented on. Emmanuel Akimotu, NPR News, Lagos.

[Nora Ramm]

Local officials in the occupied west bank say Israeli settlers beat to death a US citizen last night. He was identified as a 21 year old man who was born in Florida and had been visiting family in the West Bank. A US Embassy spokesperson confirmed the death. According to the Israeli military, a confrontation had broken out in the village between Palestinians and Israelis. This is NPR News. Russia launched another major attack against Ukraine overnight with hundreds of drones and missiles. Ukrainian officials say at least two people were killed in the western part of the country. Russia has been stepping up its long range attacks on Ukrainian cities. Hundreds of Alaska residents wade into the mouth of the Kenai river each July to catch salmon with large nets. The subsistence tradition, known as dip netting, is a way for locals to eat through the winter. Hunter Morrison with member station KDLL stopped by the river for opening day.

[Hunter Morrison]

I'm not playing. I'm just I'm just gutting it.

[Zane Giles]

Anchorage's Zane Giles stands on a beach as he slices open a sockeye he caught just minutes before. Giles has dip netted on the Kenai river for more than a decade. He likes that it uses a long handled net instead of a rod and reel. But he enjoys the camaraderie among dip.

[Hunter Morrison]

Netters most we're all going for the same thing. We're trying to feed our family and be out here in nature and enjoy the fishing. It's a really good place.

[Zane Giles]

The fishery is an important subsistence resource. Alaskans are allowed 25 salmon per permit holder. For dip netters like Giles, that amount should last until next summer. For NPR News, I'm Hunter Morrison in Kenai, Alaska.

[Nora Ramm]

If you're in Manhattan tonight around 8, you might catch a glimpse of a seemingly perfect sunset. It's a solar phenomenon when the sun aligns with the city grid and appears to fall between the buildings at certain intersections. Astrophysicist Neil Degrasse Tyson has named the occurrence manhattanhenge. I'm Nora Ramm, NPR News in Washington.

[Unknown Speaker]

Listen to this podcast sponsor free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR News Now. [e-mail] that's plus.NPR.org.