NPR News: 07-12-2025 5PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: July 12, 2025, 5PM EDT

Live from Washington, D.C.

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1. White House Funding Rescission for Public Media

Jeanine Hurst kicked off the episode by reporting that the House of Representatives has approved a White House request to retract two years of previously allocated funding for public media. This rescission package is now advancing to the Senate, raising significant concerns about the future of local stations and public media across the nation. Hurst emphasized the gravity of the situation, saying:

"This move poses a serious threat to local stations and public media as we know it."

She called on listeners to advocate for public media by contacting goacpr.org to take a stand against these funding cuts.

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

Tamara Keith provided an in-depth analysis of President Trump’s latest trade policies, revealing that the administration is threatening to impose a 30% tariff on imports from Mexico and the European Union, effective August 1st. The reasons cited for these tariffs include:

• Mexico: Inability to curb the flow of fentanyl into the United States.

  "I held on for a couple hours in a tree." – A quote from a survivor during the Texas flood, indirectly highlighting broader issues of safety and governance.

• European Union: Persistent trade deficits exacerbated by existing tariff and non-tariff barriers.

Trump initially framed these tariffs as a strategy to secure more favorable trade deals but has since positioned the letters themselves as the agreements. Keith noted:

"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."

This aggressive stance underscores the administration's readiness to escalate trade tensions if desired terms are not met.

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3. Catastrophic July 4th Flooding in Kerrville, Texas

Tragedy struck Kerrville, Texas, following the devastating flash floods on July 4th along the Guadalupe River. Steve Futterman reported that the search for missing individuals is now in its second week, with the death toll rising to at least 120, and over 170 people still unaccounted for.

A poignant vigil was held, where Michelle McGuire, a survivor, recounted 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."

Futterman highlighted the somber reality that while search efforts continue, the likelihood of finding survivors diminishes. The community has come together to mourn, with several funerals scheduled for the weekend.

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4. Tragic Incident in the West Bank Involving a U.S. Citizen

In a distressing development, Palestinian health officials reported the death of Sayfullah Mislet, a 21-year-old U.S. citizen, at the hands of Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank. Hadil Al Shalchi detailed the incident:

"21 year old Sayfullah Mislet was born in Florida and visiting family in the occupied West Bank. Israeli settlers beat him to death in the village of Sinjil."

The U.S. Embassy has confirmed Mislet's death. The Israeli military stated that a confrontation occurred between Palestinians and Israelis in Sinjil and is currently investigating the incident. Historically, prosecutions of such cases by Israeli authorities are rare and seldom result in convictions. Al Shalchi drew parallels to a previous incident in April, where a 14-year-old Palestinian American was killed, noting the absence of significant action from the U.S. Government in response to these tragedies.

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5. Wall Street Weekly Overview

Jeanine Hurst provided a brief update on the stock market, indicating a downturn for the week:

• Dow Jones Industrial Average: Down 1%
• S&P 500: Decreased by approximately 0.3%
• Nasdaq: Slight decline of less than 0.1%

This modest decline reflects the ongoing volatility in financial markets amidst global and domestic challenges.

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6. Historic Victory at Wimbledon Women's Final

In a thrilling sports highlight, Poland’s Iga Świątek triumphed over American player Amanda Anisimova in the Wimbledon women’s final, as reported by Alana Wise. Świątek secured her first Wimbledon title with a score of 6-0, 6-0, showcasing her dominance on the court. Despite Anisimova's efforts, she struggled with unforced errors, allowing Świątek to capitalize effectively.

Post-match, Świątek commended her opponent:

"I hope to face off against her again in the future."

Świątek's win marks Poland's first-ever Wimbledon singles champion, a landmark achievement in the world of tennis.

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7. Manhattan Henge Captivates New Yorkers

Harrison Malkin recounted the mesmerizing event of Manhattan Henge, where the sun aligns perfectly with New York City's street grid, creating a striking visual of the sunset framed by skyscrapers. On that evening, the phenomenon occurred along 14th Street and 9th Avenue, drawing crowds who captured the fleeting spectacle through photos and videos.

Residents like Lynn C. from Washington Heights described the event as a delightful novelty:

"It was cool. It was really good tonight."

Others gathered at notable intersections, including 23rd, 42nd, and 57th Streets, to witness the beauty of the moment. Mattea Pikal, an acting student, expressed anticipation for the next occurrence scheduled for Saturday night at 8 PM Eastern.

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This summary encapsulates the key discussions and events covered in the July 12, 2025, episode of NPR News Now. For continuous updates, listeners are encouraged to tune in regularly.

Transcript

[Jeanine Hurst]

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. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Hurst. 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.

[Jeanine Hurst]

In Kerrville, Texas, the search for people still missing after the catastrophic July 4th flash flooding on the Guadalupe river is now in its second week. At least one hundred and twenty people are dead. More than one hundred and seventy are still listed as missing. And last night several hundred people came together for a vigil. Steve Futterman has more.

[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.

[Tamara Keith]

Thank God I'm a decent swimmer.

[Jeanine Hurst]

I got to a tree, I got to a wall.

[Tamara Keith]

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.

[Jeanine Hurst]

Palestinian health officials say Israeli settlers in the occupied west bank killed a Palestinian. US citizen. Hadil Al Shalchi has more from Tel Aviv.

[Hadil Al Shalchi]

21 year old Sayfullah Mislet was born in Florida and visiting family in the occupied West Bank. Israeli settlers beat him to death in the village of Sinjil, according to a municipality official. A US Embassy spokesperson confirmed Mislet's death. The Israeli military said that a confrontation broke out between Palestinians and Israelis there and it was investigating reports of a Palestinian civilian killed. Israeli officials rarely prosecute offenders and when they do, a very small percentage end in conviction. In April, a 14 year old Palestinian American was killed by Israeli forces in Turmo Saiya. Family members said there has been no action taken by the US Government. Hadil Al Shalchi, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Jeanine Hurst]

Wall street was lower for the week. The Dow was down 1%. The S&P 500 down about a third of a percent in the Nasdaq inched down less than a 10th percent. This is NPR News. At the Wimbledon women's final today, Poland's IGA Witek quickly beat American player Amanda Anismova. And Pierre's Alana Weiss has more.

[Alana Wise]

Witek took an early lead and did not relent. In less than an hour of play, the 24 year old won her first Wimbledon 6 060. Both players had taken to London's famed grass courts hoping for a first time win. But Anisimova was plagued by unforced errors and Swantek made light work of the game. After her win, Swiatek praised her opponent for her performance over the two week tournament and said she hoped to face off against her again in the future. Witek's win made her Poland's first Wimbledon singles champion. Alana Wise, NPR News.

[Jeanine Hurst]

Meanwhile, the men's singles final is tomorrow between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. New Yorkers can catch a glimpse of Manhattan henge this weekend. Harrison Malkin reports. It happens when the sun aligns with the city grid, appearing between buildings on.

[Harrison Malkin]

14Th street and 9th Ave. Buses honked at people taking pictures and videos, catching a glimpse, if only for a minute or so of a seemingly perfect sunset. Lynn C. Who lives in Washington Heights, called it a novelty. It was cool. It was really good tonight. Others went to street corners like 23rd, 42nd and 57th Street. No, it was beautiful. That's Mattea Pikal, an acting student taking classes in the city for the summer. There'll be another chance to see Manhattanhenge Saturday night at about 8pm Eastern. For NPR News, I'm Harrison Malkin in New York.

[Jeanine Hurst]

And I'm Jeanine Herbst, NPR News, in Washington.

[Harrison Malkin]

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