NPR News: 07-12-2026 9PM EDT

Summary

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NPR News Now – 07-12-2026 9PM EDT

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Date: July 13, 2026
Duration: 5 minutes

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Episode Overview

This episode of NPR News Now provides a concise update on major national and international news stories, including the death of Senator Lindsey Graham, escalating US-Iran tensions, scrutiny of Memphis law enforcement, a deadly festival shooting in Toronto, and a massive wildfire in Spain. The report offers quick, clear coverage with insights and direct quotes from key players and officials on the day’s major events.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Death of Senator Lindsey Graham and Legacy

• Summary: Texas Republican Congressman Michael McCaul mourns the passing of Senator Lindsey Graham, age 71. The two worked closely on a Russia sanctions bill, which McCaul now seeks to rename to honor Graham's legacy.
• Key Details:
  • Graham helped champion a Russia sanctions bill.
  • Graham’s dedication to foreign policy remembered by colleagues.
  • White House support for the sanctions bill mentioned prior to Graham’s death.
  • Optimism from recent meetings with Ukrainian President Zelensky.
• Notable Quotes:
  • [00:30] Michael McCaul: "He knew how to work politically to get the things that he really wanted to get done. But I knew in his heart he cared deeply about foreign policy in the United States."

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2. Escalating Tensions Between US and Iran

• Summary: The US has launched attacks against Iran after both countries traded strikes following an incident involving an oil tanker. Iran claims the strait is now closed and issues threats, to which President Trump responds with heightened rhetoric.
• Key Details:
  • Iran fired warning shots at a Cyprus-flagged tanker.
  • The incident is seen as a violation of a previous agreement by Iran.
  • President Trump declares the ceasefire over, citing provocative Iranian threats.
  • The Iranian leadership vows revenge for the killing of its supreme leader.
  • Trump claims US military readiness with "1,000 missiles locked and loaded."
  • The renewed hostilities complicate hopes for a peace deal.
• Notable Quotes:
  • [01:27] Piers Mara Liasson: "Trump posted, quote, 1,000 missiles are locked and loaded and aimed at the Islamic Republic of Iran."
  • [01:42] Piers Mara Liasson: "Iran has promised to avenge his death and that doesn't make it easier to get a peace deal here."

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3. Scrutiny of the Memphis Safe Task Force

• Summary: The Memphis Safe Task Force faces investigation and public criticism after two deadly officer-involved shootings in one week. The task force, composed of federal and local authorities, was established by President Trump in the previous fall.
• Key Details:
  • A DEA agent and a Tennessee guardsman separately shot and killed two individuals.
  • Five officer-involved shootings under investigation this week.
  • Training criticized by Memphis District Attorney Stephen Mulroy, who alleges de-escalation was mocked.
  • Other district attorneys in Tennessee dispute Mulroy's account, arguing against politicizing law enforcement.
• Notable Quotes:
  • [02:34] Mariana Bacallau: "In trainings, he observed, Mulroy says instructors mocked the concept of de-escalation and referenced the prosecution of the officers accused of killing George Floyd and Eric Gardner as witch hunts."

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4. Deadly Shooting at Toronto Festival

• Summary: Gunfire at the Salsa on St. Clair festival in Toronto leaves two dead and at least four injured. The community is shocked, and the event’s remaining schedule is canceled.
• Key Details:
  • Shooting resulted from an exchange of gunfire between at least two people.
  • Two firearms recovered, with investigations covering three crime scenes.
  • Organizers express grief and cancel further festival events.
  • The city has experienced 33 shootings already this year.
• Notable Quotes:
  • [03:22] Chandelyse Duster, quoting organizers: "They are, quote, shocked and deeply saddened by the shooting."

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5. Wildfires in Southern Spain Amid Heat Wave

• Summary: Firefighters in Spain battle a deadly wildfire amidst record heat, with fatalities climbing to at least 12. Most casualties reportedly ignored shelter orders, and nearly 1,400 were evacuated.
• Key Details:
  • Rising humidity and lighter winds help contain the fire.
  • Many victims were from Belgium or Britain.
  • 20 people are still missing.
  • Returning evacuees hope their homes are intact.
• Notable Quotes:
  • [04:19] Cameron Karunian: "Well, we were informed by the police that at 4 o'clock this afternoon we can go home. Hopefully we have a home to go to."

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Memorable Moments & Quotes

• [00:30] Michael McCaul remembers Lindsey Graham’s heart for foreign policy.
• [01:27] Trump’s direct threat on social media: "1,000 missiles are locked and loaded..."
• [02:34] DA Mulroy criticizes Task Force training for mocking de-escalation.
• [03:22] Festival organizers express their shock and sadness after the Toronto shooting.
• [04:19] A poignant hope from an evacuee in Spain: "Hopefully we have a home to go to."

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:01]–[00:58]: Lindsey Graham’s death and Russia sanctions legacy
• [00:58]–[01:53]: US-Iran conflict escalation
• [01:53]–[02:57]: Memphis task force shootings scrutiny
• [03:09]–[03:54]: Toronto festival shooting
• [03:54]–[04:26]: Spanish wildfires and personal toll

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Language and Tone

The reporting maintains NPR’s signature calm, serious, and factual tone, focusing on clarity and succinctness while offering brief, poignant insights and firsthand quotes from key figures.

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Transcript

[Jeanine Herbst]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Jeanine Herbst. Texas Republican Congressman Michael McCaul is mourning the loss of his mentor, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who died last night at the age of 71. NPR's Claudia Grisales has more.

[Claudia Grisales]

McCall said he met with Zelensky separately to discuss he and Graham's joint work on a Russia sanctions bill that has been in the works for the past year. Now McCaul wants to rename the bill in Graham's honor to mark one of his final legacies.

[Michael McCaul]

He knew how to work politically to get the things that he really wanted to get done. But I knew in his heart he cared deeply about foreign policy in the United States.

[Claudia Grisales]

Graham announced Friday that the White House was on board with the Russia sanctions bill. He also told reporters after his meeting with Zelensky he was more optimistic than ever they had found a new formula to finally end Russia's war with Ukraine. Claudia, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

The U.S. is again attacking Iran this evening after the two countries traded strikes last night following Iran firing warning shots at a Cyprus flagged tanker transiting the strait in an alternate route that hugs the coast of Iran. But Iran says that's a violation of the memorandum of understanding and says the strait is now closed. President Trump says the ceasefire is over and he says Iran's new supreme leader is throwing around threatening words. And Piers Mara Liasson has more.

[Piers Mara Liasson]

Trump posted, quote, 1,000 missiles are locked and loaded and aimed at the Islamic Republic of Iran. He was responding to a threat from the Iranians that they wanted to kill him to take revenge for the Israeli and US Strikes that killed the supreme leader of Iran and many members of his family. Iran has promised to avenge his death and that doesn't make it easier to get a peace deal here.

[Jeanine Herbst]

NPR's Mara Eliasson reporting. The Memphis Safe Task Force, which is designed to make the city safer, is under scrutiny after two deadly officer involved shootings in a week. President Trump formed the task force last fall and it includes a mix of National Guard, local police and federal agents. Mariana Bacallau of member station WPLN has more.

[Mariana Bacallau]

A DEA agent with the task force fatally shot a 47 year old man last week just days after a Tennessee guardsman fatally shot a 20 year old. These shootings, along with three others, are still under investigation by the state. Memphis District Attorney Stephen Mulroy points to the way officers are trained for the task force. In trainings, he observed, Mulroy says instructors mocked the concept of de escalation and referenced the prosecution of the officers accused of killing George Floyd and Eric Gardner as witch hunts. Other Tennessee das have rejected Mulroy's statement, saying it undermines prosecutors and law enforcement to promote a political ideology. For NPR News, I'm Marianne Baca Yao in Nashville.

[Jeanine Herbst]

You're listening to NPR News. Toronto police are looking for suspects after a deadly shooting took place at a festival last night. NPR Chandelyse Duster has more.

[Chandelyse Duster]

At least two people are dead and at least four others are injured after a shooting at a street festival in Toronto on Saturday night. Toronto police say gunfire was exchanged between two people at the Salsa on St Clair festival, an annual event celebrating Latin culture. Two firearms were recovered, and investigators are working through at least three crime scenes. Organizers of the festival said in a statement they are, quote, shocked and deeply saddened by the shooting. They also said the festival will not continue on Sunday. At least 13,000 people were attending the festival when the shooting occurred, and no arrests have been made. At least 33 shootings have occurred in the city this year, according to Toronto police data. Shondalyse Duster, NPR News.

[Jeanine Herbst]

In southern Spain, hundreds of firefighters are battling through a heat wave against a massive wildfire that's killed at least 12 people since last week. Rising humidity and easing winds are helping slow the spread of the flames. Officials say most of those killed had ignored shelter in place orders. Some 1400 people were forced to flee their homes. Cameron Karunian returned to his home in the community of Bedar after evacuating.

[Cameron Karunian]

Well, we were informed by the police that at 4 o' clock this afternoon we can go home. Hopefully we have a home to go to.

[Jeanine Herbst]

20 people are still listed as missing, and officials say it's one of Spain's deadliest fires. Many of the dead were from Belgium or from Britain. I'm Jeanine Herbst, and you're listening to NPR News from Washington.

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