NPR News: 07-13-2025 7AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: July 13, 2025, 7 AM EDT

NPR's Louise Schiavone brings you the latest headlines and in-depth coverage of today's most pressing stories.

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Homeland Security Firm Stance on Immigration

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem reaffirmed the administration's hardline stance on immigration during her speech in Tampa, Florida, at the Turning Point USA Student Action Summit. Addressing the topic directly, Noem declared, “There will never be amnesty under my watch or President Trump's watch” (00:29). This statement underscores the ongoing administration's commitment to stringent immigration policies, ensuring no leniency for individuals seeking amnesty to remain in the United States without legal status.

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Tragic Flooding at Camp Mystic, Texas

A severe flooding event has devastated Camp Mystic in Texas, resulting in a death toll that has now risen to 128. The catastrophe has sparked scrutiny over federal decisions, as government records reveal that multiple buildings were removed from flood maps despite the camp's known flood risks. Notably, these structures were rebuilt five years ago without addressing their placement in danger-prone zones.

Search and Rescue Efforts: Celia Aranda of Texas Public Radio reported on the somber developments:

“A growing makeshift memorial sits on Kerrville's Water Street... 19-year-old Catherine Ferruzzo died in the flooding with at least 28 others from the camp” (01:26).

Catherine Ferruzzo, a recent Memorial High School graduate from the Houston area, had aspirations of becoming a special education teacher at the University of Texas at Austin. Her family has announced the launch of a foundation in her honor to support individuals with special needs and learning differences.

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Impact of Hiring Freeze on 2030 Census Preparations

The federal government's extended hiring freeze, now set to last through mid-October, poses significant challenges for the Census Bureau's preparations for the 2030 national census. With less than five years remaining, the bureau had planned to commence door-to-door efforts next year as part of the 2026 census test, aimed at improving population accuracy in undercounted communities such as children, people of color, and renters.

Hansi Lo Wang of NPR explained the potential repercussions:

“The bureau's plans to start recruiting this fall for temporary workers for the census may be derailed now that President Trump has extended the federal government's hiring freeze” (02:30).

The Census Bureau has yet to respond to inquiries regarding possible exemptions to proceed with essential hiring for the upcoming test, raising concerns about the accuracy and efficiency of the future census data.

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Wimbledon Finals: Historic Victory for Iga Swiatek

In a thrilling conclusion to Wimbledon, Iga Swiatek of Poland triumphed over American player Amanda Anisimova to claim her first Wimbledon singles title. The match, highlighted by Swiatek's dominant performance, concluded with a score of 6-0, 6-0 in under an hour.

Alana Weiss of NPR reported:

“Witek's win made her Poland's first Wimbledon singles champion” (03:28).

Post-match, Swiatek lauded Anisimova’s determination:

“I hope to face off against her again in the future” (03:28).

Swiatek's victory marks a significant milestone in her career and Polish tennis history.

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FIFA Club World Cup Final Amidst Heatwave Challenges

The FIFA Club World Cup culminates today in New Jersey, featuring a showdown between Chelsea of England and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) of France. The tournament has also served as a preparatory event for major sporting spectacles slated for next year, testing various U.S. stadiums' readiness.

Paul Tenoria, Sportswriter with NPR, highlighted the challenges faced:

“Scheduling games to have the TV window set up for prime time in Europe led to playing games at noon or 3 PM in markets like Orlando and Charlotte and D.C. and New York during these heat waves.” (04:22).

The intense heat has adversely affected both player performance and spectator experience, prompting FIFA to consider revising its event scheduling model for future tournaments to enhance athlete safety and fan enjoyment.

President Trump is expected to attend the final match, underscoring the event's high-profile nature.

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NPR News Now continues to provide you with comprehensive coverage of the stories that matter most.

Transcript

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[Louise Schiavone]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Louise Schiavone. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says that as long as Donald Trump is president and she heads the department, amnesty for immigrants in the U.S. without legal status is off the table.

[Kristi Noem]

I also have responsibility for uscis, which is our citizenship visa waiver programs and how we let people come into our country and be our guests. And I will be very firm in telling all of you there will never be amnesty under my watch or President Trump's watch.

[Louise Schiavone]

She spoke in Tampa, Florida, to the conservative nonprofit Turning Point USA Student Action Summit. Government records show the federal government allowed Camp mystic in Texas to remove multiple buildings from government flood maps, even though the camp faced a significant risk of flooding. This even as the camp built new structures five years ago without removing buildings from dangerous flood zones. Today, a flood watch is in effect for the region till early evening. Searchers have recovered the remains of the last missing counselor from Camp Mystic. 19 year old Catherine Ferruzzo died in the flooding with at least 28 others from the camp. Celia Aranda with Texas Public Radio has more.

[Celia Aranda]

A growing makeshift memorial sits on Kerrville's Water Street, a few hundred feet away from the river. One of the many pictures on the flower covered chain link fence is that of 19 year old Catherine Ferruzzo. In a statement, the Furuzzo family said her remains were found on Friday and they thanked the search and rescue team. She was a recent graduate of Memorial High School in the Houston area and had planned to attend the University of Texas at Austin and eventually become a special education teacher. The family says it's launching a foundation in her name for those with special needs and learning differences. I'm Celia Aranda in Kerrville, Texas.

[Louise Schiavone]

The death toll so far from the catastrophic flooding stands at 128. A new extension of President Trump's hiring freeze on most federal civilian workers is raising concerns about preparations for next year's major census field test for the national headcount in 2030. NPR's Hansi Lo Wang has more.

[Hansi Lo Wang]

There's less than five years left until the 2030 census, which will be used to redistribute political representation and federal funding. But the Census Bureau is planning to knock on doors as soon as next year to try out ways of getting a more accurate tally with what's called the 2026 census test. It's set to take place in six areas in the south and West. And the experiment's results are supposed to help the bureau tackle long standing undercounts of populations such as children under the age of five, people of color and renters. But the bureau's plans to start recruiting this fall for temporary workers for the census may be derailed now that President Trump has extended the federal government's hiring freeze through mid October. The bureau has not responded to NPR's question about whether it's asking for an exemption from the freeze for next year's census test. Ansi Le Wang, NPR News, Washington.

[Louise Schiavone]

This is npr. In finals play at Wimbledon today, Carlos Alcaraz takes on Jannik Sinner in the women's final. Yesterday, Poland's IGA WTK quickly beat American player Amanda Anisimova. NPR's Alana Weiss has details.

[Alana Weiss]

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, Witek 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 Weiss, NPR News.

[Louise Schiavone]

Soccer's FIFA Club World cup has been taking place across the US over the past few weeks, providing a dress rehearsal at various stadiums for next year's big events. The final is today in New Jersey. The English team Chelsea plays the French giant Paris Saint Germain. Sportswriter Paul Tenoria with the athletics says a heat wave has been rough on the players.

[Paul Tenoria]

The thing that hurt this tournament the most of scheduling games to have the TV window set up for prime time in Europe led to playing games at noon or 3pm in markets like Orlando and Charlotte and D.C. and New York during these heat waves. And it decreased the level of play. It made the viewing experience worse for fans that went into the stadiums. And FIFA is going to have to consider changing the model for the World cup next summer.

[Louise Schiavone]

President Trump is expected at the game. I'm Louise Schiavone, NPR News, Washington.

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