NPR News: 07-17-2025 1AM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: July 17, 2025

Host: Shea Stevens
Release Date: July 17, 2025
Duration: Approximately 5 minutes
Description: The latest news in five minutes. Updated hourly.

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1. Senate Votes on $9 Billion Spending Cuts

[00:21] Shea Stevens:
The Republican-led Senate is actively voting on amendments to a substantial $9 billion spending package. This package primarily focuses on cutting funds that Congress had previously approved. The Trump administration has specifically targeted funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which includes NPR and PBS, citing concerns over perceived political bias.

[00:42] Scott Newman:
"The Senate began what's called a vote-o-rama, a rapid fire session where lawmakers can offer an unlimited number of amendments to the package," explains Scott Newman of NPR.

A notable attempt to preserve public broadcasting came from Nevada Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto, who introduced a motion to remove these cuts. However, the motion failed, aligning largely along party lines. The Trump administration's proposed cuts also extend to foreign aid, particularly affecting food and health programs abroad. NPR's Scott Newman provides comprehensive coverage of these developments from Washington.

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2. Immigration Detention Continues for Maryland Man

[01:16] Shea Stevens:
A Maryland man, Kilmar Obrego Garcia, who was wrongfully deported to El Salvador, remains detained in Tennessee despite being eligible for release. The detention persists because the court fears he might be deported before his trial.

[01:35] Mariana Bacall, WPLN:
"Federal immigration officials have said that they intend to deport Abrego Garcia to a third country, such as Mexico or South Sudan, upon his release," reports Mariana Bacall following a hearing in Nashville.

During the hearing, prosecutors argued for continued federal custody, emphasizing the risk of prior deportation before Garcia could stand trial on human smuggling charges. In contrast, other witnesses in the case have received deferred action for cooperating with the government. The judge handling the case has indicated an intention to rule next week on Garcia's future status.

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3. Severe Storm Brings Flood Watch to Gulf Coast

[02:14] Shea Stevens:
A severe storm is currently brewing off Louisiana, prompting a flood watch that spans from New Orleans to the Mississippi Valley. New Orleans is preparing for an expected 3 to 5 inches of rain through Saturday, with some areas potentially experiencing up to 10 inches.

[02:32] Mayor Latoya Cantrell of New Orleans:
"Listen, I have been seeing firsthand, I would say, how other cities have been impacted by rainfall just in the past couple of days. And again, that should just be something that we be mindful of as we prepare right here at home in the city of New Orleans," Mayor Cantrell stated at [02:32].

In anticipation of the storm, about 8,000 sandbags have already been distributed to mitigate potential flooding impacts.

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4. Trump Administration Enacts Stricter Fentanyl Regulations

President Trump has signed new legislation aimed at intensifying the crackdown on illegal fentanyl and its counterfeit versions. The bill imposes severe penalties, including a minimum of 10 years in prison for possession of 100 grams or more of fentanyl. Concurrently, the administration is withholding $140 million in grants that were designated to fund fentanyl addiction response efforts.

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5. Meta Faces $8 Billion Class Action Lawsuit

An $8 billion class action lawsuit has been initiated against Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other company executives in Wilmington, Delaware. Investors allege that Meta failed to fully disclose the risks associated with selling Facebook users' personal data. This data was reportedly sold to the now-defunct British company Cambridge Analytica, which played a role in supporting Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. The plaintiffs are seeking reimbursement for expenses related to settling lawsuits that stemmed from the Cambridge Analytica scandal.

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6. New UNESCO World Heritage Sites Announced

[02:51] Shea Stevens:
UNESCO has expanded its list of World Heritage Sites by adding 26 new locations, including a rainforest in Sierra Leone and three ornate castles in Germany.

[04:08] Neta Ulaby, NPR:
"King Ludwig II of Bavaria is known for his impossibly romantic fairy tale castles built in the 1800s," explains Neta Ulaby.

[04:15] Rick Steves:
"Neuschwanstein Castle is just up the hill," adds travel writer Rick Steves, highlighting one of the featured sites.

[04:17] Neta Ulaby:
These castles have gained additional popularity through features on platforms like YouTube, where Rick Steves showcases their intricate interiors adorned with medieval themes and Wagnerian opera scenes.

Other notable additions include a national park in Brazil celebrated for its extensive limestone caves, a well-preserved 17th-century fort in Jamaica, and the "fairy houses" of Sardinia—tiny prehistoric dwellings carved into the island's rocky landscape.

[04:49] Shea Stevens:
In financial news, U.S. futures are trading lower in after-hours markets, while shares in Asia Pacific markets are on the rise.

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7. Market Overview

U.S. futures have dipped in after-hours trading, reflecting investor caution. Conversely, Asia Pacific markets have seen gains, indicating a mixed global economic sentiment.

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This episode of NPR News Now provides a comprehensive overview of current events, from political developments and legal battles to environmental warnings and cultural milestones. For those who missed the broadcast, this summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights shared by NPR reporters and contributors.

Transcript

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[Shea Stevens]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. The Republican led Senate is voting on amendments at this hour to a roughly $9 billion package of spending cuts targeting funds already approved by Congress. As NPR Scott Newman reports, the take backs requested by the Trump administration include funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

[Scott Newman]

The Senate began what's called a vote o rama, a rapid fire session where lawmakers can offer an unlimited number of amendments to the package. Nevada Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto introduced a motion to remove the cuts to public broadcasting, but it failed on a largely party line vote. The Trump administration is asking for the elimination of money to npr, PBS and their member stations because of what it says is political bias. The networks have denied the accusation. Also at stake are foreign food and health programs. Scott Newman, NPR News, Washington.

[Shea Stevens]

The Maryland man wrongfully deported to El Salvador is still being detained in Tennessee despite his eligibility for release. That's because the court fears that Kilmar Obrego Garcia could be deported before he is tried. WPLN's Mariana Bacall filed this report following a hearing in Nashville.

[Mariana Bacall]

Federal immigration officials have said that they intend to deport Abrego Garcia to a third country, such as Mexico or South Sudan, upon his release. During the hearing, prosecutors argued that Abrego Garcia should be kept in federal custody because they cannot control whether immigration officials deport him before he's able to stand trial for human smuggling charges. At the same time, witnesses in the case have been given deferred action on their own deportations for cooperating with the government's case. The judge says he intends to rule next week on what's next for Abrego Garcia. For NPR News, I'm Mariana Bacallau in Nashville.

[Shea Stevens]

A flood watch is posted along the Gulf coast from New Orleans to the Mississippi Valley as a severe storm churns off Louisiana. New Orleans is bracing for 3 to 5 inches of rain through Saturday, while some other areas could see as much as 10 inches. Mayor Latoya Cantrell says New Orleans is under a flood watch.

[Latoya Cantrell]

Listen, I have been seeing firsthand, I would say, how other cities have been impacted by rainfall just in the past couple of days. And again, that should just be something that we be mindful of as we prepare right here at home in the city of New Orleans Cantrell says 8,000.

[Shea Stevens]

Sandbags have already been distributed in preparation for the storm's arrival. President Trump has signed legislation aimed at cracking down on illegal fentanyl and copycat versions of the drug. The bill carries penalties of a minimum 10 years in prison for possession of 100 grams or more of fentanyl. The new law is being enacted as the administration withholds $140 million in grants to fund fentanyl addiction response. This is NPR. An $8 billion class action case against Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other company executives is now underway in Wilmington, Delaware. Investors allege Meta did not fully disclose the risks involved in selling personal data on Facebook users. The data was allegedly sold to the now defunct British company Cambridge Analytica, which supported Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. The plaintiffs are seeking reimbursement for the cost of settling lawsuits stemming from the Cambrid Analytica scandal. In Sierra Leone, a rainforest and a trio of rococo castles in Germany are among the new UNESCO world heritage sites. NPR's Neta Uluby reports that 26 new sites were added to the list during the agency's meeting this week.

[Neta Ulaby]

King Ludwig II of Barbaria is known for his impossibly romantic fairy tale castles built in the 1800s.

[Rick Steves]

Neuschwanstein Castle is just up the hill.

[Neta Ulaby]

They were featured on YouTube by travel writer Rick Steves.

[Rick Steves]

The castle's interior is decorated with misty medieval brave knights, fair maidens and scenes from Wagnerian operas.

[Neta Ulaby]

Other sights on the list include a national park in Brazil known for its vast limestone caves, a preserved 17th century fort in Jamaica, and the so called fairy houses of Sardinia. The island off the coast of Italy is dotted with tiny prehistoric dwellings carved into its rocks. Neta ulabi, NPR News.

[Shea Stevens]

U.S. futures are lower in after hours trading on Wall Street. On Asia Pacific markets, shares are higher. This is NPR News.

[Advertiser]

This message comes from Saatva. Getting quality sleep can improve athletic abilities, increase energy and boost memory and learning. Saatva mattresses are designed to promote that kind of sleep. Save $200 on $1,000 or [e-mail] NPR.