NPR News: 07-17-2025 2PM EDT

Summary

NPR News Now: July 17, 2025, 2 PM EDT

Released on July 17, 2025

NPR News Now brings you the latest updates on pressing national and international issues. This summary highlights the key topics discussed in the episode, complete with notable quotes and insights for a comprehensive understanding.

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Justice Department Silences Prominent Prosecutor

[00:26] Lakshmi Singh:
The episode opens with a significant development in the U.S. Justice Department. Maureen Comey, a federal prosecutor renowned for her work on high-profile cases, including those involving Sean Combs and Jeffrey Epstein, was abruptly dismissed.

[00:47] Carrie Johnson:
"Maureen Comey spent nearly 10 years in the U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan, where she prosecuted music mogul Sean Combs and an associate of Jeffrey Epstein," reports Carrie Johnson. Comey, daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, expressed her dismay in a letter to colleagues, stating, "those kinds of firings can spread fear. Fear is the tool of a tyrant."

Comey's termination is part of a larger pattern, with dozens of career prosecutors being dismissed under the Trump administration's new leadership within the Justice Department. This move has raised concerns about potential abuses of power and the undermining of justice for victims.

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Proposed $9 Billion Funding Rescission Threatens Public Broadcasting

[01:29] Lakshmi Singh:
The Trump administration is on the verge of attempting to retract $9 billion in previously approved funding by Congress. A recent Senate vote approved a rescissions package that includes a substantial $1.1 billion cut to public broadcasting.

[01:52] Katherine Maher:
NPR CEO Katherine Maher warned, "I know that we've heard from some members of Congress that there's lots of time for people to absorb this, but the reality is that the new budget year has already started for many stations, meaning that they are waiting on those federal funds." She highlighted the immediate impact on member stations, which are already facing budget deficits.

Republican lawmakers, including Senate Majority Leader Jonathan, defend the cuts as a necessary measure to address "wasteful spending," stating, "What we are talking about here is 1/10 of 1% of all federal spending, 1/10 of 1% of ALL federal spending, but it's a step in the right direction."

The majority of the $9 billion targeted for rescission was allocated to foreign aid, with the U.S. House set to hold a final vote on the package.

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Tragic Israeli Strike Targets Gaza's Catholic Church

[02:29] Lakshmi Singh:
In international news, Pope Leo has voiced profound sorrow over an Israeli artillery strike that struck a Catholic church in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least three Palestinian Christians.

[02:48] Pierre Zanas Baba:
Pierre Zanas Baba reports, "The Israeli artillery shell that hit the Holy Family Church in Gaza City damaged the roof of the sanctuary. 400 Palestinian Christians have been sheltering on the church grounds throughout the past 21 months of war." Shadi Abu Dawood, a survivor, recounted, "I was in the courtyard with my mother and son. Suddenly, an Israeli tank shell hit the church and people were wounded, including my mother and son." This incident marks the second strike on a Catholic church this year, following an October 2023 attack that killed 21 Palestinian Christians.

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FDA Permits Juul's E-Cigarettes Amid Controversy

[03:23] Lakshmi Singh:
Turning to public health and business, federal regulators have decided to allow Juul to continue selling its E-cigarettes. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced this decision today, marking a significant victory for Juul, which had previously faced a federal ban that nearly led to bankruptcy.

Juul contends that its products offer "less harmful options for adult smokers," positioning them as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes. However, this stance is met with opposition from parents and anti-tobacco groups. Critics argue that Juul's flavored products may facilitate underage vaping, raising concerns about youth addiction and health risks.

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Rising Dangers for Walkers and Cyclists Highlighted by CDC

[04:15] Bing Wong:
Safety for pedestrians and cyclists is declining, according to the latest data from the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics. The report reveals that being around cars while walking or biking is becoming increasingly perilous.

Cyclists and walkers in the western and southern regions of the United States face nearly double the risk of fatal injuries compared to those in the Northeast and Midwest. From 2013 to 2023, the death rate for these groups has surged by approximately 40%, amounting to over 8,400 fatalities in 2023 alone.

Most walking deaths occur at night in areas lacking sidewalks, while cycling fatalities are predominantly urban. In response, the CDC urges walkers and bikers to enhance their visibility, wear appropriate safety gear, and utilize sidewalks and bike lanes whenever possible. Additionally, drivers are advised to remain vigilant and avoid driving under the influence to mitigate these risks.

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now offers a concise yet comprehensive overview of critical developments in the Justice Department, federal funding implications for public broadcasting, international conflicts affecting religious sites, regulatory decisions impacting public health, and emerging safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists. Through informative reporting and firsthand accounts, NPR delivers essential news to keep listeners informed and engaged.

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For more detailed coverage, tune in to NPR News Now or visit NPR.org.

Transcript

[Host 1]

This summer on Planet Money Summer School, we're learning about political economy. We're getting into the nitty gritty of what government does with things like trade, taxes, immigration and healthcare.

[Host 2]

So politics and economics, which are taught separately, they shouldn't be separated at all. I think you have to understand one to really appreciate the other.

[Host 1]

So what is the right amount of government in our lives? Tune in to Planet Money Summer School from npr, wherever you get your podcasts.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Singh. The Justice Department has abruptly fired Maureen Comey, the federal prosecutor who worked on criminal cases tied to accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Comey is telling colleagues it was an honor to serve at the Justice Department. NPR's Carrie Johnson reports she was given no reason for her termination.

[Carrie Johnson]

Maureen Comey spent nearly 10 years in the U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan, where she prosecuted music mogul Sean Combs and an associate of Jeffrey Epstein. Comey, the daughter of former FBI Director Jim Comey, was unexpectedly dismissed this week. In a letter obtained by npr, she told colleagues those kinds of firings can spread fear. Fear is the tool of a tyrant, comey wrote. She urged former co workers to remain dedicated to the truth and to seeking justice for victims, even amid abuses of power. She's one of dozens of career prosecutors fired this year by new leaders in President Trump's Justice Department. Carrie Johnson, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

The Trump administration is a final vote away from taking back $9 billion in funding that Congress previously approved. Overnight, the Senate passed a rescissions package, including 1.1 billion in cuts to public broadcasting. NPR CEO Katherine Maher told CNN today that it's possible by the end of this year the public will see harm to member stations and stations that go dark.

[Katherine Maher]

I know that we've heard from some members of Congress that there's lots of time for people to absorb this, but the reality is that the new budget year has already started for many stations, meaning that they are waiting on those federal funds. That means they are already in a deficit relative to their ability to be budgeted for this year.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Republican lawmakers who back the cuts, including Senate Majority Leader Jonathan, say it's a step toward addressing wasteful spending.

[Senate Majority Leader]

What we are talking about here is 1/10 of 1% of all federal spending, 1/10 of 1% of ALL federal spending, but it's a step in the right direction.

[Lakshmi Singh]

The bulk of the $9 billion being cut was slated for foreign aid. The U.S. house now will hold a final vote. Pope Leo has expressed his deep sorrow over an Israeli strike that hit Gaza's Catholic church. The strike killed at least three Palestinian Christians. And Pierre Zanas Baba has more.

[Pierre Zanas Baba]

The Israeli artillery chill that hit the Holy Family Church in Gaza City damaged the roof of the sanctuary. 400 Palestinian Christians have been sheltering on the church grounds throughout the past 21 months of war. Shadi Abu Dawood, a survivor of the strike, told NPR he was in the courtyard with his mother and son. Suddenly, an Israeli tank chill hit the church and people were wounded, including his mother and son. He says it's the second time the Catholic church has been hit in the war. In October 2023, another Israeli strike on church killed 21 Palestinian Christians.

[Lakshmi Singh]

It's NPR News. Federal regulators are allowing Juul to keep its E cigarettes on the market. The Food and Drug Administration's decision announced today is a major win for a vaping company that came close to filing for bankruptcy after its products were federally prohibited from being sold. The company sued and the ban was eventually overturned. Juul argues its products are less harmful options for adult smokers. But many parents and anti tobacco groups argue drug jules flavored brands contribute to underage vaping. Being around cars while on foot or bike is becoming much more dangerous, according to the latest CDC data. But walking and cycling are safer, safer in the Northeast and Midwest compared with other parts of the U.S. here's NPR's Bing Wong.

[Bing Wong]

Cyclists and walkers in the west and south are almost twice as likely to die from injuries than those in the Northeast and Midwest. That's according to a new report from the CDC's National center for Health Statistics, which also finds that the death rate for walkers and bikers has risen by about 40% from 2013 to 2023. That amounts to more than 8,400 cyclists and pedestrians killed in 2023, according to government data. Most walking deaths happened at night in places without a sidewalk. Cycling deaths were most common in urban areas. In the summer months, the CDC encourages walkers and bikers to be visible, wear safety gear and stay in sidewalks and bike lanes. Drivers should stay alert and not drive under the influence of alcohol or other substances. Ping Huang, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

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