NPR News Now: July 17, 2025, 3 PM EDT

Released on July 17, 2025

1. Health Update on President Trump

Lakshmi Singh (00:26): "White House press secretary Caroline Levitt says President Trump's in excellent health." President Trump recently underwent vascular testing after experiencing leg swelling, with all results returning normal. Additionally, concerns were raised about minor bruising on his hand.

Fatma Tanis (00:45): "Recent photos of the president have shown minor bruising on the back of his hand. This is consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen."

Further details reveal that President Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a benign vein condition common in men over 70. Press Secretary Levitt emphasized the president's robust health during the recent news briefing.

2. Congressional Rescissions Package and Budget Cuts

Lakshmi Singh (00:59): President Trump's administration is urging the U.S. House to promptly pass an amended rescissions package approved by the Senate overnight. This package includes significant budget cuts totaling $1.1 billion to public broadcasting and $7.9 billion in foreign aid spending.

Maria Navarro (01:27): "The package codifies the spending cuts the Trump administration imposed earlier this year during the dismantling of the U.S. agency for International Development." Key cuts involve:

• $500 million from global health programs targeting diseases like malaria and tuberculosis.
• Nearly $1 billion in reductions for humanitarian aid, including food for malnourished children.
• Several hundred million dollars in cuts to United Nations agencies, such as the World Health Organization and UNICEF.

The White House argues that these funds were a misuse of taxpayer money and is pushing Congress to reclaim the previously approved expenditures. The package awaits a final vote in the House before the impending Friday deadline.

3. Legal Action Against Immigration Enforcement Practices

Lakshmi Singh (02:11): Immigrant rights organizations have launched a federal lawsuit aiming to halt what they describe as unlawful arrests occurring in immigration courts.

Fatma Tanis (02:22): "Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have arrested immigrants in cities like New York City, San Francisco, and San Antonio as they made scheduled court appearances." The lawsuit, filed on behalf of 12 individuals in a D.C. federal court, contends that the Departments of Homeland Security and Justice have undermined due process rights, leading to:

• Unlawful arrests and detentions.
• Expedited deportations affecting potentially thousands of individuals.

The coalition, including the National Immigrant Justice Center, seeks to address these perceived violations of legal protections for immigrants appearing in court.

4. Bryan Kohberger Case: Gag Order Lifted

Lakshmi Singh (02:57): An Idaho court has granted a request from news organizations to lift the gag order in the high-profile case of Bryan Kohberger, who was convicted of murdering four University of Idaho students in 2022. Kohberger was spared the death penalty after agreeing to plead guilty to the charges.

5. Stock Market Performance

Lakshmi Singh (02:57): Wall Street shows positive momentum with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 231 points, the Nasdaq rising by 178 points, and the S&P 500 increasing by 40 points.

6. Tribute to Connie Francis

Lakshmi Singh (02:57): Fans are mourning the loss of Connie Francis, a legendary pop star from the 1950s and 60s, who passed away yesterday at the age of 87. Her publicist confirmed her death without disclosing the cause. Francis was a trailblazer as the first female singer to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100, known for hits like "Who's Sorry Now" and "Pretty Little Baby."

Julia Simon (03:50): "Pretty little baby."

7. Green Energy Subsidies Set to Expire

Lakshmi Singh (03:53): While green energy technologies like home solar panels and heat pumps are effective in reducing pollution and lowering electric bills, government subsidies facilitating these upgrades are nearing their end.

Julia Simon (04:11): "Let's say you want home solar or an electric vehicle. There have been federal tax credits to make them a whole lot cheaper. On July 4, President Trump signed a major tax and spending bill on a law White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers says will unleash American energy. But the law eliminates federal tax credits that make homes more energy efficient and reduce energy bills. And soon the tax credit of 30% off rooftop home solar disappears December 31, as does the tax credit for eligible heat pumps and water heaters. If you want that federal money, experts say to be safe, you should make sure energy saving upgrades are paid for and installed before the end of the year."

Homeowners and consumers are urged to act promptly to take advantage of these tax credits before they expire at the end of the year.

8. Final Stock Market Update

Lakshmi Singh (04:52): U.S. stock markets continue their upward trend with the Nasdaq up 178 points, the Dow climbing nearly 300 points, and the S&P advancing by 40 points.

This episode of NPR News Now provided a comprehensive update on pressing national issues, including presidential health, significant budgetary changes, immigration enforcement challenges, a notable criminal case, the legacy of a pop icon, and the impending expiration of green energy incentives—all underscored by positive movements in the stock market.